Fantasy football has returned for another season, and though it is challenging to get the perfect balance of a team right with a transfer market budget in mind, having an affordable yet dependable team can be achieved. However tempting it is to name a squad of superstars, having an all-star XI is hard to do when you have a capped transfer kitty.
Wilfried Zaha | Crystal Palace | £7m
Nine goals and seven assists last season saw Zaha finish as the Eagles’ top-scorer, and earned him various links with a move to Chelsea. The forward scored in Crystal Palace’s 2-0 win against Fulham on the opening day and was unlucky not to get a goal against Liverpool, though posed as an offensive threat at all times.
Danny Ings | Southampton | £5.5m
Ings’ injury-blighted seasons at Liverpool as well as falling down the pecking order to Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane saw him move to boyhood side Southampton on a loan deal earlier this summer, with a view to make the move permanent at the end of the season. Despite only a flurry of first-team appearances for Liverpool last year, Ings scored on his full debut for the Saints in their loss to Everton and may be a surprise success at St Mary’s this season.
James Milner | Liverpool | £5.5m
The Liverpool stalwart is a player who seems to age like a fine wine, a reliable penalty-taker and ever-dominating presence in the midfield. Liverpool have never lost a game in which the former England international has scored in, and his ability to effortlessly convert penalties and whip in crosses has made him a dependable fantasy team player.
Steve Cook | Bournemouth | £4.6m
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Cook is an integral part of the Cherries’ defense – both at maintaining clean sheets as well as having a tendency to score. The defender has already added to his goal tally this season and, at £4.6m, is a budget steal.
Ricardo Peirera | Leicester | £5.0m
The Portuguese full-back is a reliable option in the Foxes’ defensive back-four, and at £5m is an affordable coup. His debut season in the Premier League following a move from Porto has seen him provide two assists for his teammates.
Neil Etheridge | Cardiff City | £4.5m
The Cardiff goalkeeper has made an impressive start to life back in the Premier League after saving two penalties in the two opening games, and is currently the highest-rated goalkeeper ahead of Alisson – who is the only shot-stopper to have kept two clean sheets in the opening two games.