Here’s Alexis with his feature article on 5 potential imports to the EPL with big points potential
Five (Potential) Imports to the EPL with Big Points Potential
As we wrap up the end of the domestic season, thoughts of clubs and fans are turning to the process of improving their teams for next season. Of course, the period when the transfer window is opens comes with a lot of ‘waffle’, as the media fires out rumour after rumour of comings and goings, the majority of which prove to be untrue.
Anyway, below we are going to dip a toe into the rumour mill and pick out five potential Premier League arrivals for next season. Now, there is a big caveat here (apart from the fact they may not arrive); namely, these are players who had relative downturns in 2018/19, so fantasy football players will be looking a bit of improvement if they arrive in England for the 2019/20 season.
Alan Dzagoev
It wasn’t that long ago when Alan Dzagoev was regarded as the saviour of Russian football. The playmaker had long been linked with a big-money move west, but his star has fallen in recent seasons at CSKA Moscow. Much of it is down to injury, but the 28-year-old is still young enough to get his career back on track. He has yet to score or assist this season for CSKA Moscow, but Dzagoev used to chip regularly in with double figures for the latter. If fit, he could be a shrewd signing for a Premier League club and fantasy football team alike.
Paulo Dybala
At the time of writing, the biggest rumour in football is that Paulo Dybala is in talks with Manchester United. The Argentine has struggled for goals in Serie A this term, netting just five, a big drop off from his haul of 22 in 2017/18. It’s not clear if he would want to go to United given their struggles at the moment, but the classy Dybala would surely thrive in the Premier League and earn plenty of points for his club and fantasy football team.
Gareth Bale
Some football betting sites believe this rumour has plenty of legs, with 888sport citing 2/1 the Welshman joins Manchester United and 5/1 he returns to Spurs. Bale is almost even money to stay at Madrid, so there is substance to this. Bale’s troubles at Madrid are well-publicised, and he has hit just eight league goals and provided three assists this season. It’s going to be a big summer at Madrid and it’s unclear what would happen, but surely Bale would double those tallies at least if back in the Premier League.
Mario Balotelli
Balotelli is out of contract this summer (he is currently at Marseille for those not keeping tabs on the nomadic Italian), yet the question is whether any English club will take a chance on the often-controversial star. He could be a bargain though, perhaps a wild card for the likes of West Ham, Wolves or Everton. He has scored eight goals in 12 since his short-term move to Marseille in January. At just 28-years-old there is certainly still time for Mario.
Phillippe Coutinho
The Brazilian maestro almost guaranteed a good return of goals and assists at Liverpool, almost hitting a rate of a goal every three games towards the end of his run at Anfield. Despite green shoots of late, he has had a torrid time at Barcelona. Odds of 5/2 are cited by 888sport for the Brazilian to return to Anfield with his tail between his legs this summer, 16/1 for a move to Manchester City. Either option would surely see Coutinho improve on his return of five league goals.
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