AFC Bournemouth
Benik Afobe, AFC Bournemouth – Forward
After a strong spell in the Championship with Wolves, Afobe hasn’t found life in the Premier League so easy. 10 goals in 2 seasons isn’t prolific and now Jermain Defoe has joined the Bournemouth strikeforce. This season could be make or break for Afobe.
Junior Stanislas, AFC Bournemouth – Midfielder
The media was full of praise for Joshua King last season but Stanislas was very impressive too. The winger finished with 7 goals and 5 assists from only 21 games. Stanislas, King and Jermain Defoe could be a deadly trio this season.
Harry Arter, AFC Bournemouth – Midfielder
Arter is an all-action midfielder who keeps Bournemouth ticking. He picked up 4 assists last season but he’ll look to improve on his 1 goal. With his box-to-box running, Arter will have plenty of scoring chances.
Nathan Aké, AFC Bournemouth – Defender
Eddie Howe must be delighted to have Aké back at Bournemouth. The Dutch centre-back was brilliant during his 6-month loan last year and The Cherries really missed him in the second-half of the season. Their defence is leaky without him.
Asmir Begović, AFC Bournemouth – Goalkeeper
Begović is a brilliant and experienced improvement on Artur Boruc, who is now 37. If last season is anything to go by, the Bosnian will be very busy in the Bournemouth goal, earning lots of fantasy football points.
Steve Cook, AFC Bournemouth – Defender
Despite conceding 67 goals last season, Bournemouth managed to keep 10 cleansheets. Cook was their rock at the back, playing all 38 Premier league matches. He even scored a couple of important goals.
Arsenal
Aaron Ramsey, Arsenal – Midfielder
Ramsey struggled with injuries and form last season but he improved towards the end. The Welsh midfielder has more freedom in Arsenal’s new 3-4-2-1 shape, where he picked up 3 assists and a goal. If Arsène Wenger sticks with that formation, Ramsey could shine.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Arsenal – Midfielder
Like Ramsey, Oxlade-Chamberlain had a great end to last season. The versatile midfielder finished with 2 goals and 7 assists and it feels like he may finally be on the verge of a regular Arsenal starting spot.
Alex Iwobi, Arsenal – Midfielder
Iwobi is a youngster with a very bright future ahead of him. The Nigerian got 3 goals and 3 assists last year but if pre-season is anything to go by, Iwobi is ready to take the Premier League by storm.
Nacho Monreal, Arsenal – Defender
As Arsenal’s first-choice left-back, Monreal only missed 2 matches last season. The Spaniard picked up 2 assists and 11 cleansheets along the way, making him a solid, if unspectacular, fantasy football pick.
Theo Walcott, Arsenal – Forward
Last season was Walcott’s best since 2012-13 but it probably wasn’t successful enough to secure his Arsenal place. He scored 10 goals but Walcott must now compete with Alexandre Lacazette, as well as Olivier Giroud, Lucas Pérez and fit-again Danny Welbeck.
Shkodran Mustafi, Arsenal – Defender
Mustafi had an injury-hit first season in England but when he played, he played well. The German centre-back reads the game brilliantly and he’s a good match for Laurent Koscielny. Fitness-permitting, Mustafi is a good fantasy football pick.
Granit Xhaka, Arsenal – Midfielder
Xhaka is a real fantasy football gamble. Which will he get more of – red cards or goals? Last season, the Swiss midfielder picked up 2 of each. But with a season of English football under his belt, Xhaka should prove less of a risk.
Danny Welbeck, Arsenal – Forward
You always know what you’re going to get from Welbeck – lots of great, fast runs followed by some clumsy finishing. Oh and injuries. The England striker only played 16 matches last season, scoring 2 goals. Alexandre Lacazette is much more clinical.
Brighton & Hove Albion
Pascal Groß, Brighton & Hove Albion – Midfielder
Groß cost £2.55million from FC Ingolstadt and Brighton fans have high hopes for their new signing. The young German will take up the playmaker role, linking midfield and attack. That role has goals and assists written all over it.
Lewis Dunk, Brighton & Hove Albion – Defender
Brighton had the joint-best defence in the Championship last season and Dunk was a key part of that. Despite only playing 21 matches, the local boy made the league’s Team of the Season. Chris Hughton will rely on Dunk’s height this season.
