Transfers

Transfer Window Watch – An FPL Round-up

A relatively quiet deadline day exploded into life in the last half-hour of the transfer window, with a number of eye-catching deals potentially causing Fantasy Premier League managers a dilemma or two ahead of the Gameweek 1 deadline tomorrow night.

We take a look at the key moves that could affect our thinking with less than 24 hours to go until the 2018/19 Premier League season kicks off at Old Trafford.

Yerry Mina/Bernard/Andre Gomes to Everton

One of the busiest clubs on Thursday were Everton, who completed the triple signing of defender Yerry Mina, winger Bernard and central midfielder Andre Gomes with minutes of the window remaining.

Bernard’s was the first of the three transfers to be officially confirmed by the Toffees and it is perhaps his capture that generates the most intrigue.

The Bosman signing from Shakhtar Donetsk has played the bulk of his career on the left wing, but as FPL managers are well aware, that position is also where summer capture Richarlison (£6.5m) is predominantly stationed.

Marco Silva’s comments upon Bernard’s unveiling played up the pint-sized free transfer’s versatility:

Bernard is a quick player, very good technically and he can play on the left or right wings and as an offensive midfield player behind the striker.

That would immediately put Theo Walcott (£6.5m) and even Gylfi Sigurdsson’s (£7.5m) pitch-time at some risk, depending on where Silva ultimately decides to field Bernard for the Toffees. Certainly, Silva’s evident love of Richarlison and the amount of money Everton splashed on the former Watford star would suggest that the £35m buy will mostly be rotation-proof in Silva’s 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 set-up.

Bernard scored on 14 occasions and set up another 24 goals in his 95 league appearances for Shakhtar.

Mina, meanwhile, would appear to be a shoo-in for one of the centre-back spots, probably alongside Michael Keane (£5.0m). Phil Jagielka (£4.5m) was the only other fit centre-half available to Silva before Mina’s arrival after the departure of Ashley Williams and the injury to Mason Holgate (£4.5m), but the club captain’s 35-year-old limbs have struggled in pre-season and Jagielka would seem set to play back-up at best.

Mina barely featured for Barcelona during his time at the Nou Camp, but his goal-scoring exploits for Colombia at the World Cup will be of much interest to FPL managers: the 6’5″ centre-back scored three goals in as many matches, all headers from set-piece routines.

Andre Gomes is another Barca player to make the move to Goodison Park, this time on a season-long loan deal. The Portuguese central midfielder is unlikely to be of much interest to Fantasy managers, however, having scored on only three occasions for the Catalan giants in two seasons with the club. Gomes is also without a goal in 46 appearances for his national side.

Joe Bryan (plus four more) to Fulham

While not, with all due respect to Joe Bryan, one of the more earth-shattering moves to happen on deadline day, Fulham’s capture of the Bristol City defender could have positive repercussions for one of the Cottagers’ most popular FPL assets.

The 24-year-old left-back’s arrival means that Ryan Sessegnon (£6.5m) will likely be free of his part-time defensive duties, having played a chunk of pre-season (and half of 2017/18) in Bryan’s position due to the lack of alternatives available to Slavisa Jokanovic.

Sessegnon, owned by over 10% of FPL managers, will now be free to resume his role on the left flank of Fulham’s front three, although a knock-on effect will likely mean even fewer minutes for Aboubakar Kamara (£4.5m), with Andre Schurrle (£6.0) now set to be deployed on the right wing.

A former winger himself, Bryan could dovetail nicely with Sessegnon on the left flank and offers the prospect of some attacking returns, having scored on five occasions (and assisted a further three goals) for Bristol City last season.

Bryan said:

Playing against Fulham the last couple of years, the style of play has really stood out to me and it will suit me. I’m used to playing fast attacking football, so hopefully I can slot right in.

Elsewhere in west London, striker Luciano Vietto has joined the club on a season-long loan from Valencia, but will surely only play back-up to Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.5m) in attack.

Fulham have, curiously, also signed Seville’s former first-choice goalkeeper Sergio Rico on loan, just weeks after snapping up Besiktas custodian Fabri (£4.5m).

Timothy Fosu-Mensah has joined the Cottagers on loan for the season and could threaten Cyrus Christie’s starts at right-back (£4.5m).

Fulham wrapped up their summer spending with the £30m capture of Andre-Frank Anguissa, although the talented defensive midfielder is not a name that FPL bosses will be particularly excited about: the Cameroon international failed to score a single league goal in 79 Ligue 1 appearances for Marseille.

