Before any names are mentioned, it’s important to state that these players still have a reasonable opportunity at being/continuing to be fantasy football options. This article simply seeks to help FPL managers keep their eye on popular players that might come unstuck, at least temporarily, due to numerous factors. Let’s hope they don’t.
Raheem Sterling – Liverpool are very dangerous going forward, and the young Liverpool winger has been a big part of that. He’s cheap, in great form and has been a viable differential pick over the past few weeks. However, with Steven Gerrard back from a hamstring injury and Daniel Sturridge also returning in the near future, chances may come a little less regularly for the pacey Englishman. In addition to this new rotation risk, Liverpool have been liked with a January swoop of Mohammed Salah, FC Basel’s sharp wingman. Perhaps it’d be wise to wait until these rumours are shown to be true or false before moving for Sterling. After all, his fantastic start to the season last year was met with an inconsistent end.
Ross Barkley – Without attempting to reject all of England’s young talents, it may be worth moving on from Ross Barkley. There’s no doubting his talent and he has provided many fantasy teams with valuable points since August. Despite this, Barkley’s return of just 1 goal in his last 13 Premier League games is actually rather poor and is well-bettered by other cheap players, including Peter Whittingham, Jordan Mutch and Jonjo Shelvey. With his ownership rate sky high at over 30%, it’s a great chance to bring in better 5th midfielders. Baines’ return, Coleman’s form and good fixtures for Lukaku, mean it appears unnecessary to bring in or keep the Everton bright spark at the moment.
Fernandinho – A lot of managers have recently been purchasing Manchester City’s defensive midfielder as a differential option…this seems unwise for a number of reasons. Firstly, he is, as stated, a defensive midfielder. When playing for City, it’s Yaya Toure that makes the runs into opposition territory, while Fernandinho stays back for security. Secondly, he’s only produced 3 goals and 2 assists all season. It would be much wiser to opt for big-hitters Yaya and Silva, or more attacking differentials, Navas and Nasri who’ve collected points much more consistently. The £7.4m he would cost could be spent on in-form Yohan Cabaye, Adam Lallana or even the returning Aaron Ramsey.
Wayne Rooney – This is clearly controversial, and this is a very temporary avoidance. Moyes has claimed Rooney has been playing with injury and fatigue for a while and has only avoided being rested due to the number of injuries Manchester United have had to cope with. He had to miss United’s defeat to Swansea on Sunday and Moyes said he only has ‘a chance’ of playing against Sunderland. With United out of form, and Aguero returning, is Rooney just a touch too expensive with Suarez and Aguero both must-haves? It’s very true that Rooney could keep his form up though, and make a number of FPL managers very happy.
Robin van Persie – In August, it’d be incredible to think of van Persie as anything less than an expensive but consistent top player with regard to fantasy football. Whilst he seems to be returning over the next few gameweeks, his injuries have become a little more regular, and with Suarez and Aguero scoring almost every game, van Persie is most definitely too expensive to have in a squad. With Hazard, Toure, Silva and other midfielders scoring numerous points, the money is better spread and spent elsewhere. Rooney would definitely be the better option if it was felt either of the two expensive players was needed.
Raheem Sterling – Liverpool are very dangerous going forward, and the young Liverpool winger has been a big part of that. He’s cheap, in great form and has been a viable differential pick over the past few weeks. However, with Steven Gerrard back from a hamstring injury and Daniel Sturridge also returning in the near future, chances may come a little less regularly for the pacey Englishman. In addition to this new rotation risk, Liverpool have been liked with a January swoop of Mohammed Salah, FC Basel’s sharp wingman. Perhaps it’d be wise to wait until these rumours are shown to be true or false before moving for Sterling. After all, his fantastic start to the season last year was met with an inconsistent end.
Ross Barkley – Without attempting to reject all of England’s young talents, it may be worth moving on from Ross Barkley. There’s no doubting his talent and he has provided many fantasy teams with valuable points since August. Despite this, Barkley’s return of just 1 goal in his last 13 Premier League games is actually rather poor and is well-bettered by other cheap players, including Peter Whittingham, Jordan Mutch and Jonjo Shelvey. With his ownership rate sky high at over 30%, it’s a great chance to bring in better 5th midfielders. Baines’ return, Coleman’s form and good fixtures for Lukaku, mean it appears unnecessary to bring in or keep the Everton bright spark at the moment.
Fernandinho – A lot of managers have recently been purchasing Manchester City’s defensive midfielder as a differential option…this seems unwise for a number of reasons. Firstly, he is, as stated, a defensive midfielder. When playing for City, it’s Yaya Toure that makes the runs into opposition territory, while Fernandinho stays back for security. Secondly, he’s only produced 3 goals and 2 assists all season. It would be much wiser to opt for big-hitters Yaya and Silva, or more attacking differentials, Navas and Nasri who’ve collected points much more consistently. The £7.4m he would cost could be spent on in-form Yohan Cabaye, Adam Lallana or even the returning Aaron Ramsey.
Wayne Rooney – This is clearly controversial, and this is a very temporary avoidance. Moyes has claimed Rooney has been playing with injury and fatigue for a while and has only avoided being rested due to the number of injuries Manchester United have had to cope with. He had to miss United’s defeat to Swansea on Sunday and Moyes said he only has ‘a chance’ of playing against Sunderland. With United out of form, and Aguero returning, is Rooney just a touch too expensive with Suarez and Aguero both must-haves? It’s very true that Rooney could keep his form up though, and make a number of FPL managers very happy.
Robin van Persie – In August, it’d be incredible to think of van Persie as anything less than an expensive but consistent top player with regard to fantasy football. Whilst he seems to be returning over the next few gameweeks, his injuries have become a little more regular, and with Suarez and Aguero scoring almost every game, van Persie is most definitely too expensive to have in a squad. With Hazard, Toure, Silva and other midfielders scoring numerous points, the money is better spread and spent elsewhere. Rooney would definitely be the better option if it was felt either of the two expensive players was needed.