The new Premier League season is quickly approaching and it’s time to get your ducks in a row.
There are new players added to the mix with the majority coming from the promoted teams while several big names have arrived from abroad as well.
The uncertainty of the start of a new campaign has been compounded by the World Cup, so take that factor into account as some players are yet to return from holiday.
Fortunately, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Coach Brendon Netto is here to help you create your first draft.
PIERRE-EMERICK AUBAMEYANG | ARSENAL | 11.5M
With other premier strikers like Harry Kane and Romelu Lukaku unlikely to start at full tilt given their World Cup excursions, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s stock has risen.
The Gabon international was an instant success last season, scoring 10 goals in 13 appearances and providing four assists. He proved he can be a reliable asset, delivering returns in 10 of those fixtures.
Being more settled at the club will be a big plus this season as will the fact he should be fresh with a full pre-season under his belt. A favourable start to the season – beyond the first couple of games – could see Aubameyang flying out of the blocks.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
JORDAN PICKFORD | EVERTON | 5.0M
Clean sheets were hard to come by for Marco Silva at Watford and it could carry into his start with Everton. Despite that, their early run of fixtures makes Jordan Pickford a popular choice between the sticks.
The Toffees only play one of last season’s top six (Arsenal) in their opening nine matches. The England goalkeeper impressed at the World Cup while he earned 28 points just from saves alone last term.
He should be in line for a fair amount of clean sheets as well at the start of the campaign at least and is good value for his price tag of 5M.
Jordan Pickford
MOHAMED SALAH | LIVERPOOL | 13.0M
Mohamed Salah’s 303 points last season was the highest-ever FPL score from a single player. The Egyptian scored 32 times and provided 12 assists in a remarkable debut campaign. It’s no wonder his price has skyrocketed by 4m, taking him to 13m this season.
The one statistic which makes him a must-have above all the others though is his 48.4 per cent (and rising) ownership. Omitting him from your side could be extremely risky especially given his penchant for double-figure scores (15 last season).
Some will suggest teams are aware of his threat this time around but Salah has may occupy a more central role to maximise his chances.
Mohamed Salah.
ANDREW ROBERTSON | LIVERPOOL | 6.0M
Liverpool kept eight clean sheets after Virgil van Dijk’s first game in Gameweek 24, more than any other team over that period. With the Dutchman manning the defence from the start, the likes of Andrew Robertson are bound to benefit from clean sheet points as well.
The centre-back is bound to hog the lion’s share of the bonus points in defence but in the Scottish left-back’s case, he’s more likely to deliver attacking returns. Robertson scored once and assisted five times in 22 appearances once he established himself last season and created several more chances.
His price rise to 6m is a drawback but he’s guaranteed starts unlike team-mate Trent Alexandre-Arnold (5m).
Andrew Robertson.
LEROY SANE | MANCHESTER CITY | 9.5M
Leroy Sane was left out of Germany’s squad for the World Cup and while that was disappointing, it made him a prime FPL asset for the new season.
Despite failing to nail down a spot in the starting XI last term, the Manchester City winger ended up as the sixth highest-scoring midfielder on 179 points with 10 goals and 15 assists. Sane should be a starter early on in the campaign at least having been afforded a break this summer.
Meanwhile, City face Huddersfield, Wolves, Fulham, Cardiff City and Brighton in the first seven rounds. The defending champions – and therefore Sane – have plenty of chances to score big from the off.
Leroy Sane
