Season Reviews: PL Position Review: MIDs
In the third of a series of four features, Matt Nesbitt breaks the PL player pool down position by position. Taking a look at the key stats from last season to highlight every teams’ top performers and give us a steer for the upcoming campaign.
Let’s have a gander at the midfielders…
All players must’ve played 15 matches to be considered and have been measured in the following categories: Appearances (Apps), Goals (Gls) and Assists (Ass). Players are listed per team, in recommended order of Fantasy value, or appeal for next season.
|
Chelsea |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Hazard |
38 |
14 |
9 |
|
Fabregas |
32 |
3 |
18 |
|
Oscar |
26 |
6 |
8 |
Thoughts: Last season’s PFA Player of the Year Edin Hazard is an obvious standout and will be many managers’ first pick. Cesc Fabregas won’t be far behind, but expect a drop-off in the second half of the season – in the last five campaigns the Spaniard has averaged 14.2 assists in the opening half, but just 5.4 in the second half. Some transfer speculation and the presence of Juan Cuadrado might steer some away from Oscar.
|
Man City |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Silva |
32 |
12 |
7 |
|
Toure |
27 |
10 |
1 |
|
Nasri |
19 |
2 |
6 |
Thoughts: David Silva is the outstanding City pick. Consistent and largely injury-free he is a must for your midfield shortlist. You can’t argue with Yaya Toure’s goals return but he had a moody season. If Sterling arrives as expected, he will relegate Toure to third in the pecking order. Elsewhere, Nasri and Navas (nine assists last time) might struggle for game time giving Fernandinho (28 Apps, three goals and four assists) as much appeal.
|
Arsenal |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Cazorla |
34 |
7 |
11 |
|
Ramsey |
23 |
6 |
6 |
|
Ozil |
21 |
4 |
5 |
Thoughts: The quandary at Arsenal is who will get the game time. Santi Cazorla’s excellent season benefited from injuries to Theo Walcott (just five starts), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (17) and Jack Wilshere (nine). So Aaron Ramsey’s consistency over the last two seasons perhaps makes him the value pick (ten goals from 23 in 2013/14).
|
Man United |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Mata |
27 |
9 |
4 |
|
Di Maria |
18 |
3 |
10 |
|
Herrera |
22 |
6 |
4 |
Thoughts: Likewise, how United will set-up is no clearer than at the start of last season. Juan Mata is a solid one-in-three scorer and – De Gea aside – was probably United’s best player last season. Di Maria’s numbers hint at his extravagant talent, but there remains an element of risk. And Ander Herrera’s eye for goal could make him a decent wildcard. Memphis De Pay’s 25 goals in 41 matches last season is sure to tempt plenty of managers.
|
Tottenham |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Chadli |
29 |
11 |
5 |
|
Eriksen |
38 |
10 |
2 |
|
Lamela |
27 |
2 |
7 |
Thoughts: Not the most fashionable name in the PL, but Nacer Chadli’s numbers should not be ignored. Christian Eriksen didn’t miss a match and looks an increasingly reliable PL performer. The same cannot be said for Erik Lamela. Seven assists hint at his ability, but he remains unconvincing and a distant third choice pick at Tottenham. Neither Andros Townsend (two goals and two assist from ten) nor Aaron Lennon (two assist from three) did enough to give us a steer.
|
Liverpool |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Sterling |
34 |
7 |
7 |
|
Henderson |
36 |
6 |
9 |
|
Coutinho |
32 |
5 |
5 |
|
Milner* |
18 |
5 |
7 |
*Playing for Man City
Thoughts: Raheem Sterling’s transfer to Man City shouldn’t diminish his appeal, but potentially less game time might not enhance it either. In his absence Philippe Coutinho could step up, but new skipper Jordan Henderson will be a mainstay so probably gets the nod. James Milner’s specific role remains to be seen, but he will play more than 18 matches. Adam Lallana’s numbers weren’t far behind Coutinho’s (24 Apps, five goals, three assists) but might struggle for time on the pitch. And then there is new boy Roberto Firmino. Liverpool signings haven’t been great in recent history, but seven goals, ten assists (in 33) and that magical ‘Brazilian’-ness will prove tempting to many.
|
Southampton |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Mane |
23 |
10 |
3 |
|
Tadic |
24 |
4 |
7 |
|
Ward-Prowse |
18 |
1 |
6 |
Thoughts: Again, we are forced to wonder whether Southampton will diminish as a force due to Saints marching out. But Sadio Mane and Dusan Tadic arrived with little fanfare last summer and delivered creditable number. Plus, being attacking players classed as midfielders does them no harm at all. Elsewhere, James Ward-Prowse’s set piece threat is worthy of note. He will figure more regularly this season.
|
Swansea |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Sigurdsson |
32 |
7 |
10 |
|
Ki |
30 |
8 |
1 |
|
Shelvey |
28 |
3 |
5 |
|
Montero |
15 |
1 |
7 |
Thoughts: Gylfi Sigurdsson’s outstanding goals and assist return (in a mid-table team, let’s not forget) should put him high up on your wish list. Ki Sung-yueng’s eye for goal ranks him above Jonjo Shelvey at Swansea. With Jefferson Montero earning a fourth place ranking for an exceptional seven assists from just 15 starts.
