The Waiver Wire article has to dig deep this week in the absence of many breakthrough performances, and many previous selections becoming higher owned.
However, there are some good players still available who are looking to return to their former glory.
Davinson Sánchez, DEF, Tottenham
Sánchez (7% owned) has made a great start to his life at Spurs. In the Premier League, he went the distance playing all 90 minutes as part of a back three while earning clean sheets against Everton and Swansea.
The 21-year old Colombian even had a strong performance in the mid-week Champions League win against Dortmund.
In fact, both he and Serge Aurier (15%), who we would have expected to be the more immediate impact signing, were solid – so there is a quick plug to look at Aurier as well.
Although the 0-0 Swansea draw was frustrating for Mauricio Pochettino and the club, the blame there lies squarely with the attacking play – there has been little wrong with Sánchez.
He will be in the team for his composed defensive play, strength, and positioning, but it is also worth noting that Sánchez scored six in 32 for Ajax, so maybe he get even be an occasional offensive spark.
Just don’t expect Sánchez to play all the time as Pochettino will need to rotate, and Sánchez may not always be able to play 270 minutes in eight days.
Next Up: Away to West Ham, away to Huddersfield, home to Bournemouth.
Wilfried Bony, FWD, Swansea
With Wilfred Bony (21%) begins a collection of more speculative adds in this article.
Nevertheless, there are few good options right now still available on waivers, so I’d suggest Bony for those of you relying on Manolo Gabbiadini, Kelechi Iheanacho, Christian Benteke, and some of the other disappointments.
Those low performers represent excellent trade value if you have the roster space, but for those of you who need immediate help, Bony seems fairly likely to start for Swansea going forward, pun intended.
He has basically been on sabbatical from football since signing for Manchester City, but now he has returned to his previous home in Wales where he displayed a predatory instinct while scoring 26 in 54.
Bony surely offers something more than Jordan Ayew and should be listed as a starter on Paul Clement’s team sheet.
Plus, you could change your Draft Fantasy team name to “The Wilf of Paul’s Sheet.” He should at least be given the chance to fill Fernando Llorente’s boots from last season.
Next up: Away to Watford, home to West Ham, home to Huddersfield.
Olivier Giroud, FWD, Arsenal
It seems like just last week (it was) where Danny Welbeck was the waiver wire pick from Arsenal, but alas, he left Sunday’s 0-0 match vs Chelsea after picking up a groin injury.
The coming days will tell the severity, but Arsene Wenger has already said “it is not an easy one.”
Olivier Giroud (38%) started the season with a goal, but has struggled for playing time coming off the bench. Welbeck’s injury opens that opportunity to partner Alexandre Lacazette.
On the upside, Arsenal should still be able to score this season, and EPL performances should be top of their mind after finally falling from the automatic Champions League spots.
On the downside, be wary of this pickup with Alexis Sanchez working his way back into the club’s good graces, which could mean Sanchez starts instead and Giroud ends up back on the bench.
At the end of the day, if you’re hurting for forwards, this is a stash and wait situation to see if he starts.
Next up: Home to West Brom, home to Brighton, away to Watford.
Manuel Lanzini, MID, West Ham
Now we are really entering unknown territories, but the waiver wire is for the upstarts, surprises, and the injured.
Last week was a reminder to check on defender Luke Shaw for when he starts playing again for Manchester United, and this week there are a few midfielders who will soon be returning from injury.
Lanzini (29%) only played 45 minutes this season after a n injury re-occurrence, but he was given creative license in the center of the park after Dimitri Payet left last year. He had 113 points, eight goals, and three assists all told.
Lanzini would be a good creator around Michael Antonio and Andy Carroll now that they have returned from injury themselves. Furthermore, Chicharito is now available to feed off of Lanzini’s distribution.
That is, if Lanzini can get himself fit and Slaven Bilic’s West Ham can settle in. The Argentine had been reported out for one or two more weeks, so you may need to grab him now in competitive and/or deeper leagues.
Up next: Home to Tottenham, home to Swansea, away to Burnley.
Wilfried Zaha, MID, Crystal Palace
It is a special waiver wire week that gets to feature two players named Wilfried. In addition to Wilfried Bony at Swansea, Wilf Zaha will want to come back stronger.
Crystal Palace desperately need him back as they have yet to score in five games and have already been forced to replace Frank de Boer.
Zaha was as high as a third or fourth round pick in early drafts after 136 points last year, seven goals, and 11 assists. He is down to 36% owned and is one of the biggest fallers so far.
Roy Hodgson will now be tasked with revitalising the Eagles’ attack and Zaha will be an automatic starter when he returns.
To be honest, it’s looking bleak for their hopes of staying up this season with some difficult fixtures on the horizon. If there is any silver lining, only in this perfect storm situation could you get such a high draft pick so easily.
Things could start to turn around after week 8 if you’re patient. Zaha could still score and audition for other squads in a relegation struggle.
Up next: Away to Manchester City, away to Manchester United, home to Chelsea.
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