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Comments
'Yes he's gone'
;whistle
Will probably change squad when more transfers are made.
Felt like my squad was stronger last year, struggled a bit more this time.
For now:
Fabianksi, Schmeichel
Clyne, Bertrand, Cresswell, Morgan, Baker
Hazard, Payet, Sigurdsson, Bolasie, Matic
Aguero, Sakho, Pelle
;biggrin
Cech Butland
Cresswell Lescott Huth Zouma Trippier
Coutino Payet Ramsey Redmond Schniederlin
Benteke Aguero Falcao
Happy with that...for now
Cresswell Mertesacke Jagielka Clyne Janmaat
Hazard Ramsey Payet Tioté Matic
Costa Sakho Giroud
For starters...
Trippier, Dann, Fonte, Cahill, Cresswell
Hazard, Payet, Cabaye, Lallana, Montero
Giroud, Deeney, Benteke
For now.
Rav - I did a double take of your team - I was like 'How has he got an AC Milan player on the wing?' then realised it was Ritchie from Bournemouth (which is a good shout btw)
He had many assists last season
Be interesting to see if he can make the step up
So be warned its lonnnnnggggggg ;puzzled
My strategy at the start of the season is to spend the majority of my money on Midfielders who both score and assist in high levels ( or those I think will do so e.g. Depay and Firmino ) compared to strikers cost wise ( bearing in mind the extra point for midfield goals ).
So it’s a tactic that may backfire and see me use a wildcard early but that’s easily done when surprises happen at the start of a season. Ideally, I’d put in Sanchez ( for reasons stated as he is epitome of high scoring/assisting MF despite the price ) but he and Aguero ( who I think is comfortably the best striker and is priced as such ), both look like they’ll miss the season start. So I figure I will tinker shortly into the season anyway and assess accordingly…
Defence
A defender who regularly scores and/or assists will always attract me more than potential clean sheets. That said, the four defenders I have chosen still have a decent clean sheet tally chance anyway. Even the best defences let in goals and spoil that 6pt haul for you so I will prioritize the contribution away from clean sheets, bear in mind price ( which will see me steer clear of defenders like Baines who has always scored well in those areas ) and keep my eye on a few who could easily force their way into the side.
Schlupp Leicester 5.0 – He’s a defender who doesn’t play in defence much and, with being further forward he’s more liable to score points from goals/assists. He seems to have an eye for goal and bigger clubs are watching him. I think he’ll improve and he’s cheaper than a lot of other goal scoring defenders.
Bellerin Arsenal 5.5 – After his rise last season hes now gone to a more expensive defender but I still think a reasonable price. I think he’ll improve and be first choice RB He has great pace plus potential for goals/assists in a free scoring team
Darmian Man Utd 5.5 – Highly rated, has attacking threat and Man Utd early season fixtures are kind. He could be a bargain at 5.5
Morgan Leicester 4.5 – Part of the defence which excelled late last season and he was scoring goals and bonus points too. Surprised he is still 4.5. I don’t expect Leicester to match the late season run but I cant see a defender of his price that’s a better choice.
Baker Villa 4.0 – In purely because of his price and he’ll be replaced by a 4.5M player ( e.g. Francis ) when team has more value
Watchers
Coleman Everton 6.0 – I would blame anyone for putting him in their squad. He’s cheaper than before, is always a threat goal and assist wise plus Everton will probably revert to being a better team now theyre out of Europe and their defence has quality. I left him out because he’s too expensive for me as most of my money is in midfield plus I didn’t think Evertons early fixtures were too good. But definitely one I wouldn’t hesitate to bring in (especially if Darmian isn’t playing or Man United fool me with good early season fixtures )
Trippier Spurs 5.5 – One I’ll keep an eye on as he’s very much a player that gets forward plus its rumoured he’s been sorting out his final delivery. In a better team than Burnley goal threat wise he could definitely be an early season transfer in ( away to Man Utd first game and will observe )
Rose Spurs 5.5 – Another Spurs defender I’m keeping an eye on. He scores and assists which is always the catalyst for me to include in a squad. Like Trippier he’s currently in reserve.
