Sky Sports Fantasy Football scout Tim Clement looks at which debutants will deliver this weekend.
Friday 12 September 2014 12:00, UK
Sky Sports Fantasy Football scout Tim Clement is back with his weekly report, offering his verdict on five players set to make their Premier League debuts this weekend.
Daley Blind - £6.8m
At the same price as fellow summer signing Marcos Rojo, those still clinging onto their faith in Manchester United with be weighing up which one is worth of a place in their starting XI. Blind’s role at the World Cup makes him a more attractive proposition, having scored one and assisted three goals for the Netherlands. However, the Dutchman contributed just a solitary goal and a single assist to Ajax’s campaign last season, although he was predominantly utilised in a defensive midfield role. It remains to be seen which position Blind will be used in at United long-term, but Louis van Gaal will surely look to play him in the left wing-back role during Luke Shaw’s spell on the sidelines, while Rojo should replace youngster Tyler Blackett in his back three, assuming the 5-3-2 system remains in use.
Radamel Falcao - £9.4m
The surprising addition of Falcao has cast further doubts over Van Gaal’s system, with pundits and fans alike trying to figure out how the Colombia striker can be accommodated in the system with Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Juan Mata and Angel Di Maria. If Falcao had signed for another club, say Arsenal, then I’d be reeling off stats about his goalscoring prowess and hailing his ideal physical adaptability to the Premier League. However, the big question is how much playing time United’s loan signing will get and whether he can justify such his substantial valuation. Priced the same as Wayne Rooney and just £0.1m less than Diego Costa, it would take a significant leap of faith to throw him straight in. With a phenomenal 104 goals in 139 league appearances for Atletico Madrid and Monaco, Falcao would be a top pick, especially with QPR visiting on Super Sunday, but it looks a real gamble selecting him before seeing how Van Gaal will accommodate his services.
Toby Alderweireld - £5.9m
Plenty will remember the Belgium defender from his role in the Champions League final, coming on after 83 minutes to help protect Atletico Madrid’s 1-0 lead, only to see Real Madrid run away with a 4-1 victory AET. That should not concern Sky Sports Fantasy Football bosses, however, as he represents a Belgium international defender and a player who should have benefited greatly from being part of Diego Simeone’s robust backline. Despite being used sparingly, the 25-year-old scored a vital header against Malaga to keep the title in their hands. Hi is hardly prolific though, with six goals in just over 100 professional appearances. However, as with any defender, it is his side’s overall defensive record that is all important. The Saints have looked solid so far, putting in a resilient performance in their 2-1 defeat at Liverpool and then conceding just once in their following two games.
Abel Hernandez - £7.4m
Hull City fans will be hoping they’ve landed a future star in the Uruguay striker, who boasts a goal every other game for his country and managed a similar scoring rate for Palermo last season, albeit in Serie B. The big question mark over Hernandez is whether he can cope with the physicality of the Premier League, having scored the majority of his goals against relatively modest opposition. His last season of top-flight football, Palermo’s doomed 2012/13 campaign, he managed a solitary goal, indicating that the answer to that question is likely to be no.
Estebian Cambiasso - £4.4m
The 34-year-old may look like a classic Football Manager signing but the former Inter Milan midfielder could prove a shrewd signing for both Nigel Pearson and Sky Sports Fantasy Football bosses. Cambiasso could be in line for a starting berth at Stoke on Saturday after completing 90 minutes for the Foxes reserves, offering much-needed experience to a squad possessing the least Premier League playing time in the division. While typically a combative defensive midfielder, the Argentinian boasted an impressive scoring record in Serie A, netting 18 times in his last four campaigns. Tackling and passing bonus points also look on the cards, while it would no surprise to see him rack up a few Sky Sports man-of-the-match awards along the way.
