Fantasy Premier League

Iheanacho passes FPL audition

By The Scout 7 Dec 2016
Kelechi Iheanacho, Man City

Man City forward's UEFA Champions League goal proves worth to Fantasy managers seeking Aguero replacements

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Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.6m) leapt to the attention of Fantasy Premier League managers by scoring in the UEFA Champions League as Manchester City geared up for a Gameweek 15 trip to Leicester City.

With Sergio Aguero (£13.0m) suspended for the next four Gameweeks the Argentinian was left on the bench, and Iheanacho led the line convincingly in Tuesday night's match against Celtic.

The 20-year-old forward strengthened his claim for pitch time by converting a Nolito (£8.6m) assist in the 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium.

Iheanacho, who has produced a goal and an assist in two of his three Premier League starts in 2016/17, is next set to face a Leicester side who have conceded two goals in four successive Gameweeks.

More than 45,000 FPL managers have drafted in the Nigerian since last weekend's deadline. 

Kelechi Iheanacho, Man City
Kelechi Iheanacho sits in only 3.9% of squads but has produced a goal and assist in two of three PL starts

He is in only 3.9% of squads as City are set to facs Watford, Arsenal and Hull City until Aguero is available for selection again in Gameweek 19.

With his side through as group runners-up, Guardiola made numerous changes, giving Kevin De Bruyne (£10.8m) the evening off.

Owned by 10.4% of FPL managers, the Belgian has been a substitute in two of the last five Gameweeks but, with Aguero unavailable, his influence looks increasingly vital for the coming weeks.

De Bruyne and Nolito both offer Guardiola options as a "false nine" if he doesn't start Iheanacho up front.

Intriguingly, the City head coach used defender Pablo Zabaleta (£4.7m) as a holding midfielder as he seeks solutions for Fernandinho's (£5.4m) three-match ban. 

With Fernandinho missing Gameweeks 15-17, Guardiola could retain Zabaleta in midfield as a short-term solution. 

For Arsenal, Lucas Perez (£7.8m) boosted his chances of a first Premier League start since Gameweek 4 with a starring role in the 4-1 win at Basel.

Fielded on the right, the fit-again Spaniard scored three times as Arsenal clinched top spot in their UEFA Champions League group.

Perez will be pushing Theo Walcott (£8.0m) for a starting role in the weekend home encounter with Stoke City.

Introduced as a substitute late on, Walcott has netted once in the last six FPL Gameweeks, having scored five times in the opening eight.  

Lucas Perez, Arsenal
Lucas Perez scored a hat-trick for Arsenal and is now rivalling Theo Walcott for a start against Stoke City

As a result, only the injured Philippe Coutinho has suffered more sales among FPL midfielders than Walcott ahead of Gameweek 15. 

Alexis Sanchez (£11.6m) and Mesut Ozil (£9.6m) also started Tuesday evening's match and chipped in with an assist apiece before being replaced in the second half.

Withdrawn with 20 minutes remaining, Sanchez has been acquired by 223,000+ FPL managers in the Gameweek after recording a 23-point return against West Ham United.

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22 Nov 2024

Fifteen years ago today: Spurs 9-1 Wigan

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