There is no denying that locking up the top forwards is the key to success when it comes to competing in Premier League fantasy leagues. There are so few forwards that rank among the elite every year that it is absolutely vital to secure at least one of them at the beginning of the season.
Here is a look at the top five most valuable fantasy forwards heading in to this Premier League season.
1. Wayne Rooney, Manchester United
Rooney put up outstanding fantasy numbers last season and could be in line for another bump as the potential lone striker up front for United this season. Robin Van Persie moved to Turkey and Radamel Falcao is now at Chelsea, so there is no doubt that Rooney will be the focal point of the offense in front of a midfield that is absolutely loaded with creative playmakers. Rooney was limited to 12 goals last season but the Red Devils will need more out of him this year and his ability to both score as well as create for teammates as the principle striker at United this season makes him a strong candidate to finish at the top of this list.
2. Harry Kane, Tottenham
Kane scored 21 goals in his breakout 2014-15 season to finish five back of Sergio Aguero for the league lead and he finished fourth among forwards in fantasy scoring behind only Rooney, Aguero and Diego Costa. Kane is still just 22 years old and he will once again be the focal point of Spurs’ attack, so there is every reason for him to take another step forward from a fantasy standpoint this season. The fact that Kane’s production tailed off somewhat towards the end of last year will have some fantasy managers wondering where he should be drafted but we are confident enough in his talent, age and role at Tottenham that he is ranked No. 2 on our list.
3. Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
Sergio Aguero deserves honorable mention after leading the Premier League in scoring last season with 26 goals but there has been plenty of talk about him being linked to Real Madrid where they would like to see him replace Karim Benzema up front. Aguero could be a fantasy stud again this year but with so many persistent rumors about his potential exit, there is every reason to be wary of a move for fantasy GM’s playing in annual leagues. There is no doubt Aguero would be near the top of this list if he wasn’t being talked about in so many transfer rumors and for those that don’t think he will move, it makes sense to take him high as well.
However, Sterling’s transfer to City will significantly help his fantasy value regardless of what happens to Aguero. If Aguero goes, that would mean an increased role for Sterling but if he remains, Sterling would mean playing with an elite forward that would compliment his abilities up front. David Silva’s presence should help as well and Sterling’s fantasy numbers should rise this season.
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4. Olivier Giroud, Arsenal
Giroud recorded 14 goals last season but even more important was his ability to contribute across the board as an elite playmaker that does everything up front. Giroud has the potential to be even better after missing several months last season with a broken foot and should do more than enough to hold off Theo Walcott as a key contributor up front. Arsenal should once again rank among the highest-scoring teams in the Premier League again this season and Giroud will be key up front.
5. Diego Costa, Chelsea
There has been a lot of talk about Costa wearing down because of injuries and the Blues’ dependence on him up front but even though Chelsea picked up Falcao as a No. 2 striker, their attack will still center on their top finisher. Costa finished third behind only Aguero and Kane in scoring last season with 20 goals and while everybody wants to jump to the conclusion that Chelsea will take a step back this year, there is no real reason to expect Costa’s production to drop off. In fact, another full year in the Premier League could help Costa develop chemistry with his teammates and become more comfortable with the style of the Premier League. There are a number of forwards that deserve honorable mention here but we feel strong about Rooney, Kane, Sterling, Giroud and Costa as the top five fantasy forwards in the Premier League this season.
