fantasy premier league news – Monday 12 August 2013 incl Coutinho, Walcott & Downing

Ondrej Celustka

No more will we have to see Craig Gardner tackling like Paul Scholes hyped up to a frenzy at RB now the 24 year old former Czech U21 international RB ,who signed on loan from Tukish side Trabzonspor has joined.  Last year Celustka made 16 appearances for 1 assist and 3 YCs.  The year before 36 for 1 goal and 2 assists and 2 YCs  Gardner is suspended for GW1 and with all the other defensive purchases being CBs (weirdly as they still have no LB?)  rather than FBs he looks certain to start as one thing is for sure,  specialist RB Phil Bardsley is totally out of favour.

Celustka is  not on fantasy premier league yet but if he comes in at £4.5m could be an option as the other CB position next to O’Shea isnt really nailed down yet.  Whether I would pick him ahead of Collins Shaw/Clyne and M Turner though is doubtful

Marouane Chamakh

Crystal Palace  completed the signing of the  29 year old French born Moroccon Arsenal striker Marouane Chamakh on a 1 year deal.   

He’s available in fantasy premier league for £5m although still registered on the site with Arsenal.  His loan with West Ham was a disaster 3 matches and no returns and Carlton Cole playing ahead of you is not great.  He only played 180 minutes the previous season for Arsenal in fantasy premier league for 1 goal.  His best season with Arsenal was 2010/11 when from 18 starts he scored 7 goals and 5 assists getting a return every 150 minutes which is ok if not spectacular. 

Its hard to predict if he will start straght away.  His match fitness cant be great.  Personally I think he will due to his experience.  It is difficlut to tell though with Dobbie and Gayle getting a fair share of gametime in pre-season.  Personally I think Anelka or Cornelius (when fit) for £5.5m are the best options at the moment at that price

Gary Hooper

Coutinho

Some interesting words from Rodgers on the official Liverpool site:

“No question, Coutinho’s best position is the No.10.

“And once we get the right kind of quality to put on the sides, he will play in that central role. That is where he affects the game best.

“At the moment, he has the licence to jump in and come inside – joining in and making passes, and we accommodate defensively when he does that.

“But there is no doubt, his best position is in the middle.”

Interesting implies he will play 4-2-3-1 with Coutinho behind a striker when he has the right people on the sides. Assuming Downing is leaving they will be Aspas and Sterling or Alberto at the moment.  Does imply that he wont start there just yet though.  Definitely enhances his appeal especially if he bites the bullet and sarts him there. 

Stewart Downing

Apparently Liverpool have accepted a £6m bid from West Ham.  I think this would mean he would replace Vaz Te on the right of a front 3. He’s not too bad a price at £6m but really he’ll be limited to assists as he will be there for right handside crosses with Jarvis holding his position on the left.  Lallana Morrison J and Snodgrass at similar prices seem better picks for me

Theo Walcott

There is a report in the Mirror that Walcott may miss the season opener with an injury from England training. 

However before everyone panics this is what Hodgson said