Following on from the watchlists of budget and high-value defenders, The Scout moves on to four cheap targets to consider in midfield.
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Crystal Palace) £4.5m
Crystal Palace's signing of Ruben Loftus-Cheek just 24 hours after the launch of Fantasy Premier League has played into the hands of managers.
The 21-year-old joins Frank de Boer's new-look Eagles on loan from Chelsea.
With a price tag of just £4.5m he looks a tantalising option.
Finding value in midfield can be vital to FPL success.
Last season players such as Watford’s Etienne Capoue and Joe Allen of Stoke City (both £5.5m) found form and enjoyed big spikes in ownership.
Now Loftus-Cheek is attracting interest even before a ball is kicked.
He is already the most popular option priced at £4.5m, acquired by 15.6% of managers.
Palace have signed a versatile midfielder.
At 6ft 3in, Loftus-Cheek is equipped to play in a deep-lying role.
But FPL managers will hope that De Boer exploits his attacking qualities in the manager's preferred 4-3-3 formation.
De Boer on Loftus-Cheek's best position
🌟 Talented player
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) July 12, 2017
👌 Technical
🥊 Physical
📏 Good height
💉 "A quality injection"
The boss likes what he sees in @rubey_lcheek! 👊 #CheekyLoan pic.twitter.com/OkqwOdGcIH
The loanee has previously shown promise when played in support of a lone striker.
He was limited to six appearances from the bench last season but made 13 in the 2015/16 campaign, averaging a shot every 33.9 minutes.
The midfielder also boasts seven goals in 17 starts for England's Under-21 side.
He can deliver exceptional value in Fantasy if he can cement a starting role.
Pre-season will give us an indication of whether he is likely to be given the freedom to support Christian Benteke (£8.0m) in attack.
If that is the case, the potential offered by Loftus-Cheek over Palace's opening fixtures looks irresistible.
Crystal Palace's opening Gameweeks
| GW | Opponent | FDR (1 = Low 5 = High) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huddersfield Town (h) | 1 |
| 2 | Liverpool (a) | 4 |
| 3 | Swansea City (h) | 2 |
| 4 | Burnley (a) | 3 |
| 5 | Southampton (h) | 2 |
Managers could get a first look of Loftus-Cheek in the Premier League Asia Trophy in Hong Kong. Crystal Palace open their tournament against Liverpool on Wednesday, kick-off 1.30pm BST.
