This is the first instalment of what I hope will be a weekly series of articles, where I will put the bandwagons from the Gameweek just passed under the microscope, and come to a conclusion on whether I deem them viable options for our Fantasy teams.
The first Gameweek of this season was like no other, with almost every Fantasy manager registering a points total that left them pondering whether their squad would make the cut this season. Many managers have already made transfers, taken hits or even hit the Wildcard button in order to fit in some of Gameweek 1’s star performers. Did they make the right choice?
Riyad Mahrez (5.6)
Mahrez was one of the first players to rise in value this season, and to no surprise. The Algerian netted two goals in the clash against Sunderland, and looked like he could have easily had more. Registering a total of six shots in the domination over the Black Cats (four of which were inside the penalty area), he looked in fine form.
After scoring two goals in pre-season, a few lucky Fantasy managers managed to pick him up for his 15-point haul. It is arguable that despite a good performance, his goals came as a result of a woeful defensive display from the Sunderland backline. Others picked up on the fact that the 5’10 winger scored a header, which barely made contact with his head, and a penalty which he mightn’t have taken had David Nugent or Leonardo Ulloa been on the pitch.
Nevertheless, he looked to get into good goalscoring positions and rewarded the managers who backed him to continue his pre-season form – which followed on from some impressive performances last season. Shifted back to the wing, many thought he wouldn’t perform as well has he had previously done in ‘the hole’. Mahrez proved many wrong. He thrived on Sunderland’s errors, and helped lead Leicester to their first win of the season, in a six-goal thriller.
Verdict – Mahrez looks excellent value should he maintain a regular place in the starting XI. There is no reason he should be dropped, but when it comes to the Tinkerman, you can never be 100% sure. For those looking to raise funds for the likes of Aguero and Sanchez, he is a good buy. However, he isn’t going to get 15 points every week, so unless you really need the extra cash, I wouldn’t knee jerk him in just yet. Wait and see if his form can continue.
Joe Gomez (4.6)
Another early riser, the 4.6 Liverpool man has sparked a lot of interest from Fantasy managers. With interest in him during pre-season tailing off before the deadline, not many opted to go with him from the start.
It didn’t come as a surprise when he started against Stoke, but it left a few kicking themselves after poor returns from the likes of Huth, Coates and Francis, who were all more popular than Gomez. To rub salt into the wounds, Gomez picked up an assist for the only goal – albeit a sideways pass to Coutinho, but that was enough to ensure he picked up maximum bonus points in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL). A yellow card meant the 18-year-old finished up with a total of 11 points, and a spot in the back of our minds.
With many of the premium defenders failing in the same week, it wasn’t long before Gomez rushed into our plans to pick up some of the more prolific attackers, namely Sergio Aguero. With his starting price a mere 4.5, he looked a potential bargain. Now at 4.6, he still offers good value, however the price rise essentially means that upon picking him up, you would leave 0.4 redundant in the bank.
The young Englishman does carry somewhat of a risk though. Alberto Moreno is lingering, and could reclaim his spot in the starting XI at any moment. However, if Moreno were to start, he would probably get 90 minutes. This means that the chances of Gomez coming on for a 1-point cameo are slim; therefore you have the chance to get an auto sub off the bench if you had played him. For me, this is a large upside the Liverpool debutant offers.
Verdict – a great option we can only hope we had chosen from the off. Popular amongst those looking to shift money pits such as Ivanovic to free up some funds, although I think the time to buy him this week has passed. Priced now at 4.6, you are better off waiting a week or so before picking him up. Right now, paying 4.6 for him is like paying 5.0, since you can’t do anything with that 0.4 just yet.
Andre Ayew (7.0)
Classed as a midfielder in FPL, but often referred to as a forward. Ayew hadn’t really come into Fantasy manager’s plans in pre-season. After a strong performance against Chelsea at the weekend, Ayew scored on his debut, picking up all three bonus, leaving him with a FPL points tally of 10.
Ayew enters the frame as an option in the mid-priced midfielder bracket, after the ‘fashionable’ picks of pre-season all failed to muster up attacking returns. With Newcastle (H), Sunderland (a), Watford (a) and Everton (H) in the next five, he could see some more big returns. Popularly picked by those looking to offload the likes of Walcott, and other expensive midfielders, who didn’t live up to the pre-season hype, Ayew too helps free up funds to bring in some of the more expensive players in the game.
Ayew has picked up 44 goals in 160 appearances for Marseille; Fantasy managers are hoping he can better those returns over the course of the season. Throughout the 2014/15 campaign, he managed to pick up a goal every 237 minutes. However, with Gomis also putting in a strong performance, it is debatable whether he can continue to score goals over his current run of albeit kind fixtures.
Verdict – Ayew looks like he could be a good pick this season, however, there are many other good options within his price bracket. A good performance from them this weekend could swing the popularity in their favour. He looks a good bet for those looking to offload the likes of Walcott for some extra cash but I wouldn’t recommend getting him in for the likes of Chadli, Milner, Ritchie, etc. just yet. You chose those players for a reason, and they could easily outscore Ayew over the coming weeks.
