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    Josko Gvardiol a perfect cog for Manchester City’s winning machine but how will he impact Dream Team?

    DREAM TEAM managers will have to cough up £5million of their initial £50million budget if they wish to back Josko Gvardiol ahead of Gameweek 1.The Croatian defender has been added to the game at the same price as John Stones (£5m), Luke Shaw (£5m) and Virgil van Dijk (£5m), three defenders who have produced plenty of points between them in recent years.
    So why has Manchester City’s new signing been slapped with such a costly price tag when he’s unproven on English shores?

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    Dream Team 2023/24: Manchester City’s best players, bargain options & potential flops

    THE new Dream Team season gets underway this week!Almost every gaffer will want to start Gameweek 1 with multiple Manchester City players in their XI.
    Pep Guardiola’s side racked up mountains of points on their way to a treble in 2022/23 but with so many viable options it can be difficult to strike upon the perfect balance.

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    Class is permanentCredit: DREAM TEAM
    Here we’ve assembled the defending champions’ absolute best players, bargains options and potential flops.
    BEST PLAYERS
    Let’s not pretend Erling Haaland (£8.5m) isn’t the blindingly obvious candidate to top this category.
    Last season the Norwegian poacher became just the second man to ever achieve 400+ Dream Team points in a single season.
    He’s comfortably the most-expensive player in the game this time around but even so his ownership is a monstrous 84.7%.
    Good luck to the 15.3% of gaffers prepared to go without Haaland, you’re going to need it.
    Every year Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) is among the most-expensive assets in the game and every year he’s worth it.
    Fizzing crosses, rasping shots, pinpoint passes… the brilliant Belgian is the kind of midfielder a mad scientist would grow in a laboratory.
    Had the new scoring system been implemented last season, KDB would have amassed 331 points – enough said.
    Stones was excellent at the back end of 2022/23Credit: GETTY
    A timely reminder that John Stones (£5m) may well be a Dream Team cheat code this season.
    The England international is classified as a defender but it’s likely he’ll play his fair share of minutes in the hybrid role he fulfilled so impressively post-World Cup.
    If Stones is to play alongside Rodri (£4m) in Guardiola’s 3-2-4-1 system then he will be more likely to acquire points related to midfield duties while also directly benefiting from clean sheets.
    BARGAIN OPTIONS
    Such is City’s pedigree, even their semi-regulars start with moderately costly price tags.
    While genuine bargains are nonexistent, there may still be value for money to be had at the Etihad.
    For example, Manuel Akanji (£4.5m) is a full £1million cheaper than Ruben Dias (£5.5m) and may well match the Portuguese centre-back’s tally.
    So much more than an understudyCredit: GETTY
    It may surprise some gaffers to learn that Julian Alvarez (£4m) would have finished on 227 points last season had the new scoring system been applied.
    The World Cup winner spends a lot time of the bench but he’s made the most of his minutes on the pitch and the fact he’ll start the campaign cheaper than Ollie Watkins (£4.5m) and Callum Wilson (£4.5m) represents potential value.
    For those impressed by his Community Shield finish, Cole Palmer (£2m) is very cheap but it would be a bold move to back the 21-year-old from the get-go.
    POTENTIAL FLOPS
    The words ‘flop’ and ‘Man City’ don’t go together in the realm of Dream Team but that doesn’t mean gaffers can just select any player and expect healthy returns.
    Kalvin Phillips (£2m) will be hopeful of more opportunities this season but the gulf in quality between him and Rodri has been unavoidable in recent times.
    Kovacic is an excellent player but there are better options in Dream TeamCredit: REX
    Mateo Kovacic (£3m) is a very fine footballer but he doesn’t have the same eye for goal Ilkay Gundogan displayed in his final seasons under Guardiola.
    The Croatian technician may have an inviting price for a Man City midfielder but there are better options in his range – Eberechi Eze (£3m), Moussa Diaby (£3m), Bruno Guimaraes (£3m) for three.
    Finally, please be aware that Kyle Walker (£3.5m) may be on his way out – his current ownership of 9.9% is very high.
    In fact, even if the speedy right-back stays, he tends not to earn the points some think his performances deserve – he would have mustered a moderate 138 last season in the new scoring system.

