Fulham – Fantasy Premier League Potential – Fantasy Football Tips

Many doubted Fulham’s big game mentality before they faced Aston Villa in May’s Championship play-off final. Fulham had just narrowly missed out on automatic promotion to Cardiff, and in the season prior had been defeated by Reading in the play-off semi-finals. However, led by manager Slavisa Jokanovic and captain Tom Cairney, the Cottagers booked their place in the Premier League for the 2018/19 season with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.

They bring with them an attractive but hard-working brand of football, scoring 79 goals in the Championship last season, bettered only by Wolves. However, things were not quite so impressive at the back, with just 15 clean sheets. Fulham have some tricky fixtures to begin with, with trips to Tottenham and Manchester City in their first 5, but a home opener against Crystal Palace could set them up for a positive start. The question is: do they have any assets for FPL managers to consider?

STAR MAN – Ryan Sessegnon (£6.5m)

After a whirlwind breakout campaign, Fulham’s star man appears to be 18 year-old Ryan Sessegnon. FPL managers were initially surprised to see him priced so highly for a young player in a promoted side, but with 15 goals and 8 assists for the second highest scoring team in the Championship last season, he could justify the price tag. The young Englishman boasts bundles of pace, a great touch and a knack of being in the right place at the right time. He also takes plenty of corners and free-kicks which will improve his chances of direct goal contributions.

It’s important to note that Sessegnon plays on the left of a three-man attack, so his classification as a midfielder is more than fair despite him starting last season as a left-back. Sessegnon has however been seen at left-back in pre-season, so this should be monitored in the run up to the start of the campaign. It could negatively affect his points potential if he gets pushed back there more often than currently expected. This seems unlikely though as Fulham have a natural left-back in Matt Targett, with new signing Maxime Le Marchand able to play at left-back too.

HIDDEN GEM – Stefan Johansen (£5.5m)

With the signing of Jean Michael Seri from Nice, competition for places in Fulham’s midfield has intensified. However, if Norwegian midfielder Stefan Johansen can nail down a starting berth, he provides some fantasy potential. He picked up 8 goals and 8 assists last season and takes his fair share of close-range and long-range free-kicks as well as corners. The ex-Celtic player created the most chances for Fulham in the Championship last season, so if Fulham can add more quality up front, he should have a hand in helping the new man get the goals. He’s versatile and can play in both attacking and defensive midfield roles. If he finds a place in the former, where he’s much more comfortable, he may be one to watch.

Fulham are in dire need of a striker, and if Aleksandar Mitrovic re-signs from Newcastle as expected, he could be another hidden gem once added to the game. The young Serbian settled quickly whilst on loan at Fulham last season, with 12 league goals after signing in January. The transfer would do wonders for Johansen’s potential as Mitrovic is so dangerous when he’s given decent service.

BARGAIN – Tom Cairney (£5.0m)

Many FPL managers have opted for Fulham captain Tom Cairney as their budget midfield option, and on paper it makes a lot of sense. Cairney could well be Fulham’s first-choice spot-kick taker after Oliver Norwood returned to Brighton, and as proven by Luka Milivojevic last season, this can make a mockery of one’s FPL price tag. Aboubakar Kamara took a penalty for the Lilywhites last season, but Cairney took 3 the season prior so it’s hard to predict who will get the nod. The 2017 Championship player of the year dictates play from central midfield and is highly-rated by boss Slavisa Jokanovic. Jokanovic once stated that “when we are in trouble, he (Cairney) is the guy who can put the ball down – he is never scared to play.” This mentality means Cairney is capable of producing when the going gets tough, as displayed by his vital play-off final goal in May. Not only that, but Cairney admitted that he’d been playing the season short of full fitness, carrying a knee injury.

Of course, being technically gifted doesn’t translate to points in fantasy football, but Cairney also boasts 27 goals in all competitions over the past 3 seasons at Fulham, grabbing 13 goals and 12 assists the season before last, with 6 goals and 5 assists with far fewer games for Fulham last season. Fulham’s recent signing of Seri may also boost Cairney’s fantasy potential. Transfer consultant David Webb claimed that “with him in there it would probably allow players like Tom Cairney to play higher up. Someone like Seri would allow Cairney to be more dangerous in that No 10 role.” Cairney will surely cement himself as everyone’s favourite enabler if that does come to fruition.

PREDICTED LINE UP

Bettinelli
Christie – Odoi – Ream – Le Marchand
Cairney – Seri – Johansen
Kamara – Mitrovic – Sessegnon

Written by FPL Forum (@FPLForum)