Here’s our updated FPL new players article for the weeks transfers where we give some basic stats and prospects to players new to fantasy premier league. This looks at players coming in alphabetically from Arsenal to Liverpool except for the promoted sides which I’ve dealt with separately
New FPL new players Arsenal to Liverpool – updated 27 July
This is an updated article with new players added to the last article and commentary on the existing players updated. The players are clearly identified by the NEW next to their name. I will update the article again next Friday.
This article only looks at transfers of players who haven’t played in the premier league previously. I go through the teams alphabetically from Arsenal to Liverpool. If a team hasn’t had such a transfer in then there will be no heading for them.
I’m also copying and pasting the format so the information is given in a consistent manner so excuse me if I make the occasional mistake!
I think all the information is self explanatory so there’s no key. Also after the stats of each player there’s a couple of lines on prospects
If you can’t be bothered reading the whole article there’s a “who are the key players” heading at the end.
You might also find our World Cup returners for GW1 article and our fixture ease article interesting
Arsenal
Leno GK £5.0m
26 year old German GK Leno joined Arsenal from Leverkusen for a fee of £17m. He played 33 games in 17/18 for them. He has played 233 games in the Bundesliga and 6 for the National team. His whoscored.com rating is 6.56
Personally I think Cech will hold his place for GW1 but pre-season will tell.
Lichtsteiner Def £5.0m
The 34 year old Swiss RB Lichtsteiner joined Arsenal from Juventus on a free transfer. He played 23 (4) games in 17/18 for them for 0 goals and 4 assists at a goal or assist every 856 minutes. He has played 301 games in Serie A and 103 for the Swiss national team. His whoscored rating is 6.59.
I can’t see him displacing Bellerin for GW1 but he will certainly keep Bellerin on his toes.
Sokratis Def £5.5m
The 30 year old Greek CB Sokratis joined Arsenal from Dortmund for £17.7m. He played 26 (4) games in 17/18 for them for 2 goals and 0 assists at a goal or assist every 1187 minutes. He has played 189 games in the Bundesliga and 79 for the Greek national team. His whoscored rating is a healthy 6.92.
With Koscielny injured and seemingly out long term I would be shocked if Sokratis doesn’t start. He has no price advantage over Bellerin or Monreal unfortunately. Kolasinac is the hope at £5.0m but hard to see Monreal not playing if it’s an expected back 4
Torreira Mid £5.0m
The 22 year old Uruguayan DM Torreira joined Arsenal from Sampdoria for £26.5m. He played 36 (0) games in 17/18 for them for 4 goals and 1 assist at a goal or assist every 637 minutes. He has played 71 games in Serie A and 8 for the Uruguay national team. His whoscored rating is an impressive 7.17.
World Cup exertions for Uruguay will surely be the only thing preventing him starting but not an FPL player.
Bournemouth
David Brooks Mid £5.0m
The 21 year old Welsh AM Brooks joined Bournemouth from Sheffield Utd for £11.5m. He played 9 (21) games in 17/18 for them for 3 goals and 5 assists at a goal or assist every 143 minutes. He has played 30 games in the Championship and 3 for the Welsh national team. His whoscored rating is an ordinary 6.54 especially for the Championship.
Looks one for the future and difficult to see starting in GW1
Brighton
Balogun Def £4.5m
The 30 year old Nigerian CB Balogun joined Brighton from Mainz on a free transfer. He played 14 (0) games in 17/18 for them for 0 goals and 0 assists with no goal or assist in 1175 minutes. He has played 75 games in the Bundesliga and 22 for the Nigerian national team. His whoscored rating is a ok 6.76.
Hard to say what the prospects are but he has the pedigree to seriously push Dunk and Duffy. Has now started pre-season and will be pushing Dubk and Duffy all the way.
Bernardo Def £4.5m
The 23 year old Brazilian LB Bernardo joined Brighton from Leipzig for £9m. He played 16 (3) games in 17/18 for them for 1 goal and 1 assist with a goal or assist every 674 minutes. He has played 40 games in the Bundesliga and has no experience for the Brazil national team. His whoscored rating is a healthy 6.9.
LB is a problem position for Brighton even if they do have Bong and Suttner who shared minutes. Definitely in the mix for GW1.
Jason Steele GK £4.0m
The 27 year old English GK Steele joined Brighton from Sunderland for an undisclosed fee. He played 15 (0) games in 17/18 for them. He has played 259 games in the Championship and 7 games for the England U21 team. His whoscored rating is a ok at 6.72.
Will be a back up to Matt Ryan
Andone Fwd £5.0m
The 25 year old Romanian CF Andone joined Brighton from Deportivo La Coruna for £5.3m. He played 16 (13) games in 17/18 for them for 6 goals and 3 assists with a goal or assist every 180 minutes. He has played 86 games in La Liga and 21 games for the Romanian national team. His whoscored rating is a poor 6.35.
