Transfer Deadline Day has happened!! One of the most exciting days of the Premier League calendar has been and gone, and we're here to evaluate the signings in Part Two of our January Transfer Analysis. We'll delve into the prospects of all the major transfers. It’s imperative that you know who the new signings are ahead of the upcoming Fantasy EPL waiver runs, and what kind of impact they could have on the Premier League!
The Premier League January Transfers covered here occurred between January 11th and January 31st.
Premier League January Transfer Analysis 21/22
We outline each Premier League new signing individually, providing our views on how they will perform this season and a star rating is given based on their upcoming prospects! We use a five-star rating model to rank the new signings; use these hints and tips to help kick start your Draft Premier League season!
We’ve ranked the prospects based on a star rating, from 1 to 5:
⭐️ = Steer clear
⭐️⭐️ = Wait and see
⭐️⭐️⭐️ = Could be worth a punt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = Great prospect
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = The Premier League signing you’ve been waiting for!
Lucas Digne
Position: Left Back (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: Aston Villa
Signed From: Everton for £25m
Prospects: Selling Digne to rivals Villa is pretty farcical now that Rafa has subsequently left the club, but we've got an elite level Fantrax asset back nonetheless. The FF Chaps have Digne ranked 24th overall in their ROS Rankings, after two strong performances so far for his new club. The Frenchman should rise up our various rankings tables in due course, especially our Set Piece Takers table. With Targett leaving the club on Deadline Day to join Newcastle on-loan, Digne should start all of Villa's remaining games. Teammate Impacts: Targett to Newcastle, McGinn & Luiz set pieces & pp90 down, Watkins service up Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wout Weghorst
Position: Striker (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Burney
Signed From: Wolfburg for £11m
Prospects: Weghorst is the most prolific striker in the Bundesliga after the mercurial Lewandowski in the last few years. He comes to Burnley having established himself as a prolific scorer in one of the top 5 leagues and a regular in the Dutch national team. This is a huge upgrade for Burnley on Wood, and they will hope that he hits the ground running as they battle relegation. His stats from the last 2 years paint a picture of a reliable goalscorer: 21/22 17 starts, 11.2 Pp90, 7.1, 6G/1A, 20/21 33 starts, 14.2 PP90, 7.6p90, 20G,8A. Wolfsburg's style of play has recently moved away from exploiting his height and aerial ability, but he will no doubt rediscover his abilities under Dyche. 2 key stats that make us very excited about his arrival: He is in the 80th percentile or above in all "pressures" stats and in the 93rd percentile in Aerials won % according to Fbref. Oh, and also this announcement video: BEST ANNOUNCEMENT EVER . He's not going to be a world-beater on a relegation-threatened Burnley side, but he's a guaranteed starting forward who's proven his craft over and over and should be a good fit for his new system. Burnley also have multiple DGWs and more games in hand than most other sides. Proceed with tempered optimism. Teammate Impacts: Vydra & Rodriguez minutes down
Expected Fantasy Player Comparison: Raul Jimenez (These comparisons are meant to reflect expected fantasy value equivalents by position, production, and play time)
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Christian Eriksen
Position: Attacking Midfielder (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Brentford
Signed From: Unattached after contract terminated with Inter Milan
Prospects: There is a lot to like about this transfer. Eriksen is a true EPL and Fantrax legend and he is joining a team with a lot of good pieces in place but desperately lacking a creator. Enter Eriksen. He has done everything since his collapse on the pitch at EURO2020 to get back to playing and crucially, he has been cleared to do so, by multiple professionals. He has had a defibrillator inserted to monitor and maintain his vitals (that is why he couldn't play in Italy anymore) and he's slowly increased his training workload starting from individual training programmes to team activities with Ajax (his former club). He has signed a 6-month contract with Brentford and Thomas Frank has already come out saying that although he is fit, he has some way to go to achieve match fitness. His fantasy and production numbers in Italy under Conte were not particularly impressive as he has played in less than half their league games recording 3 goals and 0 assists. In this time, his pp90 was 9.6 and his ghost points per 90 only 7.6. However in the past, he did average 13 pp90 and 9 ghost p90 during his last 3 seasons with Spurs in the EPL so we know his fantasy upside exists. For now though, he has a lot to prove and with this many question marks around him, he is much more of a punt than a sure thing, for fantasy purposes. Teammate Impacts: Jensen & Onyeka minutes down, Janelt set pieces, pp90 down, Toney & Mbeumo service up Player Comparison: Pascal Gross / Thiago
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Donny van de Beek
Position: Attacking Mid (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Everton
Signed From: Manchester Untied (half-season loan)
Prospects: The much maligned Manchester united midfielder initially has a chance to get some consistent minutes. He likely becomes a quality starter for Lampard's new look Everton midfield next to Doucoure and possibly Dele Alli (or Allan depending on tactics). Most likely DVB will be the most advanced midfielder for Everton and we know he's shown quality in the past. Expect an inconsistent, high upside, low floor mid, who could get hot if used correctly. An exciting fresh start. Teammate Impacts: Gomes & Townsend minutes down, potentially Allan minutes down depending on formation Player Comparison: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall / Fred
