The transfer deadline day was as hectic and chaotic as ever, so we analyse whether there were any fantasy football gems you might have missed out on.
Islam Slimani was one of the biggest Deadline Day signings
Some big money was exchanged yesterday as the transfer window came to a close, and some serious talent arrived in the Premier League once more.
Moussa Sissoko, Islam Slimani and David Luiz were three of the biggest transfers to occur on the final day, but there were a number of other recruits which may have been overlooked in all the chaos.
Fantasy football managers are often looking for a bargain, and these players who arrived under the radar may prove to be excellent value for money, whilst some of the big money buys could justify their hefty price tags.
Markus Henriksen was the last signing to be completed on Deadline Day
There were a plethora of intriguing additions made yesterday, but we have managed to whittle it down to the 8 players most worthy of considering for your fantasy football team:
David Luiz – £6m
At £6m, David Luiz is the same price as the likes of Nacho Monreal, Nicolas Otamendi, Branislav Ivanovic and Marcos Alonso, and we think for that price, the distinctive looking Brazilian is decent value for money.
The price Chelsea spent on him means he’s likely to be a regular starter, and may even play further up the pitch at times, despite being listed as a defender.
Luiz is a player who loves to venture forward, yet he will be playing in a tight knit, well-drilled team, likely to keep a lot of clean sheets. For these reasons, Luiz is worth considering.
Jack Wilshere – £5.9m
England’s Jack Wilshere has joined Bournemouth on loan
A controversial choice perhaps, but there can be no doubts that Jack Wilshere is a player with a point to prove on-loan at Bournemouth.
The obvious concern with the England international is his fitness. Wilshere has had an incredible injury record, featuring in only 3 games for Arsenal all last season.
Wilshere also isn’t a player who scores regularly, with just 6 in the Premier League over his career, but he will be a big fish at Bournemouth, which could see him take set pieces and take command of games at times.
Markus Henriksen – £5.5m
Technically only on-loan at Hull City right now, Norway international Markus Henriksen will join the Tigers on a permanent deal in January.
Highly-rated since his teenage years, the midfielder went from strength to strength at Rosenberg and most recently AZ Alkmaar, with some supporters considering him a superior player to Spurs’ big money signing Vincent Janssen.
The 24-year-old has been likened to Frank Lampard, and he scored an incredible 19 goals last season from midfield last season. If he can bring that goal scoring prowess to the Premier League he’ll be a snip at just £5.5m.
Wilfried Bony – £7.3m
Wilfried Bony joined Stoke City on loan on Deadline Day
Likely to be a popular pick among Stoke City fans, the Potters impressive recruitment continued this summer, with Bony the latest big-name signing to join Mark Hughes’ team.
Bony may have had a torrid time at Manchester City, but 26 goals in 54 Premier League games over 18 months at Swansea shows that the big Ivorian has what it takes to be a prolific scorer in the Premier League.
If he’s fit, firing and hungry, Bony could be a bargain at £7.3m, cheaper than the likes of Welbeck, Benteke, Musa, Ighalo and Rooney.
Islam Slimani – £8.5m
Having been priced at £8.5m, Islam Slimani is a real commitment for any fantasy manager, but it’s not hard to see why he’s had that price tag slapped on his head, arriving in England with a mouth-watering goal scoring record which saw him notch 31 goals last season.
The Algerian is blessed with great technique and a natural eye for goal, and although pricey, there are still 11 strikers who will set you back more, and you could make a decent case for him being better value than Rooney or Perez.
The big question mark over Slimani may be what you are expecting of Leicester as a team, if the Foxes are flying he could be an excellent choice, but if they’re struggling, he may prove a costly mistake.
Bruno Martins Indi – £5m
Bruno Martins Indi is a good signing for Stoke City
Different fantasy players look for different attributes in their defenders. If it’s a goal threat you’re after, then Martins Indi is unlikely to be your man, with just 7 in his entire club career.
If it’s solidity and clean sheets you’re looking for however, he could be a shrewd choice. The 24-year-old is a quality defender, who will link up with a Stoke City team unlikely to ship goals freely.
Stoke were in need of a player of the Dutchman’s ilk, and whilst fit, he’s practically a certainty to play, and very reasonably priced at £5m.
Georges-Kévin Nkoudou – £7m
Tottenham’s pursuit of Georges-Kévin Nkoudou was one that lasted for a number of weeks, but on Deadline Day, they finally got their man.
Mauricio Pochettino’s lengthy chase for the wide man indicates that he’s a big fan, and regular game time is likely, especially with the departure of Nacer Chadli.
Nkoudou is only 21, but he was ranked as the 30th best player in Europe by UEFA last season and has goal scoring potential, bagging 10 for Marseille last term.
Ryan Mason – £4.9m
Ryan Mason is a bargain on fantasy football following his move to Hull City
Last, but by no means least, is Hull City’s record signing Ryan Mason, who is an absolute bargain at £4.9m. Not technically a Deadline Day signing as the Tigers brought him in the day before, but he’s a player well worth a mention.
The former Tottenham midfielder played for England less than a year ago, an indication of how well he was playing for Spurs, and he’s likely to play a big role at the KCOM Stadium.
The fee Hull City forked out should guarantee game time, and Mason talked about playing in an advanced role of a midfield three upon signing for the club, which would see him get in plenty of scoring and assisting positions, thus making him a fine option for such a low price.
Which Deadline Day signing would you consider for your fantasy football team?
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