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West Ham Fantasy Premier League Choices: Goalkeeper

By Scott Johnson

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Lukasz Fabianski of Swanea sin action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Swansea City at Etihad Stadium on April 22, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - APRIL 22: Lukasz Fabianski of Swanea sin action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Swansea City at Etihad Stadium on April 22, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /
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It’s almost time for the Premier League to start, so that means Fantasy Premier League as well! Which West Ham players will be worth getting?

As we approach Premier League keep up we will be running a series on which West Ham players will be best to select for the Fantasy game. Whilst we will be focusing on the official Premier League fantasy, we will try and include some tips for those interested in draft leagues such as Togga. If you’ve never tried a draft league, you should give it a go!

But we’re going to start with the goalkeepers, on what will be the shortest of these articles, because currently the Hammers only have two choices. Adrian or Fabianski. So which keeper makes the most fantasy sense?

PRESTON, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Adrian of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Preston North End and West Ham United at Deepdale on July 21, 2018 in Preston, England. (Photo b Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
PRESTON, ENGLAND – JULY 21: Adrian of West Ham United during the Pre-Season Friendly between Preston North End and West Ham United at Deepdale on July 21, 2018 in Preston, England. (Photo b Lynne Cameron/Getty Images) /

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Adrian

Price: 4.5m

Points Last Year: 72

Starting XI: Unlikely

Notes

It’s a straight shootout between Fabianski and Adrian for the starting spot, and the likelihood is Adrian will miss out. Adrian had to deal with rotating with Joe Hart last season, but that may be more than he gets in this campaign.

Pellegrini will want to try and sort out an defensive structure, and that means sorting your keeper early. Adrian’s likely path to gametime in the Premier League will be good performances in the cup and usurping Fabianski that way.

He does have a decent shot stopping record, but is liable to make mistakes. He got 69 saves compared to 29 goals conceded last season, and has made 5 Premier League penalty saves. But since his introduction to the Premier League he has 2 red cards and 9 yellow cards. That’s a lot for a keeper.

Verdict

Steer clear. He’s not likely to start and unless Pellegrini tightens up the defence there are better options for the same price out there.

MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Lukasz Fabianski of Swanea sin action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Swansea City at Etihad Stadium on April 22, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – APRIL 22: Lukasz Fabianski of Swanea sin action during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Swansea City at Etihad Stadium on April 22, 2018 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) /

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Fabianski

Price: 4.5m

Points Last Year: 157

Starting XI: Likely, but keep an eye on pre-season fixtures

Notes

Fabianski has proven himself a reliable goalkeeper for multiple seasons in the Premier League, and I imagine Pellegrini will look to have him as the established No.1. Despite getting relegated with Swansea, he works well and has top shot stopping abilities.

The only thing that may knock his FPL selection value is that he is yet to play a pre-season game. I’m sure that will change in the coming matches but until he has played a couple he is not nailed on to start.

He has been in the Premier League since 2007, but only a regular in the past few seasons at Swansea. Last season he kept a solid 9 clean sheets, finishing 12th in the Premier League in that stat despite getting relegated. In his last four seasons he has 4 penalty saves, 2 yellow cards and 1 red.

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Verdict

Given the Hammers opening fixtures it’s not the best shout to get a keeper, especially as we’re not sure who will start. When the fixtures ease up and Pellegrini sorts out the defence (wishful thinking maybe) then he becomes an option. However there are other teams with easier starts than West Ham.