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Name: Names are a Clichy
Transfer Budget remaining: £0.5 million
Goalkeeper: Victor Valdes (Middlesbrough) vs Stoke City (H)
The Spaniard joins the Premier League newbies for what could be a super season for Middlesbrough with the likes of Negredo and Fischer joining the club. Middlesbrough's opening fixtures include matches against Stoke, Sunderland, Crystal Palace and West Brom, Valdes will have a strong opportunity to obtain a clean sheet in each of these matches which is worth 5 vital points. Furthermore being a goalkeeper for a 'lesser' side usually entails more shots on goal which hopefully for Middlesbrough fans means more saves for Valdes! (Every 3 saves = 1 point)
Defender: Danny Simpson (Leicester City) vs Hull City (A)
Whether Leicester can maintain their title winning form remains to be seen, especially given the odds that a Leicester relegation is more likely than retaining the Champions trophy. However one thing that is fairly certain (at this moment in time) is that the 29 year old will continue as Leicester's right back come next season. Matches against Hull,Swansea and Burnley in the opening 5 games provide Simpson with a chance to score points at either end of the pitch. At £5.0 million in game he is cheaper than left back Fuchs and on par which centre backs/rocks Morgan and Huth.
Defender: Federico Fernandez (Swansea City) vs Burnley (A)
For £4.5 million Fernandez is a steal in defence in a Swansea side with a strong focus at the back thanks to the likes of Ashley Williams and Neil Taylor who proved their capabilities at keeping the shop shut at the Euros for Wales. Excluding Gray Burnley have very minimal goal threat by consequence I think the Swansea back line will be disappointed to concede against the newly promoted side. A home match vs Crystal Palace is also a promising prospect for points on the board.
Defender: Gael Clichy (Manchester City) vs Sunderland (H)
Clichy is likely to be selected ahead of Kolarov for the left back spot, however Mangala is also an option in the Sky Blues back line given Kompany's injury doubts. Clichy will be hoping the likes of Aguero, Nolito and De Bruyne away can put away some of his dangerous crosses and accurate pull backs to put some points to his name and improve on the 1 assist he achieved last season. Given my team name 'Names are a Clichy' it seemed rude not to include the Frenchman in my initial squad, whether he stays is another question...
Defender: Gareth Mcauley (West Brom) vs Crystal Palace (A)
The Northern Irish defender may slip under the radar in spite of his consistent performances however a £4.5 million price tag for a nailed down starter in a defensive minded West Brom team is certainly a shout. Furthermore Pulis incorporates a strong focus on set pieces, don't be surprised to see Mcauley on the scoresheet.
Defender: Eric Bailly (Manchester United) vs Bournemouth (A)
Mourinho's first signing is a guaranteed starter at CB alongside Chris Smalling in a startingly expensive Manchester United team given his £30 million value. Bailly is somewhat a powerhouse, with Smalling, Shaw and the remarkable De Gea by his side expect clean sheets a plenty this season at Old Trafford. Bailly is slightly cheaper than his counterpart Smalling at £5.5 million in game, all the more reason to select the 22 year old!
Midfielder: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) vs Sunderland (H) CAPTAIN
The Belgium is perhaps the most creative talent in the Premier League alongside Arsenal's Ozil, however I opted for the 25 year old ahead of the German playmaker given his greater goal threat. De Bruyne registered 7 goals last season with 2000 minutes to his name last season. On the other hand Ozil marked 6 times, once less than the Belgium in spite of playing 1000 more minutes! De Bruyne is £10.5 million in game, making him the 2nd most expensive player, however I believe with Aguero just ahead De Bruyne will register assist after assist whilst his intelligent runs and fierce long shots can help acquire points for goals. No surprise he's my captain!
Midfielder: Willian (Chelsea) vs West Ham United (H)
Willian was undoubtedly Chelsea's top player in an otherwise embarrassing last season, Blues fans will be hoping the Brazillian maintains his sparkling skills and wicked delivery. The 27 year old is reaching the peak of his career and will be hoping to improve on the 15 goals and assists last season, especially given Batshuayi will provide a powerful target man. However if Conte deploys a 3-5-2 then Willian's defensive duties may restrict his influence further forwards...
Midfielder: Jordan Ayew (Swansea City) vs Burnley (A)
Swansea boss Guidolin has hopes of deploying Ayew as a lone striker for the Welsh club despite this he is listed as a midfielder in the FPL. To take advantage of this the Ghana man makes my squad given his greater chance of hitting the back of the net when further forwards. In addition Ayew is great in the air and is supported by the creative likes of Sigurdsson, Montero and Routledge. I would be surprised if Ayew fails to mark against either Burnley or Hull, then again newly promoted sides often start leagues with cagey and defensive set ups which could ultimately reduce the 26 year old's influence.
Forward: Michy Batshuayi (Chelsea) vs West Ham United (H)
The Belgium man has a lot to prove in London thanks to his astonishing £32 million price tag. The midfield talents of Willian and Hazard should certainly help him on the road to goals as well as the competition for a starting place with Costa. 17 goals last season suggest that the 22 year old is clinical, however all too often the Ligue 1 standard is substantially less than that of the Premier League (Sakho of Liverpool struggled after arriving from PSG).
Forward: Shane Long (Southampton) vs Watford (H) VICE CAPTAIN
Long's deadly combination of sheer pace and endless desire make him a defender's nightmare, especially when coupled with his aerial ability and untraceable movement. At £6.5 million in game, Long is a great budget forward, he is pretty certain to start up front for the Saints, whether it be as a lone man or perhaps alongside Austin. Watford, Sunderland and Swansea are all potential victories for the Red and Whites, all of which the Republic of Ireland striker will hope to leave his mark.
Substitutes
Goalkeeper: Kaspar Schmeichel (Leicester) vs Hull (A)
Leicester excelled in both defence and attack last season, Schmeichel will be hoping that Leicester better their loss record of 3 last season, 2 vs Arsenal and a single vs Liverpool. Schmeichel made a total of 100 saves last season which equates to 33 points for saves alone. Those with the £5.0 million in game keeper will be hoping that he performs despite being cheaper than the likes of De Gea, Courtois and Hart.
Midfielder: Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool) vs Arsenal (A)
Coutinho's long shots make him a pivotal player however he doesn't make the starting XI given the difficulty to score away at the Emirates in what will most likely be a cagey affair. Then again Coutinho will be a hot prospect against the likes of Burnley in Liverpool's second match of the season. The Brazillian CAM is in fact cheaper than the likes of Mane and Sturridge who are Liverpool's alternative goal threats.
Midfielder: Nathan Redmond (Southampton) vs Watford (H)
At £6 million Redmond is significantly cheaper than the likes of Tadic, Rodriguez, Austin and Long who also feature in the Southampton set up. Redmond proved his worth last season with 10 goals and assists despite over half his appearances coming off the bench. Redmond's pace and trickery are key and he is sure to provide an admirable replacement for Mane, his delivery is one step better, especially with the likes of Long and Austin in the mix.
Forward: Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) vs Arsenal (A)
I expect Sturridge to have his best season yet in a Reds shirt and to finish as Liverpool's top scorer, this confidence bestowed in Sturridge may however be thwarted by the Merseyside Red's fixtures against Arsenal, Tottenham, Leicester and Chelsea in the first 5 games. All the same the 26 year old often performs in the big games (England vs Wales, Liverpool vs Sevilla) and I expect him to rack up the points.
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