Ivanovic Chelsea 7.0 – I don’t blame anyone for putting him in as he usually scores and there’s the Chelsea clean sheet factor. O left him out purely because of price
Clyne Liverpool 5.5 – Was part of a tight Southampton defence and still reasonably priced. I’ve left him out of my squad in favour of Bellerin who I think will get more goals/assists plus clean sheets ( although it was the first 2 things that swayed the decision ) – I’d have no issue bringing him into the team if he and Liverpool are doing well and once my squad value increases
Bertrand Southampton 5.5 – Another one I considered from his endeavours last season but he’s reportedly injured and will miss the start of the season plus I’m sitting on the fence with the rest of their defence despite their early season fixtures
Shawcross Stoke 5.0 – mainly price and prior seasons performances that is attractive
Cresswell West Ham 5.5 – ability in terms of assists, wondering how we’ll do clean sheet wise
Janmaat Newcastle 5 – Price allied to massive assists record last season ( it’ll be impressive if he can emulate but I am doubting it )
Midfield
As mentioned above, my money and philosophy is to fill midfield with goalscorers and assisters who at least rival forwards. Of course we’d all like to have Aguero, Sanchez, Hazard, Costa etc who are the big priced hitters but I have tried to find people who cost less but will hopefully score above their price instead of putting 3 big priced players in an overly compromising everywhere else. I also factor in that my players are very likely to play week in/week out and I believe all 5 will.
Hazard Chelsea 11.5 – Massive price but the guy scores and assists like a forward so it’s a no brainer to want him in the side. However, if he starts off slack I will be replacing him quickly with Sanchez who I want in the side anyway
Depay Man Utd 8.5 – He comes with a big reputation for scoring and assisting. It seems like he will play off the forward rather than on the wing. Taking a bit of a chance but at 8.5 I think it’s worth it and he could easily look cheap at the price especially with utds fixtures.
Ritchie Bournemouth 6.0 – He scored a lot of goals and assists last year especially considering he wasn’t a striker. At 6.0 he’s definitely worth a chance even if he scores and assists half the amount it will still be a good return with his price.
Payet West Ham 7.5 – Its been reported plenty about the number of chances and assists he created last year. Yes, he’s ours too and after his two goals on debut I can’t resist putting him in at 7.5
Firmino Liverpool 8.5 – Another new player who comes with lots of goals from midfield so I am again taking a chance he’ll produce at his price. His past record suggests he’ll do very well in the EPL. I do have Walcott at 9.0 very much in my thoughts as when he’s fit he’s definitely a forward in a midfield slot plus scores/assists lots. I may even swap him in before the start of the season. It really is a case of whether he’s in the side regularly ( which I think Firmino will be ) and if he actually stays fit.
Watchers
Sanchez Arsenal 11.0 – His lack of a break will see him not start the season or I would have him in my team. So a case of me waiting on him and tinkering to accommodate.
Silva Man City 10.0 - Always gets assists but scored more than ever last season. I’d like him in the side but cant justify the cost when Sanchez and Hazard aren’t much more. Will see if he keeps the scoring up and react to that.
Walcott Arsenal 9.0 – If he stays fit hes another player who’s a striker in a midfield scoring position. Arsenals midfield is crammed with great players and I wonder about game time and his capacity to break down but he always scores well points wise. Definitely an addition when I start tinkering
Fabregas Chelsea 9.0 – Too expensive despite his prolific assists. Doesn’t score enough for the price and I wouldn’t justify 20+M for him and Hazard in same side.
Toure Man City 8.5 – Cheaper than last year and wondering if he will regain scoring levels so sitting on fence at moment
Ramsey Arsenal 8.5 – Another I’d like in my side and it will depend on Depay and Firminos starts plus whether he stays in the team week in/week out
Mane Southampton 8.0 – He scored lots of goals considering the amount of games he played and was employed playing off Pelle. His increased price isn’t particularly off-putting and Southampton’s fixtures made me think seriously about putting him in my squad. However, with Rodriguez now fit I am waiting to see where he plays and if it affects his goal threat.
Coutinho Liverpool 8.0 – At the price he doesn’t score enough for me and I reckon Firmino will score and assist more despite Coutinho obviously being influential.
Ayew Swansea 7.0 – Unknown quantity in the EPL and worth keeping an eye on
Chadli Spurs 7.0 – Scored a lot of goals last year just behind the striker but seems to not get much playing time toward the end of the season. Not sure he’ll emulate the goal tally again as hes not had anywhere near that total before.