Bruno Saltor, Brighton & Hove Albion – Defender
At the age of 35, Bruno played 45 matches last season. The stylish Spanish right-back even made the Championship Team of the Year for the second year in a row. But will Bruno manage a full Premier League campaign at 36?
Isaiah Brown, Brighton & Hove Albion – Forward
Brown is another member of Chelsea’s massive loan brigade. After a good spell at Huddersfield in the Championship last season, the talented young winger is now ready to test himself against the Premier League’s best.
Burnley
Ben Mee, Burnley – Defender
How will Mee cope without Michael Keane? Last season, the two formed a great centre-back pairing for Burnley that led to 9 cleansheets. Mee will need Keane’s replacement, James Tarkowski, to get up to speed quickly.
Ashley Barnes, Burnley – Forward
Barnes isn’t your classic goalscoring striker, as last season’s 6 goals in 28 games will show you. Instead, he’s tough and hard-working, the perfect example of Sean Dyche’s Burnley style.
Robbie Brady, Burnley – Midfielder
Brady arrived from Norwich in January and contributed 1 goal and 2 assists in 14 matches. There’s more to come from the Irishman, who can play at left-back or left-wing. His set-piece delivery is particularly good.
Jeff Hendrick, Burnley – Midfielder
Hendrick had a promising first Premier League season but Sean Dyche will want more creativity from his Irish midfielder. During the 2014-15 season, Hendrick scored 7 goals, so he’s certainly capable of getting forward to score.
Jonathan Walters, Burnley – Forward
Walters should fit in perfectly at Burnley because he’s another powerful, battling, goal-shy attacker. He was getting less and less game-time at Stoke, so hopefully this move can rejuvenate Walters’ career.
Chelsea
N’Golo Kanté, Chelsea – Midfielder
Last season’s Premier League Player of the Year isn’t your ideal fantasy footballer. The Frenchman’s game is more about tackles and interceptions than goals and assists. However, teams featuring Kanté always seem to win.
Michy Batshuayi, Chelsea – Forward
Batshuayi will surely get more game-time this season. The Belgian scored 5 goals off the bench last year, including the title winner against West Brom. Álvaro Morata will be Chelsea’s first-choice but Batshuayi will be snapping at his heels.
Victor Moses, Chelsea – Midfielder
Moses’ rebirth as a right wing-back was one of last season’s biggest surprises. The Nigerian played 34 matches, picking up 3 goals and 2 assists as Chelsea won the title. Unless Antonio Conte makes signings, Moses will play regularly again this season.
Crystal Palace
Yohan Cabaye, Crystal Palace – Midfielder
Cabaye wasn’t at his best last season but then no-one was at Palace, other than Wilfried Zaha. 4 goals and 3 assists is a decent record for a central midfielder but the French international should be capable of more.
Jason Puncheon, Crystal Palace – Midfielder
Frank De Boer has given Puncheon the captain’s armband at Palace. The midfielder didn’t score a single goal last season but his skill and experience created 5 goals. Hopefully, Puncheon’s new responsibility will bring out the best in him.
James McArthur, Crystal Palace – Midfielder
McArthur is usually more defensive than attacking but he popped up with 5 important goals for Palace last season. The Scot is the midfield mainstay who allows Wilfried Zaha, Yohan Cabaye and Andros Townsend to get forward.
Scott Dann, Crystal Palace – Defender
By his high standards, Dann had a poor 2016-17 season. At the heart of Palace’s defence, he only managed 2 cleansheets in his 23 appearances. Dann should keep his place this season but he’ll need to do better.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Crystal Palace – Midfielder
This loan move could be the making of Loftus-Cheek. With Chelsea game-time in short supply, the youngster now has the chance to play a full season of Premier League football. Loftus-Cheek can play central midfield or a more attacking role.
Everton
Phil Jagielka, Everton – Defender
Jagielka is 34 now but he’s not done yet. He scored 3 goals for Everton last season and helped them to 6 cleansheets. Ashley Williams and Michael Keane will probably be the first-choice centre-backs this season but Jagielka still has a big part to play.
