Here’s my fantasy premier league imaginary wildcard for gameweek 26. Remember its a team as if I was using my Wildcard now and not just a team for gameweek 26. I’m also getting worse on the artistic value licence sorry. the article is a practical application of my “ones to watch” article
- Johnson
- £6.4
- Johnson and Agger are the pricey options with attacking potential at £6.5m and £6.4m respectively. Enrique should play both games and is cheaper at £5.9m. Carragher has played the last 3 and is far cheaper at £5.0m but is a punt as to whether he will play 2 games (although they are 6 days apart).
- Dawson
- £4.5
- Lets not kid ourselves the CB position at Spurs under AVB is a total rotational lottery but £4.5m is a total bargain for coverage and he’s now played the last 6 fantasy premier league games. Walker at £6.1m is the cheapest with secure selection but too me thats too bigger value gap to warrant his selection
- Clichy
- £5.6
- Here’s some commentary on the City options. With Maicon now back Zabaleta may suffer a little rotaton after not being rested for a while. City definitely are the best defence in the league and apart from the certainty of Kompany at £7.1m this is the best option. Zabaleta experienced a strong upturn in attacking returns this year as well. Nastastic and Clichy at £5.6m also look an option at a slightly cheaper price but you may need to accept more rotation with these.
- Michu
- £8.1
- 2nd in the overall shooting stats and 3rd in the last 6. Despite a scoring drought of 7 games the underlying stats are still strong and suggest the goals will return. That’s irrelevant really as there’s no way he can be sold or not bought before a Swansea double game week. Longer term fixtures arent great, 15th in the fixture ease schedule. Apart from a couple of exceptions returns better with the easier teams. The underlying stats and the double game week mean its a BUY for me though.
- Walcott
- £9.2
- Even with Giroud back as striker Walcott almost looked like he was a second striker he’s playing so far forward albeit wider than before Giroud. Certainly on form and fixtures its still a definite buy in my mind. Top of the last 6 shooting stats and 5th overall. Arsenal are 3rd on fixture eas
- Mata
- £10.0
- Returned in his last 9 starts apart from the Saints game and if you ignore the jaded first 3 games to the season has returned in every game he’s started apart from the City and Southampton games. RVP type consistency. Fixtures are ranked 12 of all the teams in terms of fixture ease. Has been overperforming his underlaying stats but with the consistency and his fundamental central advanced position in the Chelsea team its one thats impossible to ignore
- Suarez
- £10.7
- Only the Arsenal game where he played on the left has made me nervous about the Suarez and Sturridge role. Otherwise there’s been enough swapping of positions and central positioning to keep me happy. He is also the leader in overall and last 6 shooting stats and chances created so its not affecting that. Has scored twice in the last 4 games since Sturridge has arrived.