Drafting the Squad
6 days to go! A few people have asked about my Sun Dream Team teams, the formations and the players. While I haven’t finalised my team, I have got a draft team for a number of different formations ready and waiting depending on the transfers.
Let’s dive in and have a look!
As I have mentioned before I have put a draft team together for the main 5 formations in the Sun Dream Team. These are the 352, 451, 442, 343 and the old favourite the 433. Each formation brings it’s own benefits in fantasy football and then we can build a team around it.
One spoiler alert is that all my teams have Sanchez of Chelsea in goal. Currently I’m not sure what is happening with the top teams and their goalies. Trafford is in at City and if Ederson leaves for Galatasaray or another club it gives me options. The same is to be said of Alison at Liverpool, if he moves on I could bring in Mamardashvili.
These aren’t the final lock in, but let’s have a look at each Sun Dream Team draft team.
352 Draft Team
This formation takes the emphasis off your defence and gives you the extra man in midfield. You know that with two strikers you are scoring points, and with these two hopefully we are. I have gone with an unusual forward line, in two just above average prices, rather than an expensive striker with a mid range striker.
I have a lot of faith in Ekitike after his season in the Bundesliga, and my analysis rates him highly. Liverpool have a lot of chance creation in their team and this brings me on to the star. Wirtz is going to be a star, there is no doubt in my mind, his stats and the way he looks on the pitch say star.
Alongside him we have gone with two other assist machines in Palmer and Cherki. Palmer needs no introduction, he has been brilliant at Chelsea and where as Cherki is there to get Haaland flying.
I needed some cheaper options and so I went with Neto who had a good season last year and Jaidan Anthony who has his chance to show everyone what he can do.
In defence I think Liverpool and Chelsea are going to have a flying start so have gone with Cucurella and Frimpong. Both full backs capable of playing attack and defence, giving the option to score points both ends.
451 Draft Team
While not a favourite of mine, it has become essential in certain game weeks where they aren’t many striking options. This formation emphasises good budget defenders and the strength in midfield we have.
Our midfield stays exactly the same, the creative talent of Palmer, Cherki and Wirtz is crazy in one team. Neto again is getting better all the time and Jaiden Anthony is our budget midfielder who we have a lot of faith in.
The main additions in this team is that we have gone to one striker, so it has to be a premium striker. While Haaland had an okay season last year, I feel with the additions Pep has made it suits him. Man City look like they are going to be an attacking force again. We know Haaland can do it.
The next topic for debate is the inclusion of two new Brighton defenders. I’m not sure how Brighton do it, but they have found a number of great players again this year. Judging by the recruitment they are happy going forward with minimal change, but focussed on defence.
Boscagli is a ball playing defenders that can add to the creativity, De Cuyper is an attacking full back which could cause havoc. There are a number of options, but these guys look promising. Coppola of Brighton might be another option on the budget side too.
442 Draft Team
Now for the traditional Sun Dream Team formation, the classic 442. This draft team has a bit of change to it. Our defence now includes Ait-Nouri who was fantastic at Wolves and has looked promising for City so far. The budget Brighton defenders are in there again, this time to potential take advantage of price increases.
With the double striker the midfield has changed in this draft team. Firstly, I have kept our premium striker in Haaland and lined up Guessand a budget striker next to him. Guessand has come off the back of a good season in France and could see some game time here. It’s just if Watkins is in his way or not.
As a result we have had to adjust our budgets for the team. The midfield is down to 4 players, but we have kept Palmer and Wirtz. We have explained those choices already, but now Doku and Minteh have joined.
Why Doku? I hear you say, well I am expecting big things from him this year. A very attacking team with great signings plus his high activity metrics last year mean this could be the ‘Year of the Doku’. I’m expecting big things.
Minteh has been added as a budget option, but he really had a good season last year and has the potential to have another this year, plus the price rises could help us afford someone else in the fixture rotation.
343 Draft Team
This is the formation which most people play across fantasy football, let alone The Sun Dream Team. This draft team is a simple design, spend heavy on forwards and put together a budget budget defence. The midfield have so many options available to be flexible.
Defensively we have a mix of players, Truffert looks to be a great signing for Bournemouth depending on how they perform. I have deliberately turned away from them in these draft teams as they have sold some key players. Ait-Nouri and Frimpong are back to complete our fast attacking full backs.
The midfield looks a bit weak to me, as we have spent so much on forwards. Salah, Ekitike and Wirtz are in to favour Liverpool in this draft team. Bowen has come in as I expect most of West Ham’s goals to involve him, but there are a number of players who could line up there such as Cunha.
Doku and Anthony are back in the team, but the main talking point here is Estevao. This guy already looks incredible and had a good season in Brazil, but the problem is whether he plays for Chelsea and when. The rotation policy at Chelsea does put me off, but we could always go to Minteh.
433 Draft Team
So this is old trusty, the 433! This formation opens the door to getting more clean sheets points, so combining that with full backs is a decent combination for making more points. Plus you have a full attack, but at the sacrifice of a midfielder. You are basically emphasising your points in midfield to the defence instead in The Sun Dream Team.
So straight away, the back four are players we have picked before, two premium defenders and two budget defenders. All of them are fullbacks who like to attack or attacking full backs. Many seasons ago this wouldn’t have been possible, but with the importance of the full back now, you have options.
With the midfield we have gone premium with Wirtz and Cherki and a sprinkle of Neto. The assist machines and Neto looking good, with the fear of the Chelsea rotation. There are a number of options available which I will go through on my next blog.
Up top we have gone with what I think will be the best premium, best mid range and best budget strikers. I think Haaland is looking to make this a season to remember and it wouldn’t surprise me if City were pushing for the title.
Conclusion
While we only have 6 days until the official kick off of the EPL and The Sun Dream Team, there is still a lot of change what can happen. I have put these teams together to give you a good idea of how to get started. There is plenty of intrigue around a number of clubs that could yet transfer players in like Brentford and Newcastle.
Obviously keep an eye on transfers and injuries to your draft teams before you submit them. There are definitely some budget players that will make the headlines over the next season, we just need to find who they are before hand.
Good luck guys and look out for my next blog.
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