There’s nothing very convincing about Brighton’s forwards with Glenn Murray another year older and adding this guy to it doesn’t change that. At the moment I can’t see him starting GW1
Bissouma Mid £5.0m
The 24 year old Mali international CDM Bissouma joined Brighton from Lille for £17m. He played 17 (7) games in 17/18 for them for 2 goals and 1 assist with a goal or assist every 518 minutes. He has played 13 games for the Mali national team. His whoscored rating is a good 6.97.
The Brighton formation is generally 4-2-3-1 with Stephens and Propper in the 2. I expect Bissouma to compete with Stephens as Propper is more box to box. Given the fee which is a decent amount of money it has to put Stephens on the monitor list especially as he is a popular benchwarming £4.5m mid.
NEW Alireza Jahanbakhsh Mid £7.0m
The 24 year old Iranian international RW Jahnabakhsh joined Brighton from Alkmaar for £17m. He played 33 (0) games in 17/18 for them for 21 goals and 12 assists with a goal or assist every 86 minutes which is phenomenal. He has played 112 games in the Dutch League for 39 goals and 31 assists. Has played 41 games for the Iranian national team for 4 goals. Was in the Iranian World Cup squad. His whoscored rating is an insane 8.2.
For every Luis Suarez that comes out of the Dutch league there’s a Mepmhis Depay so that’s the risk with this guy. It’s probably exacerbated by Brightons negative style of play. The stats and whoscored rating are unbelievable though. Will surely start, probably to the detriment of Knockaert. Not yet appeared in pre-season so match fitness is the doubt for GW1.
NEW Percy Tau (not in FPL yet)
The 24 year old South African international CF Tau joined Brighton from South African side the Sundowns for £3m. He played 30 (0) games in 17/18 for them for 11 goals and 15 assists with a goal or assist every 101 minutes which is excellent. He has played 65 games in the South African League. Has played 11 games for the South African national team for 5 goals. He has no whoscored rating.
I’m not sure why Brighton continue to buy ordinary strikers and don’t just pool that money for someone decent. Has a good record but how he will adjust to the PL is anyones guess. Can’t believe he has any chance of starting GW1.
Bournemouth
NEW Diego Rico Def £4.5m
The 25 year old Spaniard LB Rico joined Bournemouth from Leganes for £10.7m. He played 24 (2) games in 17/18 for them for 2 goals and 2 assists with a goal or assist every 557 minutes. He has played 51 games in La Liga. No international experience. His whoscored rating is a surprisingly good 7.13.
He is suspended for the first 3 games of La Liga but those looking to put £4.5m Charlie Daniels in their side longer term need to seriously think again. The guy had a torrid end to the season and this acquisition is no surprise. Seems a late bloomer but the surprise is his whoscored rating for a LB in such an ordinary La Liga side. Yet to see him in pre-season. Hard to know whether he will start GW1 this close to the opening day but will surely take over from Daniels at some stage. I would suggest £4.5m RB Adam Smith is the safer pick at the moment for the price
Chelsea
Jorginho mid £5.0m
The 26 year old Italian international DM/DM Jorginho joined Chelsea from Napoli for £57m. He played 32 (1) games in 17/18 for them for 2 goals and 4 assist with a goal or assist every 444 minutes. He has played 151 games in Serie A and 8 games for the Italian national team. His whoscored rating is a good 7.02.
Will surely start and command a regular place but hard to see as an FPL player given his stats above. Could make Fabregas a risk although the first pre-season game has seen them playing together
Huddersfield
Bacuna Mid £4.5m
The 20 year old Dutch CM Bacuna joined Huddersfield from Gronigen for an undisclosed fee. He played 29 (4) games in 17/18 for them for 1 goal and 5 assists with a goal or assist every 432 minutes. He has played 83 games in the Eredivise and 3 games for the Dutch U21 team. His whoscored rating is a good 6.89.
Not an FPL player with those returns. Even as a bench £4.5m there’s little point as Huddersfield have Hogg, Williams and Billing who can also fill the role. Is an injury doubt.
Durm Def £4.5m
The 26 year old German RB/RM Durm joined Huddersfield from Dortmund for an undisclosed fee. He played 10 (3) games in 16/17 for them (as he was injured the whole of 17/18) for 0 goal and 2 assists with a goal or assist every 487 minutes. He has played 64 games in the Bundesliga and 7 games for the German National team although he didn’t go to the World Cup. He has no whoscored rating.
A versatile player who could play in a more advanced role than he has been classified for in FPL. It makes little sense for Huddersfield to have 3 RBs with Smith and Hadergjonaj so perhaps he could play further up. Not seen yet in pre-season which is a bit strange.
