Premier League Summer Transfer Analysis 24/25 [Part Three]

Transfer season is well and truly under way, with multiple Premier League clubs already confirming one or more new signings ahead of the 24/25 EPL season. We'll share our analysis on what to expect from each of these new arrivals from a Draft EPL Fantasy perspective between now and when the transfer window slams shut on September 1. Our third installment looks at players confirmed by their respective clubs between July 21st and August 8th. To see part 2 and coverage of KDH, Savio, Zirkzee, and more click here. For part 1 and coverage of Maatsen, Minteh, Barkley and way more, click here.

Check out our 24/25 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you could ever need. We've got a Live Draft Aide, Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Cheat Sheets, Strategy Articles, Draft 101. Dominate your draft!

24/25 Premier League Summer Transfers Analysis

Below, DraftLad will cover each Premier League transfer individually, providing his analysis of how they will be expected to perform in the upcoming 24/25 season. We use a five-star rating model to rank the new signings relative to their draft value; use these as a guide to help get your Draft Premier League season off to a flyer!

We’ve ranked the transfers, 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!

The Premier League Summer Transfer Analysis covers signings that were confirmed by their respective clubs between July 21st and August 8th (future signings will be a part of Part 4!). Part 2 here. If you would like to see the converted fantasy points scored by many of the below players this past season (in their respective leagues) check out our table here: https://www.thedraftsociety.com/transfers-fpts PP90 = fantasy points per 90. GPP90 = ghost points per 90. PPS = fantasy points per start.

Dominic Solanke

Position: Striker (F in Fantrax)

Team: Tottenham

Signed From: Bournemouth for €75m

Prospects:  Have Spurs finally gotten their proper Harry Kane replacement? Well, his fellow Englishman, Solanke, bagged nearly 20 goals (19g, 3a) in the Prem last season for the 12th placed Cherries. And he’s a closer match stylistically than Richarlison or Son who played there last season. He's proven himself as a quality Prem striker and is peaking at the prime age of 26. So this deal makes sense for Spurs to strengthen their front line. But he’s not quite in the upper echelon of elite strikers, as semi-proven by missing out on recent call ups to the English national team to Kane, Watkins, and Toney.

Maybe his fortunes will grow at Spurs though, who could certainly use a front man. It’ll enable them to put Son back on his preferred LW position and not need to rely on Richarlison's spotty availability record. Solanke himself has started at least 32 games the last 4 seasons for Bournemouth in the Prem and Championship (37+ in 3 of 4). Last season he averaged 11.1 PPS and 6.1 GPPS for Bournemouth. 2 of his 9 goals and 0.8 PPS of the 11.1 did come from pens. Whether he gets pens over Son remains to be seen. Spurs scored 74 goals last season compared to Bournemouth's 54. They’re expected to finish 6th vs the Cherries 12th. So there will be more points almost certainly for Solanke when he does play. He may, however, face more competition than he’s used to, in Richarlison and the various other bodies in attack. I’d expect a down tick in starts but a bigger increase in PPS to make up for it. I think his draft value stays relatively flat (near the end of the 2nd round/20th pick) but his public perception may out-pace that due to the bigger club move. He has the upside to do more if he were to truly nail down the Spurs starting 9 spot and start 32+ games again, but the minutes risk has definitely grown.

Knock-on effects: For Spurs, it hurts Richarlison the most as a direct, likely better competitor for his 9 spot. Son will now likely play most of his time at LW, meaning less time there for Timo Werner, Brennan Johnson & Kulusevski, with the latter 2 mostly competing for the RW spot now. Perhaps even Maddison and the attacking mids feel some knock-on if Kulu plays more minutes there instead of out wide. Overall, Solanke helps the attack and should benefit the likes of Son and Maddison and their assist totals. Richy, Kulu, Brennan, Werner draft stock down.

