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Once again, Dan looks at the more enticing transfer targets in the English Premier League for fantasy managers as week 7 approaches.
Asmir Begovic – Goalkeeper – Chelsea – 5.0m
Season Stats: 307 Minutes Played, 1 Clean Sheet, 7 Goals Conceded, 17 Saves
Premier League Points: 13 (T-18th Ranked Goalkeeper)
Week 7 Fixture: (A) vs. Newcastle: Saturday, September 26th @ St. James’ Park
Chelsea seemingly always pay a hefty wage for a suitable backup keeper. In previous years veteran back stops like Mark Schwarzer and Petr Cech had comfortable, albeit well-paid, seats on the bench as they saw little-to-no league time behind their positional superior. This season, Chelsea’s prepotency to invest in the position has proven worthwhile. Even before Thibault Courtois' current injury, the Belgian keeper was having a poor season, primarily due to the poor form of the defensive backline. In the two weeks since Courtois’ injury, the backup Begovic has displayed a mixed bag of results. After a three-goal pummeling in a loss to Everton, Begovic and the Chelsea defense bounced back, putting together their best performance of the season in a 2-0 victory over Arsenal. Seemingly rebounding from their lackluster start, Chelsea should put together another fine performance with a promising Week 7 matchup against floundering Newcastle.
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Russell Martin – Defender – Norwich – 4.5m
Season Stats: 540 Minutes Played, 3 Goals Scored, 10 Goals Conceded, and 1 Yellow Card
Premier League Points: 28 (6th Ranked Defender)
Week 7 Fixture: (A) vs. West Ham United: Saturday, September 26th @ Boleyn Ground
Martin played hero once again last week in Norwich’s 1-1 draw versus Liverpool. After allowing a late Danny Ings goal, the Canaries equalized the match, courtesy of a Russell Martin strike. The goal was Martin’s third of the season, which is the highest total among Premier League defenders. This weekend, Martin and the Norwich backline will have a tough test against a confident Hammer squad, fresh off of their upset at Manchester City. With that said, however, at just 4.5m Martin is a valuable transfer target, especially as a defender with a nose for the goal.
Christian Eriksen – Midfielder – Tottenham – 8.3m
Season Stats: 205 Minutes Played, 2 Assists, and 3 Goals Conceded
Premier League Points: 14 (MF Rank N/a)
Week 7 Fixture: (H) vs. Manchester City: Saturday, September 26th @ White Hart Lane
Eriksen return could not have come at a better time for Tottenham. Unlike the previous campaign, this season the Tottenham defense has been stellar. If not for an unlucky 1-0 loss to Manchester United in the season’s opening match, Spurs would be in the echelon of the unbeaten, along with Leicester City. Even with the defensive success, the Spurs’ goals have been at a premium, scoring more than one goal in a match only once so far this season.
Last week, in a 1-0 win over Palace, Tottenham displayed their finest performance of the season. With numerous injuries riddling the midfield and Harry Kane struggling to find the net, the London club has had to turn to new faces for their offensive output. For example, youngster Deli Alli and new signee Son Heung-min have looked fantastic as a midfield pairing. Despite the fine form of the duo, Spurs were goalless in the first half against Palace. In the second half, Eriksen triumphantly returned from injury to provide the spark his team needed, assisting on Son’s inaugural goal, providing the difference in the 1-0 win. With Eriksen returning as the squad’s offensive leader, offensive production should increase.
Anthony Martial – Forward - Manchester United – 8.3m
Season Stats: 116 Minutes Played, 3 Goals Scored
Premier League Points: 18 (T-14th Ranked FW)
Week 7 Fixture: (H) vs. Sunderland: Saturday, September 26th @ Old Trafford
This kid is unreal. One cannot simply learn swagger, one has to be born with it, and swagger is something Anthony Martial has in excess at the moment. After transferring from Monaco it was projected that the world’s most expensive teenager would be eased into United’s regular rotation. That prediction was readily dismissed just minutes after his feet touched the Old Trafford pitch. Since scoring two weeks ago in his first English football match, Martial has been on a tear, netting at least one goal in all competitions, including a brace last weekend against Southampton. Much like Harry Kane last season, Martial’s goal production will be expected to teeter off. However, much like Kane, the youngster will hope to defy expectations and keep scoring, and until his goal tally stalls, Martial is a must own in every fantasy format.
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