With the Premier League's Christmas schedule well and truly underway, we look at five players to bring in for your FPL teams.
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The December-January period of the Premier League is always the most hectic time of the year. And that while is good news for fans, it’s bad news for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) players.
This is a time that will see plenty of squad rotation, so picking an FPL squad isn’t the easiest task in the world. It doesn’t help that injuries will often pile up during this time.
Nevertheless, the key is to use your free transfers wisely – with fixtures coming thick and fast, you’re not waiting a week to make changes to your team.
The other key factor is to ensure a strong bench. Obviously, your first XI will be your strongest but there need to be point-scorers on your bench too; this way, in case of any last-minute injuries, at least your points loss won’t be too severe.
There’s also the small matter of the FPL Cup getting underway after this week – but not everyone will make the cut. So picking your team assumes even more importance.
Ready for the #FPLCup? ?
The top-scoring 8,388,608 managers in Gameweek 15 will enter the first round
ℹ️ More info: https://t.co/BoensZkwgK pic.twitter.com/hk7t0ymwSM
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 3, 2021
With that in mind, we take a look at five players you absolutely should consider drafting in – both for a starting or even a bench option.
Chelsea full-back Reece James has been something of a goal-scoring revelation this season. It helps that under Thomas Tuchel, the Blues’ wing-backs are encouraged to get forward, often playing as wide midfielders. However, James getting in good positions and actually scoring goals are two very different things.
James, thankfully, has been in good at both so far this season – and that makes him a must-have defender. So far, he’s scored 4 goals and notched 4 asists in the league; he’s also kept 4 cleansheets at the heart of a very mean and stungy Chelsea defence.
Luckily for FPL managers, he’s not too expensive either; currently priced at 6.2 million pounds, he won’t be a difficult player to accomodate into the squad. Form is everything in this game and James has a lot of it right now; get him while his price is still relatively low.
The Portuguese forward has been in good goalscoring form lately and is also expected to get a long run in the team. Given Roberto Firmino is not expected back for at least a couple of weeks, expect Diogo Jota to keep his place as the leader of the Liverpool attack.
It is a role he has largely excelled at since joining the Reds last season. It helps that he is capable of finding the back of the net even when having a poor game; you don’t get FPL points for overall performance after all. And his current numbers make for good reading: 8 goals and 1 assist.
Also as far as midfielders go (he is classified as one in the game) he isn’t overly expensive; he is currently priced at 7.9 million pounds. However, maintaining his current form will almost surely see his price go up so get him while he is still affordable!
Sticking with Portuguese attackers, Bernardo Silva has been on something of a hot streak in recent games. His versatility means he gets plenty of game time, even though like most Manchester City players he is often rotated too. Still, he has been a nailed-on part of Pep Guardiola’s playing XI in recent times.
And it is easy to see why; he has been playing his part in the final third to perfection. His 5 goals and 2 assists have made him one of the most in-form midfielders in the FPL game as of now. And while it is always foolhardy to predict a Pep XI, Silva seems as sure-shot a choice as possible right now.
He is currently well-priced at 7.4 million pounds, meaning he can make a decent bench or even starting option if you have spent big money elsewhere. Either way, you could do a lot worse than keeping Bernardo in your squad.
Easily the most expensive choice here priced at 10.4 million pounds, Son Heung-min is currently finding some form after a patchy start to the season. Tottenham Hotspur were hardly the most prolific side during Nuno Espirito Santo’s short reign. However, under Antonio Conte they can expect to score more goals.
What’s more, one can be fairly confident that Son will be at the heart of most of those goals. Conte favours a three-man defence, meaning he often sets up with two forwards. Spurs are currently playing a 3-5-2, with Son one of two forwards alongside Harry Kane.
Fans will doubtless remember how well the duo dovetailed last season, and more of the same can be expected this season. Son’s overall form also makes for good reading; 5 goals and 2 assists so far this season. Not keeping him in the squad could come back to haunt you.
Most FPL managers love a good bargain buy. There’s no better feeling than spending peanuts on a player who is regularly banging in the goals, or keeping cleansheets as part of a mean defence. Emmanuel Denis falls under the former category; he has been in fine form up front for Watford.
Currently, only Jamie Vardy has scored more points so far this season. And while Vardy costs 10.7 million, Dennis will set you back almost half of that; he is currently available for 5.5 million pounds. Given his current run of form – 6 goals and 6 assists – it is better to bring him in soon.
Bargain buys can and will experience a downturn in form, so striking while the iron is hot is key. The intense schedule of the month should give someone like Dennis plenty of chances to shine – and get your squad some valuable points.
