Fantasy Football: Three transfers to make for gameweek four

With fantasy football leagues beginning to take shape across the country, the time for transfers is upon us with managers now having a clear idea of who is/isn’t playing in their side and factors such as injuries and suspensions also getting involved. Whether you’re looking to extend your lead at the top of the table or looking to catch those that are in the top ranks, here’s three players to look at getting into your team for this weekend.

Team: Crystal Palace

Price: £4m

Next match: Southampton (H)

At just £4m, Crystal Palace’s young sensation Aaron Wan-Bissaka is one of the game’s biggest bargains, with the 20-year-old making a stunning start to life as a Premier League player. Wan-Bissaka has played just nine first team games for Palace since making his debut last term, but already looks a serious prospect with potential to be a top full-back at this level. On the opening day of the season, he impressed away to Fulham after keeping left winger Ryan Sessegnon quiet for much of the game and walked away from the game with a clean sheet and 12 points to his name on fantasy football.

The Croydon youngster then produced another superb performance against Liverpool at Selhurst Park, being a constant threat on the right hand side whilst also matching up well to the tandem of Andy Robertson and Sadio Mane on the Reds’ left hand side. He was unfortunate to be sent off in that clash late on, but is now available for gameweek four as his team take on Southampton. Wan-Bissaka should return to the starting XI in place of Joel Ward against Mark Hughes’ side, who have scored just twice in the Premier League so far, meaning a clean sheet could well be on the cards.

Team: Chelsea

Price: £10.6m

Next match: Bournemouth (H)

After starting the season on the bench behind both Pedro and Willian on the flanks following his late return to pre-season, Eden Hazard returned to Chelsea’s starting XI against Newcastle last Sunday. Fantasy football players may have been holding themselves back from selecting the Belgian international until Maurizio Sarri decided he was ready to feature and the signs from St. James’ Park were promising. Hazard was ice cool from the penalty spot against Newcastle to score his first goal of the season and looked sharp, with his sheer presence on the ball alone enough to make the Magpies worry.

Only Marcos Alonso and Pedro have more points than Hazard in the Chelsea team at this point in the season, as he also came from the bench to assist the former’s winner against Arsenal on matchday two. There has also been a suggestion that the 27-year-old could be deployed as a central striker this term, just as happened to his international teammate Mertens under Sarri at Napoli. If that were to be the case, expect his goals and assists return to increase if he is able to play further advanced up the field in more central areas closer to the goal. Bournemouth likely won’t defend the way Newcastle did at St. James’ Park, so expect Hazard to work more clear opportunities for himself this weekend.

Team: Manchester City

Price: £11.1m

Next match: Newcastle United (H)

It may be an obvious pick, but there is no team Sergio Aguero relishes playing more in the Premier League than Newcastle United. Manchester City’s record goalscorer has netted an incredible 14 goals in 11 appearances against the Magpies, 10 of which have ended in his team coming out victorious. Included in that run are five and three-goal hauls that have seen him take home two match balls from their Premier League fixtures against Newcastle, both of which have happened in the last two seasons. In fact, both of those have occurred at the Etihad Stadium, where he has netted eight goals in Newcastle’s two previous visits.

Aguero is playing as well at this moment in time as he has across his City career and was unfortunate not to score against Wolves last weekend after striking the post. The week before, he netted a hat-trick against Huddersfield Town and was also gifted chances against Arsenal on the opening day. As simplistic as it is, the fact is any striker playing in this City team will get chances and a player of Aguero’s quality is more than capable of taking them. Pep Guardiola’s men will also be in the mood for making up for last weekend’s disappointment against Wolves as they came away from Molineux with a 1-1 draw.