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    Manchester United new boy Rasmus Hojlund runs 100m in under 11 seconds but what will he bring to Dream Team?

    RASMUS Hojlund will be added to Dream Team today!No doubt many Manchester United fans will be keen to back their new striker when he’s available – they’ll have to fork out £4million of their initial budget to make it work.
    For perspective, that puts him level on price with the likes of Alexander Isak, Darwin Nunez and Christopher Nkunku.
    Inevitably, Dream Team gaffers will be asking: what will Hojlund bring to this season’s revamped fantasy game?

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    Has Hojlund got what it takes to thrive in Dream Team this season?
    Physically, the 20-year-old resembles a laboratory footballer; he’s 6ft 3in tall and, according to Atalanta head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, can run 100m in under eleven seconds.
    Hojlund’s pace and his willingness to run in behind is perhaps the primary reason one of the world’s biggest clubs may end up paying a total of £73million for his services.
    The Red Devils have been crying out for an out-and-out striker since it became apparent Cristiano Ronaldo was not suited to Erik ten Hag’s desired approach.
    Anthony Martial (£3m) has been dogged by injuries and the Wout Weghorst (£2m) experiment bemused supporters and neutrals alike.
    Still in the infancy of his career, Hojlund has only 27 professional goals to his name at club level but while he lacks a proven track record, he set tongues wagging in Italy with a series of thrilling performances for Atalanta in the wake of the World Cup.
    Dream Team gaffers may know him from a viral video that exhibited his freakish acceleration, a burst through the middle against Lazio that propelled him from the halfway line, through two defenders, and one-on-one with the goalkeeper in the blink of an eye.
    Hojlund was presented at Old Trafford at the weekendCredit: GETTY
    He registered 16 goals and seven assists in all competitions last season, split between Atalanta and Austrian club Sturm Graz, but of course Man United are paying for his potential as well as his immediate impact.
    Although It goes without saying that his transfer fee is a reflection of the market – clubs from other countries know that Premier League giants will fork out huge sums.
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    Bruno Fernandes (£6.5m) has been the only midfielder in the same realm as Kevin De Bruyne (£7m) in terms of creative metrics over the last three and a half years.
    The Portuguese playmaker guarantees Man United’s centre-forward a healthy supply of chances on his own and Hojlund’s combination of pace and height means he should benefit from throughballs and crosses into the box.
    However, Dream Team bosses should be aware the Denmark international is still a raw talent in need of moulding to some degree – his finishing has been no more than moderate to date.

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    Play Score Predictor with Dream Team this season – free to play, PlayStation 5 up for grabs in Matchweek 1!

    DREAM TEAM is synonymous with fantasy football but there’s plenty more for fans to sink their teeth into this season.Our new game Score Predictor is simple, fun and free to play.
    All you have to do is try predict the outcome for five matches (usually Premier League fixtures) every week for a chance to win fantastic prizes.
    We’re giving away a brand new PlayStation 5 in Matchweek 1!

    CLICK HERE TO PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR NOW!

    Win cash with Score Predictor this seasonCredit: DREAM TEAM
    Score Predictor couldn’t be easier to play, simply submit score predictions for each of the five weekly fixtures and earn points for accuracy.

    Correct number of goals (home team) +1 point
    Correct number of goals (away team) +1 point
    Correct goals difference +1 point
    Correct outcome (home win, draw, away win) +4 points
    Correct score +3 points

    If you get the most points in Matchweek 1, you’ll win the PS5!
    But Score Predictor isn’t just a game to play for one weekend, you accumulate points throughout the entire season, with cash prizes for the top three users once the fat lady has sung.

