Our Fantasy EPL 22/23 Draft Kit promises to be the most comprehensive set of pre-season Draft Premier League articles ever produced! A key component of our Draft Kit will be the Team Preview articles which analyze key assets to sit alongside our all-important Draft Rankings. This article highlights Fantrax Fantasy EPL Sleepers from Manchester City, as we highlight three potential hidden gems for the new season! Click here for details on how you can access our 22/23 Draft Kit.
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Manchester City Sleepers
As noted above, these are potential Fantrax Sleepers from Manchester City. These Fantasy EPL players are likely to be drafted in the later rounds. Read below for three under the radar players who could provide excellent value in your pre-season draft.
Bernardo Silva
Position: Midfielder
21/22 Points: 387 (9th best midfielder)
21/22 Points Per Start: 11.5 (33 starts)
22/23 Projected Points Per Start: 11.1 (28 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 23 - 28 (12 Team League: Late 2nd - Early 3rd)
Overview: Bernardo Silva is coming off an incredible fantasy season for Manchester City, a season where almost noone thought he would still be on their roster. His move abroad last summer didn't really amount to anything, and managers got a steal on Bernardo, given I saw him be drafted as late as round 10 (!!). This year Bernardo Silva will be a huge "utility" player for Pep. The sales of Jesus, and Sterling open up more minutes in the front 3 where we know Bernardo can play on the wing, or even as a false 9 if Haaland isn't fit. Bernardo should get a decent chunk of minutes as a #8 a position he played almost all of last season and scored extremely well from. His current ADP of 34 has him going in the late 3rd round, which is a steal for whoever ends up drafting him. I would even consider using my 2nd rounder on him. I personally think he will again crack 30 starts and offer a similar PPS.
Bernardo offered 8.1 ghost point per 90 showing he has a strong floor on top of his 8 goals and 4 assists. With Haaland in the team there is every chance his ceiling increases with the assist potential there making him a top 10 midfielder for another season. Bernardo is almost as locked in as they can be with Pep roulette in attack, and it looks like he has no interest in leaving the club this summer. I expect a very strong season from the City midfielder, and would seriously consider using a 2nd round pick on him over the likes of Mount, Grealish, and Kulusevski.
Ruben Dias
Position: Defender
21/22 Points: 252.75 (15th best Defender)
21/22 Points Per Start: 9.2 (27 starts)
22/23 Projected Points Per Start: 8.9 (27 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 70 -80 (12 Team League: Late 6th - Early 7th)
Overview: Dias isn't the best of ghost point performers, but there is no denying he is Pep's first choice CB, and as long as he is healthy can easily get 35-38 starts. Dias only racks up about 5.8 ghost points per 90 put offer tremendous clean sheet upside and stability, as well as his ability to add some attacking returns to his value. Last season he managed 2 goals and 4 assists, and a similar return isn't out of the question. His current ADP of 80 has him below the likes of Targett, Tarkowski, and Digne by some distance, and there is no reason that he can't outscore those players this season. I understand the argument of upside vs. a boring CB believe me, but when you are an almost guarenteed starter on the title favourites team, you should get another look.
Dias should offer solid DEF2 value this season, and if you pair him with an upside DEF1, and some later round defensive punts his stability and consistency will help your team nicely. If Cucurella does join it may offer even more defensive stability for City. I also expect Kalvin Phillips to get a decent number of starts, and having him in the mix, adds increased prospects for clean sheets. Don't be afraid to draft the "boring" Ruben Dias, and watch him rack in another 250+ points for your team this season.
John Stones
Position: Defender
21/22 Points: 147.75 (60th best defender)
21/22 Points Per Start: 12 (12 starts)
22/23 Projected Points Per Start: 10 (17 starts)
Recommended Draft Pick: 121 or later (12 Team League: Round 11 or later)
Overview: Stones had an injury riddled campaign but still offered managers tremendous value when he started. For the last 2 seasons Stones has shown he was worth his hype and price tag. He is a top defender, and scored pretty well when starting in fantasy. The issue here is his battle with Laporte for the starting role. It isn't out of the question that Stones will win that role sooner rather than later. Pep is a big fan of the English CB, and could give him a go in the XI as soon as opening day. Stones offers a very solid floor of 7.5 ghost points/90, add in his clean sheets and the odd return and you are looking at someone with low end DEF1 upside.
The fact that you can get Stones as last as the 13th round makes him a sleeper. At the worst case you drop him after a few gameweeks if Laporte and Dias look like the settled pairing....although nothing is ever settled with Pep in charge. Most teams can probably draft him as a DEF4, so even if you needed to hold him for a month to see how the early season shakes out, it may be worth the gamble. Stones will be looking to be cemented as England's starting CB come the World Cup, so don't expect him to rollover and accept defeat to Laporte at all in the early few weeks.
Honorable Mention(s):
Kalvin Phillips, has just signed a long term contract with Manchester City. I do think Phillips can be a very sneaky late round pick if he can get some minutes in the 8 role, and add in starts at the 6 when Rodri needs rest or is out injured. Phillips will get more minutes than a lot of people think, and he will go undrafted in many many leagues. If you believe that he fits Pep's system then you can use your 15th-16th round pick on him. A lot of players struggle to get good minutes in their first season for Manchester City, and if that is the case here, then he is an easy drop for any other starting asset on the waiver wire.
More Fantasy Sleepers: Arsenal | Aston Villa | Bournemouth | Brentford | Brighton | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Leeds | Leicester | Liverpool | Man United | Newcastle | Nottm Forest | Southampton | Tottenham | West Ham | Wolves
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