The Watchlist – Adel Taarabt

The enigmatic architect of QPR’s euphoric promotion campaign, Adel Taarabt’s haul of 19 goals and 16 assists last season marked him out as the prime Fantasy Premier League (FPL) target from this term’s graduate teams. Undoubtedly skilful, the reproaches of selfishness and defensive negligence torpedoed his two top-flight seasons with Spurs but, with a starting berth for the Hoops seemingly assured, many backed the Moroccan magician to silence the doubters and light up the league.

Though initially priced at a thought-provoking 6.5, a lacklustre start to the campaign saw Taarabt’s investors running for cover long before his transport–themed fall from grace under Neil Warnock hit the back pages. Banished to the bench in November and assuming the role of bit-part player under the old regime, the Moroccan –with no goals or assists to his name- has even made Victor Moses seem particularly prolific this term.

Returning from the African Cup of Nations last weekend, Taarabt was immediately installed to the first-team by Mark Hughes. Partnering Shaun Wright-Phillips on the flanks against Wolves in an aggressive 4-4-2, he emerged with great credit from a threatening display by a ten-man QPR. His new manager was clearly delighted with the Moroccan’s contribution and, having pulled Taarabt out of his hat, Hughes appears little inclined to employ him as a bench-warmer over a run of games (bla FUL EVE bol) that should provide ample opportunity for attacking returns.

New acquisitions Bobby Zamora and Djibril Cisse have already made their mark in a QPR side that suffered earlier in the season from a glut of creators and a dearth of reliable finishers, and Taarabt looks set to benefit from having a more clinical outlet for his technical wizardry. With his price down to 5.8, Taarabt is now in direct competition with Joey Barton (5.8) and Shaun Wright-Phillips (5.9) for those looking to invest in QPR’s midfield over this favourable run.

Barton’s holding role may put him at a disadvantage from an FPL perspective in a setup that promises attack from the flanks, and with Taarabt presumably restored to direct free kicks, Barton’s potential looks more limited under the new regime. With two assists in his last four games, Wright-Phillips is doing his best to dispel his customary aura of frenetic impotence, but whilst Taarabt never looks far away from conjuring up a piece of magic, Wright-Phillips never looks far away from falling over his own feet.

With the wildcard window a homogenising influence on our squads, picking the right differentials has never been more important, and, with just 3% ownership, the new dawn at Loftus Road may well prove beneficial for this summer’s forgotten FPL favourite.