With the Community Shield now in the books, the season is right upon us, so it’s the ideal time to take a look at every team’s movements in the transfer market that could have a fantasy impact.
CHELSEA
Alvaro Morata F (24) – 76.8 million $ (from Real Madrid)
– signed to take over the № 9 shirt from Diego Costa
– has never been a full-time starter
– high-risk/high-reward pick
Tiemoué Bakayoko M (22) – 47.25 million $ (from Monaco)
– signed to replace Nemanja’s Matic’s spot on the roster
– fantasy impact should be similar
Antonio Rüdiger D (24) – 41.35 million $ (from Roma)
– signed to replace John Terry’s spot on the roster
– rotational player
Willy Caballero G (35) – Free Transfer (from Manchester City)
– Signed to replace backup Asmir Begovic’s spot on the roster
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
None thus far
MANCHESTER CITY
Benjamin Mendy D (23) – 68 million $ (from Monaco)
– signed to be the new starting left back
– top 5 young left back in Europe
– high floor
Kyle Walker D (27) – 60.25 million $ (from Tottenham Hotspur)
– signed to be the new starting right back
– one of the highest scoring defenders in fantasy
– value remains the same
Bernardo Silva M (22) – 59 million $ (from Monaco)
– should start at right wing
– strong technician
– similar value to teammate David Silva
[the_ad id=”384″]Ederson G (23) – 47.25 million $ (from Benfica)
– signed to be the new № 1
– seen as great fit for Guardiola’s scheme because of ability to pass
– powerful leg = long kickoffs
Danilo D (26) – 35.45 million $ (from Real Madrid)
– signed to provide depth at full back
– rotational player
Douglas Luiz M (19) – 14.20 million $ (from Vasco de Gama)
– potential replacement for Fernando
LIVERPOOL
Mohamed Salah M (25) – 50 million $ (from Roma)
– signed to be a starter at right wing
– unsuccessful spell with Chelsea in EPL
– similar value to teammate Sadio Mané
Andrew Robertson D (23) – 10.50 million $ (from Hull)
– signed as backup for James Milner
– potential fantasy sleeper
Dominic Solanke F (19) – Free Transfer (from Chelsea)
– MVP of U-20 World Cup 2017, which England won
– potential fantasy deep sleeper
ARSENAL
Alexandre Lacazette F (26) – 62.50 million $ (from Lyon)
– team record signing = high expectations
– unproven outside of France
– not a true striker
– risky pick
Sead Kolasinac D (24) – Free Transfer (from Schalke)
– rotational defender who plays both center back and full back
– strong build suitable for England
– can be reckless
MANCHESTER UNITED
Romelu Lukaku F (24) – 100 million $ (from Everton)
– signed to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic as new № 9
– troubled relationship with Mourinho in Chelsea
– proven goalscorer
Nemanja Matic M (28) – 53 million $ (from Chelsea)
– signed to be the new starting defensive midfielder
– should free up space for Paul Pogba
– fantasy value remains the same
Victor Lindelof D (22) – 41.35 million $ (from Benfica)
– signed to be the new starting center back next to Eric Bailly
– needs to perform at a high level with Chris Smalling and Phil Jones breathing down his neck
EVERTON
Michael Keane D (24) – 33.70 million $ (from Burnley)
– signed to be the new starting center back next to Ashley Williams
– strong and confident defender who should bring defensive stability
– good fantasy upside
Jordan Pickford G (23) – 33.70 million $ (from Sunderland)
– signed to be the new № 1 goalie
– England U-21’s starter
Davy Klaasen M (24) – 32 million $ (from Ajax)
– should be an every-day starter
– can score and assist from free kicks
Sandro Ramirez F (21) – 7 million $ (from Malaga)
– rotational forward
– good fantasy backup with upside in deep leagues
SOUTHAMPTON
Jan Bednarek D (21) – 7 million $ (from Lech Poznan)
– potential replacement for want-away center back Virgil van Dijk
Mario Lemina M (23) – 20 million $ (from Juventus)
– club record signing
– signed to be team’s new starting defensive midfielder
– underrated player
BOURNEMOUTH
Nathan Aké D (22) – 27 million $ (from Chelsea)
– performed admirably during first-half loan spell last season
– should start at center back
Asmir Begovic G (30) – 13.60 million $ (from Chelsea)
– team’s new № 1 goalie
Jermain Defoe F (34) – Free Transfer (from Sunderland)
– should be an every-day starter despite the presence of Joshua King, Benik Afobe and Callum Wilson
– made his name on loan at Bournemouth in 2010/11
– very high fantasy floor despite his age
WEST BROMWICH ALBION
Jay Rodriguez F (27) – 16.20 million $ (from Southampton)
– provides depth behind Salomon Rondon in attack
– potential fantasy sleeper
WEST HAM UNITED
Marko Arnautovic M (28) – 26.35 million $ (from Stoke)
– underrated player
– penalty kick taker
– fantasy value on the rise
Javier Hernandez “Chicharito” F (29) – 21 million $ (from Bayer Leverkusen)
– returns to EPL = redemption motivation
– typical fantasy boom or bust
Pablo Zabaleta D (32) – Free Transfer (from Manchester City)
– experienced defender
