The weather is miserable. The news is miserable. And dry January means that even the pub isn’t much of a spirit lifter. At least there’s Premier League. This week’s round of fixtures had some cracking spectacles, and good on the baby faced assassin for taking one of the most humdrum teams in the Premier League and making them into a 90-minute highlight reel. This week’s Premier League waiver wire will feature a mix of players returning to a former role and players stepping into a new fantasy-relevant role.
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Week 21 Premier League Waiver Wire
The FPL Draft waiver wire deals with players owned in 65% or less of Fantrax Leagues.
1. Samir Nasri – Midfielder – West Ham – 45% Owned
Pellegrini’s getting the gang back together! Nasri played with Zabaletta under Pellegrini at Manchester City in 2016. Back then, Nasri was one of the best midfielders in the world playing an instrumental role in City’s 2013-14 title. The last few years of Nasri’s career have been less notable as a string of problems in his personal life culminated in an 18-month suspension for violating FIFA’s substance abuse rules.
Nasri has been incognito training with West Ham since the beginning of December. It appears that Pellegrini wants to give his former superstar another chance and he didn’t disappoint in his return to Premier League action this week. Nasri assisted Declan Rice’s first Premier League goal and moved the ball well against Arsenal. Even more encouraging is that Nasri played 75 minutes and was praised by Pellegrini after the game. I’m not suggesting he’s back to be the player he was at City but he is definitely a fantasy asset that should be picked up from the Premier League waiver wire.
2. Seamus Coleman – Defender – Everton – 64% Owned
Coleman might look more like a painter decorator than a Premier League right back, but he’s still making himself relevant in fantasy. Coleman returned from an uncharacteristic minor injury this week playing for an Everton team in need of a win. Everton held out to win 1-0 and Coleman put in a good performance. Coleman will continue to start for Everton and in a good run of fixtures should be a good shout to get forward more often. Advanced wing backs are the cheat code for Fantasy Premier League. Coleman will and should be picked up from the Premier League waiver wire in most leagues.
3. Nathaniel Clyne – Defender – Bournemouth – 34% Owned
Everyone knows the name, Nathaniel Clyne. Clyne has been on the Premier League radar for years now but has never quite fulfilled his potential. On loan at Bournemouth, Clyne has an opportunity to show that he can shine in a club when the top six pressure is lifted. This week Clyne was characteristically solid defensively while flashing some attacking prowess at times. However, Bournemouth is still in a funk and Clyne’s fantasy value will be limited until they can find a way out. As with Coleman, fullbacks that get forward are worth their weight in gold and Clyne should be a decent add from the Premier League waiver wire.
4. Ademola Lookman – Forward – Everton – 12% Owned
Man, there are so many team names I can use if Lookman turns out to be a Premier League regular! Lookman might have only two Premier League starts this season, but the reaction to his performance against Bournemouth this week suggests he has a chance to break into the starting eleven more often. Lookman slid a deft pass to Calvert Lewin for the second goal and was making dangerous passes all day. As a characteristically mid-table team, it might make sense for Everton to give the young Lookman some playing opportunities. He is worth a speculative pickup from the Premier League waiver wire in deep leagues.
5. No One – No Position – Nowhereswhich Albion – 0% Owned
I know I’ve done this before, but now really might be the time to hold on to that waiver priority. There’s a lot of noise at the moment about potential Premier League transfers. Holding on to that waiver priority could give you a shot at Higuain. That kind of addition can win fantasy leagues so unless anyone from this list really takes your fancy hold on.
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