Dream Team

HOW do you solve a riddle like Darwin Nunez (£4.1m)?Liverpool’s No9 is one of the most unique players in world of football today.
A whirlwind of chaos, he provides plenty of threat and must be a nightmare to defend against but he also misses more than his fair share of chances.

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An enigmaCredit: Dream Team
Nunez can look like a world-beater one minute and a lost cause the next.
Equal parts frustrating and compelling, he’s a difficult player for Dream Team managers to properly gauge.
Take his most recent outing as a prime example.
Nunez actually banked ten points against Newcastle on New Year’s Day, an impressive haul on paper, but those who watched the game will know he should have plundered so many more.
The Reds amassed a whopping 7.53 expected goals (xG) and while Mohamed Salah’s (£6.5m) initial penalty miss was a factor in the team’s under-performance, Nunez has to take the bulk of the blame.
The Uruguay international registered FIVE shots on target and really should have converted at least one of his chances, though Martin Dubravka (£2m) deserves credit for his many saves.
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Nunez assisted Liverpool’s first goal and, as already mentioned, bagged ten points from just over an hour’s action but his performance would have concerned some of his backers.
When he’s good, he’s great, but…Credit: AFP
Salah won’t be available to Jurgen Klopp until Egypt’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign comes to an end.
This is a significant development in the Dream Team season as, at the time of writing, the 31-year-old is the game’s top scorer (and only double centurion) with 212 points to his name.
Given Liverpool are top of the Premier League table, many Dream Team managers will be keen to replace Salah with one of his team-mates.
The question is: can Nunez step up in the coming weeks?
The ex-Benfica striker’s numbers are impressive enough, he’s registered eight goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
That breaks down to a goal involvement every 81.2 minutes!
Nunez has amassed 144 points at an average of 5.1 per appearance – that jumps to 6.3 when looking at his three most recent outings.
He ticks a lot of boxes but every Dream Team gaffer knows that having Nunez in their XI also means a certain degree of frustration.
But perhaps he’s worth it? A quick look at the schedule would suggest so.

Salah’s absence is a huge factor in Dream Team this monthCredit: AFP
Right now, most Premier League clubs have three fixtures left to fulfil in January (although most are expected to progress in the FA Cup) but Liverpool, Chelsea and Fulham have at least five games before the end of the month because of the two-legged Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Klopp’s side will play the Cottagers in Gameweek 19 and Gameweek 20 alongside other fixtures against Arsenal and Bournemouth.
The fact that Liverpool will be particularly busy during Salah’s absence surely makes Nunez a tempting option?
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Of course, it’s not unthinkable that Luis Diaz (£3.3m), Diogo Jota (£3.9m) and Cody Gakpo (£3.6m) could be named as the front three – Harvey Elliott (£2.7m) may even get some minutes from the right flank.
That being said, playing time shouldn’t be a problem for Nunez in the coming weeks – only Salah has contributed more goal involvements among Liverpool’s squad this season.

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WITH dozens of Premier League players set to depart for the Asian Cup or Africa Cup of Nations, many Dream Team managers will be searching for in-form replacements this week.And some of those gaffers may feel they need to think outside the box to make up ground in their Mini Leagues.
Enter Anthony Elanga (£2.5m).

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Man of the momentCredit: Dream Team
The 21-year-old currently features in just 0.7% of teams, making him a massive differential option.
Despite what his low ownership would suggest, the Sweden international has been in fine form of late.
He was instrumental against his old club in Nottingham Forest’s win over Manchester United on Saturday as he provided the assist for Morgan Gibbs-White’s (£2.8m) winner.
Elanga also made a whopping five tackles, the joint-most among all players involved in the fixture, as well as earning a bonus point.
He banked seven points when all was said and done to continue what has been a fruitful spell.
In Gameweek 17, Elanga notched 22 points across two games against Bournemouth and Newcastle, scoring against the Cherries before assisting two of Forest’s three goals against Eddie Howe’s men.
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Elanga has registered ten goal involvements this seasonCredit: Getty
Looking back further, the Malmo-born midfielder has scored three goals and provided three assists in nine appearances since the start of Gameweek 12.
Impressively, he’s created six big chances in the same time frame, a measure of his creative influence of late.
It’s simply a fact that Elanga is one of Dream Team’s most in-form players right now.
Michael Olise (£3.7m) is the only midfielder who has bagged more points across the last three fixtures.

The change of manger has worked well for Forest so farCredit: Rex
More generally, consecutive wins over the Magpies and the Red Devils during the festive period under the guidance of Nuno Espirito Santo have changed the outlook at the City Ground.
Whether it’s a temporary New Manager Bounce or a more fundamental change, it doesn’t really matter to Dream Team bosses.
What’s most relevant is that Elanga is providing healthy returns at present and should therefore be duly considered when it comes to making transfers.
Forest face Blackpool in the FA Cup this weekend before travelling to Brentford in Gameweek 20 – the Bees have lost five games in a row.
Those in need of a wildcard could do a lot worse than Elanga, especially at his affordable price of £2.5m.

