The anticipation among fans has reached its peak as the Premier League makes its grand return. After months of meticulous planning, contemplating the players who could elevate their clubs, witnessing tough negotiations for transfers, and catching fleeting glimpses of the new stars, supporters are now poised to witness their beloved teams donning fresh kits and engaging in the game they hold so dear. This season's landscape holds the promise of unparalleled unpredictability. Pinpointing the league winner, identifying the European contenders, and even foreseeing relegation candidates have become perplexing tasks. The top-tier competition, in particular, is a fierce battleground, as the traditional dominance of the big six encounters stiff resistance from challengers like Newcastle United, Brighton, and Aston Villa. With a plethora of outstanding teams boasting exceptional talent, fantasy managers will undoubtedly find themselves continually fine-tuning their line-ups week after week.
Story of the transfer window so far
Being a part of the world's wealthiest football league, the Premier League clubs have lived up to expectations in the transfer market, displaying remarkable activity across the board. Nearly every club has been proactive in acquiring top-tier talent, collectively contributing over a billion pounds to bolster their ranks. Among them, Arsenal stands out as the most lavish spender this window, splurging over 200 million pounds, which includes a British record-breaking fee for the acquisition of Declan Rice. When it comes to the sheer volume of transfers, Chelsea emerges as the front-runner, with over a dozen departures accompanied by half a dozen new additions. For those navigating the intricate world of fantasy football, staying abreast of every transfer can prove to be quite the challenge. Fortunately, the following compilation of key transfers is an invaluable resource for fantasy managers looking to assemble their dream teams.
Incomings
1. Sandro Tonali (AC Milan to New Castle United)
2. Joško Gvardiol (RB Leipzig to Manchester City)
3. Rasmus Højlund (Atlanta to Manchester United)
Apart from the above, the transfers of players like Moussa Diaby (Aston Villa), Axel Disasi (Chelsea), Harvey Barnes (Newcastle United), and James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspurs) would also present interesting choices for the fantasy managers.
Departures
1. David De Gea (Free Agent)
2. N'golo Kante (Chelsea to Al-Ittihad)
3. Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City to Al-Ahli)
Apart from the above, the departure of likes of Christian Pulisic (AC Milan), Ilkay Gündoğan (Barcelona), Wilfried Zaha (Galatasaray), and Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal) would mean fantasy managers would not be able to rely on these dependable names.
Players to watch out for Matchday 1
The upcoming season's curtain-raiser is scheduled for Friday night at Turf Moor, where Vincent Kompany's Burnley will welcome his former team, reigning champions Manchester City. Players across the league are brimming with anticipation, aiming to kick off the season with a triumphant performance that will set the tone for the months ahead. This fervor extends to fantasy managers as well, for a strong showing in the initial week translates to a surge of momentum that can carry throughout the season. Before delving into discussions about the players who hold the potential to turn fantasy managers' aspirations into reality, it's prudent to first acknowledge the list of notable absentees. This insight will enable managers to make informed decisions and avoid investing in players who may be sidelined for the opening fixtures of the season.:
Notable Absences
As the season kicks off, Arsenal will take to the pitch without the presence of Gabriel Jesus, who recently underwent knee surgery. Meanwhile, Chelsea faces the absence of their newly acquired talent, Christopher Nkunku, who is set to be sidelined for an extended period due to a knee injury. Crystal Palace's Michael Olise, amidst the swirling rumors linking him to various clubs, finds his future shrouded in uncertainty. Nevertheless, he'll be absent from the initial games due to an injury setback. Manchester United grapples with the unavailability of young talents Amad Diallo and Kobbie Mainoo, both of whom are projected to sit out the first half of the season. Additionally, the Red Devils' new signing, Rasmus Højlund, won't feature in the opening game due to his current injury status.
Forwards
a. Erling Haaland (Manchester City) didn't have his best performance in the Community Shield loss against Arsenal, but we've seen this before – a year ago, he faced a similar scenario, only to embark on a historic season with an impressive tally of 36 goals. With the unwavering support of over 90% of fantasy managers, Haaland appears poised to make his mark in the very first game against Burnley, setting the stage for what could be another remarkable season ahead.
b. Leandro Trossard (Arsenal), despite not being the first name that springs to an Arsenal fan's mind, holds a vital role within the team. While the likes of Martinelli, Saka, and now Havertz take the spotlight, this Belgian forward is set to make a significant contribution throughout Arsenal's season. He has already made his mark, clinching a Community Shield victory with a crucial goal that pushed the match into a decisive penalty shootout.
Tip: For 7 credits, Aston Villa’s Moussa Diaby could prove to be a bargain as the forward still features in less than 1% of the fantasy squads. The forward has been consistently scoring and providing assists for his former club Bayer Leverkusen in the bundesliga and is expected to improve even further under Unai Emery.
Midfielders
a. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) takes on a new dimension at Manchester United, stepping into the role of captaincy. His influence on the pitch has been pivotal in shaping the team's standout moments, and now, as the leader, he is poised to guide Manchester United to a stronger season finish, carrying the aspirations of the club and fans alike.
b. James Maddison (Tottenham Hotspurs), the newly arrived talent from Leicester City, is poised to make a significant impact on the grander stage of Tottenham Hotspur. With his eyes set on proving his mettle, he aims to shine even brighter, especially if Harry Kane's departure materializes. As the inaugural match against Brentford approaches, Maddison stands ready to carve his place in the team and leave an indelible mark.
Tip: For 5.5 credits, Liverpool’s Dominik Szoboszlai would be leading the charge of Liverpool's new-look midfield this season. The talented midfielder represents a great opportunity for managers as he features in less than 4% of fantasy squads.
Defenders
a. Kieran Trippier’s (Newcastle United) stature as one of the finest fullbacks on the global stage remains unwavering. A standout in the previous season with Newcastle United, where he played a pivotal role by notching up an impressive 7 assists, he's poised to maintain this outstanding momentum in the upcoming season.
b. Thiago Silva (Chelsea) seems to be the only constant in this ever-changing Chelsea team since last season, having seen more than a dozen of his teammates depart. The Brazilian defender's experience would be the biggest asset for this young Chelsea squad which would like to achieve better results this season.
Tip: For 4 credits, Burnley’s Connor Roberts represents great business for any fantasy manager willing to take a bet on a defender from a newly promoted team. The right-back not only performs his defensive duties well but also consistently helps out in attack too, proved by his tally of 4 goals and 6 assists in the championship last season.
Goalkeepers
a. Bernd Leno (Fulham), coming off a strong season as Fulham's goalkeeper, is determined to carry that momentum forward. Tasked with a pivotal role, Fulham looks to him to counter the challenge posed by the formidable forwards gracing the Premier League this season.
b. Mark Flekken (Brentford) had a remarkable season with SC Freiburg in the Bundesliga last season, having made the most clean sheets (13) in the Bundesliga. Brentford would be hoping to continue his form in the premier league as they see him as the long-term replacement for David Raya.
Tip: For 5.5 credits, Everton’s Jordan Pickford remains one of the top goalkeepers in the league despite the struggles of Everton in the past two seasons. England's number one would be a great choice for fantasy teams as he is expected to bail Everton out again from trouble with his shot-stopping skills.
What Next?
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