It’s that time of the year again, you know, where your mates are constantly hassling you to wire them over your fiver and get your team fantasy football team in before the Premier League gets underway – we have all been there.
It is never easy picking your team, there’s always that expensive signing that lets you down and ruins your season – we have all been there as well. Well, although I might not be able to help you win your fantasy league, I can provide you with a few recommendations on which West Ham you should have in your team this season, with the help of a few stats. After all, you have to have at least one or two Hammers in there, right?
Note: This article is based upon the official Premier League fantasy football site.
Łukasz Fabiański
Last seasons record: 157 points (third best for a ‘keeper’)
Here are his stats:
The new West Ham number one had a good season for Swansea last year, despite his former side being relegated to the Championship. Fabiański impressively tallied 157 fantasy points, the third best in the league for a goalkeeper. He played in every single Premier League game and managed to keep nine clean sheets in a struggling side, and conceded 56 goals in the process – which isn’t terrible for a bottom three team. The ‘keeper also averaged 2.76 saves a match, on average, to claim an extra few points a week for those fantasy players who selected him last year.
This season, you can pick Fabiański up for a measly 4.5m and, with a better defence in front of him, he is sure to improve upon those stats from last year, whilst also saving you a bit of money to spend on outfield players.
Issa Diop
Last seasons record: N/A
Here are his Ligue 1 stats:
This is a bit of a hunch more than anything but, I believe Diop is going to have a solid debut season at West Ham. The centre-half played 34 games last season, scoring three times and adding an assist, in what was an impressive campaign for the 21-year-old. Diop will surely be first choice for the Hammers and with Fabianski behind him, he should rack up a good few points defensively. Standing at 6′ 4″, the new boy will be extremely dangerous from set pieces; he had a record of 57.1% aerial duels won last season. He will get yellow cards, but that’s to be expected from a defender.
Again, like Fabiański, you can pick Diop up at £4.5m – potentially a real coup for your fantasy team.
Aaron Cresswell
Last seasons record: 118 points
Although Cresswell’s performances have been a bit hit and miss over the last couple of seasons, he is an exceptionally good fantasy player. As you can see, he played just about every game last season and registered seven assists, which propelled him up to being the 12th best fantasy defender in the league last season. It shouldn’t be any different for Cresswell this year as Manuel Pellegrini loves his full-backs to get forward and overlap the wingers – something he excels at.
At £5.5m, Cresswell is a bit more of an expensive option – but he will get you a sufficient amount of points on a regular basis.
Felipe Anderson
Last seasons record: N/A
Here are his Seria A stats:
For the money West Ham paid for this guy, he has to be pretty good, doesn’t he? That should be reflected in his fantasy football output this season, especially as he will be the man looking to build attacks for the Hammers and looking to create chances for his teammates. In just 21 games last season, Anderson scored four goals and laid on seven assists, which means he played a major part in a goal at least once in every two matches. Based on a per 90 metric, the Brazilian midfield maestro created 2.62 chances and played 1.94 key passes – so he is sure to have another creative campaign for the Irons. His disciplinary record is also excellent after he received no cards last season.
Anderson can be picked up at just £7m by fantasy players – which could prove to be a bargain come May next year.
Marko Arnautović
Last seasons record: 144 points (sixth best record for a forward)
Surely I don’t need to tell you too much about this guy, do I? Arnie needs no real introduction. Just in case you don’t already have him on your team, then I’m going to try and change your mind. Following a bit of a, er, tricky start to his career at West Ham, Arnie soon got himself going and is now a firm fans’ favourite. The Austrian scored 11 goals and registered six assists, in a team that really did struggle last season. Following an excellent first full pre-season at the club, the forward is looking even sharper than he did towards the end of the campaign and will be desperate to improve upon his tally last season. He is going to pick up cards, but his impact will definitely make up for that.
Incredibly, you can add Arnie into your team for just £7m. The guy is sure to score goals and create chances for his teammates this season – you would be mad to pass on him.
Well, there it is, that’s my Hammers fantasy tips for you. Now, make sure you get yourself a solid, well-thought team name and get some of this lot in your side – just don’t blame me if I’ve got this all wrong.