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CRYSTAL PALACE’S 3-1 victory over Brentford on Saturday ended a run of eight games without a win and Roy Hodgson was happy to herald Michael Olise (£3.7m) as the difference-maker after the final whistle.The 22-year-old scored a brace against the Bees to continue his fantastic form.
In fact, Olise has scored five goals in his last seven starts to become Dream Team’s most in-form player.

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Different gravyCredit: Dream Team
But goals are only one aspect of his rise to prominence.
Much like his team-mate Eberechi Eze (£3.3m), Olise’s play style allows him to hoard bonus points at a rapid rate.
The Eagles’ No7 has earned 23 bonus points across his last eight appearances, including a maximum of five from one fixture against Bournemouth in Gameweek 14.
Olise, who currently features in just 1% of teams, completes plenty of successful dribbles, provides accurate crosses, and wins more than his fair share of free-kicks.
The Palace winger has amassed 52 points since the start of Gameweek 16 across four fixtures, making him statistically Dream Team’s most productive player in that time frame.
Additionally, Olise has earned 84 points in just nine games since making his first appearance of the season in Gameweek 12.
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That works out at an average of 9.3 points-per-game, the best rate among players in his position and second only to Erling Haaland (£7.9m) among all assets.
Olise has been in excellent form of lateCredit: Getty
Simply put, he’s one of 2023/24’s absolute best Dream Team players so long as he’s available.
Many Dream Team managers will be eager to recruit Olise after his 18-point haul at Brentford’s expense but there are a couple of interfering factors to consider.
Firstly, he was seen limping at the very end of Saturday’s game and gestured to the bench that he needed to be removed.
Speaking after the game, Hodgson said: “I spoke to him and he didn’t seem overly concerned. We don’t know until he gets back into training and we assess it. It would be really unlucky.
“I don’t think it was a major snap of a muscle, but unfortunately, we’re in that period of football life where… people are going to pick up muscle injuries.”
Thankfully, this uncertainty will be cleared up this Gameweek as Palace are due to face Everton in the FA Cup third round on Thursday night.
Should Olise play and thrive once again, Dream Team gaffers would still do well to remain patient as the Eagles and the Toffees are the only two Premier League clubs without a fixture in Gameweek 19 (because of their early FA Cup meeting).

Olise is the joint-top performer in Gameweek 18Credit: Reuters
In theory, gaffers could bring Olise in as soon as possible to avoid an inevitable price increase but that would mean accepting a blank from him in Gameweek 19 – not ideal.
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Assuming he’s fit, he would next be in action against Arsenal at the Emirates in Gameweek 20 – a difficult fixture on paper but perhaps nicely timed as the Gunners have stumbled lately.
In summary, Olise is a great option because he’s scoring regular goals and collecting bucket-loads of bonus points but it’s best to delay a transfer if you are interested because Palace don’t play in the upcoming Gameweek – clarification is also needed on his fitness.

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DREAM TEAM managers have a couple of sizeable hurdles to negotiate this month in the form of the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations.Dozens of Premier League stars will miss domestic fixtures while they represent their countries in the prestigious international tournaments, including some of Dream Team’s most-popular assets.

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Some key absentees!Credit: Dream Team
AFCON runs from January 13th until February 11th while the Asian Cup begins January 12th and concludes on February 10th.
Naturally, players eliminated at the group stage will be available earlier than those who qualify for the knockout stages but plenty of Dream Team bosses will need to find temporary replacements this week with many players set to join up with their international team-mates in the coming days.
Some squads are yet to be finalised but here’s a breakdown of which players are set to participate in the Asian Cup/AFCON.
Arsenal

Mohamed Elneny (£1.3m) – Egypt
Takehiro Tomiyasu (£2.8m) – Japan

Thomas Partey (£2.6m) was named in Ghana’s provisional squad but the midfielder will remain in England this month, meaning the Gunners will only lose two players to the international tournaments.
Aston Villa
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Bertrand Traore (£1.2m) – Burkina Faso

Just one inconsequential absentee for Unai Emery – Traore has only played ten minutes of Premier League football this season.
Bournemouth

Dango Ouattara (£1.3m) – Burkina Faso
Antoine Semenyo (£2.4m) – Ghana

The Cherries will be a touch light in attack without this pair but as long as Dominic Solanke (£3.8m) remains fit and in-form they shouldn’t suffer too badly.
Semenyo has chipped in with three goals and three assists this campaign.
Brentford will be without Wissa in the coming weeksCredit: Reuters
Brentford

Saman Ghoddos – Iran
Kim Ji-soo – South Korea
Frank Onyeka (£1.4m) – Nigeria
Yoane Wissa (£2.4m) – DR Congo

The Bees have been in free-fall of late and the departure of Wissa in particular will only make Thomas Frank’s job harder.
Bryan Mbeumo (£3.8m) would have been a key player for Cameroon had he not picked up a significant injury.
Ivan Toney’s (£5m) return from suspension can’t come soon enough.
Brighton

