The Premier League is all set to weave its magic all over the world from tomorrow as the 2016-17 season promises to be one of the best ever following the arrival of giants of the game to England like Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba.
More than the players, this fight to reach the summit will be fought by the best managers on the globe now with the arrival of Pep Guardiola and Antonio Conte, the comeback of Jose Mourinho and the existing crop of Arsene Wenger and Jurgen Klopp has turned the league into a championship of managers.
Along with the fanfare and glitz of the league, the Fantasy Premier League returns where more than three million people test their skills to make a squad that will give them maximum points based on their players' performances in the league.
FPL has always been a popular platform since its conception and this year's edition offers to be a blockbuster one with a plethora of options available at everyone's disposal.
The midfield five are one of the most important players in an FPL team is the most used formation in it has been the 3-5-2 or the 3-4-3. There are a huge number of options available, some world class players at a high price while some hidden talents at cheap prices which can be very handy in gaining lead overall and also over your mates in your mini leagues.
Let's take a look at the ten midfielders you should look at before making your team which guarantee consistent points throughout the season :
#1 Roberto Firmino
Priced at £8.5 million, Firmino is a consistent performer for the Reds who scored 11 goals and provided 8 assists last season. His versatility is a big plus point, as he can play as a number 10 and also a striker which he will start as against Arsenal. Under Jurgen Klopp, he managed 5.8 points per game which was only bettered by Riyad Mahrez ( 6 points per game).
The Brazilan scores a goal or provides an assist every 110 mins and gave 10+ points six times last season. FIrmino is a must buy this time around. On the plus side, he has done well in big games last season as well, and looking at Liverpool’s starting fixtures, Firmino can be a useful player in your team. He is expected to play as a striker in the first game wich is an added bonus.
#2 Dele Alli
The youngster had a breakthrough season which increased his FPL price from £6 million to £8.5 million which ties him in value with Paul Pogba. Alli was a consistent performer last season, delivering a point every 14.9 minutes.
With Spurs having a not so difficult start to their campaign, Alli appears to be a must buy in the midfield. Alli was consistent in FPL last season as he delivered a goal or assist in 48% of Spurs’ games in the 2015-16 campaign. 112 mins per goal or assist makes his case to be in the fantasy team stronger.
#3 Riyad Mahrez
Last season's bargain buy has had his price shot up to £9.5 million after his stellar performances saw him lifting the league trophy with Leicester and also being crowned as the Player of the season last time around. The Algerian had the best points per minute rate as he delivered a point every 12.7 minute which is a staggering stat.
Mahrez is all set to Snub interest from Arsenal and look to continue his rich vein of form. Mahrez delivered 10+ points for a staggering 30% of matches for the Foxes last term, and as Mahrez is given the responsibility of penalties and set pieces, his chances of scoring are increased to a greater extent.
#4 Eden Hazard
After a disappointing last season, Hazard had come back to form which is evident from his Euros exploits and also his performances in the preseason games. Though he is a costly player to have at £10 million, the Belgian is looking to redeem his lost reputation and is expected to have a good season under Antonio Conte. Leaving him out of your team seems like a big risk considering his reputation.
Chelsea were equally as poor as him but still Hazard had a consistency of delivering a goal or assist in 34% of the Blues’ matches. With Chelsea’s easy fixtures after Gameweek 1, Hazard can be a choice for being the captain against the likes of Watford, Burnley, and Swansea where he is expected to score.
#5 Alexis Sanchez
The costliest midfielder in FPL priced at £11 million will look to continue his good run this campaign as he may lead the line and play as a forward with Giroud is set not to play in the first two games at least. Theo Walcott or Sanchez may play as a striker for the Gunners, and the Chilean is a better option to have as his FPL stats are better than Dele Alli or Eden Hazard.
Sanchez scores a point every 14.5 minutes and gave 10+ points in 17% of the Arsenal’s games last season. He also had a significant contribution in 47% of arsenal’s games and with no striker bought this summer, Sanchez again will be Arsenal’s best player to look forward to.
#6 Anthony Martial
Martial is listed as a midfielder this season which is good news as the Frenchman guarantees points playing from his favoured left wing. At £9.5 million, Martial is a good option as with Ibrahimovic ahead, he can provide assists for the Swede and can score some goals too in the coming gameweeks.
With point every 18.7 minutes, Martial is a must have if you are looking for Man United midfielder. With starting games against Bournemouth, Southampton, and Hull, Martial is a favourite to garner points. With a consistency of a goal or assist in 33% last season in all of United games, Martial is going to be an important player for the Red Devils.
#7 Nathan Redmond
At £6.0 million, Redmond can be a smart buy as the 22-year-old who was thought as a replacement for Sadio Mane has been deployed as a centre forward for the Saints by their new manager Claude Puel. Redmond is their preseason top scorer and is a fine option to have as he can score goals playing up front and also with Saints' opening games against Watford, Sunderland, and Swansea, Redmond offers a cheap yet smart way to gain points.
He was the Canaries’ best player last season which is proved by the fact that he was involved in 20% of their goals and assists last campaign. With Dusan Tadic behind and Shane Long to stretch defenses, Redmond is expected to have a decent season.
#8 Jordan Ibe
At just £5.5 million, Ibe offers yet another smart option to have as at Bournemouth, Ibe will get regular starts which he wouldn't have got at Liverpool. This seems a fine move for the 20-year-old as he is proving his worth as he scored two brilliant goals in preseason. His direct running and blistering pace can unlock defenses and at such a meagre price, Ibe can be a useful player to have in your midfield five.
Ibe didn't get many starts last season but still averaged a point every 21 mins when he played. His key passes are the highest in Cherries’ squad at the moment and after settling in well and having a stellar preseason, Ibe is expected to gain many points this time.
#9 Viktor Fischer
The former Ajax man has been signed by Middlesborough who have done a brilliant business this summer. Fischer can play as a no.10 and also on his favoured left side and at just £5.5 million, Fischer can be a viable option to have if you are spending big on other midfielders and need a feasible cheap option.
Fischer can be a success and with Alvaro Negredo upfront, Boro can surprise people with Fischer having all the qualities to be their spearhead. He was one of Eredivisie’s best player last season scoring a goal or assist every 108 mins. Fischer can be the find of this season’s FPL.
#10 Andre Ayew
Ayew has moved to West Ham for a huge fee and with Payet still not up to match fitness, he can be the creative spark for the hammers in the coming games. Ayew had a good season for the Swans and also provided a point every 17.1 minutes. At £7.5 million, Ayew is a good option as West Ham will look to score goals as they did last season and the Ghanaian may play a crucial role in that.
He provided 10+ points in 24% of Swansea’s games last season, West Ham now have a strong attacking lineup in Payet, Ayew, Feghouli, and Carroll. Ayew offers points consistently and can have a good season for his new side.
The likes of Dimitri Payet, Kevin De Bruyne, Aaron Ramsey, Mesut Ozil and Paul Pogba are not included in this list as these players missed preseason due to the Euros and will get time to settle into the team's demands. These world class players can be used in the game weeks ahead as incoming transfers.
