New signings always seem to be unknown quantities to us draft fantasy football managers who watch every Premier League match but don’t dare venture into the events on the continent. Today I will be your guide to the potential new forwards who look set to light up the Premier league, and more importantly make an impact on our draft fantasy football leagues. I present to you two forwards who are must haves in your team and one wildcard who could be an astute pick.
Alvaro Morata
I am sure you are all sick of hearing the name Alvaro Morata. The long and protracted transfer saga, however, appears to finally be coming to an end. After much speculation, it looks likely that the fleet footed Spanish striker will sign for Manchester United for a reported fee of around £65 million.
How likely is it that he’ll sign?
4.5/5- His wife following Manchester United on Instagram is essentially the modern-day equivalent of an official announcement. Although Real Madrid are playing hard ball in negotiations, in breaking off his honeymoon early to try to force the club’s hand, he looks certain to sign on the dotted line.
How good a fantasy football player will he be?
At the age of 24 he is yet to play a full season as the first choice starting striker. Having only played at senior level for Real Madrid and Juventus, however, I think he can be forgiven for that. In a limited number of starts, he has proven his goal-scoring prowess. His goals to minute ratio of a goal every 83 minutes last season (where he bagged 20 goals) is 3rd best in Europe. This leaves him behind only Ligue 1 player of the season Edinson Cavani and the imperious Lionel Messi. In a rare period of regular starts in April, Morata scored 7 goals and assisted 2 in just 5 appearances. If United can rekindle his partnership with Pogba and sort out some of their inconsistencies on the wings, expect him to be challenging for the Golden Boot next season.
Where will he fit in?
Morata will have the task of filling the gaping Zlatan shaped hole in United’s attack and would be certain to fill lead the line, potentially pushing the explosive Marcus Rashford onto the left wing and, perhaps, Anthony Martial closer to the door.
Where should he be drafted?
I would place him about 7th or 8th on my wish list. Despite oozing quality, he just misses out on my top 5 players for the season due to having never played a full season and more importantly, never played in the Premier League. That said, don’t be surprised to see him as one of the very top players come the end of the season!
Alexandre Lacazette
Thierry Henry recently said that “what Lacazette is doing is extraordinary”. For a man that scored 228 goals in 377 games, extraordinary really is extraordinary. He seems to be the kind of lethal finisher that Arsenal seem to desperately need and are linked with every year (think Suarez, Zlatan, Benzema…). This year the board might actually follow through. When was the last time Arsenal signed a genuinely world class player? Back in 2014, probably, with the arrival of Alexis Sanchez. Lacazette would be a rare and exciting signing for Arsenal fans to enjoy.
How likely is it that he’ll sign?
3.5/5- Lacazette looked certain to sign for Atletico Madrid earlier this summer, but the deal was compromised upon confirmation of the Spanish club’s transfer ban. Lacazette appears desperate to leave and Lyon have said that they will let him go if they can find a suitable replacement. The £57 million price tag could be a stumbling block, with Arsenal’s notoriously stingy Board of Directors reluctant to spend a pretty penny. It also remains to be seen whether Lacazette will be willing to give up Champions League football to trade in the wine and water of Lyon for the mean streets of Highbury.
How good a draft fantasy player will he be?
37 goals for Lyon last season says it all. You can’t afford to give Lacazette even a sniff of goal because he is deadly. He is extremely quick and strong on the ball. Although a Premier League newcomer, he appears well suited to its physical demands. If Arsenal can keep hold of the unsettled, Alexis Sanchez, and assist king Mesut Ozil, Lacazette will have some seriously good service. The only concern being that he may have to share the goal scoring burden with fantasy player of the season Sanchez.
Where will he fit in?
We could see Arsenal utilise the 3-4-3 formation that Wenger successfully tested (or conceded…) towards the end of last season. We would expect Lacazette to spearhead their attack with Sanchez shunted out to the left wing as opposed to the striker role he enjoyed early on in the season.
Where should he be drafted?
He is a real top-quality striker and should be high up on any fantasy managers wishlist. I would place him not far after Morata, not because of a difference in talent, but the sharing of goals with Sanchez and Ozil. I would probably rank him around 8th or 9th in the game.
Tammy Abraham- The Wildcard
After a stunning season with Bristol City in the Championship, the Chelsea youngster will join Swansea on loan. Bizarrely, it has been suggested the decision to join the Swans over Newcastle was driven by concerns by the Chelsea board over nightlife in the northern city. Clearly the board think little of his ability to resist hammering 12 Strongbows and a packet of lucky strikes the night before match day. That’s almost enough reason to pick him in my team on its own, but maybe we should check up on the stats first.
How good a draft fantasy player will he be?
Abraham was in fantastic form last season, ending the season with 23 goals in 40 appearances for Bristol City. Standing at 6 ft 3 he presents a real aerial threat and classically mature hold up play. If he can reach anywhere near the form he showed last year, he could be a very good pick. It’s a big step up from the Championship however, and he would not be the first regular goalscorer in the Championship to struggle with the demands of the Premier League. Think Abel Hernandez – the ponytailed Uruguayan scored 20 goals in the 2015/16 season to help earn Hull promotion, but managed just 4 last season in the top flight. Abraham is a slender 19 year old and could really struggle doing it on a Wednesday night at Stoke. That said, he’s a really exciting talent and has to be considered a wildcard option in the draft.
Where will he fit in?
Fernando Llorente is Swansea’s first choice striker and finished as their top scorer last season with 15 goals. Llorente could make a move from the Welsh side with Chelsea and Turkish giants, Besiktas, circling. If Llorente does leave, there no doubt that Abraham will be first choice up front. Even if he doesn’t, it is likely Abraham will be a regular and share the goalscoring burden with the Spaniard. Swansea boss, Paul Clement, is a big fan of the teenager having worked with him at Chelsea. I would be surprised if he lets Abraham’s talents go to waste on the bench.
Where should he be drafted?
An exciting player as he is, Abraham is by no means guaranteed to get goals this season. He shouldn’t be high on your list of priorities, but with a shortage of strikers in the league, he offers an alternative option when looking to fill up those forward slots towards the end of the draft. If he plays his cards right he has the potential to make a real difference to your team.
There you have it. 3 possible new signings who could make all the difference to your team. New signings are notoriously unreliable though, and frankly I am still bitter about Mkhitaryan’s seeming reluctance to turn up in Premier League football. Let’s hope that these players don’t cause you the same anguish that the Armenian winger caused me last season. Be sure to watch out for my other articles in this series, where I’ll be focussing on the new midfield and defensive players looking to make their mark on the greatest league in the world. I’m sure you’re all just as excited as I am by the fresh new faces and would agree that new is always better.
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