DREAM TEAM managers are assembling their squads ahead of the Premier League season.
So we’re here to lend a helping hand by analysing the top teams from last season, with Newcastle under the microscope this time.
A fourth-place finish was huge for Eddie Howe’s side, with many of his players set to feature in teams up and down the country this time around.
We’ve put together their best players, bargain options and potential flops ahead of the new campaign.
CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!
BEST PLAYERS
There’s only one place to start and that’s with Toon skipper Kieran Trippier (£6m).
The England international finished the season as Dream Team’s top defender last season by a wide margin.
Newcastle’s early season defensive displays contributed to many of those points but he also contributed one goal and ten assists, thanks in no small part to his set pieces.
No team conceded fewer goals than the Magpies last campaign and with Trippier a key player in both defence and attack, it’s no surprise 17.4% of managers are picking him ahead of the new season despite the fact he’s the joint-most expensive player in his position.
Alexander Isak (£4m) might find himself playing in several positions across the front line once the action gets underway but the Swede has been utilised as a centre-forward in pre-season.
He averaged a goal involvement every 127.1 minutes in his 22 Premier League appearances last term which suggests he could plunder plentiful points if he avoids injury.
He’s a cheaper option than Callum Wilson (£4.5m) who did superbly last season but there’s a sense that the ultimate aim is to have Isak lead the line more often than not.
While Nick Pope (£4.5m) beaten only by David de Gea in the goalkeepers’ rankings in 2022/23 – a solid option.
POTENTIAL BARGAINS
Bruno Guimaraes (£3m) is Newcastle’s midfield talisman and the fan favourite shows no sign of slowing down.
He’s set to form a new-look midfield alongside summer signing Sandro Tonali (£2.5m).
With points on offer for successful tackles, Guimaraes could reap the rewards after 70 league tackles in total last season, putting him 11th in the top flight.
If you ignore his 12 yellow cards from last year (a big ask, we know) then Joelinton (£3m) could offer value for money, with a greater attacking presence and opportunity to play in the forward areas.
Selected in just 2.3% of sides so far, he could be a secret weapon heading into the new season.
A word for Tonali too, who could look very cheap at £2.5m if he’s as good as Newcastle believe him to be.
POTENTIAL FLOPS
Big-scoring defenders are the cornerstone of any successful Dream Team XI.
Fabian Schar (£4.5m) fit the bill last season but it might not look the same this time around.
The Toon kept one clean sheet in their last 11 games at the end of the season – at home to Leicester in a 0-0 draw – which highlights how impressive they started before conceding plenty in the run-in.
The Swiss centre-back is relatively expensive, a reflection of his efforts last term, but his returns in April and May were cause for concern.
Miguel Almiron (£3.5m) started 2022/23 on fire and registered 11 goals and two assists in the top flight.
However, he only managed to play 90 minutes on two occasions since February following a dip in form and Harvey Barnes’ (£3.5m) arrival, plus Anthony Gordon’s (£2.5m) summer form, could mean sparse minutes for the Paraguayan.
With the likes of Declan Rice, Kaoru Mitoma and Mason Mount all the same price, there’s better options out there.
CLICK HERE TO PLAY DREAM TEAM 2023/24 NOW – FREE TO PLAY, AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE, MORE WINNERS THAN EVER BEFORE!
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
