Ah, the awesome period of the pre-season when we all have our own "season keepers" up our sleeves. But, how often all of them (if any) turn out to be such, come the end of season? Not too often for me, and definitely very few of them. But that doesn't stop us from labeling certain, mostly from promoted teams and new-coming, players as "season keepers". Whether it is because of the insatiable eagerness to see the season underway, the anticipation of the new fantasy season, or just our pre-existing knowledge from seeing these players play a big role for their teams, in Championship or other foreign leagues, the "season keeper" word(s) will dominate most of the posts from now to (probably) Nov-December.

Without further adieu, here are my (potential) "season keepers"...

Note: Potential refers to their potential of BEING "season keepers", not their talent/abilities/skills.

Goalkeeper(s):

1. Jussi
Potential: Moderate
My “season keeper”: No
- Its hard to justify a GK being a season-keeper, even if he is playing for a title contender (DdG last year, anyone?), let alone playing for a promoted team, like WHam. Nevertheless, Jussi has always been a fantasy gold when it comes to “save(s)” points and I think he’ll do better than last season now that he’s playing for (Catanacio-minded) Big Sam.

Defenders:

1. Vertigo (a.k.a Vertonghen)
Potential: Very high
My “season keeper”: Yes
- If he can nail down a spot in Spurs DF (as expected) he is a no-brainer.

2. Fabio
Potential: High
My “season keeper”: Yes

- My “season keeper”: Yes…if it looks like he’ll be a sure starter. And should be yours too. At a cost of 2+…thats a slumdunk…!!!

3. Harte
Potential: High
My “season keeper”: No

- Grrrr. Why oh why did Reading have to bring in Shorey. Harte fits the (fantasy) bill PERFECTLY to be a no-brainer “season keeper”. Attack-minded: check, likes to shoot: check, set-pieces: check, PK taker: check, CS potential: check. But I’m afraid his age makes him vulnerable to the dreadful “ala Kolarov-Clichy” rotation. Thats enough to make me stay away from him, for now…until we get a better idea of his starting status.

Midfielders:

1. Noble
Potential: VERY high
My "season keeper: Yes

- Anyone who has played this game for a while knows exactly what a fantasy gold looks like: Nailed-on starter, set-piece taker, PK taker, attack-minded, leader of his team. And if that comes for a price of 6.45, then its absolutely a steal. So steal it. I am…!!!

2. Kagawa
Potential: High
My “season keeper”: No

- I know many people have drafted him in already as a no-brainer, and for the season. But I don’t see him starting 30+ games and more importantly I don’t see him making the impact everyone (at least most of the people) is anticipating. Not that he lacks the talent or skills, but he is in one of the MOST competitive midfields he could’ve been (not just in EPL). If you think that he can start 30+ games…then go for it. Guy is a prodigy. I played Bundesliga fantasy (exactly the same format as YFF EPL) and he was a beast…when healthy…!!!

3. Lallana
Potential: High
My "season keeper: No

- If only he can replicate the production he had in Championship. I see him as the last season’s Pilkington/Hoolahan.

Forwards

1. Hazard
Potential: Very high
My “season keeper”: Yes

- The boy is a prodigy. If only Yahoo had him listed (rightly) as a MF. But still, he is the one that is going to be owned by 40%+ fantasy managers, so you don’t want to miss out on him. And as for his fantasy potential, during those two years I’ve played YFF French League, he is a BEAST…!!! Too bad that he’ll have to (at least) share set-pieces now. Thats the only downside I see here as I think he’ll def start 30+ games, if healthy.

2. Lambert
Potential; High
My “season keeper”: No

- If it wasn’t for Hazard listed as FW (and being nailed on in my team), I was set to take a punt on Lambert. because I really believe he will be last year’s Holt. But less crazy, and…PK taker…!!!

3. Podolski/Giroud
Potential: Very high
My “season keeper”: No

- Regarding the potential: ONLY if RvP leaves. It goes for both. While I think Giroud will start games only if RvP leaves, I believe Podolski is a safer bet in terms of the starting status, but the latter has the tendency to go dry…for LONG spells. I’m poised to wait for a couple of weeks to see how they are fitting in a new team, and a new league…!!!

I know I’ve left out awful lot of worthy names, like: McCartney/Demel, Gokss, Vidic (@8+), Chico, Aquilani, MTay, Nolan, Wilshere, AOC, Gunnarsson, JSPark, Torres, Petric, Borini, CCole, Holman, Poggy, etc, who I’m very confident will be solid picks from time to time, but not “season keepers” (with MAYBE Park/Torres, fitting the bill a bit better than the rest)…!!!

So, what do YOU think? Do you agree on “season keeper” concept? If yes, who is/are yours?

Can’t wait for the season opening. Its gonna be a hell of the ride guys. Feels great to be on board :)…!!!

Cheers,
Fidan