Awards

Team of the Season – Christian Fuchs

Before being sacked last summer, one of Nigel Pearson’s parting gifts to Leicester City was the signing of Christian Fuchs from Schalke on a free transfer. The Austrian international arrived at the King Power Stadium with a strong record of providing goals and assists down the left but had to bide his time under new Foxes boss Claudio Ranieri and failed to start any of the first seven league matches.

THE STATISTICS

A chastening 5-2 home loss to Arsenal saw Fuchs finally usurp Jeffrey Schlupp as Leicester’s first-choice left-back as Ranieri looked to tighten up defensively. This also saw Danny Simpson come in on the opposite side of the back-four as the Italian attempted to address a record of 14 goals against – and no clean sheets – in the first seven Gameweeks.

The Foxes claimed their first shut-out of the season against Crystal Palace in Gameweek 10, and kept a further two clean sheets in their next eight matches. Ranieri’s men them embarked on a remarkable run of 11 clean sheets in their next 15 matches, helping put them in pole position to claim the Premier League title.

Fuchs only missed one match from Gameweek 8 onwards, and chipped in with a credible four assists in addition to 15 clean sheets, helping put him among the top five highest scoring defenders in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) with 150 points. His original price tag stood at 5.0 in FPL, which fell to 4.7 by the time he was inserted into the starting XI in Gameweek 8. After the Leicester defence emerged as a true force during the second half of the season, Fuchs’ price reached a peak of 5.2.

What set Fuchs apart from the rest of the Leicester defence was his ability to rack up the bonus points. The Austrian’s tally of 25, which more than any other defender in FPL, matched the combined total of team-mates Robert Huth, Simpson (both ten) and Wes Morgan (five).

Huth and Morgan both offered far more of a threat than Fuchs due to their aerial threat from set-pieces, scoring three and two goals respectively this season. Both centre-backs did only cost 4.5 at the start of the season, but Fuchs ultimately proved worthy of the extra outlay, averaging 4.7 points per game (ppg), compared to 4.0 for Huth and Simpson and Morgan’s 3.7.

Fuchs also received plenty of individual accolades, including being named in the PFA Team of the Year, and received 13% of the vote to take the final defenders spot in our Team of the Season.

THE PROSPECTS

Although Fuchs firmly established himself as the first choice left-back under Ranieri, the addition of Champions League football next season may persuade the Italian to introduce a degree of rotation to his side next time around.

Certainly, Leicester’s lack of European fixtures, allied with a third round FA Cup exit to Spurs, ensured that the King Power side could concentrate fully on league matters on their way to the title. As a result, the Foxes’ team sheets rarely changed from one week to the next in 2015/16 but with more fixtures on their plate next term, Ranieri will be tempted to utilise the depth of his squad. Fuchs will surely remain the number one option on the left of the back-four, though, on occasion, the Foxes boss could turn to Schlupp or Ben Chilwell to cope with a congested spell of fixtures.

Fuchs started last season as Leicester’s most costly defender – at 5.0 – and, given his level of output, there’d be no surprise if he remained slightly more expensive again. A price rise to around 5.5 in FPL looks likely, and while that could boost the appeal of Huth, Morgan or Simpson for many, the Austrian could still be worth our attention. Aside from his bonus points potential, Fuchs’ delivery from the flank and share of dead-ball duties created 43 chances for his team-mates – second only to Alberto Moreno (56) among defenders.

In addition, Leicester’s tally of 15 clean sheets from the point of Fuchs’ installation was joint-top with Arsenal from Gameweek 8 onwards. This was in part down to the Austrian’s displays – he sits first for successful tackles (77) and second for interceptions (98) over that period, highlighting his importance to the champions’ backline.

With eight shut-outs in their final 11 home fixtures, Ranieri’s side will surely remain on our radars for the season ahead and providing his price isn’t too prohibitive, Fuchs may well have a major part to play in our seasons once again.

1,056 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pasqualinho
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Has anyone worked out the ultimate dead team for last year yet? The one you could just pick for GW1 and forget, but it would still win FPL. I think it'll be a bit more of a challenge this year with the chips adding 50-odd points to the winner's score.

    1. Irish Madridista ⭐
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      TM posted one a while back.. and I've now immediately realised how unhelpful this post is.

      1. Sp0rting
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        We've been saying that about your posts all season.

        1. Irish Madridista ⭐
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          My only chance of winning this game is to destroy and/or distract all of you.

          1. Sp0rting
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah, the "Name Change Double Decoy Back Track" plan worked quite well.

            1. Irish Madridista ⭐
              • 14 Years
              8 years, 6 months ago

              At first.. Up until the point where it really didn't.

      2. Pasqualinho
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Not if TM sees it is isn't. How did he get on? Would it have won?

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Would have to been selected by a Leicester fan. Say, Andy Goddard. 😉

          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah it smashed it tbh.

          Mahrez c, Aguero vc would have done tons of damage. Basically Mahrez's score plus Agueros 25 point gameweek 8.

          All the top defenders were easily affordable, Vardy and Kane not extortionate and I think Payet with Arnautovic 1st sub did really well.

