A host of new players have been added to Dream Team in the wake of the January transfer window.
Most prominent among the new arrivals is Enzo Fernandez, whose move to Chelsea commanded a British record fee of £107million.
Dream Team gaffers can recruit the Argentina international for £3m but does the World Cup winner have the makings of a successful asset?
Putting aside the massive transfer fee for a moment, the 22-year-old is clearly a talented player who will probably improve the Blues’ midfield functionality and balance but the Stamford Bridge faithful shouldn’t expect a tide of goal involvements.
As evidenced by his performances in Qatar, Fernandez is a genuine all-rounder in the middle of the park.
He’s not an out-and-out defensive anchor and he’s not an advanced playmaker; to describe him as box-to-box midfielder wouldn’t be quite right either.
That he’s so adaptable is one of his great strengths but the fact he’s rarely a goalscorer limits his Dream Team viability.
An impressive passer of the ball, he chips in with more than his fair share of assists (six for Benfica in the first half of this season) but in the world of Dream Team the best midfielders are those who maintain a high attacking output, goals and all.
Elsewhere, Man United have a new centre-midfielder of their own in the form of Marcel Sabizter, on loan from Bayern Munich.
Primarily, the Austria international has been brought in to deputise for Christian Eriksen (£3.2m), who is expected to be sidelined until April with an ankle injury.
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The 28-year-old has a more willing engine than the Dane so he may improve the Red Devils’ midfield industry but he’s not as technical proficient in tight areas or as naturally creative.
Sabitzer certainly isn’t shot shy though, he’s happy to try his luck from distance and will take up advanced positions.
He was very much a goalscoring midfielder during his time with RB Leipzig but he’s struggled in that department since his move to the German champions.
Granted, a vast number of his appearances have come as a substitute but even so, two goals in 54 games represents a serious drop off.
However, if Erik ten Hag can coax Sabitzer’s Leipzig form out of him then he could be great value at £2.5m – Man United play plenty of games this month.
Is Pedro Porro the answer to Spurs’ nagging right-back problem?
Those familiar with the 23-year-old believe him to be perfectly suited to Antonio Conte’s preferred system and his return of two goals and six assists in 14 league games for Sporting CP this term suggests he has the necessary attributes to play his part in the final third.
It goes without saying that defenders who supply regular goal involvements are worth their weight in gold – Porro will start at £2.5m.
NEW ADDITIONS TO DREAM TEAM
- Enzo Fernandez – Midfielder – Chelsea – £3m
- Marcel Sabitzer – Midfielder – Man United – £2.5m
- Illia Zabarnyi – Defender – Bournemouth – £1.5m
- Hamed Traore – Midfielder – Bournemouth – £2m
- Naouirou Ahamada – Midfielder – Crystal Palace – £1.5m
- Sasa Lukic – Midfielder – Fulham – £1.5m
- Harry Souttar – Defender – Leicester – £2m
- Keylor Navas – Goalkeeper – Nottingham Forest – £2m
- Felipe – Defender – Nottingham Forest – £1.5m
- Paul Onuachu – Striker – Southampton – £2m
- Kamaldeen Sulemana – Midfielder – Southampton – £2m
- Pedro Porro – Defender – Spurs – £2.5m
- Weston McKennie – Midfielder – Leeds – £2m
Please be aware that the names listed above are just those added in the latest batch.
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If there’s a January signing you think is missing it may be that the player was added previously, check the Stats Centre to confirm.
As is always the case, it’s probably best for Dream Team bosses to wait for a look at how the new arrivals adapt to a new challenge before making any rash decisions.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
