Fantasy football buffs will already be tinkering their teams after the first few weeks of the 2018-19 Premier League season. A number of different games can be played, including Goal’s very own version , which is up and running and available to download for free. It’s important to strike a balance when choosing your squad and it is crucial to use your budget wisely. However, midfield is one area where it usually pays to make big investments.
Best Fantasy Football Midfielders
In fantasy football, midfielders tend to be the players who score highest, given the points on offer for goals, assists and clean sheets.
It is crucial to remember that the acts of scoring and setting up goals are the most important considerations when choosing midfielder in fantasy football.
For example, N’Golo Kante may be widely viewed as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League, but his role as a defensive player does not render him a good choice in fantasy football. Wingers and playmakers are usually better options.
1. Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | £13m
Despite playing more as a forward, Mohamed Salah is classed as a midfielder for the purposes of fantasy football and it is no surprise that he is the most expensive player in the game, considering that he scored 32 goals and provided 12 assists for Liverpool last season. It will be difficult to reach the same heights again in his second season, but Salah’s quality is such that he practically guaranteed goals for the Reds last term.
2. Raheem Sterling | Man City | £11m
Pep Guardiola helped Raheem Sterling reach a career-best season in 2017-18 as he scored 18 goals and set up a further 11 as part of a fearsome Manchester City attack. That has seen his price shoot up considerably and he is now one of the most expensive players in fantasy football.
3. Eden Hazard | Chelsea | £10.5m
Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard is usually a safe option in fantasy football due to the role that he carries out for the Blues in the No. 10 position. In recent seasons he has occasionally performed as a second striker, but regardless of where he plays, Hazard can be counted on to produce the goods. The Belgium international scored 12 goals and created another six last term. Indeed, he regularly reaches double figures in the league.
4. Alexis Sanchez | Man United | £10.4m
With a full pre-season under his belt at Manchester United, Alexis Sanchez will be determined to hit the ground running at Old Trafford in 2018-19. The diminutive Chilean looked a shade of his former self last season, but he still managed to play a part in 19 goals (10 assists, nine goals). Sanchez has bedded in at United now and has the potential to be one of the best players in the Premier League.
5. Dele Alli | Tottenham | £9.1m
Undoubtedly one of Tottenham’s most important creative forces in the past few seasons, Dele Alli represents good value for money, coming in at below £10m. The England international is a firm favourite of Mauricio Pochettino due to the fact that he scores plenty and sets goals up too.
6. Sadio Mane | Liverpool | £9.8m
Part of Liverpool’s impressive front three last season, Sadio Mane is a strong alternative should you wish to spread your budget further. Mane was directly involved in 18 league goals last season, despite missing a portion of the campaign through injury. If he can stay injury free, the Senegal international will collect plenty of points.
7. Mesut Ozil | Arsenal | £8.4m
Mesut Ozil has endured a difficult number of seasons and his price in fantasy football has plummeted as a result. However, the former Germany international has everything you need in a fantasy football midfielder. Ozil contributed to a relatively meagre 13 goals (nine assists, four goals) last term and has a point to prove to new boss Unai Emery.