    1st: £3,500
    2nd: £1,000
    3rd: £500

    Feeling lazy? Quick picks show the most common predictions from other usersCredit: DREAM TEAM
    Just like with Dream Team’s fantasy game, users can set up Mini Leagues and play Score Predictor against their mates, colleagues or whomever – bragging rights are a worthy prize in their own right.
    If there is a tie in a Matchweek, finishing positions will be determined by the tie break rules in the following order of priority:

    Entrant with the most correct scores that Matchweek
    Entrant with the most correct outcomes that Matchweek
    Earliest predictions submitted that Matchweek

    Click here for the full game rules and for here terms and conditions.

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    Jeremy Clarkson includes FOUR Chelsea players in his Dream Team side – take him on for chance to win £50,000 top prize!

    JEREMY CLARKSON has his Dream Team locked in – have you?If not, why not!? You’ve only a week left until the big kick off!

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    Clarkson’s knowledge of cars and (to a lesser extent) farming is unquestionable but has he built a competitive Dream Team XI?
    Jeremy Clarkson wants to take YOU onCredit: DREAM TEAM
    Head to the League Hub and enter CLARKSON as the pin to join Jezza’s Celebrity League.
    It’s won’t shock you to learn that Chelsea fan Jeremy is heavily backing his beloved with four Stamford Bridge residents in his XI.
    That’s not quite as strongly backed as old foe Piers Morgan, who selected six Arsenal players in his side.
    But despite last year’s disappointing campaign, Jeremy has a lot of faith that Mauricio Pochettino will turn it around in the coming months.
    Saying that, it’s Manchester City’s Ederson (£4.5m) who gets the nod between the sticks.
    Blues duo Chilwell and Silva are in Jezza’s sideCredit: GETTY
    No defender is more expensive than Kieran Trippier (£6m) but as the reigning king of his position he may well be worth the investment.
    Newcastle’s right-back joins Chelsea duo Ben Chilwell (£4.5m) and Thiago Silva (£4m) in a back three.

    Having spent a sizeable chunk of his budget on his keeper and defence, Jeremy has opted for some value-for-money options in the middle.
    Newcastle’s talisman Bruno Guimaraes is joined by Eberechi Eze and Morgan Gibbs-White – with all three players looking to make a mockery of their £3m price tags.
    It’s Chelsea again for the fourth midfielder as Enzo Fernandez (also £3m) is hoping to make the most of this year’s new points system from his deeper midfield position.
    Jeremy joins 85% of gaffers in picking HaalandCredit: GETTY
    Of course, Erling Haaland (£8.5m) is the focal point up front with Jeremy joining 85% of gaffers in selecting Manchester City’s prolific No9.
    Let’s be honest, only the brave (or perhaps foolish) have chosen to go against the Norwegian goal machine.
    Last season’s second-top points scorer Marcus Rashford (£6.5m) joins Haaland up top, alongside new Stamford Bridge recruit Christopher Nkunku (£4m).
    However, Jeremy may have to make use of the unlimited free transfers prior to Gameweek 1 with news that the Frenchman is likely to miss Chelsea’s opening fixture – Nicolas Jackson (£2.5m) perhaps?
    Think you can do better? Join Dream Team today and take on Jeremy (CLARKSON is the pin), your mates and managers all over the world in a bid to win cash and bragging rights.
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    William Saliba Dream Team’s most-selected defender but is Arsenal star worthy of his popularity?

    LET’S get one thing straight, William Saliba (£3.5m) is a very fine footballer.Arsenal missed the youthful centre-back badly during the run-in last season when he was sidelined with a back injury.
    The Frenchman’s partnership with Gabriel (£4.5m) at the heart of defence was one of the reasons the Gunners spent more weeks at the top of the Premier League than any other team in 2022/23.

