FREE AGENTS - GW5

Gameweek 5 is now done and dusted and it certainly has provided us with more of an insight of who will be making fantasy impacts going forward. There are still some question marks over some big names that are yet to fire after 5 rounds; and these players may be available on the cheap and provide your team with the instant spark you need when they turn their form around. Here are a few players that may be worth taking note of when conducting a trade this week.

 

Stewart Downing

It may come as quite a shock to see Downing on this list, yet despite a bright start to the year he still remains a free agent in many leagues. Having earned a mention in our free agent column after week 2, Downing has continued to go from strength to strength adding a further three assists to week 2 goal. He has created 10 chances in his last two outings, more than any other player, and his 16 created chances for the year has him sitting behind only Fabregas. We said that Downing was a more than capable 5th midfielder, but he is proving much more than that. If he is free in your league, you simply have to pick him up.

Victor Moses

Despite his loan move from Chelsea to Stoke, Victor Moses still hasn't been picked up by many coaches, and after a lacklustre first game in week 3 you could make a case for why. His subsequent two games, however, have shown that he could be a great pick-up. In weeks 4 and 5 Moses has had 14 touches in the penalty area, created 6 chances and had 5 shots on goal – putting him on a par with Eden Hazard. Those games were against Leicester and QPR, but even so they are very promising numbers for a player still settling in.

Scott Arfield

Not many coaches will be familiar with Burnley's Scott Arfield, and those that are will probably only know him from his shock goal against Chelsea back in week 1.  Unbelievably that goal is still Burnley's only goal of the season so far, but recent games have certainly shown that that is bound to change sooner or later. Burnley are averaging 11 shots per game, and managed 16 against Sunderland at the weekend, and Arfield is one player who is in the thick of it. His 23 touches in the penalty area and 14 shots on goal are identical to that of Raheem Sterling, and despite missing a penalty against Palace, he is likely to be their spot kick taker.

Ryan Bertrand

Southampton are becoming a bit of a surprise package this season. While a lot of praise is being heaped upon attacking players such as Tadic and Pelle, it is their defensive play which deserves the most credit.  Southampton are conceding an average of only 7.6 shots per game, clearly the best in the league, and three clean sheets already the value of their defenders is sky-rocketing.  It comes as a surprise then that players such as Bertrand are still available in some leagues. Not only is he playing in one of the tightest defences in the Prem, he is also one of the most attacking fullbacks, leading all defenders with 25 crosses so far this season. 

Kieran Trippier

There was a fair bit of talk about Trippier before the season started, and he was classed as a real sleeper prospect in our draft kit. His 12 assists in the Championship last year looked very promising indeed, but the worry was whether Burnley's defence would crumble in the top flight. Three clean sheets on the bounce has certainly gone a long way to answering that question, and Trippier's 23 crosses and 5 created chances mean that when Burnley get their shooting boots on we could see his assists on the rise. Grab him as a 5th Defender before it's too late.

Enner Valencia

Big Sam Allardyce's promise of a more attacking West Ham is certainly being fulfilled, and confidence will be high after a sensational 3-1 demolition job against Liverpool on the weekend. Although not getting on the scoresheet, Ecuadorian import Enner Valencia looked very lively with no less than 6 shots on goal. His 16 penalty area touches and 8 shots from his last two games are both ranked 4th in the Premier League, and his 18 goals in 23 games for Mexican side Pachuca show that he has the ability to build on his 1 goal so far. If you need a striker lock him in.

FP EPL TOP FREE AGENTS:

1. Stuart Downing

2. Ryan Bertrand

3. Victor Moses