Fantasy Premier League

Fri May 16 06:37PM by Neal Thurman

We've all had the feeling whether it was about our families, our friends, a team we played on, or our co-workers but we've all had that feeling of "I want them all gone and I want new people in...RIGHT NOW." The thought is that the devil you don't know is better than the one you do (at least until you get to know the new one).  The grass is always greener.  Fill in your own cliche.

Why do I bring this up?  Because batsh*t crazy Citeh owner Thaksin Shinawatra has declared rather publically that he wants to blow it all up and get an entirely new squad.  My first reaction was wondering just how dumb this guy is.  Why would you cut the value of all of your assets by declaring that you didn't really want them all that badly?  Just insanely stupid. 

Once I got finished with that line of thought, I started wondering where all of those players (good enough to finish in the top half of the table) might end up.  From the back, moving forward...

Hart - Arsenal, Villa, and Spurs would seem the most likely destinations.  I still get the feeling that no one is sold on Almunia as a rock solid #1 keeper for a title contender (although he took a big step forward this season).  Villa and Spurs are interested in spending money and have no number one keepers.  Best Guess: Villa.

Richards - We know that there will be a huge fight between members of the "Big Four" for Micah Richards.  You have to assume that Chelsea lead the way - even more so if Carvalho is serious about maybe wanting to leave.  ManYoo would have to be seriously considered but if they're going to make the Tevez acquisition permanent and recruit another striker (Huntelaar?).  Best Guess: Chelsea.

Corluka - Sort of an odd right back given his size but he was very effective.  If I were looking for a right back and the price weren't too high I'd seriously think about it.  There's every chance that Everton and Villa will do battle for this signing.  There's even more chance that he's only in England because of Sven and he'll head right back across the channel for Spain or Italy.  Best Guess: Back to the Continent.

Dunne - Let the bidding begin.  He's not quite "Big Four" material but you have to think that everyone outside of that group would be at least somewhat interested.  West Ham has already registered interest and you have to know NUFC won't be far behind.  If he's smart, Roy Keane will get involved as well since he needs a rock in the centre of his defence and a heart and soul player who motivates his teammates.  Best Guess: NUFC.

Michael Johnson - The easy link here is with Arsenal and it sounds to me like the price just went down.  Hard to imagine Wenger buying English but this is the scenario (a bargain) under which he'd do it.  If he doesn't head to the Emirates, you'd have to imagine that Pompey would be interested in replacing want-away Diarra.  Villa could get in the mix assuming Barry goes but that seems like a longer shot.  Fulham SHOULD be interested but I have a hard time seeing Johnson wanting to go there given their brush with relegation.  Best Guess: Arsenal.

Elano - Hard to know which player you're getting here.  The guy who set the league on fire the first three months? or the guy who didn't do much between November and the final day?  The former was one of the better players in England and would be attractive to almost anyone outside the Big Four.  The latter would do well to earn a starting spot on a bottom half team.  My guess is that he heads back where it is warmer (any coincidence that his performances varied in direct relationship to the temperature?).  I can't really see a good fit in the Prem - Spurs would have been interesting without the presence of Modric.  Here's an interesting thought, could he replace Alex Hleb at the Emirates?  Hard to say since Hleb's position on the field changed so often but something interesting to contemplate.  Best Guess: Spain.

MPet - Here's the one that didn't get a mention in the press or (shockingly) in the end of season "Best New Player" awards.  Sure, Torres and RSC were the obvious choices but I'd have to put MPet pretty close behind those two.  He was almost always the best player on the field for Citeh (outside of some of Elano's early performances).  If I were Liverpool, I'd end the Ryan Babel as a left winger experiment immediately and go buy MPet.  He's exactly what they need to open things up - he's a true winger.  Certainly Arsenal, Villa, WHU, Sunderland, and Rovers (after selling off MGP) should be in the mix as well.  Best Bet: Liverpool.

Benjani - Very strange, an effective striker that no one seems to want.  Deadline day came and went and Pompey didn't want him back and Citeh didn't really want him too badly either.  Not really sure what to make of that other than he must not exactly be a joy to work with.  Sounds like the recipe for a bottom half coming calling.  Wigan need goals and someone to lead the line.  So do Fulham as either an immediate or longer term replacement for McBride.  Bolton have proven that they can accommodate a moody striker and they certainly need someone who can score.  Best Bet: Bolton.

So, what do you think?  Is this where the Citizens should end up?  What other destinations would make sense?  Are there other players you'd like to see get their chance?

I have to say, this is shaping up as one of the most interesting summers in recent memory.  Good thing too since England won't have that pesky European Championship to keep them interested until the second match of the knockout stages.

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