The Offside Fantasy League: Change is Good

By: Daryl | January 18th, 2008

James McFadden Scotland The transfer window is now either half-closed or half-open, depending on how you see the world. There’ve already been a few players switching clubs this month, and that’s good news for fantasy football players in The Offside Fantasy League. Certain players have moved on to bigger and better things and so can expect to score more points, while other players have moved on from clubs where they weren’t playing (and so not scoring any fantasy points) to somewhere they’ll be more appreciated and – hopefully – more productive. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure and all that. So read on to see if your fantasy team can benefit from any of the recent January transfers.

Nicolas Anelka
From: Bolton
To: Chelsea
It never seemed quite right that Nic Anelka was at Bolton. But even in such humble surroundings, and with The Trotters playing like donkeys under Sammy Lee, Anelka still managed to rack up plenty of goals and plenty of points. Chelsea recently paid £15m for the French striker, but you can still get him in your fantasy team at his Bolton price of £11.5m. If he continues his goalscoring form in a team that’s going to create many more chances for him, then Anelka might be a bargain at that price.

Hossam Ghaly
From: Tottenham
To: Derby
Would have been an insane fantasy football signing at the start of the seaosn. Egyptian midfielder Ghaly famously threw his Spurs shirt to the floor after being substituted by Martin Jol at the end of last season (and hasn’t worn it since) and then turned down a move to Birmingham in the summer because he didn’t fancy pre-season training. But now he’s joined Derby on loan and seems determined to succeed. He’s even skipping the African Cup of Nations to play for Derby. Now that’s commitment. Or idiocy.

Matty Taylor
From: Portsmouth
To: Bolton
All most people remember about Matty Taylor is that he’s got an absolute cannon of a left foot. So despite being listed as a defender he often plays left mid and is good for the occasional goal. But it’s hard to do that when Nico Kranjcar is in fanastic form at left and and you’re in and out of the team. So a move to Bolton, where Taylor is guaranteed regular first team football, might not be a bad thing for the player and for fantasy league managers. Though his £9m SquadGid price might be a little steep for a Bolton defender.

Lassana Diarra
From: Arsenal
To: Portsmouth
Lassana Diarra may be a bit of a complainy-pants, but you can’t argue with his determination to play first team football. The midfielder was rated highly by both Chelsea and Arsenal, but not quite highly enough to get regular first team football. And you don’t score any fantasy points playing in the Carling Cup. But his recent switch to Portsmouth should ensure Diarra sees plenty of action, so he may be worth snapping up as he goes all out to prove his former managers wrong.

James McFadden
From: Everton
To: Birmingham
James McFadden has plenty of talent and is capable of scoring big goals. Just ask the French. But he was finding his first team options at Everton limited with just five starts so far this season. His move to the more modest Birmingham City will mean regular first team football and a chance to really put some form – and hopefully some fantasy football points – together. Priced at just £7.8m, he’s definitely worth a gamble if anyone is looking for a bargain fanstasy league striker.