In a new series of articles, FantasySports.co.uk will analyse the likely formation and performance impact that players would have on some of the Premier League’s greatest clubs. Today, we ask the question: ‘How would Lyon player Nabil Fekir fit in at Liverpool?’
Our analysis series is to assist Fantasy Premier League managers in understanding the impact Nabil Fekir could have next season in the English top-flight.
How would Lyon player Nabil Fekir fit in at Liverpool?
The 24-year-old attacking midfielder has appeared 28 times for Lyon in France’s Ligue 1. Fekir has started 26 times for the team and has been an ever-present player. The Frenchman has scored 17 goals for Lyon, which leads the team. Sixth in scoring in Ligue 1, Fekir has scored 21% on the team’s goals. His 17 strikes would put him second in Liverpool’s squad right behind Mohamed Salah.
Although a fantasy football top-choice thanks to his scoring and seven assists (24 goals and assists combined), Fekir’s discipline has been an issue. The attacking midfielder has received eight yellow cards, which is high for an attacking midfielder. It would put him second on Liverpool’s current team behind Emre Can.
Fekir has played 31 times in all competitions as a No. 10 behind Lyon’s leading strikers. There, he has tallied 18 of 20 goals in all competitions along with six assists. Thrust into the Liverpool squad, Fekir wouldn’t be offered the opportunity to play his current position at Lyon. The French team play a 4-2-3-1 or a 4-3-1-2 with Fekir as a No. 10.
Jurgen Klopp plays with a three man front line and doesn’t play with a No. 10 behind Roberto Firmino. Klopp’s formation and preferences would most likely push Fekir out to the wing in a front three or into a midfield three. Fekir has been productive in those positions at Lyon this term despite playing in them sparingly.
According to WhoScored.com, Fekir has accumulated just two combined games as a central midfielder or on the right side of a front three. In those appearances, he has scored twice proving the Frenchman is extremely versatile. Having a versatile attacking player is extremely important to Klopp.
This season has seen Klopp use right sided midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in ways he had never before been played at Arsenal. His versatility has shown Oxlade-Chamberlain is a top player. Moreover, Klopp has used Adam Lallana in a variety of ways and Fekir would fit into Liverpool’s team in similar ways.
Fekir could fit into Liverpool as a No. 9 rather than an attacking midfielder. At one time, Klopp was thought crazy for making Firmino the club’s main striker. However, the Brazilian has proven he is one of the best No. 9s in the Premier League and fantasy managers have reaped massive rewards. Going into the last weekend of the Premier League season, Firmino is seventh in FPL points. The Brazilian has tallied 179 points.
Based on performance and the way in which Fekir has been deployed at Lyon, he would fit in great to the Premier League and fantasy managers would score big.