Man City
Midfielders-David Silva at 10 mil is again the top man here and they guy you want when investing in Citys midfield. Unless Samir Nasri at 8.5 mil can cement his place in the starting lineup and avoid rotation. That would make him a better pick than Silva IMO, mostly because of the 1.5 mil cheaper price. Also Yaya Toure at 8 mil has shown potential in the pre-season and there are reports saying that Silva is too unfit to start the season. This news could make Yaya a nice pick as he would play further up the pitch.
Strikers-
Aguero at 11.5 mil is the best pick here, as he is the only nailed on striker for City. The case with other players is similar to Nasris case. Because if either Tevez or Balotelli both at 9 mil, can nail down a starting role than they will be the guy to put in your team. Especially Balotelli as he is their nr.1 penalty taker.
Man United
Midfielders-
The United midfield looks like a minefield for fantasy, the best chance for a player to be in the starting 11 every week is Kagawa at 8.5 mil in my opinion. At least the guy will have a chance to nail down the starter role in the beginning of the season. As Ferguson rarely brings in guys for 20 mil who are not an upgrade on someone already playing. But as I said the situation is a minefield and should be avoided during the start of the season, to observe and see who the nailed on guys are. I actually think that there wont be any nailed on players, and there will be rotation year round, especially as it looks like 1 more player (maybe Lucas Moura) could be coming in.
Strikers-
Wayne Rooney at 12 mil is the man if you want offensive cover for United. Probably the only nailed on player for them, on penalties and set- pieces. He is also a bit of a sleeper this year as he will play more games as the main striker with Kagawa behind him.
Chelsea
Midfielders-
Hazard at 9.5 mil is not cheap but also not expensive, he is also nailed on and the most attacking midfielder on the team. A guy who also has some striker mentality and is often looking for his shot. Juan Mata at 9.5 mil, was expected to miss the start of the season. But with Spain out of the Olympics, he should be available for at least 1 of the first 2 games. This makes basically everyone on the team a rotation risk, but I still think Hazard will play and will pick him with confidence. Also Lampard at 9.0 could be a nice differential.
Strikers-
Torres at 10 mil, is currently the striker to own at Chelsea. Lukaku at 6.5 mil has looked good during preseason, but Torres will still get a chance to impress or fail at the start of the season and as they have a DGW to start with I wont be bold enough to avoid him. Lukaku is certainly one to put on the watch list- unless he moves elsewhere(rumors suggest a loan move to Fulham is happening). Also Hazard who has been compared to Messi can play as a striker if needed, but I just cant see that happening in the PL. Chelsea have also had a bid for Lewandowski rejected so it seems it is possible that 1 more striker might be coming in.
Strikers-
Torres at 10 mil, is currently the striker to own at Chelsea. Lukaku at 6.5 mil has looked good during preseason, but Torres will still get a chance to impress or fail at the start of the season and as they have a DGW to start with I wont be bold enough to avoid him. Lukaku is certainly one to put on the watch list- unless he moves elsewhere(rumors suggest a loan move to Fulham is happening). Also Hazard who has been compared to Messi can play as a striker if needed, but I just cant see that happening in the PL. Chelsea have also had a bid for Lewandowski rejected so it seems it is possible that 1 more striker might be coming in.
Arsenal
Midfielders-
Arteta at 8 mil- should be a better option this year if RVP leaves as he should be on all set pieces and penalties, but he faces some competition from Podolski so that is not set in stone. He could also play in the hole as Arsenal are without Rosicky for the start of the season. Walcott at 9 mil-Seems a bit expensive, but is always a good pick unless he starts to get rotated with Oxlade Chamberlain 7.5 mil. Everyone wants to see the OX play. IF instead of Walcott or more centrally, as we remember Rosicky is injured for the first few games at least- I would not be surprised to see Ox getting a game or 2 behind the striker instead of Arteta.
Fixtures are bad enough to wait for a few games before investing.
Strikers-
I know he is 13 mil but if he stays than RVP is still the player to own here. But that looks unlikely, so we need to look at Podolski 8.5mil or Giroud 9mil. First impressions suggest that Podolski will play on the left side of the front 3 as he does for germany, and Giroud will play in the middle. That would make Giroud the man to own here. Luckly the fixtures are not that good to start with so we have time to wait and see.
