Sky Sports' Fantasy Football scout looks at value-for-money Premier League midfielders
Wednesday 3 August 2016 08:53, UK
In our hunt for value-for-money options in Sky Sports Fantasy Football, the scout looks for midfielders poised to defy their modest price tags.
The middle of the park is arguably the area where finding bargains is most feasible, with those in question not relying too heavily on their team's general defensive qualities nor chances being created by their teams.
Looking at last season's top scorers from the position in question, only three of the top 10 played for sides that finished in the Premier League's top five, as the likes of Mark Arnautovic and Dimitri Payet defied expectations to rack up 170 and 169 points respectively.
Here's a look at five midfielders capable of performing above their Sky Sports Fantasy Football price tags in 2016/17...
Gerard Deulofeu (£8.1m)
The Spanish winger struggled for consistency in 2015/16 before his season was prematurely cut short by a knee injury. Roberto Martinez's constant rotation saw him complete 90 minutes just five times, making 16 starts and 10 substitute appearances, but he still managed to provide eight assists and score two goals. After an impressive pre-season, where he has been deployed in a more advanced, central role by Ronald Koeman in light of Romelu Lukaku's anticipated exit, the 22-year-old is expected to make a big impression.
Dusan Tadic (£9.3m)
Southampton's attacking midfielder may not fit into the 'bargains' bracket but he does look value for money. Some might be surprised to know that Tadic, despite starting two games less, scored just one fewer and assisted the same amount of goals as Dimitri Payet, who is priced as the league's fifth most expensive midfielder at £11m. The 27-year-old Serb, who is Southampton's chief penalty taker, could have surpassed Payet's tally had he been on the pitch for more than one of the Saints' three spot kicks last term. Add that to the fact he faces less competition for places following the departures of Sadio Mane and Graziano Pelle, and he could prove to be a smart buy.
Nathan Redmond (£8.2m)
The 22-year-old winger is another player expected to profit from St Mary's departures as he looks set to go straight into Claude Puel's line-up following an £11m move from Norwich. Redmond impressed while at Carrow Road, scoring six times despite their plight, but managed a disappointing assist tally of three as the Canaries lacked the fire power up front. Cheaper than the likes of Jack Wilshere (£8.8m) and Fabian Delph (£8.4m), expect Redmond to improve on last season's respectable tally of 108 points.
Grant Leadbitter (£6.9m)
He may not be fit for the start of the season but it's well worth keeping an eye on Leadbitter at a rock-bottom price. Middlesbrough's captain and set-piece specialist consistently delivers goals and assists, scoring 21 times and setting up another 21 in the last three seasons combined. Assuming he comes back into Aitor Karanka's side following a hernia problem, expect the 30-year-old to make a mockery of his price tag as Boro bid to stay in the top flight.
Matt Phillips (£7.6m)
The £5.5m acquisition of Phillips from QPR has seen Tony Pulis bring in a player with goals and assists in his locker. The 25-year-old, who can operate on both flanks, scored eight times and set up another five last season, having laid on eight and netted three times in the Hoops' previous Premier League campaign. The Baggies will be relying on Phillips' creativity if Saido Berahino departs and his stats suggest he's capable of delivering.