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    Dream Team’s most-popular defenderCredit: DREAM TEAM
    Such is Saliba’s potential, Oleksandr Zinchenko (£3.5m) recently claimed his team-mate has all the tools to become “the best centre-back in the world”.
    So perhaps it’s understandable that Arsenal’s No2 is currently the most-popular defender in Dream Team ahead of the new season.
    Saliba’s ownership of 29.9% puts him just above Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m), John Stones (£5m) and Kieran Trippier (£6m).
    Clearly, price is a factor; it’s likely that Dream Team gaffers see the 22-year-old as good value at £3.5m given he’s a probable starter for last season’s second-best team.
    However, is Saliba truly worthy of his popularity?
    He mustered 90 points in total at an average of 2.7 per game last season which was nothing more than moderate even accounting for his injury lay-off.
    Mr PopularCredit: GETTY
    Dream Team’s scoring system has been revolutionised this season and while his revised points-per-game average of 4.6 appears much healthier, it still puts him below the likes of Ethan Pinnock (£2.5m), Kenny Tete (£2.5m) and Emerson Royal (£3m).
    Saliba would have amassed 151 points had the new scoring system been implemented last season, just the 27th-best revised tally among assets in his position – even without injury he would have struggled to make the top ten.
    Compare these stats to Gabriel, who finished ninth among defenders in reality last season, but would have risen to fifth had the new scoring system been applied.
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    The Brazilian costs an additional £1m but it could argued he’s worth the additional investment.
    Jurrien Timber’s (£3.5m) switch to the Emirates is another factor to consider.
    The Dutchman can play as either a centre-back or a right-back, much like Ben White (£4.5m) and Takehiro Tomiyasu (£2.5m).
    If Mikel Arteta decides to rotate his defensive options then Saliba’s minutes may be reduced.
    It will be interesting to see whether the Arsenal fan favourite remains the most-popular defender in Dream Team once Gameweek 1 gets underway.

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    Dream Team 2023/24: Tottenham’s best players, bargain options and potential flops

    DREAM TEAM managers are counting down the days until the new campaign gets underway.And to provide a helping hand, The Sun have taken a closer look at each of last season’s top teams in detail.
    Today we’re checking in on Tottenham’s crop of talent, hoping to find which players will thrive under attack-minded Ange Postecoglou – as well as who might struggle.

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    James Maddison could deliver huge returns this seasonCredit: GETTY
    BEST PLAYERS
    You certainly don’t need us to explain the benefits of drafting Harry Kane (£7m) into your squad.
    The England captain has been one of the most consistent players of the Premier League era, scoring 213 goals and providing 50 assists in 320 appearances.
    He bagged a colossal 30 goals in 38 league fixtures last season, which amounted to just over 40% of his sides total.
    The 29-year-old is gearing up for his first campaign under Postecoglou, who wants Spurs to return to attacking, attractive football, and has the creativity of James Maddison (£4m) behind him – reducing his need to drop deep.
    To recap: He’s rotation proof, consistent as gravity and takes penalties.
    Unfortunately, there’s an elephant in the room and it’s wearing a Bayern Munich shirt – but for now Kane is a great pick.
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    Regardless of who plays ahead of him, the aforementioned Maddison looks primed for a big season after completing his £40million move from Leicester.
    The Foxes suffered a shock relegation from the top flight but their No10 would have produced over 234 points in the new scoring system last season — that’s only a few short of Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka (£6m)!
    Maddison’s play style is perfectly suited to Dream Team – he’s constantly seeking goals and assists.
    Son Heung-min (£5m) could be back with a bang in 2023/24.
    And his potential could be even higher if Kane departs and he’s tasked with being the team’s primary goal threat.
    Despite what many would call an underwhelming campaign for the South Korean, Son would have returned 291 points last term had teh new scoring system been applied.
    A fresh start and a full pre-season should make for the perfect remedy for Son, who shared the Golden Boot with Mohamed Salah (£7m) in the 2021/22 season having netted 23 league goals.
    POTENTIAL BARGAINS
    Is Pedro Porro flying under the radar?Credit: GETTY
    A breakthrough season for Pedro Porro (£2.5m)?
    It’s certainly not beyond the realms of possibility; the 23-year-old managed three goals and three assists in 17 appearances for Spurs despite following his January arrival.
    The attacking Spain international is available at a rock-bottom £2.5m – £3.5m cheaper than Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m).
    However, there are risks attached.
    14 of his career goals and 23 assists were when playing right midfield, and it looks more than likely that he’ll be deployed at right-back in a flat back four under Ange Postecoglou.
    Dejan Kulusevski (£3m) could potentially be one of the biggest winners from Postecoglou’s arrival.
    A return to form could be on the cards with many believing that the Swedish winger be nailed-on in the new regime, something that could revive his 2021/22 form.
    POTENTIAL FLOPS
    Guglielmo Vicario has his doubtersCredit: GETTY
    Attacking talents, plenty. Defensive reliability, not so much.
    Many are expecting Spurs to fight fire with fire this season, and that could mean their defensive assets suffer.
    They conceded 63 Premier League goals last season and are yet to add to their centre-back options.
    That could be bad news for new goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (£3m).
    The Italian goalkeeper joined from Empoli and recently broke into the Italy senior squad, but adapting to a new league with a fragile defence could prove tricky – he’s hardly an oasis of composure.

