MX23RW : Saturday, August 7 16:46:39| >> :120:7068:7068:

Five players you need in your Fantasy Premier League team this year

Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at the three players you need to build your Fantasy Premier League team around for the upcoming 2020-21 season

With the Premier League season looming, many Fantasy managers have already started preparations for this year's game, looking to get the edge in mini-leagues and the global leaderboard.

If you are yet to begin planning, there is no reason to be concerned as we have compiled three must-have players for your side from gameweek one, providing the core as you head into the season.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up the three key signings to fast-track your research, allowing you more time to look into Ladbrokes payment methods.

Tottenham Hotspur's Harry Kane celebrates scoring against Fulham in the Premier League on January 13, 2021© Reuters

Seemingly a no-brainer, first up in any FPL squad should be Harry Kane at a cost of £12.5m in attack, given his almost unrivalled goalscoring ability.

If any doubts remained over Kane at the beginning of last season, they were quickly quashed as he went on to top the league for both goals and assists in a struggling Tottenham Hotspur side, hitting the net 23 times and assisting 14 times to earn 242 points for the managers that stuck with the English striker throughout the campaign.

Whether he will start the season in North London or in the blue of Manchester City, Kane will be the focal point of an attacking side, dropping deep to get involved in build-up play while also occupying key spaces in the box in his expert manner in order to find the back of the net.

His points haul last season, 48 more than any other attacker on the game, simply makes the 28-year-old a must-have, and any players willing to take a risk and go against the crowd by leaving out Kane will likely pay the price as the vast majority of users see their points soar thanks to the star forward.

Manchester United's Bruno Fernandes celebrates scoring against Manchester City in the Premier League on March 7, 2021© Reuters

The only player across FPL to top Kane's remarkable tally last season was Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes, who hit 244 points from midfield in his first full season in the English top flight after a blistering introduction to the side in the second half of the 2019-20 campaign.

The Portuguese midfielder netted 18 goals and 14 assists, making him the Red Devils' most crucial component, and thus not an option for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to rest and rotate, with Fernandes fully expected to play in every game other than any injuries or suspensions that he may pick up.

As Manchester United's main creator in the middle, Fernandes is bound to rank among the league's top assisters again this time around, while their addition of winger Jadon Sancho, creating chances for the midfield star to arrive in the box and finish chances created out wide, will combine with his role as penalty taker to set him up for at least 10 Premier League goals once again.

If any more persuasion is needed, the African Cup of Nations at the beginning of 2021 should see clubs lose their important African players for a spell, meaning other big-hitting midfield options such as Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Riyad Mahrez will all miss crucial games, allowing Manchester United's star to race away at the top of the points charts.

Fernandes also led the league for bonus points last season, and with midfielders being better rewarded for goals than attackers, the Red Devils talisman more than justifies his £12.0m price tag in this year's game.

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold celebrates scoring against Tottenham Hotspur in the Premier League on January 28, 2021© Reuters

Rounding off the first three must-haves, and completing our cover of each outfield position, is star attraction defender Trent Alexander-Arnold, who is set for a strong season with Liverpool after a mixed campaign last year.

Now known for his immense crossing ability, the right-back has shown himself to be one of the league's most capable assisters, shown by the fact that he set up eight Premier League goals last season despite being far from his best for large portions of the campaign.

Given Liverpool's injury crisis last season, their players are bound to enjoy better and more focussed campaigns this year, as the Reds gear up for another title push with a rejuvenated squad.

Furthermore, the return of Virgil van Dijk from a long spell out through injury should hugely boost their defensive solidity, potentially seeing Alexander-Arnold collect a large tally of points from clean sheets.

With defenders especially rewarded in the Bonus Points System for attacking contributions, a premium option at the back is more than worth considering, and we would certainly not look past Alexander-Arnold to bounce back in style this year after missing out on Euro 2020 through injury.

While some players may instead opt for his opposite full-back Andy Robertson at £7.0m for a £0.5m saving, we certainly see the young English star leading the way for points among defenders this year, justifying the large price tag.

ID:457548:1false2false3false:!x!:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect8453:
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.

rhs 2.0
Olympic medal table header
CountryGold medalSilver MedalBronze MedalT
ChinaChina38291784
United StatesUnited States343632102
JapanJapan24121652
Great BritainGreat Britain19212161
Olympics flagRussian Olympic Committee17242263
Today's Olympic highlights header

Sunday's key events


ATHLETICS
· With the track and field action now finished, the final athletics event of the Games is the men's marathon, which includes three British representatives and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge (11pm)

CYCLING
· Laura Kenny goes for a sixth Olympic gold medal, and a second of the Tokyo Games, in the women's omnium (2am-4.25am)
· Jason Kenny also has another shot at gold on the final day of action, taking part in the men's keirin alongside compatriot Jack Carlin (2.24am-4am)

BASKETBALL
· After the men once again picked up Olympic gold, the USA women will attempt to replicate their success in the gold medal match against hosts Japan (3.30am)

VOLLEYBALL
· USA also have a chance for gold in the women's volleyball final against Brazil (5.30am)

BOXING
· Lauren Price bids to bring a successful Games to a golden close for Britain in the ring as she takes on Li Qian in the women's middleweight final (6.45am)

HANDBALL
· The women's gold medal match sees the Russian Olympic Committee take on France (7am)

WATER POLO
· The final gold medal of the Games is likely to be handed out in water polo, when Greece face Serbia in the men's gold medal match (8.30am)

CLOSING CEREMONY
· A unique and memorable Olympic Games officially comes to a close (12pm)

> Today's schedule in full
Todays Game Header Right
Community Shield
Championship
Olympic Games Men's Football
Scottish Premiership
Ligue 1
Primeira Liga
Coppa Italia
DFB-Pokal
League One
League Two
Scottish Championship
Scottish League One
Scottish League Two
Pre-Season Friendlies
Belgian Pro League
Swiss Super League
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Swedish Allsvenskan
Finnish Veikkausliiga
League of Ireland Premier
Ligue 2
Eerste Divisie
Brasileiro
Copa Diego Maradona
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Tables

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!