To help you structure your Sun Dream Team World Cup team here’s a look at the top 20 scorers and a few lessons from them for you to think about.
Sun Dream Team World Cup transfer window 1 – analysing the top point 20 scorers
The top 20 scorers
Here’s the top 20 scorers in any position:
Here’s a few points to take from it:
1. By position there are 7 strikers, 9 midfielders, 3 defenders and 1 GK.
This really shows that your teams investment should be concentrated on midfielders and strikers. It’s true that you are deducted points for more than 1 goal so there ‘s an incentive to get players from teams expected to be strong defensively. However in my mind paying premium for defenders isn’t worth it and the cheapest gametime secure player is the best option. All 3 defenders up there have scored. However if you look at premier league scoring stats a defender at best will score 1 goal in 6 games so banking on that isn’t worth it in my mind.
2. By country the top scorers are quite spread.
Below are the 5 favourites for the World Cup with the player in the top 20 scorers in brackets:
Brazil ( Neymar)
Argentina (Messi)
Germany (Muller Hummels and Kroos)
France (Benzema)
Holland (RVP and Robben)
So of the 5 favourites for the World Cup only 8 of the 20 top scorers are from those teams. Only 2 teams have more than 1 player. Not only does this give a mandate for spreading your team in order to pick up Star Man awards. It also gives a real pointer to Star Man awards in the future.
3. The premier league is poorly represented
Here’s how the list breaks down by looking at which country’s league the top 20 point scorers are in:
German League – 6 players
Spain La Liga – 4 players
English Premier League – 2 players
France – 2 players
Italy – 2 players
USA – 1 player
Portugal – 1 player
English – Championship
You could argue that with Germany getting through to the next round it’s a distorted stat but only 3 of the German team are in those 6. England is also only 1/3 made up of English players so you’d expect there to be more.
To reverse it. Lets look at my FPL team of the season and see what form they were in at the World Cup. That teams is:
Mannone – not selected
Baines – had a poor World Cup
Terry – not available
Coleman – country didn’t qualify
Koscielny – not first choice for France
Cahill – part of a very questionable English defence
Silva – disappointing campaign
YYT – not fit and form was poor.
Ramsey – country didn’t qualify
Gerrard – form was poor
Hazard – only for 10 minutes has looked like the Chelsea player
Suarez – Was fantastic in game against England.
Sturridge – excellent against Italy. Unlucky at best against Costa Rica. Poor against Uruguay
Aguero – was poor before getting injured for the rest of the tournment.
I think the above speaks for itself and does make me wary about picking premier league players. Maybe it’s no winter break, the faster pace, the physical nature, the lack of easy games? What ever it is the stats speak for themselves. The poor form of Belgium which played 6 players in their first game and 5 in the second is another pointer.
Summary
- Priortise investment in strikers and midfielders.
- Spread your players but remember my article on countries and don’t get caught short for transfer window 2.
- Be wary of premier league players
Next I’ll move on to the best players by position
follow us on twitter @fantasyfoot20 or www.facebook.com/fantasyfootballgeek
Our website is free. If you find it useful please support us via the donate button on the website
Sun Dream Team World Cup transfer window
Sun Dream Team World Cup transfer window