There is also talk that both Giroud and Podolski could play up front in a 4-4-2 this would boost the outlook of Podolski by a lot. But the sad news is that both of the players may not be fit to start the season, so a wait and see approach is still the best here.
There is also talk that both Giroud and Podolski could play up front in a 4-4-2 this would boost the outlook of Podolski by a lot. But the sad news is that both of the players may not be fit to start the season, so a wait and see approach is still the best here.
Tottenham
Midfielders-
Gareth Bale at 9.5 mil seems to be the favorite choice so far for Tottenham and I dont disagree. As AVBs system favors wingers to do well. There is also some love for Sigurdsson 9 mil after his impressive previous season with Swansea, I am still on the fence with this one. As Siggy will be a bit deeper, and expected to create more for others IMO. I also think there are 2 sleepers here: VDV at 9mil or Lennon at 7mil. If either one can nail down the RAM spot than they will probably be the first players on my team sheet. Many will say that VDV does not like to play as a winger and that he does not track back. But wingers in the AVB system are not out and out wingers and need to do less defensive work. Also AVB has always preferred a left footer who can shoot as his RAM(Hulk, Sturridge). There is one more way this could work, which actually could be the best option for AVB in my opinion. That is to play Bale at RAM and Defoe at LAM, that would fit perfectly into his system that usually relies on wingers for goals.
Strikers-
Adebayor at 9.5mil is the only reliable striker option right now, unless he fails to complete the transfer from City. But Defoe at 7.5 mil could be very nicely priced if he manages to nail down a role on the left as I have predicted as a possibility or as the main striker when Tottenham are left without Ade.
Newcastle
Midfielders-
Sleeping on Newcastle players cost me a lot of points last season. But I am still remaining cautious with any of them, as I feel last season could have been a fluke. The conversion rates were out of this for more than 1 player, this just does not feel sustainable. And also all of their prices have inflated out of the building. Best of the bunch still seems to be Hatem Ben Arfa at 7.5 mil. There is also a chance for a budget option here to emerge in case Gabriel Obertan manages to regain his starter role, as he is priced at a mere 4.5 mil.
Strikers-
Despite the 9.5 mil price tag there is no way one can look elsewhere for a newcastle striker than Cisse. There are rumors floating around that Carroll might come back to town, and Ba could regain his role as the central striker. But as long as that happens Cisse is your man.
Liverpool
Midfielders and Strikers-
It is nice to see that Liverpool are starting with a bad run of fixtures as there are so many ways that they could line up under the new manager. I personally wish they would start with Steven Gerrard at 9.5 mil at the role Sigurdsson played for Rodgers at Swansea, with Suarez at 9.5 mil and Downing at 6.5 mil on the wings and Borini at 8.0 mil or Carroll at 8.5 mil as the central striker. This would be perfect for fantasy, as we could get rid of the head ace that is Suarez as he wont be worth a pick as a winger, Gerrard would turn into the sleeper of the season with the chance to revive his form of old after a fairly decent euro tournament. Borini or Carroll would also be worth a look at their discount rate and Downing would be a nice budget option on the left.
My suggestion is: avoid all Liverpool players for the first fixtures, until we see how they line up. Also Carroll looks like he might be moving to West Ham, he looks like someone to avoid.
Everton
Midfielders-
Pienaar at 6.5 mil has not yet signed for Everton, but if he does he will be the main midfielder pick from Everton. The young Ross Barkley at 4.5 mil could also break out this season and is someone to keep an eye on.
Strikers-
Look no further than Jelavic at 8.5 mil, I feel that he is a bit expensive. But if he continues last seasons form he will even be a cheap option, especially if Baines leaves as that will leave him with the spot kick duties as well.
Fulham
Midfielders- Clint Dempsey at 9.5 mil.
Strikers- Mladen Petric 6mil- a talented striker coming in from Hamburger S. V. has a potential to be a fantasy favorite as he has a possibility of taking free kicks and penalties for Fulham as he has done for his previous club and Fulham just lost their former spot kick taker in Murphy.
