Sane on Scout's summer FPL watch list

Contributing seven of the top 10 highest scorers, the midfield proved a vital area of Fantasy Premier League squads in 2016/17.

There was a vast pool of talent available throughout the season, with Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool particularly appealing to FPL managers.

Looking ahead, our selection for next season will be influenced by the classification of two proven players: Arsenal’s Alexis Sanchez and Joshua King of AFC Bournemouth. 

Both were key midfield picks at opposite ends of the price scale.

King started the campaign at just £5.5m and proceeded to score 178 points, with the value he offered persuading many FPL managers to revert to a five-man midfield.

Meanwhile, Sanchez was top-scoring player in FPL with 264 points and, like King, was deployed as a striker over a sustained period by his club.

See: FPL rankings by position

Both could be classified as forwards for 2017/18.

But even without Sanchez, a rich cast of midfield heavy-hitters will remain.

That list includes Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, Spurs pair Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen and Liverpool trio Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino and Philippe Coutinho. 

The search for value in midfield appears more challenging.

The choice of mid-price players could become vital, although there are already likely targets to monitor over the pre-season.

See: Confirmed summer friendlies

Sanchez’s team-mate Aaron Ramsey and Manchester City’s Leroy Sane are two contenders.  

Ramsey flourished in Arsenal’s new 3-4-2-1 formation, producing a goal or an assist in three of his final four Gameweek appearances before scoring the winner in the FA Cup final on Saturday. 

Named on Pep Guardiola’s teamsheet in only four of the first 21 Gameweeks, Sane returned a single goal and assist over that run.

But he then started 16 of his side’s final 17 fixtures, producing a further four goals and six assists.

Similarly, Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas, Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United and Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha are all set for the mid-price bracket, but have potential to outperform their initial price-tags. 

Budget options that are ideal for the fifth midfield slot in our squads will doubtless emerge as the season progresses.

In 2016/17 Watford’s Etienne Capoue and Stoke City’s Joe Allen proved popular picks prior to King’s ascent.

King’s team-mate Junior Stanislas is an early candidate to watch over the Cherries’ summer fixtures.

Injury restricted the winger to 21 Gameweek appearances yet he still scored seven times, finding the net in each of the final three fixtures.

Indeed, Stanislas bettered King for points per match (ppm) by 5.1 to 4.9. 

The promoted sides should also be tracked as a source of strong points-per-million value.

Brighton & Hove Albion’s Anthony Knockaert (15 goals, eight assists), Newcastle United’s Matt Ritchie (12 goals, seven assists) and Huddersfield Town winger Elias Kachunga (12 goals, two assists) all impressed in the Championship last season.

The Seagulls have also added playmaker Pascal Gross to their squad from German team Ingolstadt. His total of 98 key passes in 2016/17 was more than any player in the Bundesliga, ensuring that he is already one to watch.

See: 2017 confirmed summer transfers