In this article we take a look at how the World Cup could affect specific fantasy premier league players this year. Who could be faitgued? Who’s confidence will be up and who’s down? Plus an attempt to show all the players who participated in the World Cup from the premier league. Don’t be scared by the list I’ll also do players who didn’t participate and should be fresh for the new season.
fantasy premier league – How could the World Cup effect FPL this year
Background
With the World Cup just finished it’s time to look at who could benefit and who could be affected negatively by the World Cup. I’ve tried to categorise players by the possible affect. The most obvious is those that will be fatigued. Players would normally finish the season in mid May and then return to pre season at the begining of July. This would give them nearly 6 weeks of rest and recuperation before the new season. This season, players going to the World Cup immediately played pre-tournament friendlies after the season finished before going to the World Cup. The earliest exit possible would have been around June 23rd. Therefore all players would have had an extra month of playing time. Granted they will all get extra time off as compared to players who didn’t go but that could just have a back end problem of reduced fitness for GW1 after a long hard season. I believe Alexis Sanchez who went out in the round of 16 is not reporting for preseason until early August. 2 weeks before the season starts.
In this article I’m going to put players into 3 categories. 1. Those who’s performance in FPL that could be affected by fatigue. Those who’s form at the World Cup could see an uplift for FPL. Those who’s poor form at the World Cup could negatively affect their FPL form.
Possible fatigue victims
RVP
After a season of niggling injuries the last thing the striker needed (solely from a premier league point of view) was nearly 2 months of additional playing time. He would have been pleased with his form for most of the tournament which may help offsett it. By all accounts RVP will report for pre-season sometime in August gving him little recovery or preeration time. Another plus though is that he will have a very sympathetic coach who he respects and will work with in order to maximise his performance. That could work in reverse however in that he is eased back into premier league life as a sub at the beginning of the season. Hopefully we will get some idea of what will happen in preseason.
United have very good series of fixtures to start the season and RVP could be a big dilemma. We can only hope that following Van Gaal’s and RVP’s words plus preseason fixtures things will be clearer by the time we get to GW1
Aguero
Another player affected by niggling injuries all season who could have done with the rest. The World Cup really didn’t help that situation as he was affected by injuries during the competition as well. Pretty ordinary form also didn’t help the situation on top of all that. Aguero has the advantage of a sympathetic coach who will work with him though. However City have 4 strikers and he could be eased back into action.
Again pre-season and words from Aguero and Pellegrini will help clarify the position
Oscar
Was “rested” by Mourinho in the latter part of the season when his schedule finally caught up with him. Still made 47 appearances last season despite this. Very diligent player who covers alot of ground and contributes strongly to the teams defence. Hard to see him hitting the ground running for GW1 when Chelsea have so many other options as an attacking midfielder.
Giroud
Somehow ended up last season as the one man strike force apart from a couple of Podolski and Sanogo starts. Made 51 appearances last season. A big name striker could give Giroud enforced rest anyway.
Hazard
Looked very jaded in the World Cup and we only saw 10 minutes of the Chelsea Hazard we know. Made 49 appearances last season. Has the advantage of being one of Mourinhos untouchables. However Mourinho does have more options than most in attacking midfielders though to rotate and protect players if he feels it’s needed.
YYT
Had a very poor World Cup although it was against a background of his brother passing away so understandable. Still a months extra football after a 49 game season is not ideal. This maybe hypothetical anyway given his words in “birthday cake” gate as we may see him move
Fabregas
Played 55 games last season. Mitigating factors though were that a number were as a sub, Spain has a winter break and a league competition which probably lacks consistently difficult games. Didn’t have that much gametime at the World Cup as well. Could play in an important position but Mourinho has options even if they aren’t ideal
Costa
Played 51 games last season as well as a World Cup where his fitness was in question. At the moment though no competition for his position that Mourinho respects. That could see him play in any case. Has that warrior spirit which could carry him through.
Zabaleta
48 appearances rampaging up and down the touchline is bound to take it out of you. We didn’t see anything like that in the World Cup but going the whole way in the World Cup for an additional 2 months of football isn’t ideal. Didn’t really have cover as an RB in the City side last year apart from Richards but does now with Sagna joining so there is definitely a rotation risk. Didn’t seem affected by fatigue although as I said didn’t push forward as much. I assume that was tactical rather than fatigue though.
Kompany
Another player who had alot of niggling injuries last season. This at least did reduce his total games to 37 last year but could have done with the rest instead of the World Cup. On the plus side did have a very good World Cup though in terms of his form. Kompany despite the stats are a better defensive side with City and that will mean he is likely to play if at all possible.
Azpilicueta
44 appearances for a player with a high work rate is quite a number. Did start the season out of the side which limited the games. A big favourite of Mourinho though and with Ashley Cole gone doesn’t have meaningful cover at the moment.
Silva
Another player who suffered niggling injuries during the season. Only played 40 games which was a help. However another who could really have done with a rest to get fully over any injuries. A crucial player though in Pellegrini’s mind and hard to see that he will be rested unless totally necessary.