West Bromwich
Midfielders and Strikers-
It is hard to look further than Brunt at 6 mil and Odemwingie at 7 mil at the moment as the new coaches tactics and favored formations are still unknown. One for the watch list is Yassine El Ghanassy at 5.0 mil the kid brought in from Gent on loan with an option to buy is an attacking wing player who can also play as a striker.
Swansea
Midfielders-
Although his price came in a bit too heavy for my taste. It is still all about Michu 6.5 mil for me, slightly cheaper than the 7 mil Sinclair- who I think will still do well. But could lose some set piece duties to the incoming spaniards. Michu, will be the midfielder playing further forward than any other and is a guy always looking to score. He was the top scoring midfielder in La Liga last season with 15 goals, even dough he was playing for a side placed in the lower half of the table(15th).He will also be a big differential compared to Sinclair, that could boost your team score nicely compared to the casual player.
Strikers-
Graham at 6 mil is the only choice there, and I will look more towards the Swans midfield if I choose to invest in their attack. He is simply not worth the valuable striker spot IMO.
Although his price came in a bit too heavy for my taste. It is still all about Michu 6.5 mil for me, slightly cheaper than the 7 mil Sinclair- who I think will still do well. But could lose some set piece duties to the incoming spaniards. Michu, will be the midfielder playing further forward than any other and is a guy always looking to score. He was the top scoring midfielder in La Liga last season with 15 goals, even dough he was playing for a side placed in the lower half of the table(15th).He will also be a big differential compared to Sinclair, that could boost your team score nicely compared to the casual player.
Strikers-
Graham at 6 mil is the only choice there, and I will look more towards the Swans midfield if I choose to invest in their attack. He is simply not worth the valuable striker spot IMO.
Norwich
Midfielders-
Appointment of a new coach is bound to bring stability and more investment into Norwich assets seems a good idea this season. As for midfielders Pilkington and Hoolahan both at 6 mil are the players to watch here with Surman at 5 mil a nice budget option who could prove to be the best pick as when he plays he takes on more shots than any other midfielder for Norwich (1.6 )
Strikers-
Look no further than Grant Holt at 6.5 mil if he manages to stay put, the man is always impressive when he plays and should keep a starting role under Hughton. Also takes the spot kicks and had most shots on goal for Norwich last season. I would also keep an eye on James Vaughan 4.5mil, the former Everton players career has been plagued by injuries. But he is or at least was one of the fastest players in the Premier League, so he should be on your watch list.
Look no further than Grant Holt at 6.5 mil if he manages to stay put, the man is always impressive when he plays and should keep a starting role under Hughton. Also takes the spot kicks and had most shots on goal for Norwich last season. I would also keep an eye on James Vaughan 4.5mil, the former Everton players career has been plagued by injuries. But he is or at least was one of the fastest players in the Premier League, so he should be on your watch list.
Sunderland
Midfielders-
Sunderland team has 3 good options in the midfield Sessegnon 8 mil, McLean 6.5 mil, Larsson 6.5 mil, Personally I see Sessegnon still as the best option, since it is very likely that he will continue playing as a forward. Larsson on the other hand could be on all set pieces, and McLean has some great goalscoring ability- so it is tough to decide who will be the obvious pick here.
Strikers-
It seems likely that Bentner will not return to Sunderland, that opens a door for a budget forward. And this is a situation that I am watching very closely as Connor Wickham, Campell both at 5.5 mil and even Ji Dong-Won at 4.5 mil can be productive when given the starting role.
Stoke City
Midfielders and Strikers-
Jonathan Walters at 6.5 mil is still the only Stoke midfielder or striker worth investing in IMO
Wigan Athletic
Midfieldersa and Strikers-
It feels funny when the season begins and you are thinking of investing in Wigan defenders instead of attacking players. But that is the case for me at the moment, especially if Boyce carries on playing in the midfield. Moses at 7 mil has been overpriced IMO, and the cheaper options are not cheap enough either. If we look at Jean Beausejour at 5.5 mil, he provides 2.3 key passes per game, but with only Di Santo converting them I dont feel comfortable putting him in my team. There is also Shaun Maloney at 5.0 mil, but just know. One player who has a chance to impress is Jordi Gomez at 5.5 mil who has also taken penalties for them when on the pitch, and is 4th in the team in terms of shots on goal per game with 1.9
Di Santo at 5.5 mil is also an option, but he will need to impress to take one of my valuable striker spots. Mario Boselli at 5.5 is also back and he is scoring goals in the pre season.
