With the fifth week of the English Premier League looming, we take a look at some of the players who we think can compliment any team, fantasy, or otherwise.
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Lukas Fabianski – Goalkeeper – Swansea City - 5.0m
Season Stats: 360 Minutes Played, 1 Clean Sheet, 4 Goals Conceded, and 8 Saves
Premier League Points: 12 (10th Ranked GK)
Week 5 Fixture: (A) vs. Watford: Saturday, September 12th @ Vicarage Road
This weekend, the rich will seemingly get richer. Already rolling, the Swans will look to continue their hot start with a favorable matchup off the international break. Not only does Swansea provide a lopsided assembly of superior talent, but will face a Hornets squad that has yet to score a goal since its two-goal draw with Everton in week one. Results notwithstanding, Watford has shown a lackadaisical effort on offense this season, choosing to sit back and defend rather than press opponents. This is good news for Lukas Fabianski, who is very likely to leave Vicarage Road with not just a victory, but a clean sheet as well.
Dusan Tadic – Midfielder – Southampton – 6.9m
Season Stats: 225 Minutes Played, 2 Goals Scored, 2 Shots on Target, 5 Fouls Suffered, and 20 Crosses
Premier League Points: 23 (T-9th Ranked MF)
Week 5 Fixture: (A) vs. West Brom: Saturday, September 12th @ The Hawthorns
After a miserable trio of games to start the new campaign, Southampton finally awoke from their summer slumber in week four. Led by Tadic’s brace, the Saints erupted for three goals in a 3-0 slaughter of Norwich. Hot off of the breakthrough performance, Tadic should find himself once again in the starting XI. He and the Saints finds themselves with a favorable matchup, facing a beleaguered West Brom squad who have allowed three goals in half of their opening games. Tadic, Sadio Mane, and Graziano Pelle should have a field day exploiting the gaps in the struggling Baggie rearguard.
Pedro – Midfielder – Chelsea – 9.5m
Season Stats: 173 Minutes Played, 1 Goal Scored, 2 Assists, 1 Shot on Goal, 4 Fouls Suffered, and 7 Crosses
Premier League Points: 20 (T-14th Ranked MF)
Week 5 Fixture: (A) vs. Everton: Saturday, September 12th @ Goodison Park
The theft of Pedro may very well end up being the move that salvages what could have been a disaster of a season for Chelsea. Pedro, at least momentarily, has taken some pressure off of the struggling Chelsea defense by adding some vitality to the offensive attack. Since replacing the struggling Willian in Week 3, Pedro has contributed on 75% of Chelsea’s goals, registering one of his own and providing an assist on two others. Look for Pedro to torture Everton’s third-choice, out-of-position fullback, Bryan Oviedo, this weekend at Goodison Park.
Jose Rondon – Forward – West Brom – 7.0m
Season Stats: 209 Minutes Played, 1 Goal Scored, 1 Assist, 2 Shots on Goal, 4 Fouls Suffered, and 1 Cross
Premier League Points: 13 (12th Ranked FW)
Week 5 Fixture: (H) vs. Southampton: Saturday, September 12th @ St. Mary’s Stadium
Even with the Sadio Berahino drama resolved (sort of) don’t expect Tony Pulls to put the striker back on the pitch anytime soon. With this is mind, look for Jose Rondon to make his third consecutive appearance in the starting XI this weekend. In his first start, Rondon registered an assist in a losing effort against Chelsea. The following week, against Stoke, Rondon’s goal was the difference maker in West Brom’s first victory of the season. With Rickie Lambert performing well and Rondon exceeding expectations, West Brom’s decision not to sell the disgruntled Berahino looks even more curious.
Heung-min Son – Forward – Tottenham – 8.0m
Season Stats: N/A
Premier League Points: N/A
Week 5 Fixture: (A) vs. Sunderland: Saturday, September 12th @ The Stadium of Light
If not now, when? Through the first month of the season Spurs find themselves buried in the bottom fourth of the table. Its a horrible situation to be in, especially considering they have arguably been the better squad in each of its first four matches. Much the opposite from last season, Tottenham have been relatively strong on defense, but have lacked any offensive creativity. Harry Kane, last season’s wunderkind, is still struggling to find his first goal of the season. To add insult to injury, quite literally, the Spurs’ top two midfielders, Christian Eriksen, and Mousa Dembele, are sidelined with lower-body strains.
To remedy their offensive woes, Daniel Levy and Mauricio Pochettino sent 22 million pounds to Bayer Leverkusen for attacking midfielder, Heung-min Son. The South Korean international is a proven offensive threat coming from the competitive proving ground of the Bundesliga. With Dembele and Eriksen staying on the bench for Matchday Five, look for Son to make his inaugural start for the Hotspur.
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