For Bournemouth, Enes Unal is left as their only explicitly senior striker. Semenyo, Dango, and Kluivert all have some experience playing up top too. With Unal out for "weeks" recovering from a broken toe surgery, there will likely be some knock-on effects as Semenyo or Dango Ouattara (or even new signing Jebbison) will play the 9, leading to more wing minutes for the likes of Sinisterra or Dango. Bournemouth are a clever club though and will likely look to reinvest some of the 60m quickly and I’d expect them to bring someone young and talented in to compete with Unal when he’s back. In the meantime, Unal, Sini, and Dango draft stock up.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Pedro Neto

Position: Winger (F in Fantrax)

Team: Chelsea

Signed From: Wolves for €60m

Prospects:  Chelsea, Chelsea, Chelsea... 43 senior squad players just aren't enough are they? In comes another young, high potential winger in the form of 24yo Portuguese, Pedro Neto. A talented, creative, dribbly winger that has excelled in both real-life for Wolves and in fantasy for stretches, Neto’s biggest problem has been staying fit. He’s missed over 100 games since 2021 and hasn't started 20 times since 20/21. But when he has played, like last season, he’s averaged 13.1 PPS and 8.8 GPPS (albeit 9 assists from 4 xA). He accrues solid xA (0.26 per 90), passing, and chance creation numbers (2.3 KP per 90) but poor xG (0.12 xG per 90) for a Prem winger. He took a lot of set pieces (no pens though) and scored nearly 2 of his 13 PPS solely from them.

So, in a vacuum, he’s a talented 24yo left-footed winger who could have many good years left in the Prem if, and it's a big if, he can stay fit. Chelsea are no vacuum. On the right they currently have Madueke and wonder boy Cole Palmer (who could also play elsewhere like in the 8/10). On the left they have Sterling, Mudryk, Jackson, and Nkunku. Up top, for now, they have Omorodion and Jackson. Most of those guys can play multiple positions and move around. At the current moment, when fit, Palmer seems to be the only guy definitively more talented than Neto (and likely Nkunku). Perhaps his best chances are thus at LW, unseating the recently uninspiring Sterling and Mudryk, and hoping Jackson sticks up top and Nkunku more so in the 8/10.

But it’s still loads of competition in attack and for a guy who struggles to play 20 games when he’s needed badly by his team, it’s hard to imagine he increases his starts in this crowded team. Chelsea have shelled out a big fee though and clearly believe in his talent. But then again, they do for another 42 players too. Neto was fairly ball dominant at Wolves so I’d expect only a slight uptick in production/PPS in the better offense at Chelsea (he'll likely lose lefty sets to Palmer), but the expected GS will surely come down substantially with all the competition. It also remains to be seen what other business Chelsea still do this summer. Sales will help, further buys will hurt. I like Neto in the 5th round (pick 55 or so) or later, a bit worse than our previous rankings in the 45-50 range.

Knock-on effects: For Chelsea: More wing minutes going to Neto. That means less for Madueke, Sterling, and Mudryk. It could also mean we’re more likely to see Palmer and Nkunku in advanced mid positions than on the wings. Less available minutes for Jackson too if he’s pushed out of the 9 by Omorodion (or Osimhen). Draft stock for Sterling, Madueke, Mudryk down. Slightly down for Jackson, Nkunku, and possibly even Palmer (could lose a couple starts of lefty sets to Neto when starting together).

For Wolves: Neto was certainly one of their best 3 attackers. Now that podium belongs likely to Cunha, Hwang, and recently signed Jorgen Strand Larsen. But the secondary options like Pablo Sarabia, Jean-Ricner Bellegarde, and Rodrigo Gomes also suddenly have the opportunity for a bunch more minutes (particularly because Cunha is currently injured and Hwang often is). Larsen and Sarabia draft stock up a couple rounds. Gomes may be approaching late round punt territory. Wolves will likely sign a new attacker too, with Carlos Borges from Ajax now being rumoured. More sets will now likely go to Sarabia and Doyle when starting, Gomes or Ait-Nouri when not.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Crysencio Summerville

Position: Winger (F in Fantrax)

