Leandro Bacuna is a 6 foot 1 inch 21 year old right footed Dutch  midfielder/winger who has transferred from Gronigen to Aston Villa for 880,000 pounds

Background

Another young player for Lamberts team.  Leandro Bacuna has played his entire career for Dutch side Gronigen from 2009/2010 debuting just after his 18th birthday to 2012/2013. He has played over 100 times for the first team in Eredivisie.  He has also played 13 times for the Dutch under 19 and under 21 team.  Gronigen finished 7th in last years Eredivisie

Bacuna has been played in may different positions since his debut.  This has been hampered by the fact that he played under 3 different managers in 4 seasons.  However the player himself sees himself as a box to box central midfielder which shows his strength of work rate, stamina and intensity but with a wicked long range shot.  He has also had some set piece duties in the form of free kicks, principally in bullet like direct free kicks.  Interestingly he is also a regular penalty taker.  Benteke at the moment takes them for Villa so its hard to see that changing but worth noting should Benteke leave.

Here’s Lamberts take on the player: “Leandro’s energy and versatility will be really good for us.

“He’s a good player, he has bags of energy and he will make an impact.”

The player himself did the usual its great to be here type statements but gave an amusing  brief and basic view of his strengths   “I’m a player who plays box-to-box, I like to run and I look to shoot.”

Stats

He also played 13 games for the Dutch under 19 and under 21 teams with 1 goal and 2 assists

Fantasy premier league perspective

Lets start with game time.  6 players have been bought in by Lambert and 6 have departed.  Combine that with the general uncertainty of selection that goes with Paul Lambert (I think he calls it rotation) and you have a situation where its very difficult to predict who is going to start the new season on opening day of fantasy premier league.

The front 3 of Lamberts 4-3-3 should be Weiman, Benteke and Agbonlahor.  Its hard to see that change.  The 3 midfielders who finished the season were Sylla, Westwood and Delph.  The 2 midfield players who’ve been added are Tonev and the man were looking at here, Bacuna.  Tonev will probably be looking to keep Agbonlahor on his toes rather than play in the midfield 3.  Bacuna however, could though fit in to one of the 3 midfield slots.  Westwood played 30 games last season and Delph 24 so they look fairly good bets to start the season.  Sylla only played 11 so Bacuna fitting in there looks possible.  Again only pre-season will tell

What about possible returns. The nature of the system is being in that midfield 3 didn’t show much in returns.  None of the 3 scored at all in 65 games although 8 assists were generated. Hardly worth stampeding to when the fantasy premier league site opens.  There are some players like Lampard and Gerrard who can play in the less advanced midfield roles but drift forward and score but they are the exception and you cant really use that example as justification to buy someone who plays in that position.  7 returns in 33 matches isn’t too bad though for Gronigen but I would be looking to players who play in the more advanced midfield positions.  The prospect of free kicks and maybe pens if Benteke leaves is intriguing.

The one good bit is that his value should be reasonable.  Most people will be looking for a 4.5m value midfielder as their 5th choice and I think its likely he will fill that value.  The problem is Lamberts selection policy of rotation and the fact that he’s a young player coming to the premier league. I would be looking for someone that I could rely on selection wise a little more for that position.

Summary

So its possible that Bacuna could get a starting role as a midfelder in the 3 behind the front 3.  That needs monitoring in pre-season.  That’s a position though  that is not a recipe for returns and would make me hesitant to select him even at the right value.  I think he will be available at the magic price of 4.5m though but for me I would be looking for a more reliable attacking selection for my 5th reserve midfielder.  I therefore cant see him in my opening day fantasy premier league team but like everyone worth monitoring in pre-season.