Mateo Kovacic to Chelsea

Signing on loan from Real Madrid for the rest of the season, the deep-lying midfielder’s arrival could spell bad news for the likes of Ross Barkley (£6.0m) and Cesc Fabregas (£6.5m).

Kovacic looks a strong candidate to line up alongside Jorginho (£5.0m) and N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) in Maurizio Sarri’s central midfield three, although FPL managers needn’t get too excited about the Croatian’s arrival: Kovacic scored on only one occasion for Real during his three years at the club. The former Inter Milan midfielder also has just one international goal to his name from 46 caps.

A deep-lying playmaker with the ability to drive forward and kick-start attacks, Kovacic could however be well rewarded on the Bonus Points System. The Croatian completed 87.5% of his take-ons in La Liga last season, the highest percentage of any player who attempted 15 or more dribbles, while his passing accuracy of 93.7% was the best in the Spanish top flight.

While new goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m) will likely be given his Chelsea debut this weekend, Kovacic has admitted that he himself lacks match sharpness:

I haven’t trained a lot at Real Madrid because I badly wanted to come to Chelsea so I didn’t do much training. I will give my best to be ready [as soon as possible]

Danny Ings to Southampton

Liverpool’s Danny Ings (£5.5m) has joined the Saints on a season-long loan deal, which is set to be made permanent at the end of 2018/19.

Ings’ capture is an intriguing one and casts Charlie Austin (£6.0m) and Manolo Gabbiadini’s (£6.0m) pitch-time into further doubt.

After three injury-hit years on Merseyside, Ings will – barring further fitness setbacks – surely see more minutes under Mark Hughes, who has rolled out a two-man attack for much of pre-season.

Still just 26 years of age, Ings hit double figures for goals in his last full season (2014/15) for Burnley in the top flight and is a budget forward to monitor in the coming weeks, particularly given Southampton’s favourable fixtures in the first few months of the season.

Caglar Soyuncu to Leicester City

One of two centre-backs to sign for the Foxes on deadline day, Caglar Soyuncu has joined the club from Freiburg for a fee that could rise to £19m – although the deal is still subject to a work permit being granted.

The Foxes are short in the heart of defence, with Wes Morgan (£4.5m) and Yohan Benalouane (£4.0m) the only options available to Claude Puel for their final pre-season friendly against Lille last weekend.

Harry Maguire (£5.5m) has only just returned to training with City, while Jonny Evans (£5.0m) is struggling with injury.

The Foxes also signed Filip Benkovic from Dinamo Zagreb earlier in the day, but the young centre-back appears to be one for the future. Puel said of his new arrival:

Filip is an exciting young player who has the potential to develop even more at Leicester City Football Club. He has made a big contribution to Dinamo Zagreb over the last three years and has also benefitted from experiencing European football. I know he will give us some great options and competition in the squad and I’m delighted to have him here.

Carlos Sanchez to West Ham

The experienced Colombian international has joined the Hammers from Fiorentina, though the defensive midfielder is not a name that will appeal to Fantasy managers: in his two years with Aston Villa in the Premier League, Sanchez scored on only one occasion.

The transfer, however, may put Declan Rice’s (£4.5m) “out of position” status at risk. Rice had lined up in central midfield in pre-season, despite being listed as a defender in FPL.

Leander Dendoncker to Wolves

Leander Dendocker became Wolves’ 11th summer signing after joining from Anderlecht. The defensive midfielder, who can also play at centre-back, has joined the newly promoted club on a season-long loan with a view to a permanent deal next summer.

The Belgian international’s arrival adds competition for Ruben Neves (£5.0m) and Joao Moutinho (£5.5m) in the centre of the park, while also giving Santo cover at centre-half. Romain Saiss (£4.5m) has struggled in the defensive three since dropping back there this summer and it could well be that Dendoncker first gets a run in the team at centre-back, with Neves and Moutinho now established in the double-pivot.

Dendoncker made 171 appearances for the Belgian club, scoring 11 times and providing four assists.

Jordan Ayew to Crystal Palace

The Eagles’ loan signing of Jordan Ayew from Swansea City is a thought-provoking capture, not least for the potential impact on Wilfried Zaha’s (£7.0m) starting position.

Ayew scored seven goals for the Swans last season in 36 appearances, averaging a chance every 43.3 minutes.

While Ayew will likely begin life at Selhurst Park as a back-up forward to Zaha and Christian Benteke (£6.5m), the situation is one to monitor in the first few Gameweeks of the season. Should Zaha be shunted out to the flank to accommodate the Ghanaian striker in the future, then Zaha’s appeal as a £7.0m forward would be somewhat dented, given the attractive alternatives available in the same price bracket.

