A palpable buzz around Fantasy Premier League continues to grow with the game having officially released its updated version for the 2022/23 season. With fans looking forward to their respective teams’ pre-season fixtures whilst anticipating the arrivals of several talents alongside catching a glimpse of newer additions before the start of the campaign, FPL managers have already begun creating their first drafts as they look forward to locking a formidable team on road to the first game-week of the new season.
An acceptable campaign saw West Ham United secure European qualification for the second consecutive time last season. Having been amongst the most exciting teams in recent season, the Irons will be keen on continuing to build up momentum as they aim to improve on their league standing for the upcoming campaign.
Winger Jarrod Bowen (£8.0m) emerges as the most expensive of West Ham’s assets, with striker Michail Antonio (£7.5m) following suit. Midfielders Said Benrahma (£6.0m) and Pablo Fornals (£5.5m) establish themselves as promising differentials, while the likes of Vladimir Coufal (£4.5m) and Aaron Creswell (£5.0m) emerge as exciting prospects moving into the season.
With prices of every registered player having been revealed following the official release, the upcoming campaign is expected to continue delivering intriguing competitions for places across the board. However, while most managers are likely to contemplate drafting in the most noticeable names, the focus for seasoned managers, as ever, remains on drafting in understated assets capable of delivering sustainable points over the course of the upcoming season.
VLADIMIR COUFAL (DEF, £4.5)
Amongst the tempting defenders moving into the season, Coufal is likely to retain his starting spot for West Ham this season. Having been pivotal to the team’s prospects in recent seasons. the full-back boasts a proven potential to deliver favourable returns in the upcoming campaign.
Registering four assists alongside six clean sheets last season, Coufal witnessed an underwhelming campaign. However, despite failing to nail down a starting spot, the 29-year-old ranked fifth for passes completed into the 18-yard-box (31) whilst registering a healthy number of shot-creating actions (46) amongst teammates last season.
An exciting asset within his price bracket, Coufal is capable of delivering promising returns for the coming season. Provided West Ham register a commanding start to the season, Coufal could emerge as a favourable asset moving into the season.
PABLO FORNALS (MID, £5.5)
Expected to remain a starter moving into the new season, emerges amongst the most promising assets within his price range. Having delivered crucial contributions last season, the Spaniard will be keen on improving his tally of attacking returns in the upcoming campaign.
Contributing six goals and four assists last season, Fornals is likely to be included in the starting line-up facing Manchester City in the opening game week. Besides his impactful contributions, the midfielder registered the second-highest number of expected assists (0.18xA) alongside topping the chart of passes completed into the 18-yard-box (53) amongst teammates last season.
Moreover, registering the third-highest number of shot-creating actions (87) at the club, the midfielder emerges as a viable option within his price bracket. Provided Fornals cements his place in the starting line-up, the Spaniard could emerge as an exciting option for FPL managers moving forward.
SAID BENRAHMA (MID, £6.0)
West Ham’s third-highest scoring (138 pts.) FPL asset last season, Benrahma emerges as a promising prospect moving into the season. Having registered a notable start to the 21/22 campaign, the Algerian is capable of delivering crucial returns during the initial stages of the season.
Contributing eight goals and six assists last season, Benrahma remained a mainstay in David Moyes’ starting line-up before a dip in form saw him drop the bench for the latter part of last season. However, despite his struggles, the attacking midfielder registered the second-highest number of passes completed into the 18-yard-box (32) alongside ranking fourth for shot-creating actions (69) amongst teammates last season.
Moreover, the midfielder recorded a decent number of expected goals (0.21xG) per game alongside registering the third-highest number of carries into the 18-yard-box (26) at the club last season. Provided Benrahma succeeds in sealing a starting spot next season, the Algerian could deliver substantial value for his price, moving into the season.
JARROD BOWEN (MID, £8.5)
One of only three midfielders to have registered over 200 points last season, Bowen emerges as the most exciting of West Ham’s assets for the upcoming campaign. Expected to play a vital role under Moyes, the winger is likely to deliver favourable returns throughout the season.
Having contributed a commendable 12 goals and 17 assists, Bowen emerged as the team’s highest goal-contributor last season. Alongside registering the second-highest number of expected goals (0.34xG) per game, Bowen topped the charts for goal-creation actions (21) and passes completed into the 18-yard-box (32) whilst ranking second for shot-creating actions (95) amongst teammates at the end of last season.
Moreover, having been the team’s most impactful player on the pitch, the winger is expected to continue delivering for West Ham in the upcoming campaign. Provided the Irons succeed in securing positive results at the start of the season, Bowen is expected to be heavily involved in the goals for West Ham this season.