Kaoru Mitoma (£3.4m) – Japan
Simon Adingra (£3.2m) – Ivory Coast

Two big losses for the Seagulls, especially with Ansu Fati (£3.5m) also sidelined with injury.
Mitoma and Adingra have combined for 201 Dream Team points this term via eight goals and nine assists.
Burnley
No Burnley players are set to take part in AFCON/Asian Cup.
Chelsea

Nicolas Jackson (£3.1m) – Senegal

The 22-year-old has frustrated fans at times this season but his tally of eight goals is perfectly respectable.
For just an additional £0.3m, Jackson’s owners could switch to Cole Palmer (£3.4m) if the change of formation is feasible.
Jackson could have scored even more goals this seasonCredit: Alamy
Crystal Palace

Jordan Ayew (£3.1m) – Ghana

Michael Olise (£3.7m) and Eberechi Eze (£3.3m) may be the headline grabbers among the Eagles but Ayew actually leads the way in terms of total points (111).
The 32-year-old has earned 22 bonus points, the most among all strikers at this stage.
Everton

Idrissa Gueye (£1.9m) – Senegal

James Garner (£2.9m) and Amadou Onana (£2.8m) have proved to be relatively reliable performers for Sean Dyche in the middle of the park so Gueye’s absence shouldn’t be all that disruptive.
Saying that, the ex-PSG midfielder has started 13 of the Toffees’ 20 league games this term.
Fulham

Calvin Bassey (£1.9m) – Nigeria
Alex Iwobi (£2.8m) – NIgeria
Fode Ballo-Toure (£1.8m) – Senegal

The Craven Cottage faithful will be hoping for an early exit from Nigeria at AFCON as Iwobi and Bassey are both regulars – the former produced arguably his best performance for the club at the weekend in Fulham’s win over Arsenal.
Liverpool

Mohamed Salah (£6.5m) – Egypt
Wataru Endo (£2.3m) – Japan

Salah’s absence will be the biggest change to the Dream Team landscape this month.
The prolific Egyptian is currently the game’s top scorer and only double centurion having reached 212 against Newcastle on Monday night.
How gaffers react to his departure will be crucial in determining the overall leaderboard, not to mention thousands of Mini Leagues worldwide!
Don’t stay away for long!Credit: AFP
Luton

Issa Kabore (£1.6m) – Burkina Faso

Just the one absentee for the Hatters but an annoying one as Kabore is his side’s first-choice right-back.
Manchester City
No Man City players are set to take part in AFCON/Asian Cup.
Manchester United

Sofyan Amrabat (£2.7m) – Morocco
Andre Onana (£3.8m) – Cameroon
Amad Diallo (£2m) – Ivory Coast

Believe it or not, Onana is currently Dream Team’s best goalkeeper having mustered 112 points by the way of eight clean sheets.
He’s also the third most-selected asset in his position with an ownership of 10.6%.
Newcastle
No Newcastle players are set to take part in AFCON/Asian Cup.
Nottingham Forest

Ola Aina (£1.7m) – Nigeria
Serge Aurier (£1.7m) – Ivory Coast
Willy Boly (£1.8m) – Ivory Coast
Cheikhou Kouyate (£1.2m) – Senegal
Moussa Niakhate (£1m) – Senegal
Ibrahim Sangare (£2m) – Ivory Coast

In terms of sheer volume of tournament absentees, Nuno Espirito Santo is the most-hampered Premier League manager this month.

Sheffield United

Yasser Larouci (£1.5m) – Algeria
Anis Ben Slimane (£1.1m) – Tunisia

This will barely make a ripple in the world of Dream Team as no Bramall Lane resident features in more than 0.1% of teams at the time of writing – ouch.
Tottenham

Yves Bissouma (£2.5m) – Mali
Son Heung-min (£4.7m) – South Korea
Pape Matar Sarr (£2m) – Senegal

Son has registered 12 goals and five assists already this season and so it goes without saying he will be a huge miss for a side already riddled with injuries.
Spurs’ No7 currently features in just under a quarter of Dream Teams.
Ange Postecoglou started the season with a first-choice midfield of Bissouma, Sarr and James Maddison (£4.2m) – with the latter injured and the former duo off to AFCON, he’ll have to make full use of his squad in the coming weeks.
Only Salah and Haaland have scored more league goals this seasonCredit: Reuters
West Ham

Mohammed Kudus (£4.9m) – Ghana
Nayef Aguerd (£2.8m) – Morocco

AFCON comes at a bad time for David Moyes too given Kudus’ recent form.
The ex-Ajax midfielder has banked 49 points since the start of Gameweek 15 but Dream Team bosses will have to wait until Ghana’s business is over before they can enjoy his plentiful returns once again.
Aguerd is also a significant loss for the Hammers as first-choice centre-back.
Wolves

Hwang Hee-chan (£3.2m) – South Korea
Justin Hubner – Indonesia
Rayan Ait-Nouri (£2.2m) – Algeria
Boubacar Traore (£1.3m) – Mali

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Hwang is one of just six players to have scored ten Premier League goals so far this season while Ait-Nouri is an underrated member of Gary O’Neil’s squad.
It will be interesting to see if Wolves’ results suffer in the absence of their top scorer.

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