Awards

Team of the Season – Riyad Mahrez

Having only shown occasional flashes of his ability during the previous campaign under Nigel Pearson, no-one could have predicted Riyad Mahrez’ impact on the Premier League this time around. The arrival of Claudio Ranieri transformed the Algerian into Fantasy royalty, however, as he went on to produce 17 goals and 11 assists to spearhead the King Power club’s charge to the title and earn the PFA Player of the Year accolade.

THE STATISTICS

With a mere four goals and five assists during his maiden Premier League campaign, the Algerian was priced at a modest 5.5 in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) at the start of this season.

Mahrez soon became the hottest property in FPL after producing five double-figure hauls during the opening six Gameweeks, courtesy of five goals and three assists. By Gameweek 8 his price had risen to 6.5, and the midfielder continued to deliver for his ever-increasing ownership, blanking just twice between Gameweek 9 and 17.

Mahrez then blanked in five matches over Christmas and New Year but that drought was short-lived, with the former Le Havre player then managing a further three goals and four assists over Leicester’s next seven matches. His production did tail off slightly towards the end of the season, only scoring two goals in his final nine outings, while his price peaked at 7.4 in FPL in Gameweek 30.

Mahrez ended the season as the highest scoring player in FPL this season with 240 points – put into perspective, that was 40 points ahead of Mesut Ozil, who took second in the centre of the park, and superior to last season’s 233-point haul earned by Eden Hazard as the number one midfielder.

The Foxes flier also led all players in FPL for bonus points (with 38) and appearances in the Dream Team – indeed, his total of 11 times was at least twice the number of any player aside from Swansea’s Andre Ayew (six).

Mahrez’ average of 6.6 points per game also took first spot. That was well ahead of fellow midfielders Mesut Ozil and Dimitri Payet, who averaged 5.7 points per game (ppg), while forwards Sergio Aguero and Vardy managed 6.1 and 5.9 ppg respectively.

The statistics are also all the more impressive when you consider Mahrez lost penalty taking duties, having scored four times from the spot prior to missing against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, seeing Vardy reclaim penalty duties during the second half of the season.

THE PROSPECTS

After enjoying such a sensational campaign for the Foxes, we’re clearly going to see Mahrez’ price in FPL rise considerably from the 5.5 he opened up at last summer. The Algerian looks set to be elevated to the premium price bracket, which could place him in illustrious company alongside the likes of Hazard, Ozil and Payet around 9.0 – 10.0, with Alexis Sanchez and Kevin de Bruyne perhaps a tad more expensive as the highest priced midfielders in the game.

Whilst we anticipate more rotation on the Foxes left flank, with Marc Albrighton and Jeffrey Schlupp jostling for pitch time along with Demarai Gray, Mahrez is likely to be immune to any potential tinkering, though – in a similar situation to this season – we can expect Ranieri to manage his minutes towards the end of matches.

When it comes to analysing Leicester attacking assets, it could come down to a straight choice between Mahrez and Vardy next season, with few Fantasy managers likely to find a place for both given they should be subject to significant price hikes this time around. As already mentioned, Vardy ended the season with penalty duties – although he did miss from the spot against Everton – which may well factor into many managers’ decision.

Whilst Mahrez obviously won’t give us the same sort of value next time around, the stats certainly suggest he may still flourish as a premium-priced option in 2016/17. Second in the centre of the park for shots on target (39) and fourth for efforts in the box (48), he sat third for goal conversion (19.8%) amongst all midfielders with more than five strikes to their name.

Granted, no one could have anticipated Hazard’s fall from Fantasy favour this time around, which goes to show that no two seasons are the same. Nonetheless, the signs are still favourable that the Algerian could have a productive year next time around as Ranieri’s side prepare to defend their title.

402 Comments Post a Comment
    1. Suarezista
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Cheers Doosra, this is very helpful.
      Inler isn't in the Swiss squad btw.
      https://twitter.com/SFV_ASF/status/732918822374608896

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

        Blow me. Thank you - good man!!!

  1. Eden Azzzar
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Anybody else having trouble with registering for euro 2016 game due to not being able to pick country you live in?

