This year it looks particularly hard to find value in the bargain forward positions. Finding a cheap gem upfront can release many options throughout the rest of your team, opening up new formations and the chance of returns from basically your 15th player. Below are the players I think offer the best chance at value.
Jurgen Locadia (£5.5m) – Brighton
Locadia has a chance to make the striking position is own this year, but may also get minutes from the wing. Glenn Murray has a big question mark against him with being 34 and playing for a new manager, so if Locadia can start the season well I can see him being an option at £5.5m. Locadia only managed 2 goals last season, but I expect Brighton to be more attacking than last year.
Florian Andone (£5.0m) – Brighton
The same goes for Andone as it does for Locadia. With the striker position possibly being up for grabs, Andone can stake a claim in the first few weeks to be the go to guy. He did okay last year, scoring 3 in less than 9 games, and has always looked a solid talent when he’s been on the pitch. One to keep an eye on.
Shane Long (£5.0m) – Southampton
Long had a good end to last season, scoring 5 goals and getting 2 assists in 12 games. My worry with him is that Southampton have bought Danny Ings and Che Adams, and I expect only one to start. If Long becomes the first choice striker then he is a great option to have as a third striker, but if he’s on the bench it may be worth looking elsewhere.
Divock Origi (£5.5m) – Liverpool
I expect big things from Origi this year after his heroics at the end of last season, but unfortunately he plays for one of the best fantasy asset teams in the league. If you choose Origi you can’t go 2 ‘pool at the back and salah, and realistically for gameweek 1 that is going to be the best option. If however Firmino gets an injury, Origi could be gold during the season.
Dominic Solanke (£5.5m) – Bournemouth
Solanke didn’t really get things going after his £20 million move in January, but he is playing pre season for Bournemouth and looks to be 3rd choice behind Wilson and King. Howe likes giving minutes to all his strikers, so he’s another to keep an eye on, but as a top young English talent you’ll soon find out if he’s looking good!
Connor Wickham (£4.5m) – Crystal Palace
Currently, Crystal Palace have Benteke as a forward, and that is basically it. Whickham was at one point a hugely promising prospect, and don’t get me wrong he’s offered nothing for a few years, but with few other options he could be trust into the spotlight and a playing £4.5m striker is worth his weight in gold.
Mason Greenwood (£4.5m) – Manchester United
Greenwood has started preseason on fire, scoring in both his appearances, with his goal against Inter a real gem. With Lukaku looking to move on and it not looking like Manchester United will replace him, Greenwood could start the season as part of the squad, with Rashford the only out and out striker in the squad. We need to wait and see if Lukaku and Sanchez move on, but its looks like Ole likes this lad and if you can get on at £4.5m and he gets a few starts, Rashford esq, then he could be an amazing cheap asset.
Verdict
I’m not planning on playing more than 2 upfront, so i’m taking a £4.5m option and moving towards Greenwood now after his preseason exploits, however the other players mentioned could be real gems during the season. Keep a real eye on the Brighton striker conundrum and Origi!
Written by @LotmerFPL