Team: West Ham

Signed From: Leeds for €30m

Prospects:  Summerville was the best attacking player in the Championship player last season - both in real-life terms (was Sky Bet player of the season) and fantasy terms (led the league with a would-be crazy 700+ point return). He's a statistical beast. He's in the 92nd percentile for xG, 92nd percentile for xA, 93rd for key passes, 87th for successful dribbles, 87th for SOT, and so-on (compared to wingers/attacking mids in the next 14 competitions). That all came out to a whopping 19 Points Per Start (PPS) and 9 Ghost Points Per Start (GPPS)/12.6 Ghost Points Per 90). He still boasted a mouthwatering 16.9 PPS even if you remove his set piece contributions (he took the majority of corners, free kicks, and penalties). The Leeds offense very clearly ran through him and he dominated the Championship as a result. At West Ham, he'll naturally be far less of a focal point in attack, but where will he fit in? He played mostly Left Wing (LW) last season and rarely Right Wing (RW) or Attacking Mid (AM). For West Ham, LW or AM seems to be his natural landing spot because Bowen has a firm grasp on the RW spot and Fulkrug and others play more naturally up top. That leaves a messy scenario involving Summerville, Kudus, and Paqueta. Last season Paqueta often played on the left but that was when Bowen was needed up top and Kudus filled in for him on the RW. When they had a striker fit, Bowen went back to RW, Kudus to LW, and Paqueta to AM (largely at the expense of James Ward Prowse). If Summerville cannot beat Kudus or Paqueta out straight up, he'll need a formation or player position shift to provide him with a starting role. Many hypothesize that Paqueta could shift backwards to be more of an 8 next to a DM (like Alvarez or Guido Rodriguez, below), enabling all of Kudus, Summerville, Bowen, and Fulkrug to play in front of him. I think that's a bit too attacking and ambitious for Lopetegui and West Ham, particularly with a mediocre back line (yes, Kilman is in and they're looking to improve more with Todibo and a Right Back, so this could change).

So, I tend to think Summerville will need to compete out right with Kudus and Paqueta for starts. The oddsmakers suggest he'll do decently at that with 6.25 expected goals and 5.25 assists (compared to say Kudus's 7.25 & 4.1 or Paqueta's 6.25 & 5.75). But the expectation is certainly far less than his 19 goals and 9 assists from last year. And he probably won't be on penalties, nor as many corners and free kicks (I do think he could still get 50% while playing if JWP is no longer a starter though). He won't reach the high teen PPS numbers from last year, but I think Kudus-esque numbers or better are certainly possible per game (11.4 xPP90). How many starts he can muster will be the key difference between whether he's a great or good fantasy player. At a conservative 50% starts number (19), I like him around the 55th pick (5th round in a 12 team league) or later, which should be doable at a current 75 community ADP.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Emile Smith Rowe

Position: Attacking mid/Winger (M in Fantrax)

Team: Fulham

Signed From: Arsenal for €32m

Prospects:  The 24 year old Englishman has escaped the clutches of his childhood club and looks to hopefully greener pastures just across London in Fulham. ESR, alongside his good friend Saka, were touted as the next big things coming out of the Gunners' academy. He looked on track to meet those lofty expectations when he broke out in the 21/22 season, scoring 10 times and assisting twice across 21 EPL starts and nearly 2000 minutes. Alas, injury problems started to pile up and Martinelli's emergence on the LW and Odegaard's at the 10 halted ESR's progress as soon as it began. The past 2 seasons he's been a peripheral figure in he squad, offering the occasional glimmer before another injury or relegation to the bench. Many, like myself, still believe the talent is very much there, and his new club Fulham clearly do as well given the price tag. Fantasy-wise, in his best (21/22) season, he averaged 12.0 PP90 and 7.3 GPP90. These are not amazing ghost points for a creative attacking mid/winger but good returns, of course. He's a good passer and shooter but doesn't dribble much nor create a ton of key passes, suggesting a lack of floor, particularly on a worse attack.

