Way Too Early Fantrax EPL "Diamonds in the Rough"

As the great Cave of Wonders in Aladdin once said: "Find me the diamond in the rough." Well, I am here to do just that. There are a few players worth monitoring over the summer ahead of the next Fantrax EPL campaign for various reasons. Either they could be set for a bigger role, a move to a club where they will see more time, or currently at a club that will surely improve in the upcoming season. This brightens their prospects coming into the next draft, and it's worth keeping an eye out to see how they progress in preseason. These players will all be known commodities in the Fantrax community, but they are the ones who could be set for a true breakout season. Click here for details on how you can access our 24/25 Draft Kit.

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Fantrax Diamonds in the Rough

Check out Genie's early look into some under the radar Fantrax EPL gems ahead of the 24/25 season! Without further adieu, here are Genie's Fantrax Diamonds in the Rough.

Levi Colwill

Team: Chelsea

Position: Defender

Prospects: Colwill had a solid start to the season, but after a random toe injury, he never got back in the XI. We know Colwill is a top talent and with a new manager in charge he will be looking to impress in preseason. Colwill offers significant versatility by being able to play both CB and LB. Despite the signing of Tosin, Colwill will be looking to claim a starting spot for himself. With Reece/Gusto set at RB, the CB and LB slots should be up for grabs. Cucurella had a strong finish to the season for Chelsea, but Chilwell missed most of the season and failed to impress when he did start. For a while Colwill was the first choice LB. Chelsea have a plethora of CBs at their disposal and Fofana will be back to add even more complications. Colwill will need to impress in preseason in the minutes given to earn the trust of new manager Enzo. While he doesn't offer the attacking threat of Chilwell, or the hustle of Cucurella, he is a much more composed player.

Fantasy-wise, he managed just under 7 Points Per Start (PPS) and 7.2 Ghost Points Per Start (GPPS). While these numbers don't exactly scream DEF1, they would have been better if Chelsea hadn't struggled so much to keep clean sheets. In his 20 starts Colwill only saw 5 clean sheets. This is something Enzo will be looking to change in the upcoming season. Giving Colwill a chance over error prone players such as Disasi, Cucurella, Chilwell, and Badiashile could definitely give him an edge. Colwill is worth a late round flier as your DEF3-4. If you see him get significant preseason minutes, then he could even be worth a pick in round 9-10 as a potential DEF2. With the new default scoring removing the -2 penalty for the first goal, Colwill could offer even more value if he locks down a role in the XI. Chelsea players will have a lot of competition, but I do believe Colwill is one of their best defenders and should become a mainstay in the starting lineup.

Amad Diallo

Team: Manchester United

Position: Midfielder

Prospects: Diallo ended the season as a fan favourite and a key part of the United attack. Diallo was always going to have the talent to do well in the EPL; he just needed an opportunity. In his 9 total appearances for United this season he managed 2 goals and 1 assist, including the semi-final FA Cup winning goal. United started the season hoping for one of Antony or Sancho to become the favoured right winger for the season. Well...Sancho ended up in a playground argument with Ten Hag, and Antony decided to, well, be Antony. Neither lived up to the expectations.

Diallo didn't get his first EPL start until May 12(!!) vs. Arsenal, and started the remaining games from there. He was a breath of fresh air for United as he offered a direct option and a calmer presence on the ball. In his second EPL start vs. Newcastle, he managed a goal and assist in a man of the match performance. Diallo has clearly won over the trust of Ten Hag, but he will need to do something that no other United right winger has done for quite a long time - be consistent. This will all start in preseason. Diallo will need to show he belongs in the XI, or do not be surprised to see Ten Hag give Antony another try. Of course there will be nonstop rumours of a new right winger coming into the squad, but I still believe Diallo will start out the season as the first choice. Of all the assets on this list, and there is a ton of talent here, I believe Diallo could have the biggest breakout season. Manchester United should only get better if they invest in the right areas, get Rashford and Hojlund back in form, and stick with a consistent midfield.

Diallo is worth a draft pick, but the question of when to pull the trigger on him will depend on a few things. If your draft is before any serious preseason fixtures, you can probably get Diallo a bit cheaper than you will in later drafts. The longer United go without signing a new winger, the higher draft capital Diallo will command. As a way too early ranking, I do think Diallo is worth a pick in the 7th round as a MID3-4, but don't be surprised if I recommend drafting him much earlier than that later in the summer if he balls out in preseason. His upside alone can make him a MID2, especially if he has a Garnacho type season, and this young United side could be exciting once again.

Alex Scott

Team: Bournemouth

Position: Midfielder

Prospects: Scott came in as a highly touted player but faced a season full of injuries. We know that Iraola rates Scott and sees him as an eventual midfield solution for the Cherries. Scott's biggest issue is his fitness, or his lack of fitness. If he can prove himself to be fit in preseason, he will push for a spot in the XI. He will be fighting with Christie and Cook for a central midfield spot, but could also battle Kluivert for minutes in the # 10 position. We have seen that both Christie and Cook scored well in their midfield roles with 8.7 and 8.1 PPS, respectively. In addition, Scott will see his fair share of set pieces if he cracks the XI, and I do not see any reason why Bournemouth can't improve upon that. Scott has shown he can ghost as well, delivering 12 ghost points (his best ghost point outing) in the win vs. Wolves. The one word of caution with Scott will be consistency, yes he has shown flashes of a strong fantasy asset as highlighted above, but if he were to start a run of games could he keep up that kind of form? Iraola will be hoping so, but this word of caution is why Scott probably isn't worth a pick higher than the 13th round at this point.

