The Premier League kicks off on Saturday, which means that all plans for Friday are on hold, as millions of people all over the world frantically make last-minute additions to their Fantasy Premier League teams. Though it seems that most players that could potentially earn a lot of points are overpriced, there are a few hidden gems waiting to be discovered. It may seem sensible to spend big bucks on marquee strikers for their ability to score goals and earn points for your team. However, when one examines the points-per-million pounds criteria (the Holy Grail of fantasy football), the top defenders last season turned out to be better bargains than the top forwards or midfielders. This is why it may be advisable to pick your defenders before you get tempted to spend big money on superstar forwards.
Often, players that are considered average on the field could be exceptional additions to your FPL team. For example, an obscure signing from a less competitive league might be overlooked, until he bursts onto the scene and his market price shoots up. The most successful FPL players are able to strike the right balance for their team, only spending money where they know they will get maximum return. This article reflects what I think are the top 10 value for money signings for your FPL team in the upcoming season.
1) Name: Łukasz Fabianski
Club: Swansea City
Position: Goalkeeper
Price: 5m
Cruelly nicknamed ‘Flappyhandski’ by the Emirates faithful, the Polish keeper was perceived as a liability in goal. Last season however, Swansea City’s new number 1 turned things around and became more consistent in his role as the last line of defence.,and managed to rack up the most points for any goalkeeper in the FPL. 151 points for 5m translates to roughly 30 points-per-million pounds, making Fabianski the best points-per-million pounds player on FPL. If he can keep up his good form, his price tag makes him an absolute steal.
2) Name: Jordan Amavi
Club: Aston Villa
Position: Defender
Price: 5m
Unheard of by most Premier League fans, Amavi is one of the astute signings Aston Villa have made with the money gained from the sales of Fabian Delph and Christian Benteke. Many followers of French football are surprised that top European clubs haven’t signed the talented left-back. 21 years of age, Amavi is very attacking in his mindset and looks to hit the byline at every chance he gets. Tim Sherwood’s teams generally play free flowing football and Amavi can thrive in this set-up, feeding fellow new signing Jordan Ayew with pin-point crosses. In addition to his assists, he managed to score 4 goals with French club OGC Nice last season. A potential red flag against him though, is his 11 yellow cards racked up last season, which could leave FPL players with their heads in their hands.
3) Name: Kieran Trippier
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Position: Defender
Price: 5.5m
Perhaps a bit under the radar while playing for Burnley, Kieran Trippier is ready to compete with the big boys after joining the Spurs. He is almost certain to start at right-back (owing much to liability that is Kyle Walker). With his amazing crossing ability, Trippier will constantly feed balls into the box and can be expected to do much better than his 4 assists last season, with striker Harry Kane to aim at. His wicked set piece ability enhances his position as an underrated attacking threat. With more clean sheets in a more solid defensive setup, he is set to improve vastly on his 118 points last season, and his already impressive 21.5 points-per-million pounds. Compared to a striker like Olivier Giroud, he is 3.5m cheaper despite getting only 2 fewer points playing for relegated Burnley. You would be hard pressed to find a better bargain than this one.
4) Name: Phil Jagielka
Club: Everton
Position: Defender
Price: 5.5m
It seems as though Everton constantly alternate between closing in on the Champions League one season and being distinctly mediocre the next. This year then, should be a good one if the trend continues. The man anchoring this team is experienced center-back Phil Jagielka, a clean and no-nonsense defender who also chipped in with 4 goals last season. He was one of the bargain buys of that campaign, with an astonishing 25.81 points-per-million pounds. Although it is his expensive, bombarding full-backs Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman that most FPL players pick, Jagielka is the man for an inexpensive, but solid performer.
5) Name: Chris Brunt
Club: West Bromwich Albion
Position: Midfielder
Price: 5.5m
‘Underrated’, is the first word that comes to mind when one thinks of little-known Chris Brunt. The Irishman is entering his prime and is known to whip in some menacing crosses and free kicks with his trusted left foot. With Tony Pulis at the helm, West Brom are expected to do well this season, and Brunt is a key player at the heart of the Baggies midfield. 2 goals and 10 assists last season was a fine contribution to his team’s cause. Pulis’ sides are meticulously well drilled at any set piece, so expect Brunt to thrive in the upcoming season. At 23.27 points-per-million pounds, he is the best value for money midfielder on FPL.
6) Name: Jordan Henderson
Club: Liverpool
Position: Midfielder
Price: 7m
While all eyes will be on the dazzling Phillipe Coutinho, and rightly so, avid FPL players should avert their gaze to the new Liverpool captain. In addition to his bursting runs into the box and long distance shooting, Henderson creates a reasonable number of chances that are begging to be finished. Luckily for him, Christian Benteke can do just that. An added bonus is that along with the captaincy duty, he will also take over Steven Gerrard’s penalty responsibilities which should boost his goal tally. At a meagre 7m and providing the 2nd best value for a midfielder with 23.14 points-per-million pounds, Henderson should be the first midfield name on your team sheet.
7) Name: Dimitri Payet
Club: West Ham United
Position: Midfielder
Price: 7.5m
What can possibly link Kevin De Bruyne, Lionel Messi, Cesc Fabregas and Dimitri Payet? That’s right, the former Marseille man managed the most assists after the 3 mentioned above in Europe last season. Along with his 21 assists, he chipped in with a decent tally of 7 goals in all competitions for Marseille last season and will be playing under a manager who prioritizes wing play. A creative right-winger by trade, Payet is the classic case of a diamond in the rough.
8) Name: Memphis Depay
Club: Manchester United
Position: Midfielder
Price: 8.5m
FPL may classify him as a midfielder but don’t be fooled. Memphis is going to be involved in most attacking play, just as he was for PSV Eindhoven where he finished last season with 25 goals and an Eredivise Winner’s Medal. Memphis is lightning quick, physically very strong and has an eye for goal along with great close control. 8.5m for a midfielder who fits Van Gaal’s system could turn out to be very, very lucrative indeed.
9) Name: Saido Berahino
Club: West Brom
Position: Striker
Price: 6.5m
Although defenders and midfielders make for good bargains, it’s the strikers who generally earn the most points and therefore don’t come cheap. Berahino is an exception to the rule. He managed an impressive tally of 14 goals and an assist inspite of spending the latter half of the season sulking in anticipation of a move to a bigger club. The arrival of Tony Pulis as well as the maturity to get rid of hawkish agent Aidy Ward (who happens to also represent fellow young Brit Raheem Sterling) will have hopefully set his priorities straight. An even better campaign can be expected this time around for the 22 year old. If he can hit the 20 goal mark, he will arguably be the best forward buy on FPL. Berahino provided 22.8 points-per-million pounds last season – a decent bargain as it stands.
10) Name: Harry Kane
Club: Tottenham Hotspur
Position: Striker
Price: 9.5m
9.5m is a lot to spend on a single player. So if you are to shell out that sort of cash, it is vital to invest well. Despite the inevitable hype that shrouds any young talented Englishman, the PFA Young Player of the Year is still a bargain on FPL. Considering that he scored most of his 21 goals and provided all of his 5 assists in the 2nd half of this season, he will almost certainly do even better with a full season ahead of him. He is 3.5m pounds cheaper than 13m priced Sergio Agüero and the two will possibly have similar tallies at the end of the season. His return of about 20 points-per-million pounds beats all other strikers of the same calibre. Not one among Agüero, Costa, Rooney, Sturridge or Giroud boast of more than a 17 points-per-million pounds valuation. If you are to splurge on a big name striker, make sure it’s Harry Kane.
* All statistics were taken from Transfermarkt.com.
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