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There are always obvious picks for the best players during a season, especially in terms of fantasy football. However, this article covers the more obscure players who no one expects to rack up the points and are relatively cheap to buy.
1. Christian Fuchs
Placing a defender in your team from a bottom half club never sounds like a good idea, however it is not in his teams defensive qualities where his point scoring lies.
Fuchs is one of the newest arrivals to the King Power stadium and was signed on a free transfer from Schalke as his contract expired without him penning a new deal. During his last season at Schalke, he scored twice and assisted 4 goals. The Austrian left back is quite the free-kick expert and should take over responsibility as their set-piece taker. He will likely be a cheap Leighton Baines, who would set you back an extra £1.5m which for a defender is a big deal.
2. Jordan Ibe
Dubbed by Liverpool fans as the next Raheem Sterling, Ibe has leaped at the opportunity to replace the superstar. Quite a lot of the hype can be put down to Liverpool fan’s bitterness over the departure of arguably their best player, but there are definitely a few similarities that can be drawn between the two young Englishmen. They both have electrifying pace and play in a similar position, thrive off trying to beat their man and are not afraid to shoot from range. However, the lack of Premier League experience could prove to be a crippling factor in the success of Ibe’s season.
Nonetheless, he will only set you back £5m and is a great addition to your squad. He will likely take over Sterling’s role for the season and will undoubtedly net a few goals and grab a few assists and may well burst onto the scene and score a lot of Fantasy points.
3. Troy Deeney
The Watford striker was clinical as ever last campaign, scoring 21 goals during the campaign in the Championship. This form should transfer to some extent in the Premier League, with the striker proven to be consistent over the past 3-4 years.
Nothing’s guaranteed when you try to predict how a Championship player or team will adapt to life in the top flight, but of the new boys in the division, Deeney is the most likely striker to perform well. He is strong, reasonably tall and a lethal finisher, everything you need to be a successful striker in the Premier League.
4. Ibrahim Afellay
One of many ex-Barcelona players to play at the Brittania this season, Afellay joins Stoke on a free transfer after his contract expired with the Spanish giants. He is the 4th to join the club and it wouldn’t be far-fetched to imagine that another ex-Barca player comes to Stoke before the end of the transfer market.
Afellay was destined for greatness throughout his career, he was thought of as one of the brightest young prospects in Europe at the time. His career came to a stand-still at Barcelona, only playing 21 games in 4 years. During that time he had a loan spell at Schalke and Olympiacos, scoring 4 goals in 19 games at the latter club.
Hughes will be hoping that Afellay still has the quality he showed earlier in his career to get the attention he received from across the globe. At 29, the Dutch international isn’t “past it” quite yet and could prove to be a fantastic signing for the Potters. More of a risk to put into your Fantasy team, but if you like a gamble he’s definitely worth your while at a measly £5.5m.
5. Georginio Wijnaldum
One of the best players in the Eredivisie last season, Wijnaldum scored an incredible 14 goals from midfield. He was a huge catalyst in PSV’s title winning campaign, alongside fellow Premier League transferee Memphis Depay. He didn’t get as much media attention as Depay did, but could very well be just as good of a player.
Wijnaldum will have to adjust to life in the Premier League, but it will likely not be too much of a problem as he will easily start in the Newcastle team with little contention for his spot. His eye for goal and skillful nature would fit nicely into any team in the league and will be a huge factor in the success of Newcastle’s season. It wouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see Wijnaldum be the Magpie’s top scorer this season if Mitrovic doesn’t live up to what is expected of him at the Northern club.