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    Jack Grealish, Michael Olise and other players set to earn plenty of Bonus Points in Dream Team this season

    THIS coming season promises more Dream Team points than ever before!One element of the overhauled scoring system concerns the allocation of Bonus Points, designed to reward impressive efforts not recognised by Core Points (earned through goals, assists, clean sheets, etc).

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    Ready to collect Bonus PointsCredit: DREAM TEAM
    Bonus Points are determined by the following stats, which add up to give each individual a Player Performance Marks (PPM) score: completed crosses, successful dribbles, pass completion rate, interceptions, blocks, fouls won and goals scored from outside the area.
    Offsides, fouls conceded and errors leading to goals will negatively impact a player’s PPM.

    5-7 Player Performance Marks = 1 Bonus Point
    8-11 PPM = 3 Bonus Points
    12+ PPM = 5 Bonus Points

    Core Points will make up the bulk of a player’s total but think of Bonus Points as welcome extras.
    Dream Team gaffers can view how many Bonus Points each player would have got last season had the new scoring process been applied – although naturally there’s not sufficient data for the newly-promoted clubs.
    Guess who tops the pile…Credit: GETTY
    To save you time, here’s the players who would have earned the most Bonus Points in 2022/23:

    Jack Grealish (£4.5m) – 72 pts
    Michael Olise (£3m) – 69 pts
    Bukayo Saka (£6m) – 60 pts
    James Maddison (£4m) – 58 pts
    Kieran Trippier (£6m) – 57 pts
    Phil Foden (£4.5m) – 53 pts
    Bruno Guimaraes (£3m) – 50 pts
    Trent Alexander-Arnold (£6m) – 49 pts
    Eberechi Eze (£3m) – 48 pts
    Solly March (£3.5m) – 48 pts

    Manchester City’s No10 leads the way thanks mainly to his dribbling ability and his unmatched knack of drawing fouls.
    It’s no surprise to see Crystal Palace’s gifted right winger high up the rankings either – his ability to take players on and his wicked delivery from open play make him a prime candidate for Bonus Points.
    Olise’s favourite conspirator, Eze, also features in the top ten, a indicator that Selhurst Park may be home to its fair share of Bonus Points in the coming months.
    The Eagles’ midfielders look better and better value for money as Gameweek 1 draws near at £3m each.
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    The likes of Saka, Maddison, Trippier, Foden and Alexander-Arnold amass lorry-loads of Core Points but this is an indication that the new scoring system will only serve to cement their spots at the top end of the overall rankings.
    Guimaraes is an interesting inclusion and exactly the sort of player Bonus Points are aiming to acknowledge.
    The Brazilian midfielder is evidently an influential figure who contributed greatly to Newcastle’s top-four finish, something his Core Points tally didn’t fully reflect.
    If you’re not one for detailed stats, don’t panic, this theoretical top ten from last season shows that you can trust your observations – you don’t need a spreadsheet to tell you the likes of Grealish, Saka and Maddison have got a bit about them.

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