Let me start by saying that I see sleepers as either players who can bring you as many fantasy points as some of the higher ranked/pricier options, or as players who might not contribute right away but will become wanted fantasy commodities at some point during the season.
GOALKEEPERS
Jack Butland (Stoke City)
– When Butland was lost for the season last year, Lee Grant took over and the team didn’t miss a beat. Now that Butland is back, his value is somewhat in limbo because of Grant’s presence. Everton’s Pickford, for example, is a much more popular choice and being drafted much higher. That’s where I say that Butland is going to be no worse scoring-wise. You shouldn’t forget that this is a goalkeeper who was starting to take over the reins as England’s No. 1 before the injury. Given a full season, I think he’ll be a top 6/7 fantasy GK playing for an always bruising, hard-tackling, defensive-minded Stoke team.
Joe Hart (West Ham United)
– Yes, I know. This is the mistake-prone Joe Hart, full of himself, a waste of talent and all that. I agree. However, the talent is there, and who’s to say it’s not going to work with The Hammers? Slaven Bilic is a very good players coach, so it’s not out of the realm to think he’ll manage to get the best out of Hart. If Adrian leaves, it’s Hart’s job for the taking. Playing for a West Ham team that signed the experienced Pablo Zabaleta and Jose Fonte to bring stability to a vulnerable defense and is looking to rebound from a poor season, he’s definitely worth the risk.
DEFENDERS
Cedric Soares (Southampton)
– Soares is not a sleeper per sé. I’ve put him in the sleeper category more because 1) I feel he’s ranked lower than he should be, and 2) I believe he’s going to outscore his higher ranked teammate Ryan Bertrand. Conclusion: The attacking-minded wing back is undervalued, and if you miss out on the best defenders, he is a great alternative to fall back on.
Kieran Trippier (Tottenham Hotspur)
– As soon as Kyle Walker signed for Manchester City, Trippier became a sleeper. Why? Because he’s taking over Kyle Walker’s spot in the lineup, simple as that. When Tottenham acquired him from Burnley, it was first and foremost because of his crossing abilities. He didn’t have a chance to show them off too often, partly because Walker was irreplaceable and partly because of injuries. That is until late last season. His performances allowed the Spurs to let Walker go. Now, it’s Trippier’s time to shine.
Javi Manquillo (Newcastle United)
– Liverpool’s reject is skilled. Rafa Benitez adores his compatriots, so Manquillo will get every opportunity to prove his worth for a team in desperate need for reinforcements. Newcastle is not your typical promoted team. Although their fans will probably be satisfied if the team avoids relegation, their true expectations are way higher. Benitez will be under constant pressure, and he will need to be able to rely on his own to succeed. The Spanish offensive full back is definitely one to watch.
[the_ad id=”384″]Alfie Mawson (Swansea City)
– We’ve come to my second favorite sleeper this season. Mawson was a relative unknown when he came up to Swansea’s starting lineup during the season. The more experience he gained, the better he looked. Built in a similar mold like Stoke’s Ryan Shawcross, Mawson is a great header and more agile than he appears. He was one of England’s best players during the U-21 European Championship this summer and is now one of the most wanted young prospects in the Premiership. Although playing for a fragile Swansea team is not ideal, he’s still an excellent fourth or fifth fantasy defender with tremendous upside.
Arthur Masuaku (West Ham United)
– Masuaku was one of the most promising left backs in Europe when he came over from Olympiakos to West Ham in 2016. He has not delivered on that promise yet, and this is the season he finally might. It’s not going to be easy, since there’s ample competition among full backs in the squad. He does have the skills to come out on top. Now, it’s up to his attitude and motivation to make true on that promise.
MIDFIELDERS
James Ward-Prowse (Southampton)
– Another member of England’s promising youth, Ward-Prowse’s development has been slow and steady. What makes him one of the most attractive midfield options in fantasy is his fantastic right foot. A set piece taker who can score and assist from free kicks is essential to a fantasy team. The more you have of those, the merrier. 2017/18 is the season he becomes Southampton’s primary playmaker. You should have him on your roster while he can still be had on the cheap.
Tom Davies (Everton)
– Tom Davies brought fire and flame as soon as he stepped on the field for Everton last season. He started receiving minutes toward the late part of the campaign, and it was a joy to behold that had The Toffies’ fan base rocking in delirium. We’re about to find out whether those moments of inspiration were real or a fluke. Since Koeman has said he doesn’t need Barkley anymore, Tom Davies now becomes Everton’s future.
Matt Phillips (West Bromwich Albion)
– The WBA winger is one of the most underrated players in the Premier League. He has even managed to thrive on occasions on a team that, in all honesty, doesn’t have much in terms of offensive firepower. He’s also one of the rare fantasy players not from a top 6 team lurking around the best. At 26, the Scot is in his prime and a great alternative to Nathan Redmond (who, by the way, I was also going to include on this list if he weren’t ranked so high).
Ramadan Sobhi (Stoke City)
– Now we’ve come to my favorite sleeper for this season. Ramadan Sobhi is already a superstar in Egypt, and it’s only a matter of time until the 20-year old multi-positional threat delivers on his promise. He was very dangerous in the little playing time he got last season, and if Mark Hughes can find a way to ignore the youngster’s arrogance, Sobhi will provide a spark for a team in dire need of game changers. A similar scenario to Mahrez’s in Leicester is a possibility.
Tom Ince (Huddersfield Town)
– Paul Ince’s son reached the Premier League on two separate occasions with Blackpool and Hull, but failed to impress. That didn’t stop newly promoted Huddersfield to sign him from Derby County this off-season. A change of attitude would go a long way toward Ince fulfilling his potential, and considering this is likely his last chance and he has nothing to lose, it’ll be wise of you as an owner to take notice.
FORWARDS
Kelechi Iheanacho (Leicester City)
– It took a while, but the gifted Nigerian striker is now wearing a different shade of blue. The move was so hyped up in fantasy circles that it’s hard to even think of him as a sleeper anymore. Even more so when remembering that Jamie Vardy is still there, and Kelechi will need to adjust, and do so quickly to be relevant for us fantasy owners. Therefore, he carries more risk than people realize. Where his sleeper value actually lies is in the scenario where everything goes right, in which case he’ll instantly become a steal and fantasy stud.
Steve Mounié (Huddersfield Town)
– The Benin born forward’s arrival to England was rather unheralded, despite the fact it was Huddersfield’s record-breaking signing. The 22-year-old came over after a prolific season for Montpellier in France, and judging by his pre-season form, we might be looking at a player who’ll turn plenty of heads at the beginning of this campaign. I believe Huddersfield will survive their very first season in the top tier, and Steve Mounié will be a big reason why.
Tammy Abraham (Swansea City)
– Abraham is England’s U-21 team’s №9. Watching him play, I can’t say he’s spectacular, but he does know his way inside the penalty box. Chelsea borrowed him to Swansea in hopes he’ll get some valuable playing time against strong competition. Whether that’ll happen remains to be seen. Llorente is still Swansea’s primary striker, and the uncertainty surrounding Tammy makes him a true sleeper.
Links to previous articles:
Fantasy EPL: Top Players by Position
Fantasy EPL: Draft Advice
Fantasy EPL: Top-10 Strategy Tips
EPL Fantasy Strategies
Fantasy Soccer Guide