Kevin Mirallas, Everton – Midfielder
Mirallas had a good season on Everton’s left wing, using his speed and skill to score 4 goals and set up 6 more. Talent has never been the Belgian’s problem. After struggling with injuries and inconsistency, Mirallas now looks back to his best.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Everton – Forward
England’s Under-20 World Cup winner will be pushing for more than 11 appearances this season. He’s tall, clever and skilful, and he can play out wide or through the middle. Calvert-Lewin looks destined for the big time.
Mason Holgate, Everton – Defender
With Seamus Coleman likely to miss the rest of 2017, Holgate should be Everton’s first-choice right-back. He’s certainly not as exciting going forward but he’s a dependable defender with lots of pace and potential.
Huddersfield Town
Elias Kachunga, Huddersfield Town – Forward
Kachunga was Huddersfield’s top scorer last season with 12 goals. With his pace and skill, the Congolese international can play on the right wing or through the middle as a striker. Kachunga will be a key part of David Wagner’s survival plan.
Tom Ince, Huddersfield Town – Midfielder
Now 25, Ince has been waiting a long time for this big shot at the Premier League. After three strong Championship seasons at Derby, David Wagner has signed him to bring creativity and goals to his hard-working Huddersfield midfield.
Tommy Smith, Huddersfield Town – Defender
Smith had an exceptional season at right-back for Huddersfield. On top of his defensive work, he scored 4 goals and set up 10 more with his attacking runs and dangerous deliveries. Smith will be a key weapon again this season.
Leicester City
Marc Albrighton, Leicester City – Midfielder
Albrighton outshone Leicester’s more famous winger, Riyad Mahrez, last season. The former Aston Villa man’s dangerous crosses set up 6 goals. With The Foxes finding their feet again, Albrighton should be set for another solid season.
Christian Fuchs, Leicester City – Defender
Fuchs is a rare example of a Leicester player with better stats in 2016-17 than 2015-16. The Austrian added 2 goals to his 4 assists last season, making maximum use of his lethal left foot.
Islam Slimani, Leicester City – Forward
Slimani had a decent first season in English football after his big-money move. The Algerian striker scored 7 goals in 23 matches but never quite clicked with Riyad Mahrez and Jamie Vardy. In the air, however, he’s one of the best in the Premier League.
Wilfred Ndidi, Leicester City – Midfielder
Ndidi is a young midfielder with plenty of potential. The Nigerian can tackle, he can dribble, he can pass and he can shoot. Ndidi scored 2 goals in 17 games last season but that was just the start.
Robert Huth, Leicester City – Defender
Huth failed to continue his title-winning form last season. He scored 2 goals but he picked up as many yellow cards as cleansheets – 9. His partnership with new signing Harry Maguire will be one to look out for this season.
Danny Drinkwater, Leicester City – Midfielder
In 2015-16, Drinkwater got 3 goals and 8 assists. Last season, he only managed 1 of each. Can he rediscover his creative touch this season? Or will Wilfred Ndidi and Vicente Iborra force Drinkwater out of the Leicester line-up?
Shinji Okazaki, Leicester City – Forward
Okazaki is a real fan’s favourite at Leicester. The Japanese attacker might not score many goals (3 in 30 last season), but he never stops running and the team plays better when he’s around.
Liverpool
Emre Can, Liverpool – Midfielder
Can has become a rock at the heart of Liverpool’s midfield but that doesn’t mean he never gets forward. The German isn’t your typical holding man. Can showed off his shooting ability with 5 goals last season.
Jordan Henderson, Liverpool – Midfielder
Henderson only played 24 games last season due to injury. If he’s fit again, the box-to-box midfielder is a good source of goals and assists. But first, Henderson has to fight his way back into the Liverpool team.
Divock Origi, Liverpool – Forward
Origi got his big chance in 2017 when Philippe Coutinho and Sadio Mané were injured. The Belgian striker did a good job, scoring 7 goals. However, the arrivals of Mohamed Salah and Dominic Solanke could make life difficult for Origi.
Nathaniel Clyne, Liverpool – Defender
Over the last few years, Clyne has developed into one of the Premier League’s most reliable defenders. He probably won’t get many assists or goals, but he only missed one match for Liverpool last season and he kept 12 cleansheets.
