The Premier League is back after almost a three-month hiatus! Players have had plenty of time to rest, and recover from injuries and fatigue, and will be ready to get back to action. I am sure during this time plenty of Draft Premier League managers took a hiatus as well!
This article will be a two-part series giving you insight on players who entered the hiatus with an injury, but now have good prospects for the rest of the season. Some of these fit again players may still be available on your waiver wires! If not I would recommend putting in a trade for them when your leagues become active again on Fantrax.
Check out Part 2 of the series here!
Premier League Fit Again Players
Marcus Rashford
Position: Forward
Team: Manchester United
Average Points per Match: 14.48
Prospects: Rashford was ruled out for the rest of the season with a back problem, but looks back in training and hungry to go. Before his injury Rashford was a FWD1 who was on form. There is every chance that he starts off slow on his return and that Ole manages his minutes properly. Going forward Rashford should be considered a high end FWD2 with FWD1 upside if he gets consistent minutes. Manchester United have a very friendly schedule, and Rashford will want to take advantage of that to continue where he left off. With Pogba and Bruno set to play behind him expect Rashford to have plenty of chances and rack up ghost points with shots and key passes. The United striker is one of the must-own fit again players ahead of the Premier League restart!
Steven Bergwijn
Position: Forward
Team: Tottenham Hotspur
Average Points Per Match: 8.7
Prospects: Bergwijn had an ankle problem as we entered the hiatus, but according to reports he’s one of the players that will be fit again when the Premier League resumes in a few weeks. He had two goals in his first five games in a Spurs shirt, and should be a strong favourite to make Mourinho’s first XI in mid-June. Bergwijn is a FWD2 who can score big when the attacking Spurs show up. Bergwijn may have been dropped by most managers pre-pandemic, so I would take a look at your waiver wire for his name. If he is owned I would look to trade a forward with less upside but more guaranteed minutes for him. Try to offer the likes of Pukki and Ayew for Bergwijn.
Christian Pulisic
Position: Midfielder
Team: Chelsea
Average Points Per Match: 10.81
Prospects: Pulisic had a purple patch where he was considered a top five fantasy asset midway through the Premier League season. After a three month period to heal his injuries, he should be in the squad, but the question is whether he will start. With Hudson-Odoi in the news for the wrong reasons I would expect Pulisic to start 60% of matches with Willian and Tammy in a front three. Pulisic can probably be acquired at a low value in a trade. For the rest of the season I would consider him a MID2 with MID1 upside. He is at risk of never playing a full 90’, but we have seen what he can do in much less time. If he is on your waiver wire he is a must pickup!
Kieran Tierney
Position: Defender
Team: Arsenal
Average Points Per Match: 3.25
Prospects: Tierney was close to a return just before the suspension of the Premier League, meaning he matches our fit again players category perfectly! The Scotsman should slot right into the LB role at Arsenal, and has a potential to be a low end DEF1. His points haven’t shown his true potential in the EPL, but has had some incredible games in the Europa league. Arsenal’s defence had improved before the Premier League suspension, and I would expect a few more clean sheets this season. Arteta having some extra time to get his players to understand his style of play may also see Arsenal improve offensively. The hope is Tierney gets in on the attacking returns as we near the end of the season. If you are in an active league someone may have been stashing him the weeks leading up to the suspension. I would look to trade for Tierney and his incredible upside. Try to offer a DEF2 who is guaranteed to play 90 minutes – players such as Soyuncu or Egan.
Wondering who the best current Draft Premier League players are to target? Look no further than our Top 150 Player Rankings!
Check out our two part series of Team Updates for all 20 EPL clubs, and how these may affect your Draft Premier League plans. Part One and Part Two available here!
Follow The FF Genie on Twitter @draftgenie for all the latest!
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