So now Euro 2012 has finished we can sit back and admire the Spanish possession and patient football and now look forward to the likes of Joey Barton (at least after 8 weeks) and Nigel de Jong flying in to any skilful player like a mad man possessed in the world that is the fantasy premier league
This article will look at who the winners and losers are in fantasy premier league terms from the tournament.
Just to be clear how they will be defined as such, winners are:
1. Strong performers
Those whose performances were so strong that they can look forward to enhanced selection chances which will hopefully translate in to fantasy premier league points. The most obvious example is Mario Balotelli
2. Rested
I know it sounds strange but there will be winners in fantasy premier league by not going to Euro 2012 because of the rest they have received. Sounds daft but don’t under estimate the benefit of a few weeks playing golf in Portugal and a good preseason to get you hitting the ground running come the start of the fantasy premier league season. I think the most obvious example of this will be Sergio Aguero. The man was stunning coming from a different league and with 2 consecutive summer tournaments. I’m scared to think what he will do with a proper preseason. By the way I’m not going to name every fantasy premier league player who wasnt there, just a few key ones
3. Rotation of others
Those who benefit from others going to the tournamnet. Sounds strange but if your midfield competition has flogged himself over 5 games in Poland and the Ukraine while you’ve been ordering non alcholic pina coladas in the Seychelles, then you’ve got to think there’s more game time coming. The principal beneficiary here I can think of is Eden Hazard who with Juan Mata going to the Olympics and Euro 2012 will get game time while Mata is being rotated
Losers are:
1. Flogged to death
It doesnt matter how good a tournament you had if you had a hard fantasy premier league season then had to play 4 games or so its going to harm your minutes on the pitch when you return to the fantasy premier league. You will become a prime rotation target. The obvious example here is David Silva
2. Played poorly
A bad tournament may make your manager doubt you or start sending bulk emails to agents to get some cover/replacement. The harm to you will depend on the strength of your club position. Best example is Peta Chech. He was terrible and isnt getting any younger.
OK preamble done lets get on with it
WINNERS
Mario Balotelli
No question here he was excellent. Maybe the best striker in the world for his age. Excelled in all areas finishing, holding the ball up, distribution, strength and most importantly temperament. Had to have enhanced his game time prospects and has potentially done irrperable harm to RVP’s bank balance.
Fernando Torres
Who knows who will be coming to Chelsea that may affect his game time but being the golden boot cant have done his playing chances any harm. Was still a mixed tournament for him though
Vincent Kompany and Pablo Zabeletta
The only 2 regulars in defence who didn’t play in Euro 2012 or the Olympics.
Samir Nasri
Surely Silva being flogged to death all last season and playing a significant part in Spain’s victory will give Nasri more game time. Whether he will get a consistent run and moves from a rotation player remains to be seen though.
Eden Hazard
Juan Mata going to the Olympics as well as Euro 2012 (albeit without playing) has to have helped his chances of being the number 1 attacking and creative midfield force.
Nikica Jelavic
Showed what a lethal finisher he is and has cemented his Everton place unquestionably. Dont rule out a post site opening transfer to a big club which could really make him a strong value play.
Rio Ferdinand
If there was ever an ageing injury prone player who needed an offseason to make sure he played more than 10 games its him.
Luka Modric
Not only was he fantastic but he also played significant time high up the pitch. Could this be a pointer to next season, especially if VDV leaves as is rumoured. All this may only benefit Real Madrid though.
Antonio Valencia
Always difficult to pick between him Nani and Young due to rotation but must be the least rotatable after being the only one of the 3 not to play.
LOSERS
David Silva
Flogged to death all season. Played all the way through the Euros. Why doesn’t Mancini just send him to the Olympics and be done with it. Will need to be carefully managed that’s for sure and that spells alot of rotation
Steven Gerrard
How can you put him in to this category you ask when he was Englands player of the tournament. Well, when a player himself comes out and says that he needs to be carefully managed then you know there’s going to be some serious rotation happening in the upcoming season.
Nani and Ashley Young
The reverse of the Valencia point above
Robin Van Persie
Didn’t have a good tournament and when you add the fact that last season was the only real injury fee year he’s had you really would have wanted him to rest so he could at least try and repeat that amazing season just gone.
Wayne Rooney
From his poor finishing to his pathetic attempts to mark Pirlo (which basically seemed to involve watching him and clapping as he sprayed the ball around like some military guided missile) Wayne Rooney was awful. However wont affect game time and it doesn’t seem to matter how he plays as the ultimate flat track bully will just steam roller any rubbish side when it turns up at Old Trafford. A word of caution was how his game was affected post the World Cup 2010 though.
Juan Mata
Despite not playing at Euro 2012 the combination of that and the Olympics may just give Eden Hazard the chance to make himself the attacking force of the midfield.
John Terry and Ashley Cole
They’re not getting any younger and after a long season last year you’ve got to be cautious about game time this season. Cole though doesn’t really have experienced back up.
Szczesny and Cech
Both were patchy to say the least. Will their respective managers faith be tested?
Hope that gives some food for thought over the coming weeks
