Transfer Profiles: Pulisic and NDombele

Since FantasyYIRMA.com launched in 2012 we’ve had more than 50 Guest Post writers submit content.

Always happy to profile and showcase new writers on the site. If you are interested in writing about Fantasy Football, feel free to contact us at ryan@FantasyYIRMA.com.

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You’ll find us this season providing Preview content on the site in addition to regular content over on FourFourTwo.com.

In addition – feel free to check out our Fantasy Football Podcast over at @BangAveragePod

Ryan @FantasyYIRMA

Transfer Profiles: Pulisic and NDombele

Written by @joeybob88888

With the transfer market in full swing and the EPL season fast approaching, it is time to look at some of the hottest new names in the fantasy game. This article will focus highlight on Togga based scoring, but will include brief opinions in regard to the OFPL game.

The two players we will focus on come in with some big talk surrounding them; Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and Tanguy NDombele from Spurs.

1. Christian Pulisic

Pulisic comes in after being the star man for Dortmund, and his national team in the summer. Hazard has left some massive shoes to fill, but Pulisic comes in as the man to attempt to fill those boots. At 20 years old, he has already made a name for himself before arriving at Chelsea.

Now let’s take a look at some of his numbers. Pulisic struggled with injury last season, as well as locking down that starting XI role; he made 9 starts in the Bundesliga coming away with 4 goals and 4 assists. For only 9 starts those numbers are amazing, that’s almost an attacking return every game! As well, in the Gold Cup this summer he scored 2 goals in 3 games, and passed the “eye test” with flying colours.

There’s no saying he translates that to the EPL after not having too much game time, and the EPL being a more demanding league but those numbers are promising. Now let’s look at his underlying stats; this will be more relevant for Togga scoring, but could also reflect in the OFPL Game.

Last season with Dortmund he averaged 1.4 shots, 1 key pass, 2.1 dribbles, and 0.5 tackles per game. For Togga scoring this is looking like a base of 5-6 points with upside assuming he’s more heavily involved in the Chelsea attack.

While we are unsure of the other 2 of the front 3 for Chelsea Pulisic may be required to do a lot of the heavy lifting for Chelsea, but the main question is, is he ready? In Togga drafts he will probably be off the board by Late Round 3 early Round 4, if you have a solid group of elite players I would consider taking a risk on him, it could pay off dearly!

In OFPL he is priced at 7.5 mill, and while Chelsea do have a nice run of opening games I would hold off until Week 3 or 4 to see how they fare without Hazard. The potential of Pulisic commanding some set-pieces offers some extra value in itself, but until we see a definite Chelsea XI it may be better to watch from a far. Especially with Hazard gone, and Leicester doing some good strong transfer business could this be the year we see a major shake-up in the Top 6?

There is a chance that Chelsea struggle to crack the Top 6 in Lampard’s first year as he will have to rely on a lot of young players such as Hudson-Odoi, Loftus Cheek and Pulisic.

2. Tanguy NDombele

Danny Rose’s wish has finally come true!

Spurs have made a big name signing in an area they were in desperate need for a new player. NDombele is a young player is a lot of potential, exactly the kind of player that Poch can turn into a world class star.

The question here isn’t about how good he will be, it’s how valuable he will be in the world of fantasy. He was a consistent starter for Lyon last year starting in 31 games. He also finished with 1 goal, 7 assists, and only 3 yellow cards! He didn’t have the attacking returns that would make him an intriguing prospect for OFPL especially at 6.0 million, so I personally would consider other players in that bracket or in the lower price range who can offer more. His underlying stats look promising from Ligue 1.

He averaged 0.9 shots, 1.4 key passes, 1.9 dribbles, 0.9 interceptions, and 1.9 tackles. He also averaged about 57 passes, 1 aerial duel won, and was disposed 1.5 times.  Now for Togga players that looks like a base of 8-9 points with upside for assists and goals. That could let him finish the year around 8ppm which would be a very decent return considering in the past Spurs’ defensive midfielders have been useless in Togga. For draft if you are in a 12 team league I would look to have NDombele as a MID 5/6 in Rounds 10-11, he could become everything we were hoping for from Naby Keita last season in Togga!

Another question is how will Poch use him and where will he fit in the lineup? Assuming Spurs stick to their classic 4-2-3-1 formation NDombele looks more than likely to be part of the 2. He will most likely partner either Harry Winks or Moussa Sissoko who is coming off a fantastic season for spurs.

With NDombele being more of a dribbler and someone who plays more forward passes it seems likely he will partner the safer and more stable Harry Winks. While this would be unfortunate for Sissoko, having Winks and NDombele behind Kane, Son, Alli, and Eriksen could allow Spurs to push on and try to challenge the Top 2.

Final Verdict:

Pulisic will look to give life into a Hazard-less attack, but with uncertainty around a central forward and a transfer ban he may struggle to provide the impact Hazard did this season. I would look to take a risk on him in Togga leagues due to his dribbling ability and possibility of commanding set pieces, but in OFPL you can find a better Midfielder in the early weeks for that price, while he settles into the EPL.

NDombele will fit in nicely at Spurs, and be a good rotation option for Togga managers. Being a Defensive Mid I would stay away from him in OFPL and use those funds elsewhere!

FF Genie @joeybob88888

As a avid soccer player and huge EPL fan, I am excited to be able to share my knowledge and passion with the fantasy community. I have played Togga for over 3 years, and have won countless leagues. I have played 1 season in OFPL and finished in the top 200K. I watch almost every EPL game, and understand the game. I hope all my articles will be of great use to the community.

Website: tinyurl.com/y3mnkptv

Since FantasyYIRMA.com launched in 2012 we’ve had more than 50 Guest Post writers submit content for the site. Always happy to profile and showcase new writers on the site. If you are interested in writing about Fantasy Football, feel free to contact us at ryan@FantasyYIRMA.com.

Many thanks to @joeybob88888 aka the FF Genie on twitter for his submission – drop him a follow on Twitter

You’ll find us this season providing Preview content on the site in addition to regular content over on FourFourTwo.com.

In addition – feel free to check out our Fantasy Football Podcast over at @BangAveragePod

Ryan @FantasyYIRMA