The ninth in our series of articles focusing on the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Player Price List this morning. Having looked over the Goalkeepers, Budget Defenders, Mid-Price Defenders, Premium Defenders and Budget Midfielders,Mid-Price Midfielders, Premium Midfielders and Budget Forwards, we now analyse our mid-price options up front.
Lukas Podolski remains classified as a forward, despite earning the majority of his minutes on the Arsenal left flank. Frustratingly, the German international has delivered the Fantasy returns when on the pitch – 19 goals, 14 assists and 32 bonus points in 3,154 minutes over his two years at the Emirates underlines his ability. However, with just 14 starts to his name last term, in addition to the arrival of Alexis Sanchez, a 7.5 price tag is still a punt too far.
Currently sidelined with an Achilles injury, Christian Benteke is hoping for a quick return amid reports he could be out until the New Year. The big Belgian disappointed last season, scoring just 10 times compared to 19 strikes in his debut season for Villa – encouragingly, his shot accuracy improved last term, up from 38.5% to 40.3%, suggesting that, when he’s raring to go, the 8.0-priced Benteke could still remain a legitimate Fantasy force.
Samuel Eto’o and Demba Ba may have departed but Fernando Torres’ chances of starts remain slim at Chelsea. With Diego Costa set to take over as the Blues number one forward, Didier Drogba linked with a move back as player/coach and Romelu Lukaku still on board, the Spaniard’s 7.5 price tag and lack of impact will surely reduce him to no more than a handful of second-half substitute appearances.
A summer move to boyhood club Liverpool doesn’t fare well for Rickie Lambert’s prospects. Frustratingly from a Fantasy perspective, the 7.5-priced forward was one of the most consistent around over the past two years, producing 187 and 179 points with Southampton – the Anfield switch likely removes his spot-kick and dead-ball duties, whilst a consistency of pitch time looks far from guaranteed as Brendan Rodgers hits the transfer market to deal with the loss of Luis Suarez to Barcelona.
At 6.5, Fabio Borini could be a viable option if he returns to Sunderland – the Italian notched seven times for the Black Cats last term and was handed spot-kick duties by Gus Poyet. If he stays at Liverpool, though, it’s hard to see him break into Rodgers’ plans. Loic Remy’s mooted move to Anfield merely adds to the congestion. Like Lambert, he would come into consideration if he can nail down a regular role and his ability to play on the flank perhaps strengthens his claims for minutes. At 7.5, he could be a great value route if he brings last season’s form with Newcastle to the table but many may steer clear to begin with until Rodgers’ new-look side starts to take shape.
City’s Stevan Jovetic will be desperate to put a nightmare debut campaign behind him. In an injury-hit season for the champions, he managed just two starts and 11 sub appearances, scoring on just three occasions. With Alvaro Negredo sidelined with a fractured foot, though, the 8.0-priced Jovetic will be looking to challenge Edin Dzeko for a starting berth and rediscover the form that produced 27 goals and 11 assists in his final two years with Fiorentina.
Newcastle’s summer signing Emmanuel Riviere sets you back 7.0 ahead of a decent opening schedule. After an opening day clash with City, the Magpies have five kind fixtures (avl, CPL, HUL, swa, LEI) in the subsequent seven Gameweeks that bodes well for their potential in the final third. Riviere grabbed a goal on his debut in the pre-season friendlies but has hardly been prolific over his career so far, managing 10 + goals on just on occasions. With Siem de Jong similarly priced in midfield, the former Ajax skipper could flourish in the role in “the hole” behind the Frenchman.
While Jay Rodriguez continues his recovery from a knee ligament injury, Fantasy hopes are high for Southampton’s new forward Graziano Pelle. With Rickie Lambert also out of the picture, the Italian takes centre stage ahead of an excellent schedule which sees Ronald Koeman’s side face only two of last season’s top eight in the first 12 Gameweeks. With 55 goals and 15 assists in 66 appearances under Koeman for Feyenoord over the last two seasons, he could be an excellent value option at 7.5, though the Saints’ midfielder playmaker Dusan Tadic is similarly priced on the back of 16 goals and 14 assists for FC Twente. The Serbian is expected to be handed set-pieces and corners and may even challenge Pelle for spot-kick duties.
Stoke new striker Mame Biram Diouf returns to the Premier League after producing 35 goals and 15 assists in 71 appearances for German outfit Hannover. The former United man comes in at 6.5 and could come into consideration if he can oust Peter Crouch as the lone forward ahead of a run of fixtures which pits the Potters against only one of last term’s top five in the first 12 Gameweeks. With Villa, Leicester, Newcastle, Swansea, West Ham and Burnley all paying visit over that run, in addition to trips to Hull, QPR and Sunderland, early investment in Hughes’ attackers could pay off.
Fellow new boy Bojan Krkic (yet to be added to the FPL game) will also be on Fantasy radars after a stunning move from Barcelona. Versatile enough to be fielded on the flank, a role out wide could potentially allow Marko Arnautovic or Peter Odemwingie (both 6.5) a role behind Diouf, highlighting the numerous options on offer from the Staffordshire outfit. Pre-season should tell us more.
Setting you back 7.0, Bafetimbi Gomis’ prospects are likely to depend on the future of Wilfried Bony. The return of Gylfi Sigurdsson is likely to see the Icelandic international handed the support role behind the lone striker and if Bony remains at the Liberty this season, it’s difficult to see Gomis oust the Ivorian as Garry Monk’s main man up front. Plenty of clubs are believed to be interested in acquiring Bony, though, and a potential exit could bring Gomis into contention ahead of a schedule which hands the Welsh club four home games (BUR, WBA, SOU, NEW) and a trip to Sunderland in the first seven. At 6.0, though, Sigurdsson looks the better bet after completing his return last night.
Available for 8.0, Roberto Soldado will be hoping the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino can spark a turnaround in fortunes. The Tottenham frontman started just three of the final 14 league matches under Tim Sherwood and notched four of his six goals from the spot; an indication of his meager contribution. With Christian Eriksen coming in at the same price in midfield, the Spaniard looks set to remain on the periphery of our Fantasy thoughts unless he can nail down a starting berth.
West Brom’s Brown Ideye has yet to be added to the game but is expected to come in around 6.5. The Baggies record signing is nailed-on to lead the line – a 4-2-3-1 formation is looking likely under Alan Irvine – and arrives on the back of 45 goals and 13 assists in 107 appearances for Dynamo Kiev. Expectations are low for the midlands club’s prospects after a poor previous season but with an opening schedule handing them three decent home matches (SUN, EVE, BUR) and a trip to Swansea in the first six, the Nigerian could be quick off the mark.
After seeing his side score just 40 times last term, Sam Allardyce’s summer shopping spree has left us none-the-wiser over West Ham’s likely frontline for the season ahead. Mauro Zarate (6.5) arrives on the back of 18 goals for Velez Sarsfeld in his native Argentina, whilst Enner Valencia’s (yet to be priced) impressive three-goal showing for Ecuador in the recent World Cup underlined his capabilities. With Andy Carroll (7.0) also in the mix, we’re hoping the pre-season friendlies will reveal Big Sam’s intentions, though with just two goals in 15 appearances last season, the former Newcastle man (who has picked up a minor ankle problem in midweek) has a real challenge to continue as the Hammers’ number one forward.