|
Stoke |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Walters |
28 |
8 |
4 |
|
Adam |
18 |
7 |
1 |
|
Moses |
17 |
3 |
3 |
|
Arnautovic |
21 |
1 |
5 |
Thoughts: Jonathan Walters will never rank as a ‘marquee’ Fantasy signing, but his stats consistently stand up as a value one. He is head-and-shoulders Stoke’s midfield pick, with Charlie Adams’ seven goals from 18 reflecting a purple patch at the end of last season. Difficult to know where, or how often Victor Moses will play next season and the mercurial Marko Arnautovic is also best left alone until his makes good on his obvious talent.
|
Crystal Palace |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Puncheon |
31 |
6 |
7 |
|
Bolasie |
31 |
4 |
6 |
|
Medinak |
24 |
5 |
3 |
Thoughts: If Johan Cabaye arrives, he will instantly top the pick-list. Jason Puncheon gets the nod over Yannick Bolasie for consistency – three of Bolasie’s four goals came in a chaotic ten minute spell at Sunderland. And it should be noted that Mile Medinak’s five goals and two of his assists were chalked up before Alan Pardew arrived and gave him a more defensive role. Wilfried Zaha’s four goals and two assists (from 23) make him a better option.
|
Everton |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Mirallas |
17 |
7 |
1 |
|
Naismith |
22 |
6 |
0 |
Thoughts: Not a vintage season for Everton’s midfielders. Kevin Mirallas’ delivered a decent goals ratio, but 17 is not enough matches. Likewise Steven Naismith. Gerard Deufoleu and Ross Barkley will attract gamblers, but the latter’s two goals and two assists in 23 matches was matched by Leon Osman in ten matches fewer.
|
West Ham |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Downing |
37 |
6 |
8 |
|
Kouyate |
30 |
4 |
2 |
Thoughts: The sometimes derided Stewart Downing delivered a consistent (and 37-match) season for the faithful and was West Ham’s best attacking option by a distance. That said, new £10m signing Dimitri Payet posted an eye-catching 17 assists (and seven goals) in 37 matches for Marseilles last season. Might be worth a punt.
|
West Brom |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Brunt |
33 |
2 |
10 |
|
Gardner |
30 |
3 |
4 |
Thoughts: Only Chris Brunt really delivered any figures worthy of your attention, with an excellent ten assists in a largely struggling team. But the thing to note there is, he was playing at left-back for most of the season. If he is categorized as a defender next season he will be significantly more interesting.
|
Leicester |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Mahrez |
25 |
4 |
3 |
|
Cambiasso |
29 |
5 |
1 |
Thoughts: Estaban Cambiasso’s influence at Leicester extends much further than his five goals and single assist, but Riyad Mahrez is probably the pick. It will be another difficult season though and with a new manager coming in there are no guarantees who will play. Marc Albrighton only played ten matches, but managed two goals and three assists.
|
Newcastle |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Colback |
35 |
4 |
7 |
|
Sissoko |
34 |
4 |
2 |
Thoughts: Jack Colback is the only player to emerge with any credit or Fantasy appeal from Newcastle’s shambolic season. It has to be better this time, so you’d expect Colback’s stats could improve too. But enough to be of interest? Not sure.
|
Sunderland |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
|
Gomez |
22 |
4 |
2 |
|
Johnson |
23 |
4 |
1 |
|
Larsson |
36 |
3 |
3 |
Thoughts: Sunderland’s season was equally poor. Only Jordi Gomez and Adam Johnson providing anything like a threat from midfield. Like Newcastle, any new signing of any quality is likely to instantly be the most appealing option.
|
Aston Villa |
Apps |
Gls |
Ass |
Thoughts: And then there is Aston Villa. Not one midfield player earns the right to even have his name in the box. If you are determined, Fabian Delph managed four assists but failed to score. Scott Sinclair scored once in five and Jack Grealish provided two assists in eight. And the artist formerly known as Joe Cole has been missing in action for some time.
Promoted teams:
It would be remiss of us not to have a sneak peek at what the three promoted teams have to offer next season. Goals won’t be as easy to come by playing with the big boys, of course. But their last season stats will give us a few clues about what we can expect…
To ponder: Bournemouth’s ‘total football’ means goals are spread throughout the team. With Harry Arter, Marc Pugh and especially Matt Ritchie posting excellent totals. Ritchie’s outstanding 17 assists are likely to make the winger the pick of all the promoted teams.
To ponder: Whether Odion Ighalo, Matej Vydra and Almen Abdi are categorized as forwards or midfielders will have a big impact on their perceived value for Fantasy managers. Additionally, Adlene Geudioura only played 13 times but hit three goals and four assists.
To ponder: Bradley Johnson’s 15 goals tops the list but eight of them came in Norwich’s final 14 matches and he has never been prolific, so could be put down as a ‘blip’.England Under-21 international Nathan Redmond probably carries as much appeal. Veteran Wes Hoolahan has PL experience and a left foot of PL quality.
Next up we’ll be turning the spotlight on the men at the sharp-end, the strikers.
Matt Nesbitt is a one-time player, long-time tipster and full-time fan of the beautiful game. He is a regular guest and the driving force behind Premier League Match Predictor. Email: mattnesbitt
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
