RADIO
After an exciting opening to the Premier League Season, fantasy owners now have some added clarity regarding this season’s emerging stars. Defying expectations, Matchday One’s top performers were not the transfer window splash signings or the 100,000 pound-per-week stars, but rather unheralded playmakers from mid-level clubs.
The following eight players were selected as the top transfer targets regarding their prowess in week one, promise in week two, and current economic value on PremierLeague.com.
Editor’s Note: be sure to check out all of our articles, and read more about the English Premier League (EPL, BPL) fantasy analysis and European football news.
Adrian – Goalkeeper – West Ham United – 5.0m
Season Total – 11 points; Position Rank – 1st; Last Match – W 2-0 at Arsenal
(90 Minutes Played, 6 Saves, Clean Sheet)
The Spanish international had a season-premier to remember, highlighting West Ham’s road upset over the Gunners. Almost inevitably then, Adrian earned a well-deserved spot on the PL Team of the Week. The Hammer's keeper currently leads the league with six saves, headlined by the stonewalling of a 55th minute deflected strike by Olivier Giroud that would have evened the match. Frustrated owners of Petr Cech, that are quick to jump ship, may find interest in Adrian.
Micah Richards – Defender – Aston Villa – 4.5m
Season Total – 8 points; Position Rank – T-6th; Last Match – W 1-0 at Bournemouth
(90 Minutes Played, Clean Sheet)
Whoever said Micah Richards was over the hill was clearly mistaken as the 27-year old defender put in a superb performance against Bournemouth last weekend. The Englishman’s disruption and passing-efficiency was impressive and as long as he is anchoring the Villa back-line the defense should continue its strong form of Matchday One. After being named Villa’s captain before the season, Richards is a safe bet to start and go the full 90-minutes in every game. Very seldom do skippers of this caliber come at such a low cost.
Reece Oxford – Defender/Midfielder – West Ham United – 4.0m
Season Total – 6 points; Position Rank – T-12th; Last Match – W 2-0 at Arsenal
(78 minutes played, Clean Sheet)
The next Premier league wunderkind has arrived early. The 16-year old academy boy looked like a player nearly twice his age last weekend when the Hammers shutout the heavily favored Gunners. Oxford, the youngest player ever to suit up for West Ham, looked fantastic operating in the holding midfield position. Naturally a center back, Oxford displayed his surprisingly crisp ball skills, making clean pases and committing zero turnovers.
Additionally, he protected the West Ham back line impeccably, against one of the league’s top offensive attacks. Despite his surprise inclusion in the first XI, there is no reason to doubt that after his wonderful debut he should find a regular role, even after Pedro Obiang returns from injury.
Matteo Darmian – Defender – Manchester United – 5.6m
Season Total – 8 points; Position Rank – T-6th; Last Match – W 1-0 vs. Tottenham
(80 Minutes Played, Clean Sheet)
Well, I’m eating my words. Last week, during my Game of the Week Preview I doubted Matteo Darmian would get the start at right back. After playing as mostly a wing back at Torino, it was assumed it would take Darmian some time to adjust to the sophistication of the position in a four man back line, especially against the superior talent of the Premier League. To the surprise of many (including myself), the Italian international looked like he had been playing in the league for years. Darmian looked comfortable on the ball, got involved with the offensive attack on the wing, and shut down virtually any pressure from the Spurs’ offensive flanks. Damian looks like he will remain a regular inclusion in the weekly first XI.
Joseph Gomez – Defender – Liverpool – 4.6m
Season Total – 11 points; Position Rank – T-2nd; Last Match – W 1-0 at Stoke
(90 Minutes Played, Assist, Yellow card, Clean Sheet)
Joseph Gomez came to Liverpool from Charlton Athletic this summer with the thought that he would need time to develop. Instead, he began his new career in the top-flight post haste. Against Stoke, the 18-year old stepped away from his traditional role in the center of the defense and got the nod as the Reds’ starting left back. Joining five other players new to the squad, Gomez provided a steady presence on the flank, regularly charging up to assist in the offensive attack.
The youngster, however, never found himself out of position on defense, although admittedly the Stoke offense will be one of the more flaccid attacking lines he will encounter all year. Gomez is bound to hit some hurdles during his first top flight campaign, but is a valuable transfer option this weekend when Liverpool face a Bournemouth squad void of comparable talent.
Riyad Mahrez – Midfielder - Leicester – 5.6m
Season Total – 15 points; Position rank – T-2nd; Last match – W 4-2 vs. Sunderland
(76 Minutes Played, Two Goals Scored)
The Premier League’s Player of the Week was a constant headache for the Black Cats on Saturday. Just minutes after the Algerian scored off of a Marc Albrighton cross, Mahrez converted on a penalty that he himself drew off of Sunderland captian Lee Cattermole. Mahrez nearly began his season with a hat trick, but had his third chance met by the post. At just 5.6m, an owner would be hard pressed to find a better cost-per-goal value on the transfer market.
Marc Albrighton – Midfielder - Leicester – 5.0m
Season Total – 15 points; Position Rank – T-2nd; Last Match – W 4-2 vs. Sunderland
(90 Minutes Played, One Goal Scored, Two Assists)
Albrighton was masterful on Matchday One. After assisting on Leicester’s two open-play goals in the first half, the winger put the game out of reach with a goal of his own in the 66th minute. While it would be greedy to expect a regular output of the same caliber from Albrighton, the 25-year old is a clever week-to-week option. New manager Claudio Raineri is employing a more exciting attack than we’ve traditionally seen from his squads in the past, using Albrighton as his centerpiece. Elevating his value is the fact that Ranieri has pegged Albighton for corner kick and free kick duties. Scoop him up as a transfer before his price increases, as it surly will.
Bafetimbi Gomis – Forward - Swansea – 7.0m
Season Total – 6 points; Position Rank – T-4th; Last Match – D 2-2 at Chelsea
(78 Minutes Played, One Goal Scored)
Wilfried Bony who? Gomis looked incredible last weekend at Stamford Bridge, causing headaches for what was supposed to be one of the league’s best defenses. After converting from the penalty spot after the Thibault Courtois send off, Gomis nearly gave the Swans all three points after successfully connecting on a free-kick, placing it in the top corner of the net, out of the reach of Asmir Begovic. Unfortunately for the Swansea faithful, the Frenchman was just narrowly offside. Gomis is a great play this weekend against defensively challenged Newcastle. If Jefferson Montero and Andre Ayew continue to be an insolent presence on the flank, look for Gomis to put his aerial prowess on full display.
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