RADIO
In a new monthly article, we peruse through the first month's action in the English Premier League and, based on performances thus far, create the quintessential fantasy team.
Editor’s Note: Be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about the EPL and Spanish La Liga at; http://www.rotoballer.com/category/premier-league-bpl-epl-soccer
Goalkeeper
Joe Hart – Manchester City
Season Total – 25 Points (360 Minutes Played, 4 Clean Sheets, 0 Goals Conceded, 6 Saves)
Through the first month of the season City have gone unbeaten and unblemished, allowing zero goals during their undefeated start. Joe Hart, however, has seldom been tested, receiving the bulk of his fantasy points from the stellar play of his stonewalling rearguard. Even with his save totals at a relative minimum, fantasy managers don’t seem to be complaining.
Defenders
Aleksandar Kolarov – Manchester City
Season Total – 37 Points (360 Minutes Played, 4 Clean Sheets, 0 Goals Conceded, 1 Goal Scored)
If you predicted that the Serbian left-back would be the highest scoring player in all of the Premier League fantasy through the first month, then buy a lottery ticket RIGHT NOW. Clearly luck is on your side. Kolarov, in addition to his fine defensive form, has been a force going forward. City’s counterattack has been the stalwart of its early season offensive blitzkrieg. His goal against Everton, at an impossible angle, may very well be the finest goal of his career. In daily DraftKings leagues in which crosses are rewarded, Kolarov is even more valuable.
Vincent Kompany – Manchester City
Season Total – 36 Points (360 Minutes Played, 4 Clean Sheets, 0 Goals Conceded, 2 Goals Scored, 2 Yellow Cards)
Much like his counterpart Kolarov, Vincent Kompany has been a fantasy powerhouse. Not only has the Belgian skipper been the centerpiece of the league’s top defense, but also its set-piece attempts. Kompany has two goals in the first four games, both coming from City corner kicks.
Luke Shaw – Manchester United
Season Total – 25 Points (360 Minutes Played, 3 Clean Sheets, 2 Goals Conceded, 1 Assist, 1 Yellow Card)
It’s hard to believe this guy is still only 20 years old. After transferring from Southampton, Shaw was a moderate disappointment during his first season at Old Trafford. Now, fully healed from the injuries that slowed him down during the last campaign, Shaw has developed into one of the league's finest fullbacks. Much like the aforementioned Kolarov, Luke Shaw has a prepotency for going forward and crossing the ball into the box. In DraftKings daily leagues, Shaw is a very valuable asset.
Midfielders
Riyad Mahrez – Leicester City
Season Total – 36 Points (292 Minutes Played, 4 Goals Scored)
What a sensation this guy, and the rest of the Foxes have been, through the first month of the season. Relying on the play of its sensational forwards and wingers, Leicester has eight points and currently sits third in the table. The Foxes look far more than a flash in the pan with Mahrez, Marc Albrighton, Jamie Vardy, and Shinji Okazaki all in superlative form. Even amongst the latter three, it has been Mahrez who has been the cleverest Fox. His breakneck forays down the right flank and ankle-breaking shakes have been a continuous annoyance to opposing fullbacks. His finest moment of the first month came in week three’s draw with Tottenham. Just 90-seconds after Spurs took a 1-0 lead, Mahrez streaked down the flank, shook off the defender, and with a masterful left-footed strike, leveled the game.
Yaya Toure – Manchester City
Season Total – 31 Points (349 Minutes Played, 2 Goals Scored, 2 Assists)
No surprise here - City adds another player to the month’s top XI. Toure has established himself as the league’s most consistent talent, providing a world-class two-way effort every time he takes to the pitch. His defensive demeanor has been crucial to City’s unblemished record by breaking up passes and commanding the center of the pitch. He has not been short on offensive contribution either, adding two goals and two assists to City’s early season onslaught.
Andre Ayew – Swansea City
Season Total – 31 Points (341 Minutes Played, 3 Goals Scored, 1 Assist, 2 Yellow Cards)
The eldest Ayew brother is already making a compelling argument for being the summer’s best buy. After joining Swansea from Marseille on a free transfer, Ayew has contributed three goals and an assist to the Swans’ high-flying attack. The Ghanaian international’s pairing with Jefferson Montero has been the league’s most dangerous perimeter-based attack. Much like Montero, Ayew’s excellent pace and dangerous crosses have been the crux of Swansea’s early season offensive prowess.
David Silva – Manchester City
Season Total – 26 Points (343 Minutes Played, 4 Assists)
Right now, this is the Premier League’s Player of the Year. Make no mistake, even with the star-studded lineup that surrounds him, David Silva is the petrol that keeps this City machine running at such high intensity. While the aforementioned Sky Blue players protect the net, Silva is a thoroughly menacing threat for all opponents. Through four games Silva has been credited with four assists. However, what the stat line does not show are the defined runs and intelligent pre-assists Silva has given his teammates. If City score a goal in open play, one can bet that Silva has had a hand in it.
Nathan Redmond – Norwich
Season Total – 26 Points (299 Minutes Played, 2 Goals Scored, 1 Assist)
Sometimes courage gets rewarded, and in the season’s infancy Nathan Redmond has shown plenty of it, especially with the ball at his feet. The Canary midfielder started the season on the bench, but established himself as an XI regular with a 30-yard golazo to ice the game for Norwich in game-week one. In the following three games, Redmond added another goal and an assist to a Canary attack that continues to surge.
Forwards
Callum Wilson – Bournemouth
Season Total – 28 Points (360 Minutes Played, 4 Goals Scored)
Ok, ok, yes these numbers are a tad misleading. Although Callum Wilson currently has four goals through the first four weeks of the year, three came in one fell-swoop. In game week three the Cherry striker earned Player of the Week honors with a hat trick against West Ham. The three-goal onslaught led the way in Bournemouth’s first ever Premier League victory. Staying hot, Wilson followed up the performance with yet another goal in week four in a draw against Leicester. The Coventry-born youngster is playing confident football, setting the tone for a club that wants to stick around the top-flight for another year.
Bafitimbi Gomis – Swansea City
Season Total – 25 Points (323 Minutes Played, 4 Goals Scored)
When the Swans sold Wilfried Bony to Manchester City last January the pundits argued that the club’s goal production would decline dramatically. That prediction seemed even more likely when the summer transfer window opened and closed and Swansea decided to stick with Bafitimbi Gomis. How clever does Garry Monk and Co. look now? Through the first month, Gomis is leading one of the league’s most exciting offensive attacks and is currently favorite to secure the Golden Boot. Wilfried Bony, on the other hand, has a nice, albeit expensive, seat on the Man City bench.