Let's talk more about Fulham though. After losing (very likely) Willian this offseason, they're pretty short in creation and talent in attack. Andreas Pereira is still there (for now, with rumors of a departure swirling) and has commanded the 10/AM role and set pieces. Alex Iwobi will play often as a winger or attacking mid, and Muniz has a good hold on the striker role. Otherwise, they have little starting EPL talent (I'm not including Harry Wilson or Adama Traore). Hence, Smith Rowe has a very good chance to start either at left wing or attacking mid in Fulham's typical 4231. Assuming Pereira does stay, he'll likely keep right-footed sets off Smith Rowe. So more than likely he'll need to have significant attacking returns to be a good fantasy option. The bookies have him at 5.75 goals and 5 assists for the season. His ADP is 82 and his Community ADP is 62. He is simply going too early in drafts for a player with a mediocre to poor ghost point floor and fairly low goal/assist expectations coming into a new team after not playing big minutes for 2+ years. Do I like the guy? Yes, I love him in fact (Arsenal bias), and think he's quite talented. But I think expectations are currently way too high. He would become far more interesting if Pereira were to leave and/or he takes the 10 role and set pieces. That's not the case right now and, therefore, he's more of an 8th round or beyond upside midfield pick for me.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Samu Omorodion

Position: Striker (F in Fantrax)

Team: Chelsea

Signed From: Atletico Madrid for €40m

Prospects:  With the 20yo Spaniard, Omorodion, the Blues have yet another young attacker on their hands. He's coming off his first top-level season, playing 34 games, starting 21 times and scoring 8 times and assisting once on loan at 10th placed La Liga side, Alaves. He's a 6'4" target man who excels in the box, winning 2.8 aerials per 90 and accruing an impressive 0.52 xG per 90. Outside of that and dribbling (nearly 1 successful dribble per 90), so far, Omorodion hasn't offered a ton statistically. Fortunately for him, strikers need goals and he's looked promising in that category, hence Chelsea have paid the fee and will hope that he rounds out his game in the years to come. Fantasy-wise, though, he only averaged 8.8 PPS and 5.3 GPPS which suggests a quite goal-dependent forward. That could work in a top-level offense though, and despite not looking it last season nor so far in preseason, Chelsea have the 4th best odds to finish in the UCL spots, so they should shape up, at least offensively.

The next big question for Samu is how many starts he'll get this season. Before he signed, Nicolas Jackson was the presumed first choice at the 9, with Nkunku, Marc Guiu and an assortment of more wing-like attackers, the backups. Now though, Omorodion offers a significantly different profile than Jackson, who's far more of a runner & link-up option than target man (or finisher). While Jackson looks more well-rounded on paper, I'd expect them to compete fairly evenly, given the differing profiles. The 20yo is clearly quite raw, given his lack of top-level experience, but Jackson actually had fewer senior starts when coming in last season, before proving himself in the league. Perhaps Maresca will play the hot hand or he'll select based on tactics (Jackson in more open games, Omorodion against deeper lines where more in-the-box and physical play is necessary). It must be said that Omorodion is coming into the Chelsea camp less than a week before the season starts, so he'll likely take time to get integrated and find his first start. It could be a month even before drafters get their first reward.

We must also address the bigger elephant in the room. It has recently consistently been reported by the best transfer sources that despite them signing Omorodion for 40m, Chelsea still want to sign another striker, and a big one at that: Victor Osimhen from Napoli. The 25yo wants out of Italy and would cost big money but may be available on a loan with an option to buy, and Lukaku going the other way on a sizable fee might make the deal plausible for all sides. If Osimhen were to come, he'd almost definitely be the primary starter at the 9, so Omorodion would likely be relegated to the bench more often than not. Jackson has the benefit of being able to play at LW, whereas Samu does not. So, in the case where Osimhen were to sign, Omorodion would be relegated to a 12th round punt or later. If Chelsea stop pursuing or do not end up with Osimhen, Omorodion becomes an interesting option in the 7th round or later. He's got opportunity concerns given the competition in attack, and not a great statistical profile for fantasy PPS accrual, but he's still a striker option, who should be good at getting a goals in a good offense. As of now, I'd play it cautious given the Osimhen risk, and only go 9th or later.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Niclas Fullkrug

Position: Striker (F in Fantrax)

