Here’s my midfield options for Sun Dream Team World Cup fantasy football.
Sun Dream Team World Cup transfers – Midfield options
The importance of team structure
As I said for the defenders and goalkeepers article, picking the best players is only part of the equation here. Remember the 1st transfer window is prior to the round of 16 and the 2nd transfer window is prior to the quarter finals. Ideally you want all 11 players to survive the quarter finals but that will be difficult. However you should have that in the back of your mind for this transfer window 1 as well. See my earlier article called Sun World Cup fantasy football tips – some thoughts on the best countries for transfer window 1 to stimulate your thinking.
Midfield options table:
Here’s my table of the midfield options. I’ve put them in order of how I would pick them given no issues over team structure. The table doesn’t show the current points as I’ve tried to give data on goals as the primary determinant of points. There’s a key at the bottom of the table plus some narrative behind each player:
| Name | Country | Club | WC Goals | All Intnl Apps/Goals | WC Qualf App/Goals | Club 13/14 App/Goals/Assts | ||
| Muller (£5.0m) | Germany | Bayern Munich | 4 | 47/16 | 10/4 | 51/26/15 | ||
| Robben (£6.0m) | Holland | Bayern Munich | 3 | 73/22 | 6/3 | 45/21/17 | ||
| Rodriguez (£3.5m) | Colombia | Monaco | 3 | 21/4 | 15/2 | 38/10/14 | ||
| Gotze (£4.0m) | Germany | Bayern Munich | 1 | 27/7 | 7/4 | 45/51/13 | ||
| Oscar (£5.5m) | Brazil | Chelsea | 1 | 29/9 | N/A | 47/11/10 | ||
| Di Maria (£6.5m) | Argentina | Real Madrid | 0 | 45/9 | 11/3 | 52/11/26 | ||
| Hazard (£6.0m) | Belgium | Chelsea | 0 | 43/5 | 9/2 | 49/17/10 | ||
| Dempsey (£2.0m) | USA | Seattle | 2 | 103/36 | 14/8 | 52/13/7 | ||
| Ozil (£6.0m) | Germany | Arsenal | 0 | 53/17 | 10/8 | 42/7/14 | ||
| Valbuena (£3,5m) | France | Marseille | 1 | 31/5 | 10/1 | 41/3/8 |
Key:
WC Goals: World Cup goals scored in the Group stages
All Intl App/Goals: The total number of International appearances and goals
WC Qualf App/Goals: The appearances and goals in the World Cup 2014 qualifying games
Club 13/14 App/Goals/Assts: The appearances, goals and assists for his club in the 2013/14 season including League, European and Cup games
Muller
With Robben the midfield star of the tournament. Playing as the striker for all intents and purposes although movement of the attacking players is quite fluid. Good fixture for the round of 16 against Algeria. France next is trickier though. Will have pens.
Robben
Playing in a very advanced position and his speed on the counter has been one of the features of the WC. Tricky first fixture against the defensive Mexico but the its Greece or Costa Rica as a potential quarter final opponent.
Rodriguez
Thought of as an assist based player who might struggle with Falcao injured. However 3 goals and 3 fantastic performances have announced him at this WC. Difficult round of 16 fixture against Uruguay and then potentially Brazil in the quarters. Will have set pieces and pens
Gotze
Has competition for places so there is gametime risk. Also been played on the left rather than as a striker. Could drop out if Klose plays or if Podolski starts on the left. Benn in great form when playing though. Algeria in the round of 16 is a good fixture. France next is tricky though.
Oscar
Has been played on the flank rather than centrally as this place has been filled by Neymar. Therefore hasn’t had the chances that he usually does. Still a threat in an attacking team though and has gametime security. Chile is a tricky fixture but they aren’t the best defensive side. Colombia possibly after that is also tricky.
Di Maria
Only in the last Group game against Nigeria did he look anything like the amazing player he was for Real Madrid. Good fixtures against Switzerland and then possibly Belgium though mean he can’t be discounted
Hazard
Not been anything like the Chelsea player he has been this season. However has the talent even if he has only showed it for 10 minutes against Russia
Dempsey
Incredible performances in the first 2 games for 2 goals. Difficult game against Belgium though and if they win it will be Argentina. Seems a short term investment at best
Ozil
Has played much better than the Arsenal version even if he hasn’t scored yet. Good first fixture against Algeria as I’ve said for the other 2 but France next potentially
Valbuena
Fairly even picks in the French team between Valbuena, Matuidi and Pogba. Valbuena gets the edge for me as he has some set piece involvement and plays in the front 3. Does have some gametime risk as Griezmann and Giroud could take his place.
Thats it. Strikers tomorrow.
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Sun Dream Team World Cup transfers
Sun Dream Team World Cup transfers