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dejan Kulusevski
Position: Winger/Forward (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Tottenham
Signed From: Juventus for £30m
Prospects: Kulusevski is a versatile 21 year old attacker who can play as a winger, attacking midfielder, or even striker. He adds much needed depth to the Spurs front line, as well as some competition with Lucas for a starting role. If Son misses more time, Kulusevski likely competes right away with Bergwijn or the 3rd centre mid for starts. If Son is back, Dejan likely challenges Lucas for his starting RW berth. He scored around 11 pp90 and 8 gp90 for Juve and should be expected to score a bit worse than that when he starts. He's a good pickup and hold option, particularly for Lucas or Son managers. He should be solid in starts but its unlikely he starts more than half of Spurs' games remaining. Worth noting that his breakout season happened when he was 19 years old at Parma scoring 13.5 pp90, 9.2 gPP90 and 10G/8A. incidentally when Conte was managing at Inter Teammate Impacts: Lucas minutes down Player Comparison: Christian Pulisic
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Bruno Guimarães
Position: Central Midfielder (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Newcastle United
Signed From: Lyon for initial £35m
Prospects: A potentially era-defining signing for Newcastle, who have managed to get a player they can build a midfield and a whole team around. An excellent deep-lying playmaker/holding midfielder, he calls himself the piano carrier and boy is that a telling nickname. He has been scoring in the top 10 percent of all midfielders in top European leagues for Passes attempted, progressives passes AND progressive carries, pressures and tackles according to Fbref . For comparison purposes, think Mateo Kovacic, but better. This season, he had 9.6 fpts, 8.1 gpts p90 in Ligue 1 in 20 games for Lyon. He has a very solid floor of Tackles, Dribbles, Key Passes, but Lyon are a better, more ball-dominant side than Newcastle. We expect him to be a decent floor option, expect ~8 p90 with limited upside who will make his teammates better. He's not a sexy option, but he's a rosterable solid floor
Teammate Impacts: Longstaff minutes down to zero, Shelvey minutes potentially affected. Player Comparison: Mateo Kovacic
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Luiz Diaz
Position: Winger/Wide Forward (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Liverpool
Signed From: Porto for initial £37.5m
Prospects: Luis Diaz is the marquee signing Liverpool fans have been clamouring for for the last year and a half. He brings excitement, flair and goals as well as easing the pressure of the contract situation all 3 of their forwards are in. At 25 years old, he is in his prime and he is the type of goalscoring wide forward Liverpool have been accustomed to in the last few years with Mané and Salah. Klopp has a tendency to bed players in slowly and let them learn the system. With Liverpool still going strong in 4 competitions, he will surely get his fair share of chances for starts, with one maybe coming as early as GW24 with Mané's Senegal and Salah's Egypt both making it to the semis of AFCON. He will be a very high upside starter but his opportunities will be limited, so you have to be patient if you pick him up. This season at Porto, he has played 18 games getting 14G and 4A in the process. Along with 2.2 KPs and 2.6 Dribbles per game this season in Portugal.
Teammate Impacts: Mané minutes down Player Comparison: Callum Hudson-Odoi
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dele Alli
Position: Attacking Mid (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Everton
Signed From: Tottenham for £10m
Prospects: How many times have we used the 📈 emoji to predict and hope for an Alli revival? I have lost count. Managers came and went, chances at Spurs came and went and Dele failed to impress only to find himself in trouble more times than on the pitch. But let's not forget how good he was when he was actually good. He was immense. A top 5 MID over the course of the season. We are very skeptical about his prospects at Everton, but are in agreement, that it is his last chance saloon. If he gets to grips with the possibility that it he fails in this move, he can kiss a top flight career goodbye, he has a chance to recreate old times and a change in scenery and a nurturing manager like Lampard looks ideal for a Dele revival. Put a wet towel on all of your expectations, then throw them out into the snowstorm raging outside. Once it has frozen solid, you can grab it. That's about where your expectations should be. But my God, if he pulls it out of the bag from there, he will be a fan favourite again. 15.7 Pp90 with 10.6 gPp90 from 15/16 are just some of the mouthwatering stats I can throw at you if you are "statway" inclined. For now, expect a lot of inconsistency and low floor games. Teammate Impacts: Gomes & Townsend minutes down, potentially Allan minutes down depending on tactics. Player Comparison: Jacob Ramsey
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Chris Wood
Position: Central Striker (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Newcastle United
Signed From: Burnley for £25m
Prospects: We're all aware of Chris Wood as a Premier League player, and Fantrax asset. His move to Newcastle gives him a slight uptick as Newcastle are likely to score more goals than Burnley, but his playing time is less guaranteed. Wood should score a few goals, offer decent ghost points via aerial wins, and will provide value as a streamer at times.
