Fantasy Premier League – Player List Analysis – Mid-Price Midfielders

This evening brings part six of our ongoing analysis of the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) Player List. Having previously rolled out articles on Goalkeepers, Budget, Mid-Price and Premium Defenders, we brought you the lowdown on Budget Midfielders yesterday evening. This time, we move up a bracket and cast an eye over what’s on offer from the mid-price midfielders.

Mikel Arteta will be hoping to benefit from the Bonus Points System introduced by the FPL this term, with his all-round contribution seemingly favoured by the new scoring metric. With spot-kicks also in his locker, the Spaniard is favourably priced at just 7.0 but is likely to be overlooked for the more explosive options elsewhere in the Gunners midfield. Jack Wilshere also has the potential to be a bargain. Coming in at 6.5, he’d be a steal if he is handed the role in “the hole” at the expense of Tomas Rosicky, though Wilshere’s versatility may see him drop deeper alongside Arteta in the double-pivot. Much also depends on his game time, with Arsene Wenger perhaps keen to court caution over his ongoing ankle problem, while his manager’s movements in the summer transfer market may afford us a clue as to where Wilshere will be fielded next time out.

There are a handful of options in the mid-price bracket at Chelsea but a lack of guaranteed minutes makes any of the more attack-minded alternatives no more than a punt. While Ramires looks a relatively secure starter at 6.5, there are far better Stamford Bridge alternatives in the premium bracket to consider than the Brazilian. Similarly, Marco Van Ginkel (6.0), Victor Moses (6.5) and Kevin de Bruyne (7.0) would all have the potential to flourish as first-team options elsewhere but are up against it in their attempt to nail down a regular role – giving them an initial wide berth looks the safest option here until we get a firm idea of Jose Mourinho’s plans.

Kevin Mirallas looks the likeliest Everton midfielder to benefit from Roberto Martinez’s arrival on Merseyside. If, as anticipated, the new man in charge opts for a 3-4-3, the Belgian should line up on the right of the front three, affording us a real out of position prospect over the season ahead. While Steven Pienaar should be handed the role on the left, Mirallas’ eye for goal is clearly superior and more than atones for the fact he comes in at 7.5 to the South African’s 7.0 – he scored six times in 23 starts last term compared to Pienaar’s six goals in 35 starts. Providing he remains injury-free, then, Mirallas seems the most enticing option from the blue half of Merseyside, with Leon Osman (6.5) likely to be fielded in a central midfield berth under the new man in charge.

Damien Duff is the most secure option on the Fulham flanks, though the winger is subsequently the most expensive at 6.0. Duff chipped in with three goals and seven assists in 2012/13 but if any of the Cottagers cheaper alternatives can cement a role out wide, he is likely to be overlooked. Indeed, with Dimitar Berbatov priced at just 7.5 up top, it’s more than likely that the Bulgarian will be the main recipient of Fulham attention in 2013/14, having notched 15 times last time out.

The arrival of Iago Aspas and Luis Alberto looks to have put paid to Stewart Downing’s consistency of starts at Liverpool. Both Downing and Alberto come in at 6.0 but with Aspas and Philippe Coutinho expected to be handed the wide roles, neither of the former two look legitimate options and seem highly unlikely to cement regular roles. Similarly, Jordan Henderson (6.0) forced his way into the first XI as the previous campaign unfolded but should fall down the pecking order in light of new summer acquisitions, with Rodgers still likely to spend big money on a replacement for the role in “the hole”, having missed out on Henrikh Mkhitaryan earlier this summer.

Man United’s failure to present us with a viable midfield option last season has seen many of their assets take a real tumble in price. Nani, Antonio Valencia and Ashley Young all come in at a mere 7.5 after producing a measly two goals between them across the entirety of 2012/13. The wing roles are up for grabs under David Moyes, then, and with new boy Wilfried Zaha (6.5) also throwing his hat into the ring, Fantasy managers will be keenly assessing the pre-season situation, with the potential of real value should Moyes help his wide wen rediscover the form of seasons gone by. While Michael Carrick (6.0) may benefit from the new Bonus Points System and is the more secure starter, there are better attacking options available elsewhere for those shopping on a similar budget.

Hatem Ben Arfa is the most enticing of a trio of Frenchman plying their trade at Newcastle. While Yohan Cabaye (6.5) and Moussa Sissoko (6.0) are cheaper than the 7.0 priced winger, both should be fielded in a more withdrawn position, with Ben Arfa likely to be handed a place on the right of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3. Granted, Cabaye does have a share of set-pieces and corners to fall back on but Ben Arfa’s more advanced role is the most appealing – providing he can steer clear of injury, of course. With home games against West Ha, Fulham and Hull in addition to trip to Villa in the first five, the opening schedule looks kind for the Magpies – Sissoko will be hoping Alan Pardew grants his recent request to be moved back into “the hole” behind a lone forward, though.