Dejan Lovren, Liverpool – Defender
Lovren’s Liverpool career didn’t get off to the best of starts but he seems to have found his feet now. The Croatian centre-back contributed to 11 cleansheets last season and his partnership with Joël Matip should continue to grow this season.
Manchester City
Ederson, Manchester City – Goalkeeper
After Claudio Bravo’s unconvincing performances last season, Pep Guardiola spent £34million on Ederson. At 23, the Brazilian keeper lacks inexperience but he’s talented and he looks set to be City’s number one.
John Stones, Manchester City – Defender
Stones collected just 4 cleansheets in 27 games last season in a chaotic City defence. Since then, Pep Guardiola has brought in a new goalkeeper and 3 new full-backs. In a better backline, the England international should make less mistakes.
Nicolás Otamendi, Manchester City – Defender
Otamendi was the best of a bad City defence last season. The Argentine was in the team for 9 of their 12 cleansheets. Now, he must build up an understanding with centre-back partners John Stones and Vincent Kompany.
Vincent Kompany, Manchester City – Defender
When Kompany returned from injury in April, City lost only 1 of 8 league matches and conceded only 4 goals. The Belgian also managed to score 3 goals. If Kompany can stay fit this season, he’ll be a crucial part of Pep Guardiola’s plans.
David Silva, Manchester City – Midfielder
It feels like Silva has been around forever but he’s still only 31. The Spanish playmaker is one of the Premier League’s most consistent performers. Silva usually creates more goals than he scores himself but he’s an excellent fantasy football option.
Kelechi Iheanacho, Manchester City – Forward
Iheanacho might not have the all-round skills of Gabriel Jesus but he’s a natural goalscorer. The Nigerian got 4 goals and 3 assists in under 600 minutes of football last season. But if he wants more game-time, Iheanacho must go elsewhere.
Manchester United
Ander Herrera, Manchester United – Midfielder
2016-17 was Herrera’s best Manchester United season yet but that didn’t really result in big fantasy football points. Playing in a deeper midfield role, the Spaniard only scored one goal, although he did set up 6 goals with his clever passing.
Eric Bailly, Manchester United – Midfielder
Bailly is José Mourinho’s ideal defender – quick, strong, decisive and no-nonsense. The Ivorian is a yellow card waiting to happen but with him in the team, Manchester United definitely look tighter at the back.
Juan Mata, Manchester United – Midfielder
Mata won’t play every game for Manchester United this season but he still has a big role to play. The clever Spanish playmaker contributed a very useful 6 goals and 3 assists in 25 Premier League games last season.
Jesse Lingard, Manchester United – Midfielder
Lingard is Manchester born-and-bred and determined to make it at United. However, the winger is 24 now and his game-time will be limited at Old Trafford unless he can improve on last season’s 1 goal and 2 assists.
Marcos Rojo, Manchester United – Defender
Rojo was one of United’s most improved players last season. Until a knee injury in April, the Argentine was José Mourinho’s best centre-back. Rojo recorded 8 cleansheets in 21 games but now faces more competition than ever with Victor Lindelöf’s arrival.
Daley Blind, Manchester United – Defender
Blind is United’s Mr Versatile. After a spell at centre-back, the Dutchman moved to left-back to cover the injured Luke Shaw. Wherever he plays, Blind is solid in defence and very useful going forward.
Marouane Fellaini, Manchester United – Midfielder
Fellaini isn’t the most popular player in Premier League football and he won’t be in fantasy football either. Last season’s record of 1 goal and 8 yellow cards make him a dangerous selection. However, the big Belgian is still a massive threat from set pieces.
Newcastle United
Aleksandar Mitrović, Newcastle United – Forward
Mitrović is a tall and powerful striker who had a great scoring record at Anderlecht. The Serbian managed 9 goals in his first Premier League season back in 2015-16 and he’ll be hoping for double figures this season.
Ayoze Pérez, Newcastle United – Forward
Ayoze showed a lot of promise during his first two Premier League seasons. The young Spaniard can score goals as a striker but he can also create goals as a winger or attacking midfielder. That versatility will be useful this season.
Jonjo Shelvey, Newcastle United – Midfielder
Shelvey returns to the Premier League with a point to prove. In 2015, his form earned him an England cap but since then, the talented midfielder has lost his way. Rafa Benítez will need Shelvey back at his creative best.
