The weeks pass by, the days drag on, and we get ever closer to our date with destiny, Saturday August 12th. The day we’ve all been waiting for, the day where our fantasy football brains switch back on and the trials and tribulations of fantasy football return to our lives for yet another season.

However, as a Draft Fantasy Football veteran myself, I know as well as anyone that many of you will already be putting your lists together of ‘must haves’ for the forthcoming campaign. Kane or Costa? Sanchez or Sane? Welbeck or Walcott? (Maybe not.) The options are endless. But not to worry my friends, for today I strive to take some of the strain from your weary heads and guide you in a list of essential picks for Draft Fantasy Football Season 2017-18.

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So sit back in your favourite armchair, pop the kettle on, and feel safe in the knowledge that (at least for the next few hours) these players are sitting proudly at the top of your drafts.

Forward – Harry Kane

Okay, so it’s obvious. Harry. Kane. Is. A. Must.

No other striker offers the consistency, the skill, the experience or the explosivity (is that a word?) that Harry Kane does. He ended the season as the highest scoring striker and fourth overall, even after missing eight game weeks through injury. Of course, there’ll be some who point to the fact that he’s often a slow starter. But, to be honest, even if that is the case, this man is a must. Kane was on fire for the final weeks of the season and I would bet my fantasy football crown that he’ll be there or thereabouts come the end of the season.

Image result for harry kane scoring

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Midfielder – Alexis Sanchez

So this was a tricky one. There are a wealth of midfield options out there, all of whom could be vying for top spot come May. But year on year, I find it almost impossible to look past Arsenal’s main man, and this year is no different (unless he leaves between now and the start of the season!) Sanchez was the top scoring player in Draft Fantasy Football last year and I can’t see much changing this time round. Even when Arsenal were at their lowest ebb, Sanchez could be relied on to pop up with a goal, or two, or three… Get this man in your teams, he won’t disappoint.

Image result for alexis sanchez celebrating

Defender – Marcos Alonso

Alonso was a mainstay in my team for the whole of last season, and he didn’t disappoint. The top scoring defender, even after Chelsea went through a run of nine games without a clean sheet. He scores points at both ends of the pitch and is a sure starter for Mr Conte (although they do have Champions League this year. Hmmm…) Even so, he’s the most fun defender to have in your team as, even if Chelsea do lose their clean sheet, he often pops up with a goal or an assist to ease the pain.

Image result for marcos alonso celebrating

Goalkeeper – David De Gea

As with the midfield position, there are a lot of options for the man between the sticks. Courtois, Lloris, Cech all came under the microscope, but time and time again I came back to one man. David De Gea. 26 years old and already, not only Manchester United’s best player, but the best goalkeeper in the league. Added to that, he’s playing under a manager who loves a clean sheet and behind a defense that has been strengthened over the summer (and it was pretty strong to begin with.)
Image result for david de gea celebrating

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So, ladies and gentlemen, there you go. My top picks for the forthcoming season. Easy, right?

No, of course not.

As they say, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” It is the unpredictability of The Premier League that make this game so exciting. And who knows, maybe there’ll be a new kid in town. I certainly hope so.