The Premier League season is right around the corner and with it comes the return of fantasy football. WhoScored.com have once again teamed up with Yahoo! to bring you the best tips and improve your chances of winning some money with fantasy football.
Below, we’ll run through some must have buys ahead of the season, some bargain picks and some new arrivals that may be of interest in Yahoo! fantasy football this term. But first, we’ll take stock of the top performing players from the previous campaign to help with your choices.
Gylfi Sigurdsson - Swansea (431.6 Points)
Swansea successfully staved off relegation and much of that was down to Gylfi Sigurdsson. The Icelander racked up the third most assists in England's top tier (13) and chipped in with a further nine goals. Having been directly involved in 48.9% of Swansea’s total goals last season, it’s no wonder the south Wales side are so keen to retain the services of the 27-year-old. Indeed, his good attacking form for Swansea saw him earn 431.6 points with Yahoo! last season, a superb return for a player, whose side spent much of the campaign in the bottom half of the table.
Romelu Lukaku - Everton (436.1 Points)
Romelu Lukaku excelled for an Everton side that finished seventh in the Premier League last season, with his return of 25 goals second only to Harry Kane (29) - more on him later - in England’s top tier last term. No player scored more clear-cut goalscoring chances than the Belgian (18), while of his 25 goals, 21 were netted from open play. His excellent goal return saw him earn 436.1 points with Yahoo! last season and bigger and better things are expected of the 24-year-old this term.
Christian Eriksen - Tottenham (446.3 Points)
Christian Eriksen’s second half to the Premier League season was stupendous to say the least as his excellent showings in the final third earned him a notable 446.3 points with Yahoo! 15 assists was second to Kevin De Bruyne (18) in England’s top tier, while the great Dane was at his creative best to return 112 key passes, the most in the Premier League. The underpraised star will once again be the centre point of Spurs’ attacks this season.
Harry Kane - Tottenham (483.9 Points)
It was a campaign to remember for three season wonder Harry Kane, who landed back-to-back golden boot awards courtesy of a 29-goal haul. Having been sidelined on two occasions with separate ankle issues, the Spurs star was still in hand to end the season as the league’s top goalscorer, while Kane was directly involved in more goals (36) than any other top-flight player. His goalscoring prowess helped him earn 483.9 points with Yahoo!
Alexis Sanchez - Arsenal (516.4 Points)
Topping the Yahoo! fantasy football points list was Alexis Sanchez, with a whopping 516.4 points on the back of arguably his best Premier League campaign to date. The Chilean was the only Premier League player to reach double figures for both goals (24) and assists (10), while only Eden Hazard (7.81) gained a better WhoScored.com rating than the Arsenal star (7.76). His fine form in the final third will take some beating ahead of the coming season and chances are he will play a key role in some of your XIs this term, particularly with the 28-year-old expected to see out the final year of his contract at the Emirates.
This Season’s Must-Haves
With any new fantasy football season, there are a host of players any user should include in their XI. Here, WhoScored.com run through five must-have performers for your side.
Kevin De Bruyne - Manchester City
Manchester City have spent big to improve in all quarters this summer, but the creative side to their game will again fall on the shoulders of Kevin De Bruyne. The Belgium international (103) was second to Eriksen (112) for key passes in the Premier League last season, and top for clear-cut chances created (24) and assists (19). He won’t come cheap, but the 26-year-old can be considered a priority inclusion in any side.
Romelu Lukaku - Manchester United
Crossing the Manchester divide, Manchester United required a big-name striker to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic and after a deal for Alvaro Morata went cold, the arrival of Romelu Lukaku appeased the fanbase. Had it not been for Harry Kane’s late goalscoring flurry, Lukaku would have likely won the Premier League’s golden boot with his 25 goals representing his best return in England’s top tier. He has big boots to fill at Old Trafford, but you can be sure the 24-year-old has the goalscoring pedigree to successfully succeed Ibrahimovic.
Sadio Mane - Liverpool
When Liverpool spent big to sign Sadio Mane, some scoffed at the decision to part ways with around £35m on a player who had been relatively inconsistent during his time with Southampton. However, the Senegalese star quickly proved his doubters wrong with a return of 13 goals and five assists for the Reds. That figure would have been higher had he not represented Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations and missed the final few weeks of the campaign through injury. Nevertheless, Mane is one to include in your side, especially given Liverpool’s fluid attack.
Harry Kane - Tottenham
It’s impossible not to include the Premier League’s top goalscorer in the must-haves pile, while Harry Kane has scored more goals (75) than any other player in the last three top-flight campaigns. What’s important, though, is that Kane will come into the new season fresh having been involved in international tournaments across the last two summers. He’s been sharp in pre-season and will again line up as Spurs’ focal point in attack.
