Sunderland face the new season without two of their three most creative play-makers from a season ago. With seven players leaving in July, and just Cuellar joining, they have been remarkably quiet in August — not a single new addition to O’Neill’s squad.
The most important name is the one who’s missing.
11 clean sheets in 2571′, 91 saves. If Mignolet is given the chance to play every week he would be a decent back-up ‘keeper at an inexpensive price. His £5m, if coupled with another ‘keeper similarly priced, is a well in line with the combination of owning a top ‘keeper and basement option. We mention this because, following GW 8 match against Newcastle, Sunderland face a stretch of seven matches where clean sheets should be considered a realistic possibility. We like Mignolet as a back-up or rotation through GW8, but he could stake a claim to be your Fantasy Premier League starter during those weeks, freeing up extra salary to invest elsewhere.
The same can be said for the Black Cats defense. Barnsley, O’Shea and Brown — all priced £5m — could be bought at that point as well. Carlos Cuellar is priced only £4.5m, based on that price he could be invested in now with the hope that he can be used in rotation GW 2, 3, 5, and 6.
Stephane Sessegnon’s injury has become a worry for Martin O’Neill. As of 9 Aug:
Last season’s Player of the Season has not featured at all for Sunderland during pre-season after being given extra leave during the summer following his participation in Benin’s African Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Although O’Neill believes Sessegnon needed a break at the end of last season after appearing in all but three of Sunderland’s games, the Black Cats boss admits the 28-year-old’s preparations are hardly ideal.
Sessegnon is the pick of the litter at the Stadium of Light and, without him fully healthy, we’re not counting on much success. Priced £8.0m, his selection sits at 5.6% in Fantasy Premier League as of writing. 7 goals, 12 assist made for a spectacular season in 2011-12. He led the club with 72 chances created. Only Seb Larsson remains of the the Black Cats top three creative options — Bendtner (34) is currently returned to Arsenal. The midfield will likely rely heavily on James McClean — 28 chances created a season ago — and the forward line will be temporarily bolstered by a healthy duo: Frazier Campbell and Connor Wickham. We like Larsson, even at his current price, though the lack of support will require patience on the part of his fantasy premier league owners. Ji could play out of position, for fantasy premier league purposes, in the Sessegnon attacking midfield role. Ji is rated a £4.5m forward. None of these options is attractive for what they will return, but each is attractive for rotation against weaker opposition and provide value at their discount prices. At £4.5 we would invest in Ji for GW 2 and 3, but be quick to transfer him out for better options in the difficult weeks.
A season ago Wickham had a single goal on 15 shots, just four were on target. Campbell also scored once, his goal came from nine shots, three on target. All stats from EPL Index.com. Neither should be owned to start, certainly away to Arsenal isn’t a favourable match-up. We’re watching to see when, or if, Sessegnon makes him return and will hold-off on other investment until GW 2, or Sessegnon’s return.
Buying: Cuellar, Larsson, McClean, Ji
Scouting: Mignolet, Barnsley, O’Shea, Brown, Sessegnon, Wickham, Campell
Selling: Westwood, Colback, Elmohamady
Indifferent: Richardson. We want to like him, we want to find something in the numbers that points to a breakout season. We can not. Do with him what you will. Priced £5.5m in Fantasy Premier League – we’re not buying, or selling, and there is nothing more to scout. He will deliver 3 goals, 4 assists and 20 matches where you earn 3-5 FPL points.
18 Aug 15:00 |
Gameweek 1 |
Arsenal (A) |
25 Aug 15:00 |
Gameweek 2 |
Reading (H) |
01 Sep 15:00 |
Gameweek 3 |
Swansea (A) |
15 Sep 17:30 |
Gameweek 4 |
Liverpool (H) |
22 Sep 15:00 |
Gameweek 5 |
West Ham (A) |
29 Sep 15:00 |
Gameweek 6 |
Wigan (H) |
06 Oct 12:45 |
Gameweek 7 |
Man City (A) |
21 Oct 13:30 |
Gameweek 8 |
Newcastle (H) |