Lucas Perez to West Ham United

For Zaha, read Marko Arnautovic (£7.0m).

Lucas Perez has joined West Ham United from Arsenal for a reported £4m. The 29-year-old forward made only 11 league appearances (just two of them starts) for the Gunners in 2016/17, before spending all of last season on loan at Deportivo.

Perez scored six goals in 32 La Liga appearances in 2017/18 and gives Manuel Pellegrini another alternative in attack, with Arnautovic and Javier Hernandez (£6.5m) previously the only fit options available to him.

Perez’s path to the West Ham first-team would perhaps seem less straightforward than Ayew’s at Palace, however, and there would appear little threat – at this early stage – of Arnautovic being restationed from his centre-forward role.

The Best of the Rest

Neil Warnock has added much-needed depth to his central midfield with the signings of Victor Camarasa from Real Betis and Harry Arter from Bournemouth on season-long loan deals.

Warnock was forced to play centre-back Sol Bamba in an advanced role in the 2-1 loss to Betis at the weekend, a match that Camarasa didn’t feature in.

Brighton have signed 27-year-old right-back Martin Montoya from Valencia on a four-year deal. The move could spell the end for Bruno (£4.5m) and Ezequiel Schelotto (£4.0m) in the full-back position.

Federico Fernandez will provide competition for Fabian Schar (£5.0m) and Ciaran Clark (£4.5m) at centre-back for Newcastle United, meanwhile.

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5,374 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Visionaries
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Lovren nailed?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      yes once he returns

  2. Fantastisk
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Final decision for first spot on bench:

    A. Kenedy
    B. Neves

    1. Foozeball
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. General_Zod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      On Costa atm.

    3. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I’ve gone A

  3. stamboy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Best 5 to 5.5 defender. Luiz?

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Or Bailly. PvA. Arsenal.

  4. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Given the whole retaining team value debate and that fact that Fulham have signed Vietto...

    Which is a better 4.5 bench fodder - Kamara (11.1%) or Madine (1.1%) ?

    The idea is not to play them but just avoid a price drop in the first few weeks

    1. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Madine

    2. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Has Madine ever been anywhere near starting? If no pick him.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Depends on other 2 subs, if they play than Madine otherwise Kamara

    4. SomeoneKnows
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Madine it is, thanks for all the comments

  5. hjalmarekdal
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Give me your best defence: you can change budget alternatives here and there too.

    5.0 4.0
    6.0 6.0 5.0 4.0 4.0

    Currently on:
    Pickford Stek
    Mendy Robertson Shaw WanBiss Peltier

    Might be interested in Luiz/Kepa, but I’d rather go with United defence. But that’s so short term...

    1. Fantastisk
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mendy Robertson Burnley Obi Wan Peltier

  6. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    G2G?

    Patricio
    Robbo • Mendy • Shaw
    Salah(C) • BSilva • Mané • Richarl
    Kun • Arnie • King
    (Hamed • Kenedy • Tomkins • WB)

    1. SheBangsTheDrums
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Looks solid - very similar to mine!

    2. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      VG2G

  7. Lionac
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Raul Jimenez nailed? Any better options for forward at 5,5mil or less?

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Danny Ings

    2. General_Zod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Sorloth.

  8. jacktaylor
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Bailly or PVA as 5.5 defender?

    Or Kepe as keeper (instead of Patricio) and go 4.5 DEF (Tomkins)?

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pva

  9. L9
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    considering the price tag too who is a better option b.silva or mahrez?

  10. V K
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Which are the playera which look as 'GREAT VALUE PLAYERS'

    These come in the list for me -
    1) Firmino
    2) Morata
    3) Mane

    1. FPL Hitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Morata overpriced imo

      1. Pigsinblankets
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Unless he starts like he did last year

    2. seanysheep
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Lacazette
      Ozil
      Pogba

      1. Mattrick
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        This

    3. Mr Q
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Sanchez, bargain

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Hoping for a brace tonight to get the ball rolling

    4. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Salah (should be 14.5)
      Firmino
      Mané
      VVD
      Milivojevic
      Pogba
      KDB
      Many others could be:Ozil, Mkhi, Ramsey, Lacazette

  11. Jonny Sutt
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Repost
    Please RMT

    Pat Hamer
    Mendy TTA Lowton Peltier AWB
    Salah Erikson Siggy Fraser CHO
    Aguero Laca Arnie

    Cheers

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Please post these in the RMT Community Article

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/09/rmt-collection-legomane/