  2. St. Joseph
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Juanfran and Carvajal
    They're both good player, playing for a good team and will be meeting at UCL final

    Who do you guys think will start??

    at first i picked juanfran, but now.. not so sure.
    or it's maybe better avoid spain fullbacks??

    1. Moin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I have gone with Ramos

      1. St. Joseph
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        I did
        But then i feel he's too expensive

        Would leave me a bad midfielders

    2. FPL Hitman
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Think Juanfran is more nailed. Tbh the most expensive ones are the ones nailed. With teams like Croatia & Czech Republic, think can avoid altogether

  3. Moin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I see Hector in many teams, is he nailed on?

    1. FFFrog
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Appears so, Low prefers him to Schmelzer

  4. St. Joseph
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    How do you guys see my team?

    Rui Patricio (Mucha)
    Juanfran Koscielny Hector (Denayer Carvajal)
    Alli Fabregas Kroos Modric (Renato Sanches)
    Griezmann (C) Muller CR7

    Any changes should i do?
    or any player in my team that not nailed?

    1. FPL Hitman
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Dream strikeforce & great defense. Midfield looks good on paper but don't think they will yield u enough fantasy points. Carvajal not nailed, can go for nailed 4.5s from other teams.

      1. St. Joseph
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Can u suggest me another 4,5 which is nailed?

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      There are some blind spots, imo.

      Juanfran and Carvajal are playing for the same spot. Might as well get Alba.
      Modric is a wonderful player, but may be a dud, fantasy-wise.
      Alli is not nailed, imo.

      1. St. Joseph
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        If alli is not nailed then one of my strikers should go.

        Which one should go in ur opinion
        Griezmann muller or cr7

      2. St. Joseph
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Putting juanfran and carvajal is one of my strategy. If another one out then the other one comes in. As carvajal could be gold in that price.
        And he is playing for one of the best team in the world.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Quite a clever move, covering the Spanish RB, works out @6 though when DDG is 5.5, so you're paying.
      The massive front 3 weakens the midfield but something has to give I guess. Not bad though, for that type of strategy.

      1. St. Joseph
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Im just not sure DDG, exactly the same price with casillas

        And i had feeling casillas will take part

    4. Konig Luther
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Mucha and Renato not nailed...

      only one from Juanfran and Carvajal are nailed

      1. St. Joseph
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah.. i think if juanfran not nailed then my carvajal is in..
        Kinda like that

    5. Cesc's old mullet
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Agree with what has been said so far.

      I'll add that Kroos might play deeper with Germany than he does with Real.

      Giroud might be a better option than Griezmann, given that he'll have the most advanced role.

      You could then do Griezmann + Kroos > Giroud + Özil

      Alli, Renato Sanches, Fabregas, Carvajal/Juanfran, Denayer : none of them are nailed on yet

      1. St. Joseph
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Yeah i agree these are still too many flaws in my team.

        This time euro fantasy is way too difficult

  5. Laurel and Vardy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    First Euro 2016 draft. What do you guys think:

    Rui Patricio (4.0)
    Koscielny-Rose-Schar (Prodl-Vrsalko)
    Siggy-Hamsik-Alaba-Perisic (Gokhan Tore)
    CR7-Mueller-Janko

    Pretty much all appeared to be starters and the front (bar the enabler Tore) are amongst leading scorers for their countries. My initial idea is to compile a balanced team and hope this looks good for a Draft 1.0
    Thanks.

    1. St. Joseph
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Vrsaljko nailed?

      1. Laurel and Vardy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        He's my last sub, so don't really care, but that's why I put "Pretty much" in my statement about the starters 🙂 Do you like the rest of the team?

    2. St. Joseph
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Overall a pretty good team.
      Balanced defense, mid, and attack.

      But i kinda worry going without spain and germany defence in this tournament

      1. Laurel and Vardy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks, we can't have them all, can we ? 🙂 Well, I prefer to gamble on Rose raids and Koscielny headers, instead of risking my team balance with Ramos' attraction to sent offs or Hector's game time 🙂

        1. St. Joseph
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Hector is in my team.
          Do you think he will get rotated at some time in this tournament?

          1. Laurel and Vardy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Can't say for sure, but I wouldn't pick him from the Bundesteam - go for Neuer or Hummels, but before that double check the groups, there are teams like Austria and Switzerland, who'll face similar opposition and offer budget solutions (Schar, Prodl...).

  6. St. Joseph
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Correct me if i wrong.
    But i think theres no one GK nailed at 4.0 is that right??

    So im linda leave it one blind gk spot?

  7. Lucy.
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Hazard and Joao Mario
    Cesc and Ozil

    Which pair?

    1. Lucy.
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Oh hang on, why am I here?

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Because you love us so? 😉

        1. Lucy.
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Haha 😉 I meant this particular article/thread.

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Perhaps the latter ...

  8. penguinsofdeath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    I need good defensive options for Poland & Croatia... any advice? Obvs the cheaper the better

    1. Blurryface
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      versaljko from croatia 4.5m

      1. tm370
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Will he definitely start? I'm not sure.