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FPL THREAD:
Do 'premium' forwards from outside the Premier League hit the ground running in their 1st season in FPL?
In this thread, I will look at recent star forwards (not midfielders) which excludes Salah, Di Maria, Pepe, etc.
Let's dive* in.
*Klinsmann likes this.
Do 'premium' forwards from outside the Premier League hit the ground running in their 1st season in FPL?
In this thread, I will look at recent star forwards (not midfielders) which excludes Salah, Di Maria, Pepe, etc.
Let's dive* in.
*Klinsmann likes this.
First, due to the meteoric rise of transfer fees in football over the last decade, my definition for 'premium' forward will be 1) FPL price of 9M+ and/or 2) global name recognition. So Joelinton / Haller / Moise Kean, etc. are excluded from this 'premium' player analysis.
Gonzalo Higuain (9.5M).
Came in on a January 2019 loan from Juventus at a late stage in his career.
Scored 5 goals in 14 league appearances, including a brace against Huddersfield (target those relegation threatened sides!) in a 5-0 Chelsea win.
Verdict: Neutral.
Came in on a January 2019 loan from Juventus at a late stage in his career.
Scored 5 goals in 14 league appearances, including a brace against Huddersfield (target those relegation threatened sides!) in a 5-0 Chelsea win.
Verdict: Neutral.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (10.5M).
A January 2018 mid-season signing from Dortmund, Auba hit the ground running, finishing with 87 fantasy points in 1056 minutes - a superb return. 10 goals, 4 assists, and 12 bonus points in half a season - a great return.
Verdict: Success
A January 2018 mid-season signing from Dortmund, Auba hit the ground running, finishing with 87 fantasy points in 1056 minutes - a superb return. 10 goals, 4 assists, and 12 bonus points in half a season - a great return.
Verdict: Success
Alexandre Lacazette (10.5M).
Priced at only 8.5M this season, he has faded fast but in his first season, 2017, he was effective after his big money move from Lyon. Scored on debut. 4 goals in first 6.
14 goals & 5 assists, 138 fantasy points in 2,197 minutes.
Verdict: Neutral
Priced at only 8.5M this season, he has faded fast but in his first season, 2017, he was effective after his big money move from Lyon. Scored on debut. 4 goals in first 6.
14 goals & 5 assists, 138 fantasy points in 2,197 minutes.
Verdict: Neutral
Alvaro Morata (10M).
Joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2017 and IMMEDIATELY hit the ground running. 6 goals & 2 assists in his first 6 games, including a hat trick against Stoke (17 x 2 = 34 if you're scoring at home).
Faded fast but started extremely strong.
Verdict: Neutral
Joined Chelsea from Real Madrid in 2017 and IMMEDIATELY hit the ground running. 6 goals & 2 assists in his first 6 games, including a hat trick against Stoke (17 x 2 = 34 if you're scoring at home).
Faded fast but started extremely strong.
Verdict: Neutral
Gabriel Jesus (9M).
Arrived in the January 2017 transfer window. 3 goals and 1 assist in first 2 starts - excellent. Fractured metatarsal and then returned to provide 4 goals and 3 assists in last 5 league games, excellent again.
Verdict: Success
Arrived in the January 2017 transfer window. 3 goals and 1 assist in first 2 starts - excellent. Fractured metatarsal and then returned to provide 4 goals and 3 assists in last 5 league games, excellent again.
Verdict: Success
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (11.5M).
The legend was old, but did it matter? No. Started on fire in 2016-2017 when Mourinho was happier at Old Trafford.
Justified premium price with 4 goals in first 3 matches before cooling off and then re-igniting; bonus point magnet.
Verdict: Succes
The legend was old, but did it matter? No. Started on fire in 2016-2017 when Mourinho was happier at Old Trafford.
Justified premium price with 4 goals in first 3 matches before cooling off and then re-igniting; bonus point magnet.
Verdict: Succes
CONCLUSION:
Over the last 5 years, premium forwards arriving in the Premier League have typically delivered, straight away, & there have been very few 'flops.'
That bodes well for Timo Werner (9.5M) at Chelsea.
That said, from a 'value' perspective, few last the test of time.
Over the last 5 years, premium forwards arriving in the Premier League have typically delivered, straight away, & there have been very few 'flops.'
That bodes well for Timo Werner (9.5M) at Chelsea.
That said, from a 'value' perspective, few last the test of time.