Milner Liverpool 7.0 – He’s chipped in with goals and assists despite never playing regularly for Man City. In a central MF role he could easily add to that and be value at 7.0 I think I’d rather go with him than Henderson at the price.
Bolasie Palace 6.5 – His price will be cheap if he adds goals to the assists. Not sure in terms of whether he’ll get less of the ball now Cabaye has signed or whether he’ll get those goals so will keep an eye on him
Cabaye Palace 6.5 – A classy player but never had a big return of goals and assists despite the previous haul only coming from a relatively small amount of time. Like Bolasie I’ll be watching out for him.
Ki Swansea 5.5 – Scored plenty last year and a worthy addition if you’re looking for a cheaper player to offset the Sanchez/Hazard prices.
Cleverly Everton 5.5 – Started scoring at the end of the season and may get more with a full season at Everton. So another possible cheap offset player.
With that accent on midfield strength I have had to compromise on the forwards costs. I know I want Aguero in the side despite the massive cost. So there’ll be early season changes when he and Sanchez are match fit. So my teams basically on trial in midfield and I will potentially look to offload a pricey midfielder for and save 3 or 4M to enable their inclusion…
Forwards
Rooney Man Utd 10.5 – Now he’s reputed to be main central striker Rooney is worth a place in the side as he’s always scored heavily and assisted when up front in the past. He’s still going to be looked at closely though with the price tag but if he starts well he has to stay and I will try to get Aguero alongside him…
Benteke Liverpool? 8.5 – His inclusion is on the premise that he signs for Liverpool as he’ll get more chances and will be main striker at least while Sturridge is injured. His scoring rate is already good and his price is value if that improves at Liverpool.
Deeney Watford 5.5 – Watford’s main man and has scored 20+ over seasons, not just one. He also assists and if he’s scoring a decent percentage compared to when in the Championship, 5.5 will be a bargain as well as allowing me to accommodate pricier players
Watchers
Kane Spurs 9.5 – had an amazing season but it was noted he didn’t score many toward the end of the season. Price rocketed justifiably and hes on my watch list to potentially replace Benteke if he carries on in the same way. If I wasn’t concentrating in midfield in would’ve been very tempting to include him instead of Deeney.
Costa Chelsea 11M – Can’t justify his inclusion and Aguero’s. He can’t be ignored though and I am curious to see if Chelsea play a front two with Falcao as they did together at A Madrid. If the latter starts to be the player of old his 7.5M will be snapped up. He doesn’t assist much but scored loads of goals early season despite the constant injury doubts.
Bony Man City 8.5 – Wondering whether he will benefit from Agueros absence and be the scorer he was at Swansea. So theres an eye on his as if he starts to score regularly then they’ll have to accommodate both him and Aguero.
Sakho West Ham 6.5 – He’s a viable alternative to Deeney if he stays fit and gets fed by Payet. Beharino 6.5, Ulloa 6.0 and Defoe 5.5 are also priced to replace too
Giroud Arsenal 9.0 – has had the main striker role at Arsenal and his scoring return is good. However, if Walcotts fit he may see less game time and that means I’ll wait considering his price ( compared to Benteke and Kane )
I’ll be keeping an eye on Rodriguez 7.0 and Pelle 8.0 at Southampton and whether Austin comes back to the Premiership depending on the club.
Goalkeepers
I’ve gone for Schmiechel and Butland because of their 4.5M cost allied to potential for clean sheets/saves. I wouldn’t blame anyone at all for putting in Courtois at 1 million more if they can afford him ( or Cech, but Chelsea usually have more clean sheets ) and if my team value improves enough I’d be tempted
Defenders: Alderweireld (Spurs); Clyne (Liverpool); Coleman (Everton); Bertrand (Southampton); Cresswell (West Ham)
Midfielders: Hazard (Chelsea); Henderson (Liverpool); Fabregas (Chelsea); Bolasie (Palace); Ki (Swansea)
Strikers: Giroud (Arsenal); Lukaku (Everton); Sakho (West Ham)
;clap ;bowdown
;whistle
;lol
Considering Long_Kane_Ings or Lovren_10_Dyer_Ness as team names anyway ;hmm
Our very own scout ;bowdown
;biggrin
Open to opinions
;whistle
;run