Jacob Murphy, Newcastle United – Midfielder
£12million is a lot to pay for someone with one season of Championship experience, but Rafa Benítez believes in Murphy’s talent. The winger got 8 goals and 6 assists for Norwich last season and he’s a rising star.
Southampton
Dušan Tadić, Southampton – Midfielder
At his best, Tadić is one of the most creative players in the Premier League. At his worst, the Serbian playmaker can be a lazy nightmare. New Southampton manager Mauricio Pellegrino must get more than 3 goals and 5 assists out of Tadić this season.
Charlie Austin, Southampton – Forward
Saints scored 4 goals in their final 9 league games last season. With Shane Long and Manolo Gabbiadini out of form, the man they really needed was out injured. Austin played just 15 games but still scored 6 times. When fit, he’s a goal machine.
Cédric Soares, Southampton – Defender
At £4.7million, Cédric was yet another shrewd Southampton signing. The Portuguese right-back can get caught out in defence but he’s more than worth it for his crossing ability. Under new manager Mauricio Pellegrino, Cédric may get even more licence to attack.
Fraser Forster, Southampton – Goalkeeper
Forster wasn’t always at his best last season but he kept 14 cleansheets nonetheless. He remains one of the Premier League’s top keepers and the Southampton defence in front of him should be better this season.
Jan Bednarek, Southampton – Defender
Bednarek is Southampton’s only signing so far this summer. The Polish centre-back is only 21 but he could go straight into Mauricio Pellegrino’s defence, especially if Virgil van Dijk leaves. He’s certainly tall and strong enough to cope with English football.
Steven Davis, Southampton – Midfielder
Davis had a relatively quiet season, creating 3 goals and scoring 0. That’s partly because Claude Püel played him in a deeper midfield role, so it will be interesting to see where Mauricio Pellegrino plays Davis. The Irishman can attack if you ask him to.
Stoke City
Saido Berahino, Stoke City – Forward
Berahino has been given his chance to start again at Stoke and he must take it. The striker didn’t score a single goal in 13 games at the end of last season but hopefully he’ll come back fit and focused.
Erik Pieters, Stoke City – Defender
Based on the last few campaigns, Pieters is a very smart fantasy football signing. The Dutch left-back starts regularly for Stoke, picking up a few assists and lots of cleansheets every season. What more can you ask for?
Peter Crouch, Stoke City – Forward
Write Crouchy off at your peril. Just when people thought his career was fading out, the striker bounced back with 7 goals last season to finish as Stoke’s top scorer. With his height and experience, Crouch is always a threat.
Kurt Zouma, Stoke City – Defender
Antonio Conte clearly isn’t convinced by Zouma but Chelsea’s loss is Stoke’s gain this season. The Frenchman is big, quick and strong in the tackle. At 22, Zouma is ready to make the most of regular first-team football.
Darren Fletcher, Stoke City – Midfielder
It was a surprise to see Fletcher leave West Brom after a solid season. The Scottish midfielder played all 38 Premier League matches, picking up 2 goals and 3 assists. He’ll bring more energy and experience to the Stoke team.
Swansea City
Tom Carroll, Swansea City – Midfielder
Carroll joined Swansea in January, after 5 frustrating seasons at Tottenham. The move came as a breath of fresh air for the cultured midfielder and he’ll be looking to build on his exciting start in Wales.
Martin Olsson, Swansea City – Defender
After joining Swansea in January, Olsson grabbed 2 goals and 4 cleansheets in 15 matches. The Swedish left-back loves to get forward and his delivery is good. It’s in defence that Olsson can sometimes get exposed.
Leroy Fer, Swansea City – Midfielder
Fer had a very good season in the centre of Swansea’s midfield, particularly after Paul Clement’s arrival in January. The Dutchman is a great long-range shooter and his 6 goals helped The Swans to safety.
Luciano Narsingh, Swansea City – Midfielder
Paul Clement signed Narsingh in January and the winger made a strong start. The Dutchman didn’t score but he created 3 goals with his pace and dribbling skills. Narsingh will be one to watch this season.
Jordan Ayew, Swansea City – Forward
Ayew seems to be relishing his return to the Premier League. The Ghanaian had a decent season with Aston Villa in 2015-16 but now at Swansea, he’s really making the most of his skill and creativity to help his team.
