Now that deadline day has passed Premier League squads are locked until January and as a fantasy owner, I could not be more relieved.
All we have to worry about now is how the new signings play, integrate into their new sides, impact current players, and translate to fantasy. So which signings are worth picking up?
Frankly? None of them. While Kevin De Bruyne, Heung-Min Son, and Anthony Martial are great additions, it is entirely possible that none of them get into their respective sides this weekend. Other options like Dieudonne Mbokani, Nikica Jelavic, and Ola Toivonen could all end up leading their lines but their incoming prices seem too high considering how many established cheaper options there are out there.
Now that we have got the transfer silliness out of the way, let us jump straight into my buying and selling tips.
13
Buy: Sergio Aguero – Forward, Manchester City, 13.2
He is the focal point of a very potent attack that has scored two goals or more in every match this season. Yes, it is disappointing that he has scored just one goal this season but his shot accuracy is even higher this season (64%) than last season (54%) where he scored 26 goals. The goals will come and, with Joel Ward missing from the Crystal Palace defense, it is likely that it will happen this week.
11
Buy: Diego Costa – Forward, Chelsea, 11.1
Chelsea have got off to a slow start but Everton, who have conceded seven goals in four matches, seem to have come at the perfect time. Many will remember the nine goal thriller last season and with Pedro performing well as well as Hazard starting to come alive, Chelsea should have their best match to date.
Sell: Alexis Sanchez – Midfielder, Arsenal, 11.0
In match week four I said I thought Alexis would have a great game and then he went out and got a grand total of just three fantasy points. I do not know what is wrong with the Chilean but £11 million is a really high price for someone who has been so ineffective.
10
Buy: N/A
Sell: Wayne Rooney – Forward, Manchester United, 10.4
He scored in mid-week again, this time on international duty, but I am still hesitant on bringing him back into my side. Liverpool have kept three clean sheets already this season and Manchester United have only scored three goals this season. While I think Rooney will turn it around soon, this probably is not the week it happens.
9
Buy: Harry Kane – Forward, Tottenham, 9.4
Sunderland have conceded ten goals in four matches. Ten in four. Now Kane, coming off two great international goals, will face a mess of a defense as he looks to open his scoring account the season. If Christian Eriksen is fit in time it is even more likely that Kane scores on Sunday.
Sell: Olivier Giroud – Forward, Arsenal, 9.0
While Stoke offer a lot more in attack than in previous years, the defense is still better than most Premier League sides. Giroud struggled on international break and has been less than convincing in the league thus far. Theo Walcott is waiting for Giroud to slip up and may get a shot sooner rather than later.
8
Buy: Juan Mata – Midfielder, Manchester United, 8.5
While I have been hesitant on Manchester United players all year, it looks like Mata is one of the few pieces that is not interchangeable as he has played 340 of 360 minutes this season. His assist numbers will start to increase as Rooney and Memphis Depay find their form.
Sell: Graziano Pelle – Forward, Southampton, 8.0
He is heavily reliant on service and, with the injury to Sadio Mane along the struggles of Jay Rodriguez and Shane Long, it is unlikely he gets a lot out of this weekend. Pelle is currently the eighth highest scoring forward in the official game, but six of the players ahead of him are cheaper options (Wilson, Gomis, Kone, Diouf, Vardy, and Defoe).
7
Buy: Nacer Chadli – Midfielder, Tottenham, 7.0
Chadli has been the best attacking option for Tottenham this year and now he faces the weakest link (Billy Jones) in the weakest defense (Sunderland). He already has the most points out of all Spurs players this season and will dictate the attack until Christian Eriksen returns.
Sell: Danny Welbeck – Forward, Arsenal, 7.4
In case you have not heard, Welbeck has had knee surgery and will be out until the end of the calendar year. Not sure if Wenger has realised yet.
6
Buy: Jeremain Lens – Midfielder, Sunderland, 6.5
I do not know how many more times I have to tell you to pick up Lens. He did not get an assist last week but did manage to score a goal and now faces a mistake prone Kyle Walker. He is easily worth his £6.5 million price and has value up to £7 million.
Sell: Saido Berahino – Forward, West Bromwich Albion, 6.3
The status of Berahino with West Bromwich Albion has been in question ever since his tweet claiming he would never play for chairman Jeremy Peace again. Salomon Rondon has played excellently in his stead and, as Pulis has been playing a one striker formation of late, it is unlikely Berahino sees action anytime soon.
5
Buy: James McCarthy – Midfielder, Crystal Palace, 5.0
Scottish midfielder McCarthy has flown under the fantasy radar despite being the fourth highest fantasy earner at Palace. That puts him ahead of teammates Zaha, Puncheon, Wickham etc despite being less owned and cheaper. He seems to have been matchup proof thus far and as such is playable against a formidable Manchester City side.
Sell: Moussa Sissoko – Midfielder, Newcastle, 5.8
The Newcastle midfielder has been disappointing earning just four fantasy points this season. While he does have fantasy potential he seems to be sitting further back allowing Wijnaldum to orchestrate the Newcastle attack. The matchup against Kouyate, Payet, et al is not a favourable one.
4
Buy: Scott Sinclair – Midfielder, Aston Villa, 4.9
The winger looks to be finding the form that earned him his move to Manchester City to begin with. Playing on the left side of the attack with Jordan Amavi has benefitted both and seems the main source of the Villa attack.
Sell: Joel Ward -Defender, Crystal Palace, 4.5
I love him but it looks like he will be out for a month with a knee injury. Drop him now and pick him up for a cheaper price once he is back fit. Former Liverpool defender Martin Kelly is likely to deputise.
TEB Fantasy Football League – Top 25 (of 257) after MW4
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1 | The Moon Kestrels | Stuart Ions | 41 | 226 |
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2 | Soper’s No Hopers | Mike Soper | 45 | 214 |
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3 | Depay’s tuna canoe | John Munnelly | 47 | 209 |
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4 | The Remarkable Ones | Mark Saunders | 42 | 209 |
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5 | all the best | Manoj Kumar | 56 | 206 |
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6 | npl XI | david champion | 42 | 203 |
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7 | fifty-fifty | Ramchandra Ram | 60 | 202 |
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8 | Hopkin2curl1 | Josh Nadarajan | 52 | 200 |
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9 | CHB_98 | charlie baker | 44 | 199 |
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10 | The Eagle has landed | gary ward | 53 | 198 |
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11 | Get off my Hangeland | Tom Hope | 52 | 196 |
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12 | TEB FC | The Eagles Beak | 59 | 196 |
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13 | Chevrolet | Ramz Uzbek | 56 | 194 |
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14 | Wheddsta | Harvey Wheddon | 37 | 193 |
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15 | @Dare_To_Soar | Ryan Begley | 59 | 193 |
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16 | lets football | Kiran ManU | 37 | 192 |
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17 | Los Bosteros | David Walsh | 48 | 192 |
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18 | Crystal Phallus FC | Simon Dixon | 40 | 192 |
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19 | E Pluribus Anus | Rory Jackson | 34 | 191 |
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19 | Carthage Eagles | John Deeks | 37 | 191 |
