We roll out the tenth and final article in our assessment of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Player List this evening. Having previously published pieces on Goalkeepers, Budget Defenders, Mid-Price Defenders and Premium Defenders, followed by Budget Midfielders, Mid-Price Midfielders and Premium Midfielders, we’ve turned our attentions to Budget Forwards and Mid-Price Forwards over the past few days. Last but not least, then, we look at what’s on offer in the premium forward bracket.
Olivier Giroud and Lukas Podolski both come in at 8.5 this season after registering 121 and 147 points respectively in their debut seasons at the Emirates. Having started the last campaign as a regular on the left of the attacking midfield three, Podolski became something of a bench-warmer after Arsene Wenger decided to move Santi Cazorla from a central berth and field him on the flank instead – given that Arsenal won eight and drew two of their final 10 fixtures, the German international may have to settle for sub duties once again. Giroud’s appeal ultimately comes down to Wenger’s summer spending – Arsenal have missed out on Gonzalo Higuain but remain firmly in the chase for Luis Suarez, with an increased bid for the Uruguayan expected imminently. Giroud has racked up the goals in pre-season so far and it may well be that Wenger views Suarez as ideal for the role in “the hole”, lining up alongside Cazorla and Theo Walcott behind the Frenchman. Even if Suarez arrives, though, Giroud will initially remain in the driving seat regardless of Wenger’s intentions, due to the fact the Uruguayan is suspended for the opening six matches of the season. With Suarez, Cazorla and Walcott all coming in at greater prices, Giroud could well prove strong value if Wenger retains faith in his compatriot as the club’s most advanced frontline option.
With a new contract signed and the transfer request withdrawn, Christian Benteke will be leading the line for Villa once again. A price of 9.0 still seems acceptable for the Belgian after he produced 19 goals and four assists for the midlands outfit last time around, accruing a total of 166 points for a side that scored just 46 times and beat the drop by five points. With spot-kicks in his locker and the central role in a 4-3-3, Benteke should once again comfortably outscore fellow Villa forwards Gabby Agbonlahor and Andreas Weimann – a double Gameweek 1 heightens his early appeal and, although trips to Arsenal and Chelsea are hardly straightforward, the uncertainty surrounding the Blues’ lone forward slot may sway many Benteke’s way when selecting our opening squads. There’s little doubt the initial schedule could be kinder, though, with clashes against Liverpool and City in addition to a blank Gameweek 3 across the opening six fixtures. Benteke, nonetheless, is one of the few premium forwards with no question marks hanging over his game time or position for the season ahead and having rattled in four goals in his first two pre-season starts over the last week, has wasted no time in finding his form.
As we saw in the latter part of last season, choosing between Demba Ba (8.5) and Fernando Torres (9.0) proved a fruitless task for Fantasy managers that almost always resulted in frustration and disappointment. With Romelu Lukaku back in the mix after his loan spell at West Brom and already looking on top form, the dilemma is merely exacerbated – even without the potential addition of Wayne Rooney. With Juan Mata and Eden Hazard surely more secure in the attacking midfield three, the fierce competition for the lone forward role at Stamford Bridge may be enough to deter many from opting for a Blues frontline option until Mourinho’s intentions become a little more transparent; all the more frustrating given Chelsea’s favourable double Gameweek 1.
The Luis Suarez saga continues to cast a shadow over how we assess Liverpool’s forwards for the season ahead. Liverpool’s want-away Uruguayan comes in at 11.0, which is a kinder price than perhaps anticipated, bearing in mind he produced 23 goals and 10 assists in the season gone by. Suspended for the first six games of the campaign, Suarez’s initial absence will ensure he stays firmly off the radar regardless of whether he leaves but if he ultimately chooses to remain on Merseyside, his presence will clearly have a major effect on how we perceive the prospects of both Daniel Sturridge and Iago Aspas.