Team: West Ham

Signed From: Dortmund for €27m

Prospects: After constant flirting with Jhon Duran and other striker targets, West Ham finally land a centre forward. The 31 year old German has been in the Bundesliga since age 18 but played just the past season for his former club Dortmund. In 27 starts (29 apps) he had 12 goals (3 from pens) and 8 assists to go with 11.2 PPS and 6.0 GPPS. The year prior, in arguably his best season for Werder Bremen, he had 16 goals, 5 assists, 14.5 PPS, and 8.6 GPPPS in 28 starts. So West Ham have landed roughly a 15 goal, Bundesliga striker who also happens to be 31 years old on a 3+1 contract for decent money. Real-world intelligence aside, it could work for us for fantasy this season. He'll very likely get the lion's share of starts up top as Antonio's (34yo) and Ings's (32yo) production has fallen off a cliff, and the oddsmakers seem to agree, with his spreads at 11.75 expected goals and 3.6 expected assists. That's a Carlton Morris-esque production level season. Not bad, not great, but room for improvement and comparable to expectations for Mateta and Muniz. His ghost point levels will help determine whether he's a consistently reliable forward.

Lately, West Ham strikers have struggled on that front but perhaps he can differ. Shots on target, key passes, and aerials won are where he derives most of his peripheral stat accrual. Last year (in his 6.0 GPPS season), the 6'2" target man had 3.5 aerials won per 90. The year prior (in his 8.6 GPPS season), he had 5.5 aerials won per 90 as his team crossed a lot. So will Lopetegui's new look West Ham lob the ball up to the big man enough? They certainly have a lot of attacking talent for a possession-based approach but don't scream a cross-heavy team. Will he be the primary penalty taker? Ward-Prowse may not see the field as much, but Paqueta and Bowen may still have priority there. Still, I like the target man to produce in an improved attack, even if he likely has a poor floor. I like the opportunity to draft him in the 8th round or later (attainable and cheaper than the potentially comparable Rodrigo Muniz in the 6th round).

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Riccardo Calafiori

Position: Centre/Left Back (D in Fantrax)

Team: Arsenal

Signed From: Bologna for €45m

Prospects:  The young Italian adonis, Calafiori, had excellent numbers in Serie A, particularly for a CB. He delivered12 PPS, 8.4 GPPS, 2 goals, and 5 assists in 26 starts for Bologna last season. He offered high volume on both sides of the ball, plus some goal involvements, which is all you can really ask of a fantasy CB. For Arsenal, he's most likely to actually get the chance to get even further forward in the LB role. The Gunners have shelled out for the him as both a necessary depth signing at CB and a potential competitor for a starting LB spot. He'll have to most likely compete with possibly fit-again Jurrien Timber, and the more attacking Zinchenko or more defending Tomiyasu) but his talent and price tag suggest he'll at least be part of the rotation this season. With those Gvardiol-esque CB fantasy numbers, I like him in the 8th round or later (comparable to his 95th ADP and 99th community ADP currently). If he does win the LB role, he has the opportunity to explode and be Arsenal's best fantasy defensive option. But the concern is that he could be eased in or Timber could make the role his own..

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Ismaila Sarr

Position: Winger (F in Fantrax)

Team: Crystal Palace

Signed From: Marseille for €15m

Prospects:  The Senegalese winger is back for another stint in the Premier League. After leaving Watford for France, he was in and out of the Rennes XI for them, starting 15 times and netting 3 goals and 4 assists. He had 9.0 PPS and 6.1 GPPS (10.1 PP90 & 6.1 GPP90) for the 8th placed, chaotic club. In his last EPL stint (back in 21/22), he had 8.1 PP90 and 5.6 GPP90 for 19th placed Watford. These are not great numbers when considering the upcoming transition back to the Prem. But the great hope with Sarr, for fantasy managers, is the system in which he's entering.

