With the new Premier League season starting on Saturday, The Scout assesses the potential of new arrivals in Fantasy Premier League this season.
The recruitment of Johann Berg Gudmundsson from Charlton Athletic ended what had been a quiet summer for Burnley.
With a modest number of ins and outs, Sean Dyche, the manager, seems set to be putting faith in his promoted squad, with the most boasting Premier League experience.
Gudmundsson’s arrival is nonetheless significant, both for Dyche and Fantasy Premier League managers alike.
Having starred in Iceland’s UEFA Euro 2016 campaign, the winger looks equipped to provide Burnley an enhanced goal threat from wide and supply strikers Andre Gray (£6.5m) and Sam Vokes (£6.0m) with a reliable source of service.
The Clarets are expected to deploy once more a 4-4-2 formation. Where Dyche previously turned to Scott Arfield (£5.5m) and George Boyd (£5.5m) to occupy wide areas, Gudmundsson (also £5.5m) could be poised to seize one of those roles.
A left-footed winger, he often occupies the right to cut inside and threaten the goal.
He scored 10 times and claimed four assists over 41 matches in his debut season for Charlton in 2014/15. He followed that by topping the Championship assists chart last term, providing 11 along with six goals over 40 appearances, despite Charlton suffering relegation.
Gudmundsson produced an effort on goal every 36 minutes in 2015/16, far more threatening than both Arfield and Boyd, who mustered goal attempts every 67 and 71 minutes respectively in the same division.
He also created opportunities for team-mates at a faster rate, providing a key pass every 43 minutes, which compares favourably with both Arfield (85 minutes) and Boyd (93).
Dyche could bring Arfield into the centre of his midfield, leaving the way for the Icelandic to occupy a flank role.
With four home matches in their first six fixtures, starting with Swansea City coming to Turf Moor on Saturday, there is clear incentive for FPL managers to explore Burnley options.
Should Dyche show faith in his summer acquisition, Gudmundsson has the potential to offer the optimum route into the Clarets’ midfield.
While Gray continues to turn heads with sparkling pre-season form, recently scoring a hat-trick against Rangers at Ibrox, Gudmundsson has been eased into summer action following his international exertions.
Like Gray, though, he has the tools to take his opportunities and prosper in the top flight, offering exceptional FPL value.