Marcos Alonso - Chelsea
With a three-man defence quickly becoming flavour of the month in the Premier League, full-backs who will likely play wing-back are gold dust in fantasy football. Marcos Alonso gained 269.6 points with Yahoo! last season, the third best of all Premier League defenders, and he is likely to be an undisputed starter next term after Chelsea’s move for Alex Sandro broke down. Eden Hazard’s injury may impact the Blues, but Alonso’s attacking and defence influence means he is a key inclusion in any team.
Premier League New Boys
Teams have spent big to improve over the summer and have looked abroad to strengthen. Here, WhoScored.com pick out five Premier League newbies worth investing in.
Sead Kolasinac – Arsenal
Speaking of full-backs moving to wing-backs, Sead Kolasinac made quite the impression on his Arsenal debut in the Community Shield with his equaliser sending the meeting with Chelsea to penalties. As far as free transfers go, they don’t get much better than the Bosnian, who joined from Schalke. No defender registered more assists than the 24-year-old (5) in the Bundesliga last season and he is certainly one to seriously consider this term.
Alexandre Lacazette – Arsenal
Sticking with the Gunners, this time moving further forward and it’s impossible not to overlook Alexandre Lacazette following his club-record move to Arsenal. The France international bagged 28 goals for Lyon in Ligue 1 last term and came close to opening his account for the north London side in the Community Shield, only to be denied by the post. He may be expensive, but if he can quickly strike up an understanding with teammates, then Arsenal have the ideal forward to fire them back to the Champions League.
Alvaro Morata – Chelsea
Crossing the London divide and Alvaro Morata’s penalty miss may have handed Arsenal the advantage in the Community Shield, but it’s impossible to rule out the Spaniard after his brief cameo at Wembley. The 24-year-old netted every 88.9 minutes in La Liga last season, while Antonio Conte has been keen to work with the striker since signing him for Juventus in 2014 before taking over as Italy head coach. He may take time to get going, with Conte admitting Morata is short of fitness, but he could be a shrewd pick up for your team, especially once Eden Hazard returns to action.
Ederson – Manchester City
Manchester City have invested heavily in their squad this summer and while we could pick out Bernardo Silva or Benjamin Mendy, no mention of goalkeepers means Ederson is one to keep an eye out this season. The Brazilian has been impressive for Pep Guardiola’s side in pre-season after a splendid campaign for Benfica and will be their new number one this term.
Mohamed Salah – Liverpool
Not strictly a Premier League new boy having previously made 13 top-flight appearances during a forgettable spell with Chelsea, but Mohamed Salah is arguably one of the summer’s better signings. The Egyptian was one of only eight players to register double figures for goals (15) and assists (11) in Europe’s top five leagues last season and will fancy a second chance at thriving in the Premier League. Fantasy football users can be expected to secure Salah’s services in droves and understandably so after a notable final season with Roma.
Bargain Buys
As with every fantasy football game, there is a bargain to be had. Here, WhoScored.com look at some cut-price stars that can help you win money with Yahoo!
Tammy Abraham – Swansea
With Fernando Llorente set to miss the start of the season through injury, Swansea boss Paul Clement must be hoping Tammy Abraham can be fit to feature on the first weekend of the season. The on-loan striker netted 23 league goals for Bristol City last term and if you’re looking for a cheap forward alternative, the 19-year-old is worth investing in this season.
Pascal Groß – Brighton
Chris Hughton has done some good work in the transfer window so far, with Monday’s arrival of Davy Pröpper another fine addition to the Brighton squad. However, we’re liking the look of Pascal Groß as a bargain buy this summer following his arrival from Ingolstadt. The 26-year-old made more key passes (98) than any other Bundesliga player last season and will likely be the Seagulls’ key creator this term.
Kelechi Iheanacho – Leicester
Leicester spent big to sign Kelechi Iheanacho from Manchester City this summer and he could prove to be one of the best signings of the season. The 20-year-old has scored 12 Premier League goals from 19 shots on target, with his efficiency in front of goal increasing his list of admirers. If he can replicate his good City form for the Foxes, the young Nigerian has the striking quality to become a hit at the King Power Stadium.
Chicharito – West Ham
Another striker, but West Ham have been in the market for a big name forward for some time and finally landed their man in Chicharito. The Mexican completed his Premier League return last month and will be the Hammers’ main striker this term. His experience in England’s top tier is crucial for Slaven Bilic’s men and his inclusion would undoubtedly free up space for other big name stars.
Gareth McAuley – West Brom
Gareth McAuley should be a first choice inclusion for any fantasy football side given his goalscoring exploits for West Brom. The experienced defender is a doubt for the opening weekend of the season, yet he remains a cheap defensive alternative for any gamer. The Baggies’ prolificacy from set-piece situations means the 37-year-old is well worth investing in ahead of the new season.
