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25 July 2011 667 comments
Mark Mark
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All the paper talk today suggests that Aston Villa are closing in on the signing of Charles N’Zogbia from Wigan for a fee in the region of £9.5 million.

There’s no official confirmation of such an agreement from either club at this point but the reports suggest that the French winger will undergo a medical and agree terms within the next 24-hours.

While we wouldn’t normally deal in pure speculation or discuss a transfer yet to be concluded, N’Zogbia’s potential more to Villa Park carries such significance, it deserves our early attention.

Of all the summer transfers so far, this one could have a major impact on the prospects of both clubs and several players nestled in the low-to-mid price brackets across the various Fantasy games.

N’Zogbia himself, a long-time Fantasy favourite, will likely find himself a key player once again. While he has arguably been the leading light at Wigan, his influence and match winning potential seems unlikely to be diluted by a move to Villa Park. With Ashley Young and Stewart Downing now departed, the scene is set for N’Zogbia to take charge at set-plays and orchestrate the key threat to the opposition, in much the same way he did at the Latics. His mid-price value (7.5 in the Fantasy Premier League game) will look appealing to many, particularly those who choose to turn their backs on the goal-getting potential of Darren Bent for Villa’s favourable opening spell of fixtures.

N’Zogbia’s arrival will however have a likely impact on the potential of Marc Albrighton. The England U21 international was expected to build on an hugely encouraging first season in the Premier League by stepping up to fill the void left by Young and Downing. While his starting role should remain assured, N’Zogbia will likely take on the role of lock-picker, supplier of crosses and assists and deadball duties. Albrighton’s potential for points will take a hit – albeit a minor one.

There could be better news for Fantasy managers back at Wigan. Robbed of N’Zogbia’s trickery and guile, Roberto Martinez has a ready-made replacement in Victor Moses. While the 20-year-old lacks the experience and pedigree of the Frenchman, he has the ability in his locker and the hunger to prove himself in the top flight. Already sparkling in pre-season, Moses will surely relish the prospect of regular starts. With a budget price across the various games (5.0 in the Fantasy Premier League), Fantasy managers should also look forward to Moses realising at least some of his potential should the N’Zogbia deal be concluded.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

667 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. vova
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    guys, do you think lescott will keep his place when toure is back? Also, who should i pair Kompany with for my city defence double? Finally, who are you picking for your chelsea attacking cover?

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    1. cassanata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      I am picking Lampard as Chelsea cover to play it safe at the start. I didn't have him at all last year but just too many question marks over other Chelsea attackers.

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    2. Zep
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      I'm not sure, but he's back sooner than I realised... September 2nd...

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    3. Sergeant Slaughter
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Clichy, looks canny in pre season.

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  2. Kloppelganger
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Who's on QPR pens? Tarrabt?

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    1. Zep
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      yes

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  3. Davemc23
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Please please please RMT people:

    Given/ Kenny
    Cashley/ Jags/ Kompany/ Figueroa/ Simpson
    Silva/ N’Zogbia/ Taarabt/ Sinclair/ Tiote
    Rooney/ Bent/ Zamora

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    1. Davemc23
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Am I mad not to have Chelsea attack covered? Trying to work it so I can put in Malouda in GW 2

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      1. Kloppelganger
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        I don't have Chelsea attack either so feel your anguish, just can't convince myself to put Torres in though!

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  4. Bunji
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Option 1: Lescott and N'Zogbia.
    Option 2: Cashley and Albrighton/Ramsey/Wilshere/Barton/Sinclair/O'Hara.

    Which one and why? For option 2, which 6.5 mil or 6 mil player would be the best option?

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    1. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      I'd go option 2. The new chavs manager loves attacking full backs. Is there any more attacking?

      That leads to the second option....

      Albrighton is decent n may get the gametime that made him a doubt for so many last season

      Ramsey n wilshere could rotate so not overly keen on that

      Barton...was it a 1 season wonder?

      O'hara always does well for rubbish teams and hes at a rubbish team but has previously relied heavily on bonus which with the new system may not be forthcoming.

      Sinclair seems like a real good option. This is the one i'd go with...after gw1

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  5. Kloppelganger
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    A lot seem to be going for O'Hara. Why ahead of Jarvis at the same price?

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  6. Shane Ferguson 4.0
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Anybody????

    I just need a few opinions please…

    Given – Ruddy
    A Cole – Kompany – Hughes – Simpson – Orr
    Sinclair – Barton – Lampard – Sessegnon – Taarabt
    RvP – Holt – Suarez (or Carrol for first GW)

    (for 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 that I always play.)_

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    1. Kloppelganger
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Looks very good to me.

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    2. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Generic on this site. But good.

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  7. Kloppelganger
    • 14 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    Lads Valencia is Fergie's golden boy right?

    So why is he 8m and Young & Nani are 10m?

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    1. In Like Flynn.
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Last year's form.

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      1. Kloppelganger
        • 14 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        Injuries last season though, still averaged around 5pts per game. Only 0.5 more than Nzog who'll be in a very average villa team.

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        1. Shakey
          • 16 Years
          14 years, 5 months ago

          N'Zogbia will start every game and scores a good amount of goals.

          Valencia doesn't.

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    2. Locarno
      • 15 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      The points-setters watched him closely in the Barca game?

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    3. The ghost of a Pug's g…
      • 14 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      Is valancia nailed on to start then? scared to play any of the 3. Lot of money to have rotting. Half expected valencia to play in middle tbh

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    4. applebonkers
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      14 years, 5 months ago

      becuase nani poo's all over valencia output wise

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      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        14 years, 5 months ago

        This, in every way - back! AP!

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  8. Mr. Greedy
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    There was a discussion earlier about whether promoted teams start well, so I looked it up.

    2010/11

    Newcastle: 2W 1D 3L 7 points
    Blackpool: 2W 1D 3L 7 points
    West Brom: 3W 1D 2L 10 points

    2009/10

    Wolves: 2W 1D 3L 7 points
    Birmingham: 2W 1D 3L 7 points
    Burnley: 3W 0D 3L 9 points

    2008/09

    Hull City: 3W 2D 1L 11 points
    West Brom: 2W 1D 3L 7 points
    Stoke City: 1W 2D 3L 5 points

    Mostly solid (but unspectacular) starts, especially for the team that has come through the play-offs interestingly. Perhaps they have been unestimated at the beginning of the season or their momentum has carried them forward.

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  9. Morrissey1986
    • 16 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    How bad is Kompany's injury?
    And someone has to update our pre season results. We beat Bodmin. 7-0 it's not even mentioned and it was the first team squad. (QPR)

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  10. samaael
    • 15 Years
    14 years, 5 months ago

    hey guys
    excuse another RMT... need a little advice, changed it slightly

    Given (Ruddy)

    Kompany/ Hughes/ Luiz (Bramble/ Simpson)

    Malouda/ N'Zogbia/ Y. Toure/ Moses (Sinclair)

    RVP/ Suarez/ Rodagella

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