With 11 goals and five assists from just 14 appearances (three as a sub), Sturridge, coming in at 9.0, has already picked up huge numbers of owners, though has yet to take part in Liverpool’s pre-season due to an ankle problem, with Aspas already notching three times as the lone forward in his absence. Much depends on how Brendan Rodgers plans to utilise his attacking players – a 4-2-3-1, with Suarez in “the hole” behind Sturridge and Aspas on the right may materialise, though the latter two could alternate, with the Spaniard’s 12 goals and seven assists in 34 appearances for Celta Vigo last term highlighting his capabilities. Bearing in mind only one of their first 11 home matches is against last term’s top six (United pay visit in Gameweek 3), the Reds’ attacking potential looks a potent source of Fantasy points.
City’s new additions Stevan Jovetic and Alvaro Negredo have both been valued at 9.5 apiece but despite their relatively kind prices, Fantasy managers will be somewhat sceptical when assessing their potential game time. While Negredo is likely to be handed the most advanced forward role in either a 4-2-2-2 or 4-2-3-1 when selected, his lack of versatility could be detrimental to his minutes. Jovetic’s creativity is more inclined to see him fielded in “the hole” or on the left rather than lead the line, though Sergio Aguero’s adaptability may ultimately make him the most nailed-on of any City striker – the 11.0 priced Argentine could slot into a more withdrawn berth or be fielded furthest forward with equal effect.
With home games against Newcastle and Cardiff, in addition to a trip to Hull in the opening three, the Etihad club could be quickly out the blocks, with many eyeing up their attacking assets for the season kick-off. Aguero’s recent knee problem has prevented him from playing the last few friendlies and with Edin Dzeko (7.5) scoring four times in the last three pre-season games, the Bosnian could well be set to start the campaign in the driving seat, with form and fitness firmly on his side. Pellegrini’s recent endorsement of Dzeko’s abilities also suggest he could play a more prominent part this season but having also stated he requires all four of his strikers in an attempt to succeed both domestically and in Europe, the rest and rotation policy previously utilised by Roberto Mancini could quite easily be maintained.
A price hike to 14.0 sums up Robin Van Persie’s devastating debut year at United as the Dutchman finished top scoring FPL player for the second season in succession. For some, Van Persie’s initial acquisition may depend on Gareth Bale’s future at Tottenham; given that buying both would take up more than a quarter of our starting budgets, plenty are of the opinion it’s one or the other, with the Welshman’s 12.0 price tag and kinder opening fixtures certainly in his favour. Currently the most popular forward by a huge distance (36.4% to second placed Romelu Lukaku’s 22.6%) Van Persie is only likely to rise further in ownership if Bale does depart the Lane, as omitting the Tottenham man from our midfields will free up budget to bolster our frontlines. For others, the Dutchman’s staggering consistency (a goal or assist in 29 of 35 starts for the Red Devils) was so superior to any other forward last term that his captaincy potential is far too reliable to overlook, regardless of Bale’s future.
Certainly, Van Persie has put Wayne Rooney firmly in the shade as a viable route into the United attack. Despite dropping down to 10.5, the latter has just over 2% ownership right now after producing 143 points in 2012/13 – a move to Chelsea should considerably bolster his appeal if he’s signed ahead of the double Gameweek 1, though that currently seems by no means certain, with Rooney facing the prospect of potentially playing a bit-part role in David Moyes’ first term at the Old Trafford helm.
Papiss Cisse grabbed a goal in his first appearance in pre-season earlier this week, following a summer-long dispute with the Tyneside club. A price of 8.5 is by no means cheap for a player who found the net just eight times in the previous campaign and with Alan Pardew eyeing up moves for Loic Remy, Bafetimbi Gomis and Darren Bent, the Senegal striker has failed to persuade Fantasy managers to climb aboard the bandwagon, with an ownership just over 1%. If Cisse can regain full fitness by Gameweek 2, though, Pardew’s side have a run of four games (WHM, FUL, avl, HUL) which offer Cisse the chance to get his campaign quickly off the mark.
Finally, Jermain Defoe’s appeal took another turn for the worse in light of Tottenham’s acquisition of Roberto Soldado. The 8.5 priced Defoe already seemed to be behind Emmanuel Adebayor in the pecking order under Andre Villas-Boas and while a reported move to Stoke would certainly boost his game time, that price tag pretty much cancels his appeal as a viable Fantasy asset for the 2013/14 campaign.