– limited fantasy value
Joe Hart G (30) – Loan (from Manchester City)
– will be team’s new № 1, especially if Adrian leaves
LEICESTER CITY
Kelechi Iheanacho F (20) – 32.70 million $ (from Manchester City)
– should be the new starter alongside Vardy
– skilled with great goal instincts
– low floor – high ceiling
Vicente Iborra M (29) – 17.70 million $ (from Sevilla)
– brings necessary experience and stability to an undersized midfield
– fantasy value depends on how he adapts to English soccer
– low ceiling
Harry Maguire D (24) – 16.20 million $ (from Hull)
– will be team’s starter next to Wes Morgan until Robert Huth gets healthy
– team’s defensive instability = low fantasy upside
Eldin Jakupovic G (32) – 2.70 million $ (from Hull)
– backup for Kasper Schmeichel
STOKE CITY
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting M (28) – Free Transfer (from Schalke)
– potential replacement for Arnautovic
– not a worthy fantasy pick/choice considering team’s attacking issues
Kurt Zouma D (22) – Loan (from Chelsea)
– signed as depth at center back
– potential fantasy sleeper on a defense-first team (if he starts)
Darren Fletcher M (33) – Free Transfer (from WBA)
– signed as midfield depth
– very limited fantasy value
CRYSTAL PALACE
Jairo Riedewald D (20) – 10.60 million $ (from Ajax)
– personal favorite of new manager Frank DeBoer
– will serve as backup for now
Ruben Loftus-Cheek M (21) – Loan (from Chelsea)
– should be a starter
– shaky fantasy value because of team in transition
SWANSEA CITY
Roque Mesa M (28) – 14.80 million $ (from Las Palmas)
– box to box midfielder who likes to have the ball at his feet
– more valuable in real life than in fantasy
Tammy Abraham F (19) – Loan (from Chelsea)
– England U-21’s № 9
– Fernando Llorente’s backup
– great upside
BURNLEY
Jack Cork M (28) – 10.75 million $ (from Swansea)
– typical Burnley player (strong and tenacious)
– limited fantasy value (dependent on clean sheets)
Jonathan Walters M/F (33) – 2.70 million $ (from Stoke)
– “old fox”
– always finds playing time
– too inconsistent for fantasy purposes
WATFORD
Tom Cleverley M (27) – 11 million $ (from Everton)
– signed to provide necessary midfield experience and stability
– limited fantasy value
Will Hughes M (22) – 10.75 million $ (from Derby)
– underrated acquisition
– very influential for England U-21’s during Euro U-21 tournament this summer
– could excel if given proper guidance and opportunity
Nathaniel Chalobah M (22) – 7.50 million $ (from Chelsea)
– rotational player
– possible option in deep fantasy leagues
Kiko Femenia D (26) – Free Transfer (from Alaves)
– signed as defensive depth
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Jacob Murphy M (22) – 13.35 million $ (from Norwich)
– lean, quick technician on the wing
– playing time will depend on performance
Florian Lejeune D (26) – 11.80 million $ (from Eibar)
– signed as depth at center back
– could eventually take over as starter considering the price tag
Christian Atsu M (25) – 8.85 million $ (from Chelsea)
– despite obvious potential, he has always been a bench player
Javier Manquillo D (23) – 5.90 million $ (from Atletico Madrid)
– my personal belief is he’ll start from day one
– potential fantasy sleeper
Mikel Merino M (21) – Loan (from Borussia Dortmund)
– will need to adapt to the EPL
– can be an asset (real life and fantasy) if he does adapt
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION
Davy Propper M (25) – 15.35 million $ (from PSV)
– club record signing
– limited fantasy value
Mathew Ryan G (25) – 7.10 million $ (from Valencia)
– signed to be the new № 1 goalie
Markus Suttner D (30) – 5.30 million $ (from Ingolstadt)
– signed as defensive depth
Pascal Groß M (26) – 3.50 million $ (from Ingolstadt)
– limited fantasy value
Ales Mateju D (21) – 3 million $ (from Viktoria Plzen)
– signed as defensive depth
HUDDERSFIELD
Steve Mounié F (22) – 15.35 million $ (from Montpellier)
– club record signing
– signed as new № 9 starter
– potential fantasy sleeper
Aaron Mooy M (26) – 10.75 million $ (from Manchester City)
– instrumental in promotion
– team’s heart
– could have decent fantasy value
Tom Ince M (25) – 10.75 million $ (from Derby)
– character concerns (lack of motivation)
– potential fantasy sleeper
Laurent Depoitre F (28) – 4.70 million $ (from Porto)
– signed as backup for Mounié
Scott Malone D (26) – 4.60 million $ (from Fulham)
– potential starting left back
– very low fantasy value
Zanka D (27) – 3.20 million $ (from Copenhagen)
– high-spirited defender
– could have sneaky fantasy value if Huddersfield surprises
Elias Kachunga M (25) – 1.50 million $ (from Ingolstadt)
– backup winger
Jonas Lössl G (28) – Loan (from Mainz)
– signed to battle for the № 1 shirt
– could have sneaky fantasy value if Huddersfield surprises
Links to previous articles:
EPL Fantasy Sleepers
Fantasy EPL: Top Players by Position
Fantasy EPL: Draft Advice
Fantasy EPL: Top-10 Strategy Tips
EPL Fantasy Strategies
Fantasy Soccer Guide