Six Premier League clubs approach the 2016/17 season with a new man in charge. That should put Fantasy Premier League managers on alert, with the changes perhaps providing a catalyst for improved results and points potential.
New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has made the biggest statement of intent so far. The Portuguese has moved quickly to address an attack that scored a below-par 49 times last term, bringing in Henrikh Mkhitaryan (£9.5m, MID) and Zlatan Ibrahimovic (£11.5m, FWD).
Significantly, Mourinho has also pledged to reinstall Wayne Rooney (£9.0m, FWD) in attack after the Red Devils skipper was shifted into midfield last season. That could yet revive Rooney as a promising FPL addition.
With Villarreal’s Eric Bailly (£5.5m, DEF) added to a defence that produced 18 shutouts in 2015/16, the Old Trafford side look a very tempting proposition in terms of points return.
Pep Guardiola makes his way to Manchester City after guiding Bayern Munich to a fourth successive league title. The Spaniard has been tasked with rediscovering the swagger that brought City 102 goals back in 2013/14 on their way to the title.
Guardiola has landed winger Nolito (£9.0m MID) and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan (£5.5m MID), though it may well be current regulars, David Silva (£9.0m MID), Kevin De Bruyne (£10.5m MID) and Sergio Aguero (£13.0m FWD), who emerge as the main beneficiaries of his approach.
Deposed champions Chelsea have appointed Italian Antonio Conte after finishing in 10th in their Premier League title defence.
Expected to employ a 3-5-2 formation, the former Juventus coach will be looking to revitalise a back line who mustered a mere nine clean sheets last time out.
Hopes are also high that Eden Hazard (£10.0m MID) will build on an impressive return to form at UEFA Euro 2016 after falling from Fantasy favour in 2015/16.
Having steered Southampton to a sixth-place finish, Ronald Koeman has swapped St Mary’s Stadium for Goodison Park.
The Dutchman will be relying on Romelu Lukaku (£9.0m FWD) in attack but has work to do at the other end of the pitch after Everton conceded 55 times in 2015/16.
Koeman guided Southampton to 12 clean sheets in the last campaign and if he can instil a new level of resilience on Merseyside, the Toffees' rearguard could provide a number of FPL assets.
Creative full-backs Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines (both £5.5m DEF) could certainly weigh in with important contributions at both ends of the pitch.
Register your team on fantasy.premierleague.com before 11:30 BST on Saturday 13 August 2016.
