The Premier League signings are steadily rolling in, so our January Transfer Analysis will 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!
This article will be updated as new players come in.
The Premier League January Transfers covered here occurred between January 1st and January 8th.
Premier League January Transfer Analysis 22/23
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!
Cody Gakpo
Position: Winger/Anywhere in the front 3 (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Liverpool
Signed From: PSV
Prospects: The Dutch attacker was one of the revelations of this year's World Cup leading his country's team stats in goals and leading them to a heart breaking penalty shootout defeat to eventual winners, Argnetina. He was supposedly close to a transfer in the summer, with Mancester United touted as front runners as ETH looked to dip back again into the Eredivisie pool. They ended up going with Anthony for an eye-watering fee and, in comparison, Gakpo could be a steal for Liverpool.
With Diaz and Jota out long-term and Firmino struggling with a short-term calf issue, Liverpool are looking desperately short-staffed up front. Gakpo fits the age profile and the type of player Liverpool usually go for, as they complete the retooling of their front line. The 23-year-old has been in excellent form for PSV this season, scoring 9 and assisting 12 in 14 games. Last season, he managed 12 goals and 13 assists in 27 games, which, even by Eredivisie standards, is stellar.
He will need to hit the ground running as the aforementioned injuries meant that Oxlade-Chamberlain has been starting in the front 3 for the last few games and, while putting in decent shifts, Gakpo will provide a definite upgrade, so we expect him to start right away, once the papers clear.
He has primarily played as a LW previously, but this season, he appeared as a number 10 several times at PSV and played through the middle for the Dutch national team. His versatility means that he could be used as number 9 pushing Nunez out wide or he could deputise for Diaz on the left wing meaning Nunez could occupy the middle of the pitch. He is great at running at defences and finding space behind the lines, which bodes well for the deep lying playmaking abilities of TAA and Thiago.
Verdict: Gakpo is likely the top waiver target for the January Transfer Window so therefore deserves Waiver 1/ 100% of remaining FAB spend.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gustavo Scarpa
Position: Attacking Midfielder (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Nottingham Forest
Signed From: Palmeiras
Prospects: The Brazilian is the millionth signing for Forest, but definitely the most fun one. He had 7 goals and 13 assists for Palmeiras in 31 starts in 2022 primarily in the number 10 spot. He is a set-piece specialist, high-volume shooter & chance creator with low defensive work rate. He will challenge for a forward spot and MGW for his set pieces and is likely to be involved in open play attacking build-up play as well. He will push for AM starts, has been exciting in friendlies this break, could be integrated semi-slowly, but talent is there to win out.
Verdict: Likely available for around 10-20 FAB in 12 team leagues, could clear waivers in 10 or 8 team. Probably wait and see. More on Scarpa: https://theathletic.com/3975036/2022/12/07/gustavo-scarpa-nottingham-forest/
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Matheus Cunha
Position: Centre Forward/Winger (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Wolves
Signed From: Atletico Madrid
Prospects: After an uninspiring spell with Atletí, the Brazilian will want to replicate his form showed at Hertha Berlin when he get going for Wolves. Lopetegui identified the need and got his man in quickly to help out with a toothless Wolves attack.
His numbers in Spain are nothing to write home about (40 GP 10 GS for Atletico in 21/22,22/23 w 6G/6A) but he was much better & had more playtime for Berlin in 20/21 w 14.fpts, 11.1gpts/90 (took sets). He played a lot as a LW and a 10 too in the German capital. He looks to have a good fantasy floor, he racks up defensive stats, and is a good dribbler. WOL will need goals to make him a useful fantasy asset, though.
Verdict: He will likely be in demand with the second most FAB spend in the first January run. A lot of people got burned by Nunes and Guedes, so around 20% of remaining FAB or anything below a 3rd Waiver pick will surely be enough to get him. At that price, he will be worth the money spent.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mislav Orsic
Position: Forward (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Southampton
Signed From: Dinamo Zagreb
Prospects: A rare, experienced signing for the Saints as the new manager, Jones looks to steady the fast-sinking ship. Orsic was part of the Croatia squad that made a deep run at the World Cup recently and has played in the Champions and Europa leagues with Dinamo for the past 2 seasons. He's a flexible attacker playing across all 3 front positions, who should immediately make an impact for Southampton, at least after he gains fitness from not playing since the WC. Orsic was excellent in Croatia, scoring 38 goals in 71 starts in the last 2.5 seasons. However, statistically speaking, outside of his goal tallies, Orsic doesn't do a whole lot of fantasy-relevant stuff. His Champions & Europa league statistics show that he's a good passer and defender for an attacker but doesn't tend to put up many other attacking stats, unfortunately. He's not a volume dribbler, nor shot-creator, and a decent chunk of his value at Zagreb came from set pieces, which he's very unlikely to get from Ward-Prowse. Southampton don't score very often so in order to provide fantasy value, you need to be a ghost-point-getter, (like Edozie somewhat), and Orsic doesn't appear to be that. But, he should get minutes, and in good matchups, he should be a low-floor, decent-ceiling forward option, and even those are hard to come by at times.
