Last weekend was a watershed moment of sorts. After an opening 12 weeks where trendy spending meant thrifty spending, we have finally arrived at the point where our big bucks need to go on our strikers.
Most managers will have come to the realisation that Harry Kane is now essential material, while Sergio Aguero netted on his return to bring him right back into our gaze. The pairing isn’t quite at the level of the legendary RVP - Suarez axis back in the day, but it’s pretty close to getting to the stage where we’ll need both.
After last week’s article detailing how to pick between Kane and Aguero, this week we can finally come to the acceptance that getting them both in might well be the best tactic, particularly once we’re confident that the Man City man is back to full fitness.
So how on earth can one afford both of them? Mining money in midfield looks to be the most sensible tactic. The likes of Alexis Sanchez and Kevin de Bruyne have flattered to deceive in recent weeks and the ability to downgrade these premium-priced midfielders to mid-priced ones seems to be the common thinking, considering the points drop won’t likely be sizeable... if you pick the correct replacement.
Here are the potential targets (outside of Riyad Mahrez, of course, who should 100000% be in your team already):
Ross Barkley/Gerard Deulofeu
It would be needless to differentiate between these two considering their appeal is largely based on the continuation of Everton’s strong run of fixtures. For the rest of 2015, the Merseysiders look strong every single week.
Both players are finding returns on a consistent basis, however, last week's mammoth 19-point haul from Barkley underlines the potential he has to explode on occasion.
Does Deulofeu have the ability to perform on such a monstrous level (aside from the 13 points in the rout versus Sunderland)? That remains to be seen, but being 0.7 cheaper than his teammate, he certainly warrants serious consideration.
Manuel Lanzini
One reason why some might be put off by the Everton guys in this position is that many will have Romelu Lukaku installed up front.
For what it's worth, doubling up on the Everton attack seems totally sound for the foreseeable, but if you do want to spread the risk, Manuel Lanzini looks to be your man.
We expect to see much more from the Argentine during Payet’s absence and, with a goal in the hammering at the hands of Spurs last week, it appears that Lanzini could maintain his solid form even if the collective performance dips without the injured Frenchman.
Critically, though, Lanzini will probably be nailed on to start the majority of games, now. In seven matches where he didn’t play the full 90 minutes, he has returned just one goal. However, in his four full games this season, he’s racked up three goals and two assists.
Available at 5.4 in FPL, you absolutely have to be keeping tabs on his next few fixtures at the very least.
Yannick Bolasie
Another alternative to Everton in you midfield, Yannick Bolasie provides better fixtures than Manuel Lanzini.
Similar to Everton, Palace have negotiable set of fixtures to close the year out and if Bolasie is going to make his mark on this season, he is going to do over these next few matches.
This is very much a form-based suggestion, whereby we are still waiting for the Congolese international to do his thing. He’s only notched two goals (and worryingly, not a single assist) this season so far, that those who find the extra 0.6 to hop on board Yohan Cabaye’s penalty-taking duties, might well have the most industrious points-producer in the Palace midfield.
Joshua King
The differential.
Alarm bells were ringing when Eddie Howe told us that 4.6-priced Joshua King might become his striker of choice at Dean Court.
Not only did we sense serious value, but we suspected massive out of position potential. Lo and behold, King starts up front last week and nets the opener at Swansea.
A man owned by just 0.1% of managers with big upside. You do expect, however, that one off-day from the Norwegian would lead to the reintroduction of Glenn Murray up top. With Everton, Chelsea and Man United his next fixtures, too, it suddenly becomes an even bigger risk.
He’s the cheapest player on this list and by far the biggest differential. If you plump for the Bournemouth man, you’ve earned my respect.
Ross Barkley was the highest scorer in Gameweek 13. Picture by: Barrington Coombs / PA Wire/Press Association Images
Gameweek 14
I’ve been quite careful to back players who are up against Chelsea this season, despite their woeful form. There is always the sense that they’re one game away from a resurgence.
However, this weekend, Spurs welcome Jose’s boys to White Hart Lane and it is extremely difficult not to remember Harry Kane’s performance in this fixture last season.
He was the standout captain option last weekend and duly delivered. Don’t move that armband.
Spurs’ fixtures are pretty damn appealing after this weekend, too, and Christian Eriksen’s (8.4) pair of assists last weekend has brought him right back into view, while Toby Alderweireld (5.4) continues to play every match and get his head on the end of corners. A few white shirts in your side is important right now.
Philippe Coutinho (8.4) is probably the most appealing fantasy midfielder based on form right now. Three double figure hauls in a row make him on the top of our wishlist and plum fixture against Swansea at Anfield this weekend strengthens the case. The problem? He’s only gone and picked up a hamstring problem. Get well soon, Philippe, you’re essential this weekend if confirmed fit.
The Leicester-United match-up this week is an interesting one and quite possibly the weekend where Jamie Vardy’s scoring streak comes to halt. Don’t, for a million years, think about benching him, though. Start your Leicester attackers this week. Start your United attackers, too. There could be a flurry of goals - who the hell knows.
Marko Arnautovic is someone who has been on the fantasy radar for quite some time now without really warranting serious attention. At 6.0 and classed a midfielder, the man usually utilised as the ‘big man up front’ by Stoke, faces Sunderland this weekend and looks finely poised to add to his tally of three goals so far this season.
In defence, Stoke and Crystal Palace look the teams of choice to be targeting, while Watford’s venture to Aston Villa could mark a return to the clean sheet stakes for Quique Sanchez Flores’s side.
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