Ritchie can seize second chance in Fantasy

The Scout's watchlist of budget midfielders continues. 

Matt Ritchie (Newcastle United) £6.0m

Matt Ritchie returns as a Fantasy Premier League option for 2017/18 and, this time, he can live up to his potential.

The Newcastle United midfielder first appeared on the radar of managers back in 2015/16 after gaining promotion with AFC Bournemouth.

Ritchie produced four goals and eight assists from 37 appearances with the Cherries, recording 3.2 points per match.

Priced at just £6.0m once again, he can surpass those returns to offer stronger value this season. 

The Scotland international's all-round game as a scorer and creator of goals is set up for FPL points.

Ritchie ended the Magpies’ triumphant Championship season with 12 goals and seven assists.

He fired a shot every 31.6 minutes, more frequently than any midfielder among the three newly promoted sides.

Ritchie also provided a key pass every 44.3 minutes, just behind Brighton & Hove Albion's Anthony Knockaert (£6.0m and 40.5 minutes) and Huddersfield Town's Aaron Mooy (£5.5m and 40.9 minutes).

Like that pair, Ritchie's potential in FPL will rely heavily on set-pieces.

He will deliver corners and free-kicks, while he is also the Magpies’ designated penalty taker, scoring three times from the spot in 2016/17.

Newcastle's early fixtures promote interest in their players.

Once the opening day encounter with Tottenham Hotspur has passed, their next five opponents all score just two in the Fixture Difficult Rankings (FDR).

FPL managers will consider Dwight Gayle (£6.5m), but with fierce competition for the three forward slots, Ritchie offers a strong alternative in midfield.

Having offered a preview of his Fantasy talents, he now returns as a more rounded player capable of providing exceptional points-per-million value.

Newcastle's opening Gameweeks

See: Ward-Prowse to deliver on FPL promise