Gary Cahill
47 games last season as John Terry’s regular partner. Does have the absolute faith of Mourinho so could have no effect on appearances
Gerrard
Only 39 appearances last season so more about age than a culmination of games. With the Champions league and the purchase of Emre Can, Gerrard could this see some league rotation. Very disappointing World Cup can’t have helped the situation
Ozil
Had his own winter break through injury which may have given some rest but the long season for someone who was used to plenty of sub appearances for Real Madrid. Alot of attacking midfileders does give Wenger a rotation option here.
Those who were poor at the World Cup
This is to look at players who were poor at the World Cup which may affect their confidence for the start of the season. I wont repeat players such as Hazard who I mentioned above.
Paulino
Had probably disappeared anyway as a fantasy asset after continually failing to convert his chances. Certainly this World Cup performances wont have helped his confidence
Lukaku
Lukaku last season struggled against lower placed sides who parked the bus and in the World Cup he was awful except for the USA game. That was no surprise as the USA were trying to attack towards the end of the game. This gave Lukaku the space he needs on the counter and his movement really helps him in these circumstances. Young player who’s confidence maybe affected but Martinez is an excellent coach if he returns and this is his big plus.
Geoff Cameron
Could possibly have put in a couple of the worst defensive performances in the World Cup. Added to it against Belgium with an even worse performance as a CDM. Luckily he plays as an RB for Stoke and that may give him the opportunity to rationalise his performances in his head.
Baines
After consistently being the highest scoring defender in FPL this was a poor World Cup. Hard to think that a player of his experience and knowedge of the premier league will let it affect him.
Nani
An FPL irrellevance but had to mention him if for nothing about how abysmal he was.
Those who form was excellent
Again I won’r repeat anyone I’ve mentioned in the first category. These are players whose excellent performances may give them a confidence and form boost as well as enhance their selection prospects. As I mentioned in an earlier article it was far easier to mention those who didn’t perform than those who did. The Premier league was a disappointment at the World Cup. Try finding anyone who has a premier league player in their team of the tournament and you’ll get the point.
Schurrle
Was absolutely excellent during the competition and will be hard to leave out of the Chelsea team. His easy schedule during the year will mean he shouldn’t suffer the fatigue factor that some other players do. Only risk is whether Mourinho thinks he should keep him as an impact sub.
Vlaar
Who would have thought that any player from the defensive disaster that is Aston Villa could have such a good tournament. Unfortunately even Superman would struggle to sort out that defence so changes little
Howard
16 saves in the Belgium game and a tournament that must make him feel unbeatable matters little as your FPL GK will be a function of value and the teams defensive strength and other alternatives in the defence.
Sterling
Didn’t really produce it against Uruguay but was excellent against Italy. Expect alot of confidence to go with an FPL price hike
Players at the World Cup by Club
Here’s all the players who participated at the World Cup listed by Premier league team. I’m hoping this is accurate but please tell me if I’ve omitted anything or got anything wrong. Obviously the big 4 dominate the squads. From these clubs perspective rotation can help mitigate any fatigue. However rotation is the enemy of FPL. Will we see more rotation this season from these teams, especially those in the Champions league.
Arsenal
Mertesacker, Podolski, Ozil, Koscielny, Joel Campbell, Alexis Sanchez, Cazorla, The Ox , Wilshere, Park Chu Young, Vermaelen, Giroud
Aston Villa
Vlaar, Guzan, Senderos
Burnley
Chelsea
Oscar, Willian, Ramires, Schurrle, Courtois, Hazard, Lukaku, Mikel, Moses, Azpilicueta, Fabregas, Costa, Torres, Cahill,
Crystal Palace
Jedinak
Everton
Mirallas, Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Barkley
Hull
Figueroa, Jelavic
Leicester
Liverpool
Sakho, Mignolet, Reina, K Toure, Johnson, Henderson, Lallana, Sterling, Lambert, Sturridge, Gerrard, Coates
Man City
Zabaleta, Aguero, Fernandinho, Sagna, Silva, Kompany, Hart, Dzeko, Milner, Demichelis, YYT, Sagna
Man Utd
RVP, Fellaini, Januzaj, Hernandez, De Gea, Mata, Jones, Shaw, Smalling, Rooney, Welbeck, A Valencia, Nani, Kagawa
Newcastle
Krul, Debuchy, Sissoko, Cabella, Ameobi, Tiote
QPR
Remy
Southampton
Lovren, Ramirez. Schneiderlin, Yoshida,
Stoke
Begovic, Odemwingie, Cameron, Palacios,
Sunderland
Altidore
Swansea
Bony, De Guzman,
Tottenham
Paulinho, Lloris, Vertonghen, Chadli, Dembele, Bentaleb, BAE
WBA
Foster, Lugano,
West Ham
E Valencia (TBC), Armero,
Thats it hope you found it useful. More articles to come
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