Tottenham Hotspur
Eric Dier, Tottenham Hotspur – Midfielder
Whether he’s playing in central defence or central midfield, Dier is powerful and classy in equal measures. It’s a difficult balance but the England international does it brilliantly. It doesn’t always get you lots of fantasy football points, though.
Mousa Dembélé, Tottenham Hotspur – Midfielder
Dembélé might not top the fantasy football charts but he’s one of the Premier League’s classiest footballers. His powerful dribbles drive Spurs forward and he has the talent to score more goals than he currently does.
Watford
Will Hughes, Watford – Midfielder
After 6 seasons at Derby, Hughes is finally a Premier League player. For a creative midfielder, he doesn’t score many goals of his own but his attacking runs and through-balls should make goals for his new Watford teammates.
José Holebas, Watford – Defender
Holebas was one of Watford’s star attacking performers last season with 2 goals and 4 assists from left-back. However, 6 cleansheets in 33 matches would suggest that the Greek international isn’t so interested in defending.
Heurelho Gomes, Watford – Goalkeeper
Gomes conceded 64 goals last season, despite making an impressive 117 saves. The Brazilian is usually a pretty reliable keeper but he can only be as good as the defence in front of him.
Tom Cleverley, Watford – Midfielder
Following a successful loan spell last season, Cleverley is now a permanent Watford player. The midfielder isn’t known for scoring many goals but he likes to get forward and support the attack. With regular starts, Cleverley will grow in confidence.
Nathaniel Chalobah, Watford – Midfielder
After 6 loan spells, Chalobah has finally flown the Chelsea nest for good. The young midfielder isn’t known for his attacking talent but he scored 5 goals when he last played for Watford back in 2012-13. So watch this space.
West Bromwich Albion
Chris Brunt, West Brom – Defender
Brunt has one of the best left boots in the business. The Irishman has now moved back from wing to defence but he’s still the same attacking threat. He scored 3 goals last season, and set up 4 more.
Nacer Chadli, West Brom – Midfielder
When he’s on form, Chadli scores goals. The Belgian showed that in patches at Tottenham and the same has happened at West Brom. 5 goals and 5 assists isn’t bad but consistency would turn Chadli into a key player for The Baggies.
Salomón Rondón, West Brom – Forward
In September, Rondón looked set for an excellent Premier League season. But from Christmas onwards, the Venezuelan could only add 1 to his total of 7 goals. When he’s focused, Rondón is a 15- goals-a-season striker.
Craig Dawson, West Brom – Defender
West Brom’s defenders score almost as many goals as their strikers. Gareth McAuley scored 6 last season and his centre-back partner Dawson scored 4. He’s an aerial threat from set pieces and he can defend too.
Ben Foster, West Brom – Goalkeeper
Until their late-season slide, West Brom were defending well and Foster was a key part of that. The veteran keeper made 115 saves but he’ll be disappointed with only 6 cleansheets. So will manager Tony Pulis.
West Ham
André Ayew, West Ham – Forward
West Ham’s strikers didn’t have much luck with injury last season. The Ghanaian only played 25 games and finished with 6 goals and 3 assists. Ayew has the talent to do much better, as he showed for Swansea in 2015-16.
Andy Carroll, West Ham – Forward
Carroll missed over half of last season, making only 18 appearances. He was still West Ham’s third top scorer with 7 goals. Manager Slavan Bilić will be desperate to have Carroll fit this season to partner André Ayew and Chicharito.
José Fonte, West Ham – Defender
After 8 years at Southampton, Fonte found it hard to adjust at West Ham. With the Portuguese defender in the team, they conceded 28 goals in their last 15 matches and kept only 3 cleansheets. Hopefully, Fonte has settled in now.
Winston Reid, West Ham – Defender
Reid has been West Ham’s best defender for years now, even during last season’s struggles. The New Zealand international scored 2 goals and picked up 9 cleansheets. There should be more of those this season if the Reid-Fonte partnership can gel.
Robert Snodgrass, West Ham – Midfielder
Snodgrass didn’t get going at West Ham last season after his January move from Hull City. In 15 matches for The Hammers, the Scottish winger failed to add to his 7 goals and 6 assists. This season, Snodgrass will need to shine.
