Fantasy Premier League: Top 5 players after the international break

The break is over and the Premier League is back. Now is the time to take another look at the teams in the FPL, decide on line ups and make those transfers if you haven't done so yet.

International breaks are notorious for throwing new prospects into the mix or give the stagnant ones a boost. While the ones staying back can pose an increased threat, players such as Jamie Vardy, who has taken international retirement, get a much-needed rest and generally give a good number of points.

The other end of the spectrum could be true as well with regular international players having that much more match sharpness than the others. Another point is to take a look at the potentially injured players, and there are a few high profile names this time. Both Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane are slight doubts, so is Luke Shaw, as well as recent fantasy climber Joshua King.

Here are the top five players to look out for points after the international break.

#1 Raheem Sterling

Sterling after scoring his first for England

Sterling broke his international duck by scoring a brace against Spain and will be coming back brimming with confidence. He is already a big hitter in the FPL this term, and is the second highest scoring midfielder with 50 points.

The signs definitely indicate that Sterling might just replicate his form from last season in the Premier League. He already has four goals and two assists to his name in the league, and will look to increase those numbers against Burnley this weekend, who have been shaky at the start of this term.

Coming in at £11.2, Sterling definitely isn't cheap, but if you have him in your side, consider giving him the captain's armband this game week. Maybe even over Sergio Aguero if you have both in your team.

#2 Alexandre Lacazette

The French national team is at the top of the world right now. Following their World Cup win, they beat Germany in the international break. However, one player who continues to be snubbed, despite some obvious quality, is Alexandre Lacazette.

Having been the main catalyst of the new Arsenal side that has gone on a winning streak under Unai Emery, Lacazette has scored four goals and provided four assists, taking his overall points tally to 48. There is little to suggest that the Frenchman will slow down going into the next couple of fixtures against Leicester City and Crystal Palace.

Lacazette, priced at £9.7m, has made the main striker's spot in the team his own in recent weeks, which has also made him a better bargain capture than teammate Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, whose price has fallen significantly to £10.7m, despite a good showing himself.

Expect the trend to continue if Emery doesn't shuffle with his system in the upcoming weeks.

#3 Richarlison

Best attacking option from the Everton side?

The Brazilian man was played as a striker in Everton's previous game. He ended up scoring in that game taking his tally for the season to four. If that continues to be the case in the upcoming weeks, it will give great value to the midfielder priced only at £6.8m.

With Cenk Tosun in the side not having made the impact was expected of him as of yet, Richarlison might just continue in his place. Even if this isn't the case, he still provides a great points scoring option in your squad having consistently been at the heart of the attack in a very offensive Everton side.

Everton play Crystal Palace at home in their next game. Their run of fixtures go up and down but still offer plenty of goalscoring potential. The only thing I would advise is to stay clear of their defense or goalkeeping options. Manager Marco Silva doesn't have the best of defensive record and there have been no signs of that changing this season.

#4 Benjamin Mendy

Mendy might just climb back up the table in the coming weeks.

Back from injury and back into our radar. Mendy was on fire in the initial weeks of the competition grabbing five assists in the first four games. After picking up an injury he sat out the next three games before returning with a clean sheet in the game against Liverpool.

He wasn't selected in the French international squad, and will be expected to have fully recovered, and raring to go once again. Those who have stuck by him (about 14%) might expect a clean sheet along with an attacking return this weekend as Man City host Burnley.

Mendy is currently priced at £6.2m and if he hits the ground running agaimn might rekindle the premium defenders debate where players like him, Marcos Alonso, Kieran Trippier are being slated to give greater returns than significantly higher priced midfielders and forwards.

As for Man City, they run into a mixed group of fixtures before things get smoother for them. However, with the squad depth that they possess, you'd expect their players to gain points regardless of the game.

#5 Jamie Vardy

Vardy has a good run of fixtures coming up

I have in my previous articles called out Jamie Vardy as a sleeper who will score big in the coming games. With a very favorable run of fixtures coming up, he might very well be up there in the striker's points chart.

Currently having scored three goals and assisted once, Vardy had been suspended for a few matches which hampered his FPL prospects and rendered him as a backup option. Many players seem to have picked up on that now as his price has risen this week, going back to £9m.

There is an alternate option of selecting James Maddison from midfield who comes cheaper at £7m. His longevity when it comes to regular points return is still questionable while Vardy is proven in this regard. Furthermore, Vardy, having retired from international football has been able to rest to prepare for club football. Can he get another 20 goal season? The coming two months will give a good idea.

Edited by Ben Winfield