Wednesday 27 July 2011

Fantasy Insight : EPL Players

As we look into the transfers done by Premier league clubs, there have been a number of players who have switched from one premier league club to another.
In Fantasy terms, it is not guaranteed that they will come cheap as their valuation will depend on their performances and valuations from last season.
Here’s an insight to some key players who have switched clubs:

FORWARDS
Demba Ba (Newcastle United) Market Price: 12.78
Last season at West Ham, Ba played only 10 games and was the top scorer for the club with 7 goals. Despite the fact that he did not have much support around him at West Ham, his goals per game ratio is good. Although not the front man, expect him to feature in more games for Newcastle and should be a good pick for anything below 7. Looking at his first 3 fixtures, Arsenal at home and Sunderland away will be tough match ups. Wait and watch how Newcastle fair in these matches and then have a go at him. 
August Fixtures: Arsenal (H), Sunderland(A) and Fulham(H)


MIDFIELDERS
Ashley Young (Manchester United) Market Price: 18.10
Ashley Young has to be the pick of the midfielders changing clubs. In Aston Villa we have seen him perform well, though you should assume the best of him is yet to come now being being surrounded by a group of very talented players. He has the ability to play wide left, wide right , behind the strikers and he does take most of the corners and free kicks.
Last season even though Aston Villa were falling apart with the departure of Martin O'Neil, we saw Ashley Young score 7 goals, 10 assists and 34 shots on goal.
Expected to play on the right wing and will give a lot of points irrespective of the opponents.
August Fixtures: West Brom(A), Totenham(H), Arsenal(H)
 
Stewart Downing (Liverpool) Market Price: 16.22
Liverpool’s search for a left winger finally ended with the capture of Stewart Downing. Considered one of the most promising and consistent wingers in the country, he will be at his best playing along side players like Gerrard, Suarez, Adam, Carroll, Kuyt etc.
Apart from crosses, he also has the habit of scoring crucial goals. Last season he scored the same number of goals as Ashley Young i.e 7 goals for Aston Villa. Depending on his price, he is a consistent pick and assures 10+ points per week.
August Fixtures: Sunderland(H), Arsenal(A), Bolton(H)
Charlie Adam (Liverpool) Market Price: 16.80
A solid player in midfield, has already shown his worth in the fantasy world and will play an anchor role for Liverpool. He will fill the void left by Xabi Alonso two years back with perfection and a bit more. He is the man to watch out for and a partnership with Gerrard in the centre of midfield will provide himself and his teammates with a lot of opportunities. In 2010–11 season Adam finished the season with 13 goals 8 assists. By far a better player than Joe Cole, should fit into the team straight away. A Fantasy favorite.
August Fixtures: Sunderland(H), Arsenal(A), Bolton(H)
Jordan Henderson (Liverpool) Market Price: 10.28
Extremely talented youngster, Henderson has been a target of top clubs in England . Home grown Under 21, international has been a regular at the U-21 England team . Liverpool had to pay a huge sum (20 million pounds) to get him from Sunderland.
He has not been a fantasy pick for the last few seasons and that situation does not seem to change as Liverpool have some good midfielders. He will take a season or two to show what he is capable of.
August Fixtures: Sunderland(H), Arsenal(A), Bolton(H)
Sebastian Larsson (Sunderland) Market Price: 12.43
Larsson has to be the pick of free transfers as the former Arsenal man saw his team (Birmingham) get relegated. He will provide the solidity and experience Sunderland have always wanted and missed. When not injured, he can be a consistent point getter (around 10 pts per game) but in no means a match winner. He will be of good value if bought cheap. So do look out for him.
August Fixtures: Liverpool(A), Newcastle United(H), Swansea(A)

Charles N'Zogbia (Aston Villa) Market Price: 13.95
Villa manager Alex McLeish hopes N'Zogbia's arrival can go some way to compensating for the loss of Ashley Young and Stewart Downing to big-money transfers this summer. He will take up the anchor role in the midfield for attacking options. In a fantasy perspective he should be the most sensible appointment when thinking of any Villa player. He scored 9 goals and had 29 SOT for Wigan while scoring a total of 257.5 points last season and is likely to provide same sort of numbers with a bit more consistency. 
August Fixtures:  Fulham(A), Blackburn(H), Wolves(H)


DEFENDERS & GOALKEEPERS


Phil Jones (Manchester United) Market Price: 8.79
Phil Jones, age 19, has impressed many top clubs with his performance in defence for Blackburn Rovers and England Under-21. Manchester United has been following him for over a season and wasted no time in signing him from Blackburn. He will gain alot of experience playing along side Ferdinand, Vidic, Smalling etc. With regards to FF for this season, he may not feature is many games as Fergie has already mentioned that Rio, Jones and Smalling will get games off and on depending on injuries and fitness levels.
It will be better to keep updated with the team news prior to match day before picking Jones.
August Fixtures: West Brom(A), Totenham(H), Arsenal(H)

John O'Shea (Sunderland) Market Price: 8.11
Has to be the pick of defenders exchanging clubs in the league , John O'Shea has a lot of experience playing with Manchester United in the league, Champions League and other tournaments. In the past one or two seasons he has not featured in many games and therefore thought right to leave for Sunderland to gain first team action. He can play at any position in defense, score from corners and Steve Bruce will exploit his abilities to the max. At 8.11 he is a good pick incase you do not have too much money to splash on a defender.
Note : He did injure himself in pre-season and ruled himself out from the full pre season tour. 
August Fixtures: Liverpool(A), Newcastle United(H), Swansea(A)
Roger Johnson (Wolves) Market Price: 12.48
This former Birmingham defender joint wolves after seeing his side being relegated to the championship.Solid in defence and good at centre back will be a great asset to Wolves. Last season he averaged above 6.00 pts per game which is a good score for a defender especially when his previous club did get relegated. Though he is expensive (12.46) there are way better options at that price. Wait for his price to fall and he will be a good asset in defence.
August Fixtures: Blackburn(A), Fulham(H), Aston Villa(A)
 
Shay Given (Aston Villa) Market Price: 7.08
We have seen Given sit all season on the bench for Manchester City. A player of his talent needs all the match time he needs esp when he's a goal keeper of prime age like him. His move to Aston Villa will see the best out of him. He saves more than the number of goals he lets past him and is a great prospect for FF. At 7.08 he is a good bet and will be consistent as he usually is.
August Fixtures: Fulham(A), Blackburn(H), Wolves(H)
  
Brad Friedel (Totenham) Market Price: 7.84
If Brad Friedel does take up the number 1 kit for Totenham on regular basis without being troubled with rotation policies applied by Redknapp then he is a great pick for the price he is available at. Talent and experience wise he should hold the first team position. Once this is decided he can be a great option for fantasy managers and support their teams on decent match up weekends.
August Fixtures: Everton(H), Man Utd.(A), Man City(H)

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