The Scout assesses the opening player prices in 2021/22 Fantasy Premier League and their implications.
Midfield move for Dallas
Last season’s top-scoring defender, Stuart Dallas (£5.5m), has been reclassified as a midfielder for 2021/22 FPL.
The Leeds United man has been given a change of position after moving to a midfield role under Marcelo Bielsa midway through last season.
While Dallas scored eight goals and supplied three assists in 2020/21, it is worth noting that 48 of his 171 points came due to 12 clean sheets.
As a defender, he earned four points for every shutout the Whites recorded.
But this season, Dallas will now earn just a single point for each clean sheet.
Dallas' double v Man City
Big jump for Bamford
Leeds frontman Patrick Bamford (£8.0m) has earned a significant price-hike from his opening cost of £5.5m last term.
He finished as the second top-scoring forward on 194 points in the last campaign.
Despite his hefty rise, Bamford can still prove a major draw in 2021/22.
His 107 shots, 95 shots in the box, 31 big chances and 48 shots on target all put him among the top two forwards last term.
Bamford's hat-trick v Villa
Leeds' No 1 Illan Meslier (£5.0m) can also attract plenty of attention.
He was the third top-scoring goalkeeper in the game with 154 points, combining 11 clean sheets with 36 save points and 20 bonus.
Meslier's best saves of 2020/21
Leeds winger Raphinha also looks set to be a popular pick at a cost of only £6.5m.
The Brazilian did not make his first start of the season until Gameweek 9.
But his totals of 65 shots, 43 shots in the penalty area and 24 shots on target all put him among the top six midfielders from that point onwards.
And his 64 key passes, 12 big chances and 10 assists put him among the top three.
Raphinha's season highlights
Also in this series
Part 1: 2021/22 FPL player price reveal
Part 2: Aubameyang now cheaper as a forward
Part 4: Sanchez can emerge as No 1 pick in goal
Part 5: Salah and Kane given equal billing
Part 6: West Ham offer value at both ends
Part 7: Top scorer Fernandes jumps in value
Part 8: Grealish and Toney to attract interest
Part 9: Everton stars look tempting for early fixtures
Part 10: Back cheaper Iheanacho over Vardy?
Part 11: Wilson has early appeal
Part 12: De Bruyne given highest-ever starting value
