FANTASY PREMIER LEAGUE TRANSFER IMPACT – HUGO RODALLEGA TO FULHAM

Preseason

The Colombian striker Hugo Rodallega has been signed to Fulham on a three-year deal, subject to a work permit, after being released on a free transfer when his contract with Wigan ended last month.  How does that effect us fantasy premier league managers?

Background

“I’m thrilled to have signed for Fulham,” the 26 year old said. “I wanted to stay in England and I’m delighted that I now have this opportunity with Fulham.

“I would like to thank the staff and fans of Wigan Athletic for three and a half wonderful seasons there. I’m looking forward to pre-season training with the rest of the Fulham squad and starting a new chapter in my career.”

Rodallega started his career with Deportes Quindioin in 2004, before representing Colombia in the Under 20 South American Championship in 2005, setting the record for most goals scored in the tournament. He then moved to Deportivo Cali, before signing to Mexican Primera Division side Monterrey. Due to a disappointing spell, Rodallega was loaned to Atlas before in 2007 being transferred to Necaxa. He then moved to Wigan Athletic for £4.5mil, becoming the club’s all-time top striker during his first Premier League season, after struggling initially with the club.

His statistics are:

Club                 Season                        Appearances    Goals

Wigan Athletic  2009-10                            38                   10

`                              2010-11                             36                   9

2011-12                             23                    2

The Fulham manager, Martin Jol, said: “There has been a lot of interest in him from other top-flight teams in England and abroad, so to be able to add his quality to our squad is a massive boost this early in our preparations for the new campaign. He is a great addition and I think he will contribute very well to our style and philosophy here.”

Prospects

Ask any Wigan fan their favourite moment and many will say Rodallega scoring the winner at Stoke on the last day of the 2010-11 to keep Wigan up.  He’s a hero to all their fans and with NZogbia was a great cheap striker option in fantasy premier league.  However, it just all went wrong last year. 2 goals  in 23 appearances many as a sub.  He had a  goal ratio per minute that was quite astoundingly bad.  However, in terms of getting shots out, which is normally well correlated to goals, he was up there with the best.  Its just that he made Suarez look good when it came to on target percentage. This was a result of just poor shot selection and not getting in the box enough.  His in the area time was poor and both goals were scored outside the box which says it all.
However, given his 2010-11 year and fantasy premier league experience, a start at Wigan looks likely when the only competition at the moment is Petric. My feeling is that he will play either in a 2 with Petric and Dempsey moved to the flank or with Dempsey as a pair. I put Fulham about mid way in terms of ease with the first 6 fantasy premier league fixtures.  A very good opening game home to Norwich is followed by a difficult one away to Man U.  Then there are 3 good fantasy premier league fixtures including away to West Ham and Wigan plus Home to WBA before a difficult game at Home to Man City.
In summary then, I’m putting Rodellga with Dempsey up front for Fulham line up in my fantasy premier league line up section but as with many new transfers, only pre season can shed any light. At the moment it looks unlikely he will be in my fantasy premier league line up though.
So stay with us here on fantasy football geek for your fantasy premier league season

 

 

Sources: Wikipedia, The Guardian, BBC Sport.

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