Ah, the midfield. Here’s where things just kind of get extremely nutty for your team. While I like to think of the defenders as the back bone of the team, this is where you’ll likely make or break your fantasy standing. These are the players who will get the bonus points, get assists and goals and while defenders may have a whale of game from time to time, you’re much more likely for a midfield player to bring in the lion’s share of points on any given week.
For the past few years the choice in midfield is the same choice that has trouble every England manager. Do you go with Lampard or Gerrard, or better yet, how do you get them to work together if you choose to forgo an expensive striker. The trouble with them this year is that they’re both coming off pretty dismal World Cup performances although Gerrard notched a goal in the first game and Lampard is now the poster boy for video replay. Lampard is still coming off one of his best seasons last year and was far and away the best midfield choice. There’s little to think he won’t repeat that performance again this season. Gerrard was in and out of the side with injuries and while Liverpool has a pretty miserable go of it last time out, things might just be turning over there.
On the flip side, you have Cesc Fabregas. He was second in points only to Lampard (who tends to be given random bonus points throughout the season by the Premier League Fantasy Game) and is coming of an impressive World Cup. I always found it amazing that he was a Spanish substitute, but each time he came on he was inches from scoring within minutes of his inclusion. The ever more common “will he, won’t he” saga of a summer transfer may be a distraction now but as soon as the whistle blows I think he’s a classy enough player to be on top of the tables again.
If you can get two of these three players, you’re guaranteed points. I tend to think of them as much better investments than expensive strikers who can be feast of famine and you don’t want to sink twelve or thirteen points in a player bringing in 2 points every week for simply being on the pitch for more than 60 minutes. The real deciding factor is who will have the easier start to the season and that is by far Chelsea (West Brom, Wigan, Stoke) while Arsenal and Liverpool meet up on day one. Arsenal then follow up with games against Blackpool and Blackburn while Liverpool go up against Man City then West Brom. So use that to help you choose who to invest in.
The one caveat is that Chelsea has so many damned players that when they play weaker sides, they’re just as likely to rest half of the team you’ve chosen. Frustrating, if you’ve got someone like Flourent Malouda or Michael Essien who are likely to be in and out of the side depending on how things are going and who Chelsea is playing, but Lampard is the most likely to retain his place regardless of the opponent.
After the expensive three, there is just a plethora of good value midfield players. Honestly, you’re spoiled for choice and I feel almost foolish trying to pick out a few that you aren’t likely to already choose. On the other side, there are just so many damned players, how do you choose? Especially with the summer signings?
Since I’m on Chelsea right now where you could easily see players like Malouda or Essien on the bench, their new signing Yossi Benayoun is a player I’m almost always considering for my side. When he’s on the pitch he’s almost always likely to find the back of the net. The trouble is, he’d almost always be coming off the bench at Liverpool and I have no idea how he’ll be used at Chelsea. For me, he’s a wait and see type of player. If he’s in the side regularly, I’ll take him. Then again, will you miss out on a lot of points in Ancelloti decides to give him a solid run at the start of the season against weaker sides?
And on the flip side, how will Joe Cole fare in Liverpool? I always like his play on the ball, and he’s never someone to just sit back and let the game wash over him, so he could be a great choice if you’re a bit short on getting one or two of the top three.
Last season was James Milner’s break out year – by far the best value for money in midfield. I’d say he’s another player to certainly consider but his transfer saga seems more likely to be akin to Gareth Barry’s in that it seems much more acrimonious than the Fabregas saga. When Barry went to Manchester City, his form took a considerable dip in the fantasy tables compared to the year before and I’d be wary on Milner doing the same. Particularly since Man City seems to have so many first choice players sitting on the substitute’s bench. Still, if he’s still with Aston Villa he’d be worth the choice with an opening game against West Ham who don’t look particularly different from last season’s weak sauce.
Man City has the same problem for me as Chelsea. They have so many damned quality players that choosing the starters before the season is a mind melting nightmare. They're likely to stick with their known quantities like Gareth Barry. After that I have no clue who might start. Shaun Wright-Phillips can break open a game if he sees the pitch, Stephen Ireland has had some great runs throughout the last two seasons but seems to be on the outs, David Silva was just brought in but will he suffer the same fate as Nigel De Jong and be a sub? Just close your eyes and choose a player since that seems to be their selection policy, and really, can you blame them?
In the 8-9 price range, I’d be choosing between Mikel Arteta and Tim Cahill of Everton. Injury played a part in their last season but they both ended with respectable tallies and I can’t see any reason they wouldn’t do so again. Andrey Arshavin at Arsenal can always notch a few for you as well, but I’ve had nothing but bad luck in selecting him and while I try not to be superstitious I find whenever I have him in my team his form dips so I drop him and BANG he gets a brace.
For players in the 6-7 price range I’ve tended to stick with players like Clint Dempsey, Aaron Lennon, or either of the Spurs Croatian midfield players, Niko Kranjcar or Luka Modric. I’ve found that Lennon will have big bursts of top form, usually at the start of the season and then will have long lulls either through injury or just natural progression. If you have him don’t dump him after one game, but don’t wait more than three if he’s not performing. Wait and see if he’s picking up the pace before bringing him back into your side. Last season also saw Ryan Giggs prove that he’s really an ageless wonder as he started strong and just wouldn’t stop getting fantasy league points. Man United was an enigma in midfield last year and I can’t see them being overly different this season. The old war horses Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes both had great runs, and while Antonio Valencia lead them in points, I’d say Darren Fletcher was the better value for your team.
Now for the padding and subs. If you’re looking for decent players in the 6 points or less category that are guaranteed to be playing and likely to get goals and assists, then look outside of the bigger teams. Matthew Etherington at Stoke, Charles N’Zogbia at Wigan are obvious choices. But you should also consider players like Lee Chung-Yong at Bolton who had a terrific end of the season and World Cup performance. Gareth Bale is also listed as a midfield player now after being listed as a defender last season so while his point total is likely deceiving he was pretty damned impressive during the run down last year. David Dunn at Blakburn and Scott Parker at West Ham are also both quality players that will always be giving their most and playing every game they are fit for.
For your bench players you still want guys who are likely to be in the lineup, so going with known quantities could be preferable to picking any of the promoted sides, but for 5 or 4.5 price this is a place to just have fun with your roster. Barry Ferguson of Birmingham is likely to get a hell of a lot more time on the field than someone like Nigel De Jong at Man City, and his point total last year proves it. Blackpool is a pretty unknown quantity to me, but I hear Jason Euell is a young player with quality. Whether or not that transfers into Premiership performances could be interesting to find out and lucrative for your bottom line if it works out. Any of the Newcastle midfield would be decent choices for your bench since they’re all cheap and most are likely to see some action. Jonas Gutierrez simply doesn’t stop running when he’s on the pitch, but Kevin Nolan is a likelier threat on goal. Wayne Routledge is meant to be the next young exciting player to land there. Graham Dorrans and Chris Brunt were tops at West Brom last season so are going to be on the pitch this year in the Premiership and when you’re filling your roster, should be worth a consideration.
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