Glasner revolutionized the Palace attack last season and Eze, Olise, and Mateta were all electric in real life and fantasy, so perhaps Sarr could see an uptick too. Still, Sarr is not on the same level as Olise or Eze. And he has to compete with the aging Jordan Ayew (who may or may not leave), Glasner's former favorite, Daichi Kamada, and possibly another new attacking signing (Zaha back, anyone?) for winger minutes. The goal odds spread of 6.75 expected goals suggest he's favored to win out more than he doesn't. But I'm still hesitant to draft him at his current ADP of 117 or community ADP of 105. I think that assumes a serious uptick in production from him from history and fantasy managers are daydreaming about the days of Olise. If he was a midfielder, I'd like him more as an upside option, but as a forward, there's simply too many alternatives. I like him in the 11th or later but I don't think you are likely to get him then given the inflated ADP. If Eze were to leave, his prospects (and gametime) would be greater.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Ben Brereton Diaz

Position: Forward/winger (F in Fantrax)

Team: Southampton

Signed From: Sheffield United for €8m

Prospects:  The 25 year old Chilean gets his deserved return to the Premier league. The pseudo striker, pseudo winger played well in a putrid, relegated Sheffield United team last season, and looked like he could have done more in a better team. His 10.7 xPP90, yet 7.2 median PPS and 5.2 GPPS suggest a talented but inconsistent and goal dependent attacker. Unfortunately for him, he lands in another bad spot, as the Saints are a coin flip to be relegated and don't have much surrounding talent in attack. Still, Brereton has a knack for the goals and will surely be starting often for a team that needs him. He had 6 goals and 1 assist in 14 starts last season. This year the bookies have him as expected to score 8.25 goals and 3.9 assists in 14 starts. Expect his PP90 to drop, but far more starts and a comparable ceiling for Southampton. You could do worse for a 14+ round FWD 3/4.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Jesper Lindstrom

Position: Winger/Attacking Mid (M in Fantrax)

Team: Everton

Signed From: Napoli on loan for €2m (€22m TM value)

Prospects:  The 24 year old Dane lands at Everton on loan with a €22m option to buy after a €30m transfer to Italy just a year ago from Frankfurt. After 2 fairly successful seasons in Germany, Lindstrom failed to impress and only got 2 starts (22 apps) for Napoli. Everton hope he can bounce back quickly and add to their attack. Dyche will like that he's a pacy, hard-working versatile player capable of playing on either wing or as an attacking mid. Fellow new signing Ndiaye and Doucoure are more likely to occupy the AM position in Dyche's current 4411 setup, meaning Lindstrom will probably be used mostly as a winger, competing with Jack Harrison and Dwight McNeil.

His best bet is probably the RM/RW spot and beating out Harrison who came and went from Dyche's preferred XI last season. So will he be good if he does play? 7.7 GPP90 and 0G, 0A in 430 minutes in Serie A may not tell us a ton, but the prior year for Frankfurt, he had 10.2 PP90 and 6.2 GPP90 (7 goals, 2 assists) playing as an AM and RW in 22 starts, 27 apps, and nearly 1700 minutes. For comparison, Harrison had 8.2 GPP90 last season. So in a mediocre Everton offense, Lindstrom is going to need to get returns or upgrade his ghosts significantly to be a relevant fantasy mid. Like Harrison, if he gets starts, he could be useful in stretches, but he's likely no better than a MID4 over the course of the season. It's worth noting that he could also take over Harrison/Garner's right-footed set piece duties, which could help boost his production. I don't mind him as a round 13 or later punt and hope he starts in GW1 vs Brighton after hitting the ground running in preseason.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

Amadou Onana

Position: Central midfielder (M in Fantrax)

Team: Aston Villa

Signed From: Everton for €60m

Prospects:  Onana was rumoured to be in big demand by the big clubs this past year. But its Emery's Villa that end up with the highly-rated, Prem-proven centre mid. He fell out of favour a bit with Dyche last season, which some attributed to energy levels/not wanting to be there, and only started 23 games. But he started 29 the season before. He's a well-rounded centre mid but particularly excels at tackling and aerials (6'3", 3.1 tackles per 90, 2.1 aerials per 90 in 23/24 EPL). More than likely, he'll be a Prem stalwart for many years to come, whether it's at Villa or elsewhere. So while something of a coup, Onana is only a mediocre fantasy option. His 7.6 xPP90 last season are at or below a replacement level midfielder in most leagues. Given that he's most likely to be part of the Villa 2-man pivot, even on a team better than Everton, he has little chance of posting better numbers this season, and I would only draft him in the latest rounds if you want a likely decent-floor, most-week Prem starter.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️1/2