Aston Villa
Villa have a new manager in Paul Lambert the former Norwich manager, this makes me cautious investing in the Villa players as this guy is known for rotation. And it is hard to know who will be preferred by the manager. One stat to note here is that Paul Lamberts team scored joint most headed goals last season. So players with ability to head balls and put in crosses should benefit from his presence at the club.
Midfielders-
NZogbia at 6.5 mil, Albrighton 5.5 mil, Bannan at 5.0 mil, Ireland at 5.5 mil and Holman at 6 mil all belong on the watchlist.
Strikers-
Bent at 8.5mil and Adbonglahor at 7.0 mil both deserve a look, but I feel Bent will be the main man because of his spot kick duties and his ability to head the ball better.
QPR
Midfielders-
Despite last seasons failure Taarabt at 6 mil is still one of my favorite budget picks, his role in the hole and better knowledge in the hole will serve his fantasy managers well this season. He may also be on penalty kicks again, despite failing to take some last season, but that seemed to be a punishment for his disciplinary issues, also Helguson who took them last season seems less likely to be on the pitch now with Zamora and Cisse in town. Hoilett has also been brought in and at 6.5mil is a good option as well, I would not advice picking him instead of Taarabt, but I wont.
Strikers-
Zamora(1.5-SPG,2.4-KP) and Cisse(3.3-SPG 0.5-KP) both at 6.5 mil. Both are decent options, but as Cisse is more likely to score given he takes on twice as many shots as Zamora- he will be more likely to get bonus points. That just makes him a tad better and the one I would go for. I know there is a risk of a red card, but the reward is just that much better that it is worth it.
Reading
Midfielders and Strikers-
I am remaining cautious on Reading attacking players as they owe their promotion to the Premier league mainly to their defensive abilities. They like to play with a target man a la Roberts. All the reports remind me of Stoke and if it were not for their DGW in GW1 I would avoid them completely at first. Right now the only choice seems to be Pavel Pogrebnyak at 5.0 who could also be on spot kicks if Shorey ousts the regular spot kick taker Harte to the bench at the RB spot.
Southampton
Midfielders-
Adam Lallana at 6mil is the main man in the Southampton midfield, but I feel he is a bit overpriced. His 11 goals and 10 assists are unlikely to translate into the Premier League, and I project a maximum of 5 goals 5 assists for him this season, but the number is more than likely to be even less than that.
Strikers-
Richard Lambert at 6mil is the main man for Southampton, and should be the guy to invest in if you are looking to invest in Southamptons attack right away. Last season stats 25 goals and 12 assists last season, and what is even more impressive is the 92 shots it took him to score that 25 goals. That is a fairly decent conversion rate and I think 10 goals and a few assists are achievable for him.
Adam Lallana at 6mil is the main man in the Southampton midfield, but I feel he is a bit overpriced. His 11 goals and 10 assists are unlikely to translate into the Premier League, and I project a maximum of 5 goals 5 assists for him this season, but the number is more than likely to be even less than that.
Strikers-
Richard Lambert at 6mil is the main man for Southampton, and should be the guy to invest in if you are looking to invest in Southamptons attack right away. Last season stats 25 goals and 12 assists last season, and what is even more impressive is the 92 shots it took him to score that 25 goals. That is a fairly decent conversion rate and I think 10 goals and a few assists are achievable for him.
West Ham United
Midfielders and Strikers-
West Ham seem very likely to bring on another striker and current strikers are not something I would look to invest in anyway. So a midfielder Mark Nolan at 5 mil is the main man to consider here. With a nice cheap price spot kick duties and some set pieces in the bag he seems most likely to translate most of his goals(8) and assists(9) over to the Premier League
I guess I failed to make this much shorter, but I hope it is enjoyable and informative to read. Pre-season review coming up close to the Community Shield(12 august). With some quick hits on most important transfers popping up in the meantime. For the meantime follow me on twitter @KristjanPulma
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