Verdict: He will likely fly under the radar somewhat and around 5% of remaining FAB or anything below a 3rd Waiver pick will surely be enough to get him. Pay attention to Jones pressers about his fitness, because you might be able to get him for even less if he is not expected to start straight away.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Max Wober
Position: LB/LCB (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: Leeds
Signed From: RB Salzburg
Prospects: A centre-back turned left back this season for Salzburg, the 24-year-old provides much-needed defensive reinforcement for Marsch's side. Strujik has done a valiant effort as a makeshift left-back this season, but the defense still needs help. Wober could either come in as a left-back, pushing Strujik over to centre back (possibly displacing Cooper or Koch), or go straight in at LCB. He was Salzburg's captain at 24, had good defensive ghosts, and had a similar profile to Strujik, he should be able to do well when Leeds don't concede a lot. In early pressers, Marsch spoke well of him. He came on for the last hour against Cardiff and played in a hybrid DM role to showcase his versatility.
Verdict: You are probably able to get him on a free if not in his first waiver run, maybe a days later. There is unlikely to be many interested parties, but Villa, Brentford, and Forest in the next 3 will provide a decent opportunity to pick and stream if he starts to se what he is made of fantasy-wise. Do not expect much, enjoy if he is decent.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Benoit Badiashile
Position: RCB (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: Chelsea
Signed From: Monaco
Prospects: It is not every day a young defender earns a France cap before he is even 21. Well BB has done just that. Has great talent and has played a ton in Monaco's first team already. He is an agressive ball playing defender, with the build to rival Chelsea great and fellow compatriot Marcel Desaiily. He has the 4th most aerials and 20th most progressive passes in Ligue 1 this season which should speak to his talent and form (thanks for the stats D). He is still raw and prone to lapses of concentration, which Potter will hope Thiago Silva will whoop out of him in no time. With Fofana's injury setback and Koulibaly's struggles, he could get a look in early. But with Chelsea's current form, I would hesitate to stream until a great defensive matchup comes along. Will ikely be an under par ghoster, around 5-6 ghost points/90.
Verdict: Wait until you can stream in a good matchup.
Rating: ⭐️⭐️
Ellis Sims
Position: Striker (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Everton
Signed From: Brought back from loan
Prospects: Brought back by EVE as attacking cover due to precarious table and financial position. He is a good youth prospect, but very unlikely to get time ahead of Calvert-Lewin or Maupay. Rondon left, meaning they needed another squad forward (to rot on the bench).
Verdict: Wait until you can stream in a good matchup, then stream someone else!
Rating: ⭐️
Kevin Schade
Position: Winger (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Brentford
Signed From: Freiburg
Prospects: The young German is unlikely to get a starting place any time soon (see KLP and Damsgaard) so irrelevant as of now, keep checking to see if he is any closer to a start.
Rating: ⭐️
David Datro Fofana
Position: Forward (Forward in Fantrax)
Team: Chelsea
Signed From: Molde
Verdict: The second Chelsea Fofana played a decent amount at Molde but it is doubtful that he gets starting minutes any time soon despite the struggles of Auba and the inconsistency of Havertz. He did come on in the FA Cup drubbing against City, but let someone else see too much into that and overpay. Potter will sooner start Kovacic as a "false" "False Nine".
Rating: ⭐️
Luizao
Position: Centre Back (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: West Ham
Signed From: Sao Paolo
Verdict: Not worth a pickup, a signing for the future.
Rating: ⭐️
Facundo Buonanotte
Position: Attacking Midfielder (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Brighton
Signed From: Rosario Central
Verdict: Not worth a pickup, a signing for the future.
Rating: ⭐️
Andrey Santos
Position: Central Midfielder (Midfielder in Fantrax)
Team: Chelsea
Signed From: Vasco de Gama
Verdict: Not worth a pickup, a signing for the future (for the loan army).
Rating: ⭐️
Mads Bech Sorenson
Position: Centre Back (Defender in Fantrax)
Team: Brentford
Signed From: Returning from Loan at Swansea
Verdict: Expected to stay at BRF for the rest of the season but will likely only get the odd rotational/injury-related start.
Rating: ⭐️
Jack Butland
Position: Goalkeeper
Team: Man United
Signed From: Crystal Palace
Verdict: Backup, will only start if De Gea is injured.
Rating: ⭐️
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