Teammate Impacts: Wilson minutes down, Joelinton minutes in midfield and production up.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Dan Burn
Position: Centre/Left Back (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: Newcastle
Signed From: Brighton for £13m
Prospects: A homecoming of sorts for the big man, as Burn is reportedly a huge Newcastle fan, coming from Northumberland. Newcastle have been looking all over the globe for a suitable centre back who is able to come in and start straight away for them and they have found him in Burn, who is a Fantrax favourite. He has a very solid floor and if the new signings of Trippier, Targett and himself can solidify the defense so that they don't concede that much, and maybe even keep a clean sheet or two, he will be a decent option. Probably just above free agent level for the season.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Rodrigo Bentancur
Position: Central Midfielder (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Tottenham
Signed From: Juventus for £16m
Prospects: Pushed out at Juventus by their need to cut the wage bill, but he has no way been a bit-part player for them. He started 15 matches this season for 8.3 PP90 and 7.4 gPP90 and 25 last season for 8.3 PP90 and 8 gPP90. Very much the first line of defense kind of midfielder whose strengths are well highlighted by his Fbref Scout report: in the top 92 percent for interceptions among midfielders in the top European leagues, top 88 percent for pressures, and top 81 percent for tackles. He will likely push Skipp or Winks for a starting spot from day one, but provide solid but not stellar Fantrax numbers.
Teammate Impacts: Skipp, Winks, maybe Hojbjerg minutes down Player Comparison: Oliver Skipp / Harry Winks
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Matty Targett
Position: Left Back (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: Newcastle
Signed From: Aston Villa on loan
Prospects: Targett has been a serviceable Fantrax player for years now, particularly in good matchups for Villa. However, he's downgraded to a Newcastle side that's conceded far more goals this season. While they have retooled significantly during the January window, their defensive prospects are still a downgrade from Villa's and now Targett has to play opposite the more attack-minded Kieran Trippier. Targett becomes a streamer in good matchups at best unless Newcastle have a miraculous defensive turnaround.
Teammate Impacts: Dummett, Manquillo minutes down to zero. Defense up, Wood aerials up.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Anwar El Ghazi
Position: Winger/Attacking Midfielder (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Everton
Signed From: Aston Villa on loan
Prospects: El Ghazi has moved to Everton on-loan for the rest of the season, but it remains to be seen where he fits into the side. Gray, Townsend, Richarlison and Gordon are realistically much better placed to earn starts under new manager Lampard. If El Ghazi starts a game against a lower table team, then sure he's worth a stream. But for now, wait and see how he performs if/when he gets minutes.
Teammate Impacts: None
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Calum Chambers
Position: Right Back/Centre Back/Defensive Midfielder (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: Aston Villa
Signed From: Arsenal for free
Prospects: Chambers has been signed on a free transfer from Arsenal, ahead of his contract expiring in the summer. The versatile Englishman will likely deputize at centre or right back, as well as serving as a utility player for the squad. He does usually score pretty well in Fantrax when he starts, so this is certainly one to keep an eye on in the case of injury or rotation to Villa's regular starters. Pick him up if/when he does start!
Teammate Impacts: Potentially Konsa & Hause minutes down.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Samuel Kalu
Position: Right Winger (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Watford
Signed From: Bordeaux for £3m
Prospects: The 24 year old Nigerian winger joins a crowded attacking corps at Watford. He'll likely be a backup and rotation option behind Dennis, Sarr, King, and Pedro to start but could factor in more as the season goes onwards and Watford keep dropping points. Hodgson's reign may further deteriorate the attacking potential of the Hornets though, so not a ton to like here for now.
Teammate Impacts: Could cut into King, Pedro, and Cucho minutes in the medium term Player Comparison: Christos Tzolis
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Chiquinho
Position: Winger (either side) (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Wolves
Signed From: Estorial Praia for £3m
Prospects: A promising, 21 year old Portugese winger, Chiquinho is one for the future. While he will be part of the senior team, he may find starts hard to come by with Podence, Trincao, and Hwang Hee-Chan all in front of him. Traore leaving does potentially open up a bit of time though. Regardless, not likely one that will be rostered this season.
Teammate Impacts: None
Rating: ⭐️
Robin Olsen
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Aston Villa
Signed From: Roma on loan
Prospects: Robin Olson has been signed from Roma on-loan for the rest of the season to provide back-up to Emi Martinez. This move was made to potentially enable Jed Steer to go out on loan himself, but in any case this is not a noteworthy signing.
Teammate Impacts: None
Rating: ⭐️
Julian Alvarez
Position: Forward
Team: Manchester City (and loaned back to River Plate)
Signed From: River Plate for £16m
Prospects: Alvarez is a fantastic prospect for the future, but Fantrax managers will have to wait until at least next season, as he's finishing the season in Argentina.
Teammate Impacts: None
Rating: ⭐️
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