When I started writing these PFL Draft overviews, I was worried that West Ham may end up being a difficult write-up but luckily, they were last for a write-up and they’ve been busy in the short period I began writing these. Speaking of writing, it looked like the writing was on the walls for Slaven Bilić at one point last season which seemed a bit crazy considering the impressive first season he had at the club. So, with one good season and one bad season behind them, how will West Ham fare in the new season and which of their players will provide us Draft Fantasy Football managers with the most points?

Goalkeepers

The big news here is that Joe Hart has made the move from Man City to West Ham, via Torino and is surely the clubs new number 1 which may leave Adrián feeling a little left out but he did lose his place to Darren Randolph (now at Middlesbrough) due to poor form last season.

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Joe Hart didn’t have the greatest time in Italy in regard to his form but a season away from the British Media and their ‘Build them up then knock them down’ mentality may have done him the world of good. Joe Hart is a great shot stopper and he’ll be looking to show that again. As for the draft, Hart will be one of the first 10 keepers picked and could end the season quite highly, in regard to points Vs the rest of the goalkeepers in the Premier League.

Defenders

Another player that has made the journey from Man City to West Ham is one of my all-time favourite right backs in the Premier League, Pablo Zabaleta. While I do like Zabaleta, I do feel a bit bad for Sam Byram as this signing may reduce his first team opportunities in the upcoming season.

Aaron Cresswell offers West Ham and Draft Fantasy Football managers a great option in defence, the Englishman who probably deserves more International caps than he currently has can bomb down the wing and provide additional attacking resources without forgetting his defensive duties, I like him and I think that he could have a big season this year.

West Ham could possibly do with some younger centre backs coming through as both James Collins and José Fonte are pushing their mid-thirties but these two should be providing back up for Winston Reid and Angelo Ogbonna.

Aaron Cresswell should be the first picked up in the draft for West Ham which should be around the 6th or 7th round with Zabaleta possibly around the same time. Reid and Ogbonna maybe around a little longer but not by much, expect to be able to pick them up still in the 9th or 10th round.

Midfielders

West Ham almost spoil us with options for Draft Fantasy Football points when it comes to midfielders. The £20mil deal to bring in Marko Arnautović from Stoke City could prove to be one of the signings of the season. The midfielder notched up 6 goals and 7 assists in a disappointing campaign overall for Stoke City so expect greater returns from the winger this season. Expect someone to go in early for Arnautović, round 3 wouldn’t be a surprise.

See More: Arsenal FPL Draft Overview

A favourite player of mine, who is criminally underrated on the draft fantasy site is Manuel Lanzini. Lanzini took the reigns as chief midfield architect in the West Ham midfield once Payet departed these shores (and disappointed a few draft managers out there who wasted an early pick on him). Lanzini racked up 8 goals and 3 assists last season, he’s still fairly young so expect him to improve further this season, your team could be worse off without him but due to his rating on the site, it may deter others and he could still be free around the 8th round.

Another success from last season for West Ham was Michail Antonio. A disastrous switch to right back was quickly rectified and Antonio was played higher up the pitch which resulted in 9 goals and 8 assists for the winger. He’ll be high on people’s midfield shortlist this coming season, expect him to be taken around the 4th round.

André Ayew, if he can stay free of injury, he could prove to be even more of a match winner, not just for West Ham but for us draft managers playing in head to head leagues. Despite injuries, his stats are still impressive when you factor in the lesser game time and he could well be picked up come the 4th or 5th round.

See More: Everton FPL Draft Overview

I think it’s fair to say that Robert Snodgrass’ move to West Ham from Hull City hasn’t really worked out. Snodgrass was racking up the points when playing for Hull City but since his switch to West Ham and his being used as a more rotation player, that dropped off considerably. If he’s available in later rounds than he’s worth picking up but I wouldn’t prioritise him over others.

Finally, it’s my last mention of the Kante Rule and its possible beneficiaries. Cheikhou Kouyaté and (once he’s match fit again) Mark Noble could end up with their highest points totals for a fantasy football season ever if this rule is in effect in your league. Both players provide goals and assist but also play that bit deeper and help break up the plays which make both, good 4th or 5th choice picks for your midfield.

Forwards

I can’t be the only one that misses a proper little and large strike duo? Niall Quinn & Kevin Phillips and Emile Heskey & Michael Owen immediately spring to mind; well they may be joined by Andy Carroll & Javier Hernández.

Andy Carroll is made of glass so that does make the chances of an effective partnership dwindle but if he can stay fit, he’s a valuable second striker pick up. Carroll almost averaged a goal every other game, that he played in last season but he’s yet to play a whole season injury free so it’s difficult to tell if he can keep his form up. Still, I expect Carroll to be picked up in the 5th or 6th round, it’s just that gamble on his fitness that stops it being higher.

Javier Hernández, meanwhile, is a whole different story. Underrated towards the end of his Man Utd career and a prolific goal scorer in his two seasons in Germany, Hernández could be another in contention for the signing of the season. I can see Hernández being picked up in the 2nd or 3rd round, he certainly won’t be available in any of the middle or later rounds.

Wildcard

This may come across as lacking imagination but I’m picking Mark Noble for this. The West Ham captain could benefit greatly from the new rules in this seasons Draft Fantasy Football. He’s already a proven goal scorer and can provide a high number of assists and I reckon he’ll be overlooked by other managers in draft leagues.

Conclusion

There really are some good options at West Ham. Hernández and Hart have the potential to finish the season with some good points while the midfield has got goals and assists from almost every position. Most of the players listed in this article could prove to be great assets for your team for this season.