Blackburn Rovers striker Yakubu Aiyegbeni has become something of a forgotten man since his dismissal for a clumsy challenge on Fulham’s Danny Murphy in Gameweek 21. Fantasy managers moved quickly to axe the Nigerian as his three-match ban kicked in; within a week, 212,000 had transferred him out. The next two gameweeks saw a further 65,000 escort Yakubu from their teams, as mid-price alternatives were quickly snapped up.
When Blackburn Rovers signed the former Everton striker back in the summer, it was greeted with a mere shrug, perhaps even a sigh, from the majority of Fantasy managers. This is perhaps unsurprising, given he had managed just 27 points before being sent out on loan to Leicester last season.
This attitude changed, though, when, on his Blackburn debut in gameweek 5, Yakubu bagged a brace and notched the 3 bonus points as Rovers felled Arsenal 4-3. Sighs turned to gasps and shrugs soon became wide open arms as 16,000 Fantasy managers welcomed him into their teams on the back of his exploits against the Gunners.
Further points hauls were to follow in Gameweek 12, when he scored a further 2 goals and reeled in another maximum bonus point haul during a 3-3 away draw with Wigan. In Gameweek 14 came his crowning glory, though, as Yakubu grabbed all his side’s goals in the 4-2 victory over Swansea. He earned 21 points that week, joining a small and exclusive club of players including Clint Dempsey and Robin Van Persie who have managed to break the 20-point barrier this season. Another goal came in Gameweek 17 at home to Bolton, and a brace followed in Gameweek 19 as Blackburn shocked Manchester United 3-2 at Old Trafford.
By the time his enormous legs clattered into Danny Murphy, Yakubu had notched 12 goals and 11 bonus points in just 15 matches. A significant improvement on a previous goalscoring record that harvested a goal every three games, and easy to see just why the Nigerian had become one of the most sought-after strikers in Fantasy terms this season.
Now owned by just 3.6% of Fantasy managers, Yakubu looks to be a real differential and, while his 5.8 price tag is still higher than the 5.5 starting price, it still represents something of a discount, considering he’s previously peaked at 6.1.
In terms of points per game, his consistency has seen him average 5.5; put into perspective, this is the same as the likes of Nani and only just behind David Silva’s 5.6. Yakubu’s spot-kick duties have helped him to joint-fourth in the scoring charts, level with Edin Dzeko and more than Darren Bent.
Forthcoming fixtures are mixed for second-from-bottom Blackburn (QPR, mcy, AVL, wol, SUN,bol, MAN) but, as his exploits against Arsenal and United have shown, there is not much that can stand in the way of Yakubu’s pursuit of goals.
Many Blackburn fans may be furious at the running of their club by Indian food firm Venky’s, but at least Yakubu appears to be enjoying the meals they serve up at the club canteen, if his signature chant of “feed the Yak and he will score” is to be believed.