NEW Adama Diakhaby mid £5.0m
The 22 year old French LW/CF Diakhaby joined Huddersfield from Monaco for £8m. He played 11 (11) games in 17/18 for them for 2 goals and 3 assists with a goal or assist every 170 minutes. He has played 47 games in the Ligue 1 and 4 games for the French U21 side He had a pretty ordinary whoscored rating of 6.41.
I’m a little surprised at this signing as Huddersfield already have Van La Parra and Sobhi as LWs and Mounie and Depoitre as CFs. Has started 1 game in pre-season but whether he will start GW1 at this stage is anyones guess.
Leicester
Maddison Mid £6.5m
The 21 year old English AM Maddison joined Leicester from Norwich for £24m. He played 41 (3) games in 17/18 for them for 14 goals and 8 assists with a goal or assist every 166 minutes. He has played 47 games in the Championship and 3 games for the England U21 team. His whoscored rating is a very impressive 7.43.
Played in the last 2 pre-season games. Looks talented and for Leicester £24m is a decent sum. They system that Leicester plays is 4-4-1-1 with a striker playing behind Vardy. So unless Maddison plays on the flanks then it’s hard to see a position for him. The flanks already look like they are the place of Gray and Albrighton though. Maddison seems to play more centrally as a general rule. The player behind the striker has been Okazaki and Iheanacho so whether he can displace them remains to be seen.
Pereira Def £5.0m
The 24 year old Portuguese RB Pereira joined Leicester from Porto for £17.5m. He played 25 (2) games in 17/18 for them for 2 goals and 5 assists with a goal or assist every 342 minutes. He has played 76 games in the Portuguese League and 50 games in Ligue plus 5 games for Portugal. His whoscored rating is an exceptional very impressive 7.59.
Pereira was in the Portugal World Cup squad although Cedric played the RB position. Depending on the amount of friendlies he plays I think he will get the nod over Simpson for GW1.
Late back from the World Cup after playing for Portugal. Will surely be the starting RB it’s just when. Personally I would only pay £4.5m for a Leicester defender and the only one available will be Morgan short term who will be in for Maguire. That assumes Maguire doesn’t go anywhere.
Liverpool
Fabinho Mid £6.0m
The 24 year old Brazilian CDM Fabinho joined Liverpool from Monaco for £40m. He played 34 (0) games in 17/18 for them for 7 goals and 4 assists with a goal or assist every 278 minutes. He has played 167 games in Ligue 1 and 4 games for the Brazil National team but didn’t go to the World Cup. His whoscored rating is a very impressive 7.51.
I have no doubt he will start especially as Henderson will likely miss the start of the season. The Ox is also injured and out for the season. His goal and an assist output for a CDM is reasonable and the price appropriate. If you compare him to Henderson and Wijnaldum his numbers are far superior. Other Mids at that price have similar rates of return. Can he replicate it for Liverpool and will he suffer rotation that someone like Gudmundsson for instance won’t
Keita Mid £7.5m
The 23 year old from Guinea CM Keita joined Liverpool from Leipzig for £52.8m. He played 22 (5) games in 17/18 for them for 6 goals and 5 assists with a goal or assist every 179 minutes. He has played 59 games in the Bundesliga and 29 games for the Guinea National team. His whoscored rating is an good 6.85.
Again I think it’s likely he will start in GW1 in a midfield 3. Seems expensive compared to Fabinho but his numbers are superior. His G/A output is well behind say Ramsey and Willian but consistent with say Gross. I’m a little sceptical given the price, position and the transition from the Bundesliga.
NEW Alisson GK £5.5m
The 25 year old Brazilian GK Alisson joined Liverpool from Roma for an £65m. He played 37 games in 17/18 for them conceding 28 goals but keeping 17 clean sheets. He has played 37 games in Serie A and 31 games for the Brazil national team and played all the games for Brazil in the World Cup. His whoscored rating is very good for a GK at 6.99 and was the best in Serie A.
The only thing that will prevent him starting in GW1 for Liverpool is match fitness after his rest from the World Cup. Yet to feature in preseason. Will definitely add to the Liverpool defence. Has an excellent save % stat which should help save points as well.
Who are the key players?
Probably the most obvious one is Sokratis for Arsenal although his price at £5.5m would be a negative if Kolasinac starts at LB for £5.0m although you have to think Monreal will start there. There’s also Bellerin at the same price.
£7.0m mid RW Jahanbakhsh for Brighton has a fantastic record in the Dutch league and if he starts after Iranian World Cup rest could be an option.
If you are looking at premium GKs Alisson could be an option at £5.5m for Liverpool if he is ready after the World Cup
Otherwise there are no real FPL options in this list. Balogun could push the previously uncompeted pair of Dunk and Duffy. Fabinho is a maybe but it maybe easier to look to the likes of Gudmundsson than a Liverpool CM. Maddison has promise but I would be very surprised if he starts GW1
Bissouma is a threat to the popular £4.5m mid Stephens of Brighton.
Man City to West Ham and the promoted teams are in separate articles
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