    1. COW
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Nada.

    2. GoonerByron
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      I did on iphone/iPad.. Had to do it on PC.

  2. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Barcelona fans will be handed 10,000 Scotland flags for Sunday's Copa del Rey final with Sevilla after pro-Catalan independence flags were banned.

    1. COW
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      This has made my day.

      1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Catalonia and Scotland should make a combined team in international football

        Mcgregor
        Hutton Pique Puyol Alba
        Fletcher Xavi
        Iniesta Fabregas Anna
        Naismith

        Subs: Valdes Pedro Busquets

        1. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
          • 11 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          *Anya

        2. COW
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Stop it. This is like waving a beer in front of an alcoholic!

    2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Since Jafooli is not here Freedom

      1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Sorry that was not dramatic enough https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLCEUpIg8rE

    3. Jaffalicious! #SomosCubanos
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      #Independencia

  3. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    FA Cup Score Predictions?

    Crystal Palace 1 Man United 0

    1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      2 - 1 United

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

      Crystal Palace 2 Man United 1

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

        Saints miss out on Europa if Palace win right?

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

          No, West Ham do.

          1. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
            • 14 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            Broadband ?

        2. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
          • 14 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          No . West Ham are 7th and they miss out on Europe if Palace win.

        3. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          Top 6

    3. Non-template FPL is for Kin…
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Zzzzzz

    4. ROOTY7
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      1-0 United

      Joel Ward (OG)

  4. CatMac
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Afternoon all

    I have revised my Euro team as below if anyone is kind enough to RMT it. (Doos, I have managed to fit Schar in :))

    Rui Patricio Berisha
    Boateng Koscielny Schar Vrsaljko Dier
    Ozil Weiss Alaba Alli Rafa Silva
    Lewandowski Muller Giroud

    1. ROOTY7
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Great team.

      Literally have no idea about Weiss. Is he a nailed on points getter?

      Like the Giroud choice- seems like he may start with griezz out wide.

      1. CatMac
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers Eddlumby. I dont know much about euro leagues so I've been trawling through the posts on here, but from what I can make out Weiss is good for assists.

        I am hoping Giroud will start up top.

        1. Latchmere Wave Machine
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 6 months ago

          This is the last place to look for good infomation, only bandwagons in these parts

          1. CatMac
            • 15 Years
            8 years, 6 months ago

            LOL :). Well at least the bandwagons may have more wheels on than my knowledge-of-euro-teams wagon 😉

      1. CatMac
        • 15 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers Doos, I will digest and see if any changes are necessary :).
        What do you reckon on the team as it stands though?

      2. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 6 months ago

        Lovely, bookmarked! 🙂

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

    Afternoon all 🙂

    Sommer
    Dier* - Alba - Hector* - Sagna
    Grosicki - Siggy - Cesc* - Alaba
    Giroud - Muller
    ((Patricio - Janko - Dzsudzsak - Prodl*))

    Anything amiss here?

    Will these players start: (( Cesc // Hector // Dier // Prodl )) ??

    Also, there seems to be a lot of love for Perisic but he's scored against pretty poor teams in the past, why all the high hopes?
    Not on set pieces either?

    1. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Hector will start as Durm was not selected, not sure about the others.

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

        Nice one EDHID

  6. New Article Posted
  7. alfoir
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    A. Kroos, Giroud, Kane
    B. Kroos, Griezmann, Janko
    C. £5.5m mid (if so, who?), Muller, Giroud

    Lewy my third striker who I think is essential for NI game. Have Alaba in midfield so already have Austria cover.

    1. Latchmere Wave Machine
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      Look at Vazquez

  8. greglt
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 6 months ago

    Any thoughts ? Haven't decided about my formation yet

    Rui Patricio (Neuer)
    Dier / Hector / Juanfran / Koscielny (Dragovic)
    Alaba / Alli / Zielinski (Payet / Rafa Silva)
    Lewan / Kane / Muller

    1. Latchmere Wave Machine
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 6 months ago

      My thought is you've 3 lions in it???