5 of the best value players for FF

With Fantasy Football an established way for people to enjoy football for almost 20 years now, SBC has set up its own community league here. Sam Cooke gives some advice to would-be managers who are interested in joining the fun on where the value is hidden.

1) Bojan, Stoke City (£5.5m)

How Bojan has found himself at the Britannia is one of the summer’s biggest mysteries. This is a player who made his Barcelona debut at 17 years old, therein breaking Messi’s record as youngest Barca player in La Liga. He has also strutted his stuff at Roma, Milan and Ajax but at 23 has been deemed to requirements at Nou Camp, much to Mark Hughes’ delight.

Of course there’s the risk he will not, or take time to, adjust to the Premier League but with his talent, at this price, it seems worth a gamble. To add to the Bojan argument Stoke have a reasonable opening set of games this season with Villa, Hull, Leicester and QPR all coming in the first six games.

2) Steve Sidwell, Stoke City (£5.5m)

One of few stand out performers for relegated Fulham last season, experienced midfielder Steve Sidwell now finds himself plying his trade for a superior Stoke side. He scored 7 goals last season, and amassed 3232 minutes of playing time, this was the fourth most of any midfielder in the league. A solid pick.

3) Ron Vlaar, Aston Villa (£4.5m)

Villa captain and a Dutch international who was ever present as his country made the World Cup semi-finals, eventually beating hosts Brazil 3-0 to finish third. Vlaar is priced at just £4.5m and looks a coup. He’s knows the league after two years the club, and he’ll be Villa’s rock this season as Lambert prays he can hold onto his skipper.

4) Joel Ward, Crystal Palace (£5m)

If Ward can continue his latter season progress under Pullis he will surely be snapped up by another club come January. Pullis led his side to 11th in the table, a fantastic achievement earned by some hard fought victories of which Ward was the defensive star.

5) Joel Campbell, Arsenal (£5.5m)

The Costa Rican international has impressed in pre-season just as he did at the World Cup. Priced at £5.5m, this could be a bargain should this prove to be his breakthrough season as many are suggesting. He’s lively, exciting and Wenger is a fan: ‘He has a good balance between individual skill and collective attitude – that’s not easy to find.”

The boss also confirmed that the forward is in his plans for this season.

Others…

There’s generally a bargain to be had perusing the newly promoted sides and this season’s no different. Should Charlie Austin bring his Championship form to the Premier League he’ll be fantastic value at £6m whilst Danny Ings is a good bet for the same price. Ings, and Burnley, will be hoping for the quick return of Sam Vokes in the hope that they can rekindle their sublime partnership of last year.

Ben Davies, formerly of Swansea and now at Spurs also seems very fairly priced at £5m, as does Steven Caulker, now at QPR, for the same fee.

Finally in a depleted Southampton side, the creative James Ward-Prowse should find himself some more game time. At £5m he has the potential to be a very worthwhile addition to Fantasy Football squads as the 19 year old aims to be the latest academy talent to make a name for himself.

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