Revised Top 5 West Ham Players for your FPL Squad
The transfer window has closed, the international break is over and fantasy football is back this weekend. West Ham have not had the most auspicious of starts, partly due to 2 difficult games in 3 matches, partly due to injuries, but that’s all behind us now and win an excellent run of fixtures for the players to get their teeth into, we take a revised look at the best options from the Hammers for your FPL team.
ROMFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Dimitri Payet and Mark Noble (R) of West Ham United chat prior to training at Rush Green on September 8, 2016 in Romford, England. (Photo by Avril Husband/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Dimitri Payet (9.4m)
Bilic may have said that Dimi is working his way back to full fitness, but we all know he’ll be back very soon, and we all know what an effect this will have on our team. He is a visionary passer of the ball, a demon with a free kick and he’s got some cheeky finishes in his locker as well. What more could you want?
Put simply, we are a better team with him, and he should get the fantasy points to prove it. He is easily the most expensive player in our squad, but he is worth it. It’d be silly for you to bet against him being amongst the top FPL scorers this season.
ROMFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United is all smiles prior to training at Rush Green on September 8, 2016 in Romford, England. (Photo by Avril Husband/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Manuel Lanzini (6.4m)
After being slightly over shadowed by the class act that is Dimitri Payet, it’s easy to forget that Lanzini had a very respectable debut Premier League season, picking up 6 goals and 3 assists in less than 2/3 of a full season of minutes played.
The Argentine worked very well with Payet and could often be the man to finish off the chances created by the Frenchman. Available at a much more affordable 6.4m, Lanzini could be the perfect differential to Payet.
Editor’s note: I love this man. If you’re a West Ham fan and don’t, then there’s something wrong with you. A man who will play with Payet to the left, Antonio/Feghouli to the right and Zaza in front? How is he not a fantasy consideration?
ROMFORD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 08: Adrian San Miguel of West Ham United is all smiles prior to training at Rush Green on September 8, 2016 in Romford, England. (Photo by Avril Husband/West Ham United via Getty Images)
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Adrian (5.0m)
West Ham’s Spanish goalkeeper was perceived to be under threat at the beginning of the season; Bilic favoured Randolph in the Europa League games and the Irishman’s experience at the European Championships could have pushed him ahead of Adrian.
However, West Ham’s no. 13 stepped up his game and has played every league match so far, making a string of good saves and even picking up a few bonus points a long the way. With poor attacking teams such as Watford, West Brom and Crystal Palace on the horizon, Adrian would be a wise move if your initial goalkeeping choices haven’t worked out.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Josep Guardiola, Manager of Manchester City smiles with Arthur Masuaku of West Ham United as manager Slaven Bilic looks on during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Getty Images)
Arthur Masuaku (5.0m)
Masuaku seems to be our first choice left back in the absence of Cresswell, and he’s taken to the responsibility extremely well. He is very willing to get down the flanks to support the winger, and he can put in a decent ball, as we saw with Antonio’s goal against City, which earned him an assist.
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With the introduction of Zaza, the potential for more goals from crosses is huge and Masuaku could be an excellent differential as he is currently in just 0.5% of teams!
Editor’s note: He’s well worth considering for now (he’s in my team) but be careful when Cresswell comes back and Masuaku goes off to AFCON in the January.
LONDON, ENGLAND – AUGUST 27: Simone Zaza in the home dressing room prior to being announced as West Ham United’s new signing on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
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Simone Zaza (7.0m)
As mentioned above, we’ve brought in Simone Zaza on loan for the season, and he is almost certainly going to be our first choice striker. He has been playing in the Italian league for a few years now, and has averaged a goal every other game (more or less), so he has a decent history and, if Payet et al keep delivering great balls, he is sure to bag a lot of goals.
Given West Ham’s abundance of players capable of playing in the 3 of a 4-2-3-1 (Payet, Lanzini, Feghouli, Antonio, Tore, even Noble), Zaza is more guaranteed of a starting position and that is worth so much in FPL. Given the potential fee and West Ham’s other strikers Zaza could be a great option. Calleri and Carroll could partner the Italian up top, increasing his FPL output.
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – AUGUST 28: Mark Noble of West Ham United in action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and West Ham United at Etihad Stadium on August 28, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Arfa Griffiths/West Ham United via Getty Images)
Mark Noble (6.5m)
It is sad to say something negative about a man who clearly lives and breathes for the Hammers, but Noble has never been a good fantasy option. Before last year he had never scored more than 4 in a Premier League season and his tendency to sit deep and dictate play doesn’t lend itself to fantasy points.
He does have the bonus of spot kick duties, but we are awarded so few penalties that it’s just not worth it. For that money you could buy Lanzini instead and have a much better chance of grabbing some goals!