Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, Arsenal’s Kieran Tierney Lead Fantasy Premier League Sleepers

A new season already?

With the coronavirus pandemic still quite prevalent around the world, the Premier League
PINC
had to complete the 2019-2020 season later than ever before. So if you think we had a very short offseason leading into a later-than-normal 2020-2021 campaign, you’d be right.

But fear not, fellow Fantasy Premier League competitors. We’ve got some low priced, low bought and productive sleepers to share with you, starting in net.

Goalkeeper

Aaron Ramsdale, Sheffield United, £5.0M

The 22-year-old Englishman gets inserted behind the Blades’ stout defense, replacing FPL stud Dean Henderson, who’s being returned from loan to Manchester United to possibly compete for the top ‘keeper spot with David de Gea. Ramsdale put up 126 points, 10th among FPL goalies last season, and five clean sheets despite playing for relegated Bournemouth.

Honorable mention: Alex McCarthy, Southampton, £4.5M

Defenders

Kieran Tierney, Arsenal, £5.5M

Tierney played extremely well after the restart after he got past knee issues, which were a big problem for him to start the season. Now in a bolstered back line with the ability to get forward under Gunners manager Mikel Arteta, the 23-year-old Scottish defender should return with both clean sheets and attacking returns. He’s being played as of this writing by 11.1% of managers, with Fulham and West Ham starting the campaign as favorable matchups.

Romain Saiss, Wolverhampton Wanderers, £5.0M

With Matt Doherty sold to Tottenham, the 30-year-old Moroccan international will have an even more important role for Wolves. Just in 2.4% of lineups, Saiss had two goals, two assists and two clean sheets last season. His 103 points last season ranked 8th among defenders who cost £5.0M or fewer. After Sheffield United and Manchester City, Wolves’ fixture list is friendly with games against West Ham, Fulham, Leeds, Newcastle and Crystal Palace.

Ezgjan Alioski, Leeds United, £4.5M

Hailing from North Macedonia, Alioski played a pivotal role in Leeds’ triumphant return to the top flight for the first time since 2004. A natural winger who has played both wide midfield and wing-back for Marco Biesla, if you are willing to risk a spot on a promotion defender, the 28-year-old could pay dividends on both ends of the field.

Honorable mention: Charlie Taylor, Burnley, £4.5M

Midfielders

Adam Lallana, Brighton & Hove Albion, £6.5M

Now that he’s back playing first team Premier League football Lallana has a lot to prove. The 32-year-old has made his move to the coast in order to secure consistent playing time, and if he could get back to the form he had while playing for Southampton, Lallana should punch way beyond his value. He had eight goals and seven assists as recently as 2016-2017, and would be a huge bargain if he comes close to matching that output for the Gulls.

Marcus Rashford, Manchester United, £9.5M

With a position change from forward to midfield in FPL’s 20-21 edition, Rashford could be the perfect second midfielder if you want to allocate most of your funds there. Starring in one of the most electric attacks after the restart, his stats do not match up to his being played by just 5.8% of managers. If that percentage holds, it would mean that Rashford’s returns could shoot you up the global rankings.

Harvey Barnes, Leicester City, £7.0M

The 22-year-old earned more FPL points last season than popular Foxes midfield teammates James Maddison, Ayoze Perez and Youri Tielemans. If Barnes is able to build on a 19-20 campaign where he scored six goals, dished out 10 assists and recorded nine clean sheets, managers who roster Barnes will benefit from him only being selected by just 4.6% of competitors.

Honorable mention: Mark Noble, West Ham United, £5.0M

Forwards

Callum Wilson, Newcastle United, £6.5M

Also rescued from relegated Bournemouth, Wilson is always good for goals when he’s on the pitch, unlike last year’s Newcastle bust Joelinton. Joined by Cherries defector Ryan Fraser with a returning Toon attack including Miguel Almiron and Alain Saint-Maximin, Wilson has the chance to be this year’s notable cheap forward. With better talent around him, the 28-year-old can certainly surpass his eight-goal, six-assist output from a season ago.

Chris Wood, Burnley, £6.5M

The New Zealand international is a proven Premier League goal scorer. His 14 last season for the Clarets were no fluke, as it was his third straight season with double-digit tallies. Selected by just 3.1% of FPL managers, Wood’s consistent production can pay dividends for your squad.

Honorable mention: Aaron Maupay, Brighton & Hove Albion, £6.5M

h/t Maxwell