  12. Peggi
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Why does this website always auto log me out? And it never remembers my username/email despite ticking the remember me box. It's not that big of an issue but it irks me every time I come on here

    1. Fantastisk
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      It's a mess m8

      1. Peggi
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        does it happen to you too? it used to be fine for me until they changed the layout of the site

    2. Mattrick
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mine does, do you keep clearing your data on your browser, maybe its set to delete on exit

      1. Peggi
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        yes, no issues like this on any other sites

  13. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Just how nailed is peltier? Will be playing PVA most weeks but unlikely against Liverpool... peltier will have to play that game Vs Newcastle

  14. Mattrick
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Morning all, what would be the best rotating 4.5 keepers?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Fab and foster

      1. Mattrick
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Foster safe game time?

  15. 420king
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What's the consensus, TAA + 1.0 worth the risk over Robertson?

    1. V K
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      TAA risky

    2. athreya
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure about consensus. But works for me.

    3. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      If you have the bench depth, and depending how you spend the £ ... 🙂

  16. Valenciaga
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Surprised at how low Gross' selected % is. Seems like great value compared to all these 8.5/9M players!

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Over achieved last season surely?

      1. Valenciaga
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Right up there with the big dogs for key passes and chances created last season

  17. KenyaDigIt
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone going selecting Keita?

    Great player, great record, he has the pace to compliment Salah and Mane etc, and looks like he could/should be starting.

    Any takers?

    1. Gegenpress
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I was really tempted, but have Mane, Salah and Robertson - If I need funds will downgrade Mane potentially for Keita (He'll get goals and assists but Mane looks to be on Pens as well)

  18. Gegenpress
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Am I ready??? RMT?

    Pickford (Boruc)

    Mendy Robertson Shaw (Bednarek Wan-Bissaka)

    Mane Salah Mkhi Bilva Richarlison

    Aguero Zaha (Kamara)

    1. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Please post these in the RMT Community Article

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2018/08/09/rmt-collection-legomane/

  19. hjalmarekdal
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A) Firmino Richarlison
    B) Mane King

    1. General_Zod
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A.

    2. norwegian-forest-cats
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I've been struggling with this too. Went with B.

  20. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Trippier is the highest owned defender 26.7%

    1. Perthite
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      His owners have trippiered at the 1st hurdle.

  21. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A G2G article would be handy 😛

  22. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Rui / Hamer
    Mendy / Robo / Luiz / Peltier / WB
    Salah / Mane / BSilva / Richa / Stephens
    Kun / Arnie / Zaha

    Zaha/Arnie to King or Jota in mid?
    Other 5.5 than Luiz? Maybe some United def?
    Or maybe Coleman/PVA?

    1. S.Agueroooooo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Going king over zaha, also tempted by mitro. Leaving the .5 itb

  23. Sensible Shocker
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    United starting defenders? Causing me concern!

    1. S.Agueroooooo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Best to just avoid the risk. Other teams are allowed to get cleansheets to 🙂

      1. Sensible Shocker
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Agreed. Hmmmm. Annoying though.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Better to avoid then

  24. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Patricio
    Rob • Mendy • AWB
    Salah • Mane • Eriksen • Rich
    Aguero • King • Zaha

    Hamer • Masuaku • Peltier • Bednarek

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Yes. GTG

    2. S.Agueroooooo
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      3 x 4.0 might come back to you but GL be great if it pays off

  25. Sensible Shocker
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Is Shaw really nailed on? Doesn't seem so to me.

    1. MDK
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I think he is tonight, and then it all depends on his performances. I'd still consider him a risk past a couple of gameweeks.

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Nope. Ashley Young will come back.

    3. UpAndAway
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      No other alternative at Utd at LB is there?

    4. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Tonight yes! Then we’ll see. I’m hoping to get a few games from him then shift to a good 5.0 like Lascelles, Schar, Mee, Tarko

      1. Sensible Shocker
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Hmmmm, concerning. Thanks people's

  26. Eden Wizard
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Schlupp for higher ceiling or W-B for higher nailedness & team value building?

    1. athreya
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      WB. Schlupp Oop too good to last.

  27. Peggi
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    my final decision comes down to, any clear better option?

    A. Arnie & Sanchez
    or
    B. Aubameyang & Maddison/Jota

  28. FPL Hitman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Cairney or Ralls?

  29. Pigsinblankets
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Would you consider having 3/4 midfielders with lower than 10% ownership a bit risky?

    I'm talking Sanchez, Bilva and Jota.

    Safer to swap in Mane or Rich?

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Go with who you think will do well. If you go with % owned players and your original picks do well you'll kick yourself.