Jota Silva

Position: Forward Winger (F in Fantrax)

Team: Nottingham Forest

Signed From: Vitoria Guimaraes for €7m

Prospects:  The 25 year old Portueguese Silva had his big breakthrough last season, scoring 11 and assisting 5 in 32 starts in the Portuguese league. The late bloomer played across the front line and offers another versatile attacking option to Nuno's Forest. He averaged 11.5 PP90 and 7.8 GPP90, with most of his ghosts coming from shots, key passes, dribbles, and aerials won. While none particularly noteworthy, bar his shot volume (3 per90) and touches in the box (5 per90) attacking-wise, he was solid everywhere and contributed well out of possession, with good pressing, tackle, and interception numbers. It was likely largely his flexibility (and price tag) that appealed to Nuno Espirito Santo. It'll be a big step up to the Prem, though, so I'd imagine Silva isn't fantasy relevant for some time, particularly with plenty of attackers (albeit not a ton of senior wingers) ahead of him (in Awoniyi, Wood, Elanga, & CHO). At the moment, competing with the previously, out-of-form Elanga, at winger, may be his best chance to crack the XI. He just made his Forest debut on Aug. 8th, so I wouldn't bother drafting him (as his statistical profile does not suggest enough upside to merit the late-round punt).

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Jorge Cuenca

Position: Centre Defender (D in Fantrax)

Team: Fulham

Signed From: Villareal for €7m

Prospects:  Fulham lost Tosin on a free to Newcastle and Tim Ream on the cheap to the MLS, which left them with only 2 senior CBs in Diop and Bassey. The 24 year old Spaniard, Cuenca is (at least part of) the remedy for that. Last season in La Liga, Cuenca averaged 8 PPS & 8.2 GPPS in 21 starts. Playing at mostly LCB, but occasionally LB, the 6'2", left-footed Cuenca was an active, aggressive defender (hence the high GPPS), averaging 2.6 aerials, 1.7 tackles, and 5.1 clearances per 90. He'll likely compete with fellow left-footed Calvin Bassey for the LCB role, but may be eased in slowly. His ghost point history mean he's one to watch and see if he cracks the lineup and can keep that up. He could end up Tosin-esque, useful in stretches for good matchups.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Ryan Sessegnon

Position: Left wing back/winger (D in Fantrax)

Team: Fulham

Signed From: Spurs for free (€10m TM value)

Prospects:  Sess finally gets out of his Spurs prison. The former Championship Player of the season is only 24 yet has gone through a lot of injuries in his career. Every time he seemed close to a comeback, or breaking into the team, he'd get another knock/serious injury. It hasn't been since 21/22 when he started 13 games that he's had significant playing time. That season he averaged 6.6 GPPS playing at LB/LWB. At Fulham, Antonee Robinson has a firm grip on the left back role, but in Sessegnon, if fit, they at least finally have a capable backup (assuming Castagne is the starting RB and Tete the RB backup). His statistical history doesn't suggest a great fantasy asset but perhaps if he can reproduce Robinson's role and production in recent times, he could be useful in occasional LB starts. The more promising potential spot for value is actually at LW. After losing Willian, Fulham are a bit short at winger. Yes, they've brought in ESR (above) but he could also play more centrally. Iwobi, Harry Wilson, and Adama are still around, but none, bar Iwobi, have found themselves consistent starts. Perhaps Sessegnon has an outside chance at an OOP winger role, that will provide us fantasy managers with an upside defender in decent matchups. I would not bet on it in drafts yet though.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

William Osula

Position: Striker (F in Fantrax)