Robert Snodgrass is the standout option at Carrow Road. Despite finishing in the top 10 midfielders in his debut Premier League season last time out, the former Leeds man remains firmly in the mid-price bracket, with a cost of just 6.5 looking a real bargain. Snodgrass is cheaper than new forward Ricky Van Wolfswinkel (7.0) for the Canaries and has three strong home games (EVE, SOT, AVL) and a trip to Hull in his first five fixtures. Both Adam Lallana and Gaston Ramirez will set you back 6.0 after average seasons in 2012/13. While Lallana is boosted by a share of set-pieces and corners, Ramirez will be desperate to show his true class after managing just five goals and four assists in his first year in the Premier League – the Uruguayan may face competition for our attention at St Mary’s, though, with Jay Rodriguez similarly priced up front and already in top form over pre-season. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have seven very favourable home games (SUN, WHM, CPL, SWA, FUL, HUL, AVL) to further the appeal of their main protagonists.

Mark Hughes’ arrival at Stoke could be set to reinvigorate Charlie Adam’s Fantasy potential. The Scot started just 22 times under Tony Pulis in 2012/13 but is set to be installed at the heart of the new manager’s midfield – at 6.0, with a monopoly on set-pieces and corners, Adam’s creativity will be key for the Potters next time out. Jon Walters is a little more expensive at 6.5, though it remains to be seen just how Hughes views the Republic of Ireland international. The new man in charge is looking for a more attacking brand of football and may well opt for a more natural striker alongside Peter Crouch up top as he attempts to improve on a record that saw Stoke score just 34 times in Pulis’ final season in charge.

Paolo Di Canio’s squad overhaul places question marks against the Sunderland starting XI over the season ahead. Certainly, new boy Emanuele Giaccherini (7.0) looks set for a regular role for the Black Cats, possibly on the left flank, though if Stephane Sessegnon’s rumoured move away from Wearside comes to fruition, the similarly priced Adam Johnson seems a safe bet on the opposite wing. Johnson finished just one point behind David Silva last season and was Sunderland’s top scorer on 146 points – while his price seems favourable, a dire run of home games, which sees Arsenal, Liverpool, United, City, Chelsea and Spurs arrive at the Stadium of Light between Gameweeks 4 and 15, may deter many until the schedule smiles that little bit kinder.

Swansea duo Pablo Hernandez and Jonathan de Guzman have both been handed 6.0 price tags after producing 110 and 127 points last time out. The main issue is the number of midfield options now available to Michael Laudrup, though; we can expect Michu to play the vast majority of matches in “the hole”, leaving four spots available for 10 players to fight for – Hernandez and de Guzman could suffer if Laudrup rolls out a rest and rotation policy, with Europa League duties also to consider this time out.

Tottenham’s formation under Andre Villas-Boas will be key as to how we assess new boy Paulinho. Many reckon a shift from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 is on the cards, with the Brazilian taking up the most advanced role and Gareth Bale moving to the flank – if such as scenario transpires, Paulinho may prove a contender for our attentions at just 7.0. Elsewhere in the Spurs midfield, Clint Dempsey and Aaron Lennon, at 7.5 apiece, will be hoping to nail down a role on the flank if Villas-Boas moves to 4-3-3 – with Sandro and Mousa Dembele likely to join Paulinho in the centre and Bale taking up one of the flank roles, it leaves a vacancy on the opposite flank ahead of an eye-catching opening run of matches.

James Morrison comes in at 6.0 after racking up 133 points in 2012/13 – second only to Romelu Lukaku for West Brom. The Scot’s role in the hole helped him rack up five goals and eight assists in Steve Clarke’s first season at the Hawthorns helm – three decent home games in the first five (SOT, SWA, SUN) suggests he could be quick out the blocks but with new boy Nicolas Anelka costing just 5.5 up top, many may opt for the more budget-friendly Frenchman instead.

Finally, West Ham’s Kevin Nolan will take up 7.0 of your budget this season after delivering 149 points in the previous campaign. Nolan’s appeal is heightened by a superb opening six Gameweeks (CAR, new, STO, sou, EVE, hul), though with his sidekick Andy Carroll possibly set to miss the start of the season with a heel problem, Nolan’s eye for goal may not quite be so in focus. If he can continue from the form that saw him rattle a hat-trick past Reading on the final day of 2012/13, Nolan has the potential for an early-season bandwagon.