AFC Bournemouth
Last-minute transfers, late captain changes and making the most of those all-important chips – we’ve certainly missed the weekly dilemmas of Fantasy Premier League!
After three months, the return of the Premier League is almost here and with that brings the resumption of FPL.
There’s plenty to get excited about ahead of the game’s return, with a number of changes outlined as the season gets going again.
Users will have unlimited free transfers ahead of the first gameweek, without needing to play a wildcard, while any chips which hadn’t previously been used will still be valid for the remaining nine matches.
Additionally, prices of players are locked in ahead of the first deadline, which kicks-off with a double gameweek for four teams, so it’s vital to choose wisely.
With all that in mind, our in-house FPL expert picks out one Cherries player per position that could help fire you up the league, with several players looking to add to their already-impressive points tally on the game and others ready to hit the ground running after a long spell on the sidelines.
GOALKEEPER: Aaron Ramsdale
The young ‘keeper has had a superb breakthrough season in the Premier League for Eddie Howe’s side, playing in all but one of our 29 top-flight fixtures so far.
This hasn’t gone unnoticed among FPL managers, with him being selected by 3.6% of users on the game.
For just £4.5 million, Ramsdale is also the highest-scoring Bournemouth player of the 2019/20 campaign, totalling 96 points for his efforts between the sticks.
It’s also worth mentioning that the 22-year-old has scored bonus points on five occasions, as well as hitting double figures twice, perhaps not a surprise as he has made the third highest number of saves (103) out of any ‘keeper in the league this season.
Finally, we couldn’t mention the shot-stopper without touching on his assist for Callum Wilson against Southampton back in September. A long kick up-field set up the England forward for our third goal at St Mary’s, the ‘keeper consequently proving what he’s capable of at the other end of the pitch!
DEFENDER: Nathan Ake
At just £4.8 million, Nathan Ake is one of our most popular players on FPL, being selected by 6.5% of users.
He’s bagged himself two goals from defence already, netting against Southampton and a vital second at home to Aston Villa in February.
The defender is always in the box for corners and free-kicks, looking to get his head on the end of anything, something that certainly paid off last season as he ended the campaign with four Premier League goals to his name.
Up the other end of the pitch, Ake is equally as committed to keeping clean sheets as he is to finding the target and has made 124 clearances, 31 interceptions and 22 tackles across the season so far.
He’ll be looking to add to his 67 points so far and match the 120 he ended on this time last year.
MIDFIELDER: David Brooks
David Brooks will be itching to get back out on the pitch after being sidelined for all 29 games of the campaign so far. The Wales international suffered an ankle injury in our pre-season friendly away at Brenford last summer and has yet to make his return in red and black.
However, fans will be encouraged by photos and footage of the winger back in training, working hard alongside his teammates as we look to get going again.
Due to his lengthy spell out of the side with injury, his return may well go under the radar to start with, as users opt to stay loyal to those who have already brought in the points for their side this season.
Nevertheless, his seven goals and six assists from the last campaign should not go unnoticed, as Brooks scored an impressive 123 points in FPL during his debut Premier League season.
On seven occasions, he bagged bonus points, while he also featured in every game that he was deemed fit for, totalling 30 top-flight appearances across 2018/19.
Priced at £6.2 million, he’s worth considering!
STRIKER: Callum Wilson
Our second-highest points scorer this season, Callum Wilson, has already notched up 95 points in FPL largely thanks to his eight goals in 2019/20 so far.
He kick-started the campaign by either assisting or scoring in the opening seven games, one of only three players across the Premier League, alongside Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Sergio Aguero, to do so.
It’s also worth mentioning his form prior to the break, as he found the target three times in the last six league games, including once at Anfield, subsequently picking up bonus points on each occasion for his efforts.
He may be priced at £7.4 million, but strikers come at a cost, and, considering he’s featured in all but one of the club’s league fixtures this season, he’s got a good chance of being on the pitch for much of the action when football returns.