Team: Newcastle

Signed From: Sheffield United for €12m

Prospects:  Newcastle fans have been clamoring for a big signing, particularly in attack, but for now the Magpies have settled for Osula from Sheffield United on a pretty cheap fee. The Dane only actually made 9 starts (23 apps) for them across 2 seasons in the Championship then the Prem. But it's his profile that's caught Newcastle's eye. He's flexible (across the front 3), he's fast, but he's raw. He's unlikely to get many starts while stuck behind Isak, Callum Wilson, and probably Anthony Gordon on the striker depth chart. So he would probably be best served by a loan. If he doesn't get one, though, at best he'll be an inconsistent streamer as a part of a good offense.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Jake O'Brien

Position: Centre back (D in Fantrax)

Team: Everton

Signed From: Lyon for €20m

Prospects: O'Brien comes in as much needed depth in defense for Everton. Originally thought of as a possible replacement for Branthwaite, who was rumoured to be on his way out to Man United, O'Brien now looks a very capable backup. Godfrey was sold to Italy, Holgate is likely leaving (after a poor season at Sheffield United) and Keane is too mistake-prone. O'Brien was a Crystal Palace youth product who had his big breakout last season in Ligue 1, starting 27 games for Lyon. He only averaged 6.7 PPS and 5.4 GPPS across the season (not much aerial or defensive volume), but Dyche's teams usually have a way to make CB's more fantasy relevant, whether it be from increased volume or clean sheets, so he's likely a streamer or pickup on injury later in the season.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️

Dean Huijsen

Position: Centre Back (D in Fantrax)

Team: Bournemouth

Signed From: Juventus for €15m

Prospects:  The Cherries love themselves a young, promising player from abroad. Huijsen, a 19 year old Dutch CB, doesn't have a ton of top-level experience (509 minutes for Roma in Serie A last season) but he's highly rated for a teenager, nonetheless. With Lloyd Kelly leaving on a free and Mepham aging out of relevancy, Bournemouth were looking for a backup to their preferred duo of Senesi and Zabarnyi. And when the day comes, where they sell 1 of those 2 on a big fee, they hope Huijsen is next up to fulfill his potential. In the meantime he'll likely just be a backup and thus not fantasy relevant.

Rating: ⭐️1/2

Guido Rodriguez

Position: Defensive midfielder (M in Fantrax)

Team: West Ham

Signed From: Real Betis for free (€20m TM value)

Prospects:  West Ham are on a roll with their business this summer and in the Argentine defensive mid, they find a value pick of their own. Guido has played 5 seasons with Real Betis in La Liga, and mustered 20+ starts. He's likely to compete/back-up Alvarez and Soucek in the more defensive-minded central midfield roles. But, even if he was to find consistent starts, his 5.5 PPS in Spain do not suggest a fantasy asset.

Rating: ⭐️

Conor Townsend

Position: Left back (D in Fantrax)

Team: Ipswich

Signed From: West Brom for less than €1m

Prospects:  The aging English journeyman comes in as the likely backup to Leif Davis at LB. He's been in the English game forever, but only played 1 season in the Prem with his former club, West Brom, and he was certainly not a fantasy legend.

Rating: ⭐️

Caleb Wiley

Position: Left back (D in Fantrax)

Team: Chelsea

Signed From: Atlanta for €10m

Prospects: The 19 year old American joins the Blues' youth army. He's very unlikely to get a look in anytime soon there, but let's see what he can do at sister club Strasbourg in France.

Rating: ⭐️

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Pour One Out: Transferred Out Players

Pascal Gross: Another truly depressing loss to Germany for the Premier League, Gross is coming off his best fantasy season (470 points) and has been a set-piece, key pass stalwart of the league for 7+ years and our beloved Draft PL game. The FPLers may never have truly appreciated his contributions but we surely did.

Moussa Diaby: Just one year in Blighty and he's now off to Saudi. He had his moments but never quite hit the highs we expected or wanted (299 points, 25 starts).

Others: Malang Sarr, Pierre Hojbjerg, Che Adams, Lewis O'Brien, Kelechi Iheanacho, Andrey Santos, Harry Souttar, Lewis Dobbin, Tim Ream, Alfie Gilchrist: No memorial needed.

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