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: ‘Analysis: Should you sell West Ham’s Felipe Anderson and buy Wolverhampton Wanderers Ruben Neves?’
Our analysis series is to assist Fantasy Premier League managers in understanding the impact of Felipe Anderson and Ruben Neves in the English top-flight.
Analysis: Should you sell West Ham’s Felipe Anderson and buy Wolverhampton Wanderers Ruben Neves?
The first week of the Premier League season is in the books. Perhaps the two biggest surprises of the opening weekend were the ineptitude of West Ham after spending over £90 million in the transfer window. The club also brought in new manager Manuel Pellegrini, who looked to have no answers to the questions possessed by Liverpool on Sunday.
The other big surprise was Wolverhampton Wanderers. The newly-promoted side put in a shift against a good Everton team. The club spent heavily in the summer, but it was one of its top stars from last season that led the way. Ruben Neves was a top performer for Wolves securing a goal and an assist.
The Wolves’ talismanic midfielder’s performance against Everton stood in stark contrast to the one turned in by West Ham’s £36m signing Felipe Anderson. Who was non-existent in West Ham’s 4-0 loss.
Sell Felipe Anderson
Anderson tallied just two Fantasy Premier League points. Over 183,000 FPL managers selected Anderson for gameweek 1, and all of those individuals finished off Sunday disappointed in their choice. Anderson regularly gave the ball away down the left-hand side of the pitch.
He spent large chunks of his time on the pitch tracking back. When he did have the ball, Anderson was far from a threat. He couldn’t outrun right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and the Brazilian’s trickery was easily dealt with by a Liverpool defence that has regularly given away goals.
At £7m in FPL, Anderson offered little in gameweek 1 to warrant a purchase for gameweek 2. West Ham will play Bournemouth at home. Despite Bournemouth defeating newly promoted Cardiff City in their first match, West Ham have the talent to beat the Cherries. It could be the type of match Anderson may shine in, but after gameweek 1, will FPL managers take that chance?
Making FPL managers even more worried about Anderson’s play should be Pellegrini’s willingness to remove him on 62 minutes. Not only did Anderson show little in the attack, but he was taken off early. Was it £36m well spent on Anderson? It didn’t look like it on Sunday.
Buy Ruben Neves
Ruben Neves has seen his FPL stock rise since Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Everton. The midfielder was fantastic and will only set managers back £5m. Wolves will play Leicester in gameweek 2 before clashing with Manchester City at the Molineux in gameweek 3.
Neves registered an 84 percent pass success rate against Everton with three shots on goal. One of which was his free-kick goal that put Wolves on terms with Everton in the first half. Not only did the 21-year-old excel on the attacking end, but he played all 90 minutes of the fixture.
Ruben Neves: next upcoming fixtures:
The Portuguese midfielder’s play and price warrants his selection for gameweek 2.