At only 20 years old, Scott will be seen as a long term midfield solution, but there is no reason to believe that he can't speed up that process and win a spot in the XI this season. While I can see Iraola starting the season with his trusted soldiers Christie and Cook, don't be surprised to see Scott gain a spot if either have a bad game. If you do plan to draft Scott, patience might be needed. Obviously I am not advocating holding him until December if he is still on the bench but a 3 to 5 gameweek grace period is worthwhile to see if he can crack the XI. Unless he gains significant preseason minutes, you should be able to draft him in one of the last few rounds. Scott has the potential to be a solid MID4 similar to Cook/Christie but could also offer slightly more upside.

Noni Madueke

Team: Chelsea

Position: Midfielder

Prospects: Madueke is on this list for the 2nd year in a row. He started to show his talent and potential in the 2nd half of the season, eventually winning the right wing role in the latter stages of the season. Madueke has the talent to be a great player and a top Fantrax asset. It is usually his attitude, inconsistency, and laziness that stops him. With a new manager in town, Madueke will need to show he has matured and can handle being tasked with the starting RW role. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who don't believe he is the long term solution. The main reason Madueke makes this list is the strong rumours he could be moving to another EPL club. While there is still a chance he completely changes his fate in preseason, it seems he will be looking for a more certain starting role this upcoming season. Clubs such as Newcastle and Crystal Palace have been rumoured to be keeping tabs on Madueke.

Madueke started just 13 games last season, producing 5 goals and 2 assists, while averaging a PPS of 11.2 with a GPPS of 7.6. These numbers show Madueke could become a very solid MID2 with MID1 upside if he is able to stay consistent on a team with a decent offence. Palace would be my choice for a landing spot, especially if one of Olise or Eze move to a different club. If Madueke does end up staying at Chelsea and starts to show form in preseason, he is still worth a draft pick albeit a later one. Depending on how the next month or so shakes out he could require anywhere from a 7th round to a 13th round pick. I know this is a large range, but there are a lot of question marks over what his future will look like. If he starts to show he will stay at Chelsea and is getting respectable preseason minutes, he would probably be worth a pick in the 10th-11th round given how much of a risk he still is. If he is already on the move, then taking him in the 6th-7th round would probably be needed to secure him on your roster.

Harvey Elliott

Team: Liverpool

Position: Midfielder

Prospects: Elliott had a fantastic finish to the campaign, winning a starting spot over Szoboszlai and was for once a consistent fantasy asset. Two of his final four starts saw scores of 19 and 36, proving what he can do with consistent minutes. Klopp said one of his biggest regrets was not giving Eliott more time throughout his tenure, but the real question is does Slot feel the same way? A new manager, new tactics, and surely a few new signings all stand in the way of Elliott becoming a regular starter. Preseason will be the best indicator of the role Elliott will have. But it looks more likely that he will stay to fight for a spot rather than move to a different EPL club. I do think Elliott has the talent to be a consistent Liverpool starter, but he will need to show Slot that he is the better option over the expensive transfer, Szobo. The benefit to Elliott is he can also provide wing cover when needed. We have already seen that Jota is very injury prone, and the likes of Gakpo and Diaz can disappear for a run of games. Elliott's versatility could allow him to grab more starts than we may think.

Elliott is probably the biggest risk on this list for gametime, but is a much better late round draft than those "safe" floor assets such as Mainoo. Elliott is worth a punt as a MID5 on your roster. If he is starting a lot of preseason games, especially over Szobo, expect his draft value to just keep rising. As of now I think you could get Elliott in the 10th round, but that could depend on how many Liverpool fans you have in your league. Liverpool will be looking to challenge for the title once again, and with a lot of their key players still at the club, they have the resources to do so.

Honourable Mention:

Chris Richards (CRY) - DEF

Prospects: Palace and Richards had a very strong finish to the season, averaging 11.4 PPS under new manager Glasner. With this kind of output he could cement himself as an every week DEF2 with DEF1 upside if Palace continue to improve. He is a threat from set-pieces and very good in the air. For him to be an every week starter in fantasy rosters, the health of Doucoure and some goalkeeper clarity will be needed in the preseason. As of now he is worth drafting in the 11th-12th round of the draft.

Ola Aina (NOT) - DEF

Prospects: A defender who can fill the stat sheet, Aina is one to monitor. The better this Forest defence can be, the better his prospects. He can ghost, and he offers attacking upside. If Forest can keep a few more clean sheets or stop conceding in bunches - a big if - he has DEF2 potential, and is worth a draft in the last few rounds. Forest also have a decent schedule to start the 24/25 season.

Reiss Nelson (ARS) - FWD

Prospects: Nelson is rumoured to be on the move. Wherever he lands, he will surely be looking to crack the XI. Monitor the rumours throughout the window and look to take a late round flier on a potential high-upside forward looking to make a name for himself at a new club. If a move isn't complete during your draft you can probably get him in round 13 or later. Depending where he lands (Palace are circling), you might need to spend a round 9 pick on him.

Luke Shaw (MUN) - DEF

Prospects: The LB is the forgotten United star. Can Shaw put his injury woes behind him? Probably not, but can he at least put together 30 starts this season? Lots of question marks over a new LB at United, but if Shaw proves himself fit in preseason, we know he has DEF1 upside when in the XI. A strong preseason from Shaw should make him a good draft pick in the 7th round given his injury record.

Ricardo Pereira (LEI) - DEF

Prospects: Can the once fantasy starlet roll back the years? After a good season in the Championship, Ricardo looks healthier than ever. Can he continue to put in the minutes and be an attacking threat in the EPL? Leicester will be looking to avoid relegation again and Riccy P is certainly worth the punt as he is a player who knows how to shine in the EPL. Managers are always cautious with newly promoted defenders, so you could probably get Ricardo in the 11th round or later. A word of warning experienced Fantrax managers will remember the value he once had (a top 5 defender), so he could command a higher draft capital.

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