Big, little and hard-to-pronounce names were new arrivals at Premier League teams when the summer transfer window closed nearly two weeks ago. Most did not play that weekend; however, now that players have had the international break and most have trained with their teams, what is next? Fantasy managers want to know if the new arrivals will be in starting XI's or at least get 30 minutes off the bench.
Several Premier managers face delicate decisions. The first involves a coach not known for his managerial brilliance and people skills. AVB brought in GK Lloris from France; however, Friedel was terrific in protecting the point for Spurs against Norwich City. Friedel has ten fantasy points and is priced at 6.2 million. Lloris, with the same fantasy salary, arrived with his own personal bottle of whine and immediately began bellyaching about not playing. Spurs are away at Reading in Week 4 and Sir John thinks the American deserves to be in the net.
Unless AVB does another AVB, a player who is certain to be in the first XI will be Dembele (6.4). Less certain is if Dempsey (8.2), struggling for match fitness during the USA's two matches against Jamaica will start.
Mark Hughes also has a tough choice of whom he puts in goal. Robert Green has six points; however, the Rangers are staggering on relegation skid row and Julio Cesar was brought in. Green and Cesar each have 5.5 fantasy salaries. Hughes also has defender Azpilicueta (6) and M'Bia (4.9) in his squad. The Rangers are 0-1-2 and have given up nine goals, the most in three matches of any PL team; clearly things are not working in the box.
The most unpredictable manager for fantasy squads is Mancini. Richards is still out injured, so does Mancini start newcomer (been around for ages) Maicon from Inter in his backline? Maicon has a 6.6 fantasy salary. Also ready to play is Serbian defender Nastasic (5.8) who played well alongside fellow countryman Kolarov in the WCQ matches against Scotland and Wales.
Wondering where he stands in the City pecking order is Benfica transfer Garcia. The midfielder has a 6.0 fantasy salary. A transfer not likely to play for Man City is striker Guidetti (5.3).
The pitch is not always greener on the other side of the touchline and such is the case for Yossi Benayoun. After productive years at Liverpool, Yossi has struggled with injuries, AVB, and better players at Chelsea and Arsenal. Now he returns to West Ham, the team he began his PL career with in 2005-2006. Playing time will be illusive for the hard-working midfielder who has a 5.7 fantasy salary.
Another well-travelled player is Michael Owen who has modelled kits at Liverpool, Newcastle and Man Utd. He is now with Stoke and given the pathetic attack of the Potters (3 games, 3 goals, 3 draws), Tony Pulis says Owen will not be an "impact sub". His 4.5 fantasy salary is a good bargain for managers looking to move up in their leagues.
Also hoping to play is American forward Edu (4.6) who suited up for his first weekend but was not used.
An even worse attack than Stoke's can be found at Aston Villa (3 games, 2 goals, 2 losses, 1 draw). Belgium import Benteke (5.4) is available. Perhaps the 21-year-old forward will bring the magic his fellow countrymen have shown with other teams.
A transfer from Crewe Alexandra is 22-year-old midfielder Ashley Westwood (4) who hopes to show he is ready for the big time. Of course, since Aston Villa is closer to Championship calibre than top-flight football, Westwood may still not have arrived at the apex of English football.
The team that should have T-shirts under their jersey that read "Why Us?" is Southampton. Two of their first three matches were against Man City and Man Utd and on Saturday they play Arsenal. The Saints are not a bad team and transfer Ramirez (6) will help them.
Victor Moses' storybook career is sweet non-fiction; however, one wonders how his chapter on Chelsea will read. Once the big fish in Wigan's small pond, Moses now swims with superstars and legends in the bright lights of Stamford Bridge. Moses' fantasy salary of 5.9 is relatively low but that is no help to fantasy managers if he doesn't play.
One of several players Moses is competing against for playing time is newcomer Marin (6.5), out injured for the first three matches but listed as available for Saturday's match at QPR.
Other transfers who will likely wait to be regulars are Liverpool's Yesil (5.5) and Assaidi (5.9), Arsenal's Yennaris (4.7), Man Utd's Henriguez (the 18 year old Chilean striker has no fantasy salary and is not listed), and Everton's Oviedo (4.7).
Tomorrow, I'll have the first part of two fantasy previews for the weekend.
Until then, I remain,
Yours faithfully,
Sir John