Open Thread: Wunderkind Edition
let it Ø, let it Ø, can't keep him on the bench anymore
WE HAVE TRANSFER NEWS.
Ok, Arsenal and Wolves have transfer news but with just one week left in the January window I’m just happy anyone has arrived to bolster the fantasy ranks and inject some much needed life into a season - and a fixture list - that continues to stretch on interminably.
The biggest name to move this winter may not be the best player or the best fantasy option, but it’s hard to argue Martin Ødegaard’s loan signing by Arsneal isn’t big news. The 22 year old has been playing professional football since 2014 and struggling to adapt to Madrid since the year after. Ødegaard does have an eight goal, 10 assist season on his CV - having achieved the feat as a 19 year old playing for Heerenveen in the Dutch topflight. Last season he earned 29 starts for Sociedad - 4g, 6a - before returning home to Madrid. This term there have been few opportunities and he’s played on 234 minutes from seven appearances, including three starts.
I’ve already written, so forgive the repetition, but this is either a move to start rationing minutes for Smith Rowe (and possible Saka) to ensure they’re not carrying too much of the burden at Arsenal, and/or this is an indication that Xhaka isn’t the answer to partner Partey in the double-pivot. Regardless of if Ødegaard is the long-term solution for this club, he is absolutely worth adding in draft leagues which are 10-team or larger and he’s possibly worth a high waiver priority in 12-team and larger leagues.
Wolves have also made a move, getting in another striker to fill the void created by the devastating injury to Raul Jimenez. Coming into the pack is former Real Sociedad hitman Willian Jose. The 29 year old has four straight seasons of double-digit returns, hitting 12, 15, 11 and 11 goals prior to the start of this season. fbref only has the most recent four year of xG data but Willian Jose has shown an ability to be an “expected” striker.
Last four years xG (actual goals): 11.3 (15), 11.8 (11), 10.4 (11), 4.8 (3). This is basically what Wolves need - a player who can come in, hit their marks, never fluff their lines and give the club a chance to return to Nuno’s preferred tactics. Plus, handsome. Everyone knows handsome strikers are the best strikers.
If you’re looking at waiver queuing between these two, I want Willian Jose ahead of Arsenal’s newest question mark. The reason is simple - Wolves are struggling to create goals currently, having only 19.9 xG in 19 games. Last season they created 47.1 xG, scoring 51 goals en route to 7th place. The year before: 49.9 xG, scoring 47, again securing 7th place. If Willian Jose does enough to earn Nuno’s trust - and with it the regular starting spot formerly occupied by Jimenez - he’s a FWD2 and brings fantasy points back to a handful of other Wolves players who can return to the tactics which offer FPL draft value in the attack, the attacking wingbacks and at least on centreback. Fingers crossed.
Which of these two players are you in for on Tuesday? Who else do you want to see come in this window?
Lineup question coming up!! Which 3 should I start out of ASM, Klich, Barnes, Townsend, Matheus Pereira and Barkley?
Hi Gaffer!
Keep ESR or pick up ASM on waiver wire? OPL