Fantasy Premier League - West Brom players to target
The biggest fantasy football league in the world is back up and running - but which West Brom players do you want in your squad for the 2020/21 season?
For all budding wannabe managers, Fantasy Premier League makes every single game matter over an action-packed season.
With Slaven Bilic looking to push on and impress during Albion's return to the top flight, would-be managers may find some value in the Baggies' players.
Here, Luke Hatfield details which players you should be eyeing up for your fantasy Premier League team.
Goalkeepers
You've got one choice, and one choice only when it comes to choosing an Albion goalkeeper right now.
Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) is currently the only stopper on the books with the Baggies on fantasy Premier League - but he's a solid shout as he's the man likely to be starting each game for the club this season.
Defensively, it's tough to say just how Albion will do in the top flight, but if you're after someone who's always going to be playing, Johnstone could be a safe choice.
As the Baggies are only just coming up, you might be better off picking defensive players for now, just so we can see how they do against elite strikers.
If you're working a draft league, Johnstone would be a solid back-up option, and a player who could be available late in a draft.
Defenders
With Albion's defenders, there are plenty of cheap options available to players.
Typically, you're better off going for full-backs when picking your defenders, but the best option for Albion may well be Semi Ajayi (£5m).
He's the Baggies most expensive defensive player but he's a guaranteed starter given he's fit, and is capable of popping up with goals from centre back too.
Ahmed Hegazi (£4.5m) could be worth a punt, whilst Kyle Bartley (£4.5m) could be too - although there are question marks over which one starts - if any, should Albion make a centre back signing this summer.
On the flanks, Kieran Gibbs, Conor Townsend, Darnell Furlong and Dara O'Shea are all £4.5m, although there are questions over just how much each of them will play this season. O'Shea is probably your safest bet in terms of time on the pitch, he can pop up with a goal or two as well.
Midfielders
Matheus Pereira (£6m) is the man all Baggies fans' eyes are on this season, with this being his first in the Premier League.
He's the Baggies set piece taker, he starts week in, week out, and in general he's the chief chance creator too - for that price, you can do much worse.
Elsewhere, Kamil Grosicki (£5.5m) could offer decent value - although there's no guarantees he starts every game should the Baggies bring some new faces in.
Jake Livermore and Romaine Sawyers both price up at £5m, each of them sit fairly deep though, so won't be banging in goals or registering too many assists.
As mentioned before, Pereira is the standout choice here, but it's worth waiting to see what kind of business is done at The Hawthorns - a few more wingers or forward thinking midfielders could offer great value.
Best of the rest: Matt Phillips (£5.5m), Kyle Edwards (£5m), Sam Field (£5m), Oliver Burke, Rekeem Harper, Jonathan Leko (all £4.5m)
Forwards
Let's be honest, there are no bank-breaking strikers on offer with Albion right now - but that's quite understandable.
None of the Baggies forwards really banged in goals left, right and centre last season, and with no additions yet, the goals might need to come from elsewhere for now.
Charlie Austin and Hal Robson-Kanu (both £5.5m) are your safer options right now, but neither have been prolific over the past 12 months, and it's debatable over which one starts for Albion on the opening day.
Kenneth Zohore (£5m) barely featured last season, and is likely not to this season either - so you're better looking elsewhere to invest.
It may well be a matter of waiting to see who comes in at The Hawthorns before investing into a striker.
