Fantasy Premier League: The must-have stars you should pick this season

The previous season's edition was won by Yusuf Sheikh from Tanzania.

It’s that time of the year. With the Premier League 2018-19 set to begin, everyone’s busy creating the perfect XI that will give them the most number of points. Yes,WE am talking about the Fantasy Premier League.  We have a list of five players, who we think are must-haves in your team:

David De Gea - £6.0 – Goalkeeper (Manchester United)

Total Score (last season) : 172

David De Gea is undoubtedly one of the best goalkeepers in the world; if not the best. Last season, he finished with a league-high 18 clean-sheets, as he won the Premier League Golden Glove. He featured in 37 games producing a mindblowing 3.2 saves per game. His nearest competitor Ederson, who finished with 16 clean-sheets, only made 1.6 saves per game.

That shows the importance of De Gea to Manchester United and despite an abysmal showing at the FIFA World Cup this year, he is still the favourite to win the Golden Glove again. His presence can certainly boost any FPL team and although his services are expensive, he has proven year in and year out that he is worth it.

Marcos Alonso - £6.5 – Defender (Chelsea)

Total Score (last season) : 165

The second best defender in last season’s FPL, Marcos Alonso was one of the few bright spots in Chelsea’s average campaign. He's a goalscoring full-back with a penchant for good crosses. He finished 2017-18 with seven goals and two assists. Chelsea's defense also came away with 13 clean-sheets when Alonso played.

This year under Maurizio Sarri, he will be given a slightly more defensive role in a back-four, but his tendency to gallop forward is bound to create opportunities. He has been very good defensively and is one of the few players who maintained their form from the Blues' title-winning campaign. He was the only Chelsea player in the PFA Team of the Season last campaign. His value has dipped from last year‘s £7.1, but he is still one of the costliest defenders. His performances always seem to justify his value and he is the best person to lead your FPL defense.

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Kevin De Bruyne - £10.0 – Midfielder (Manchester City)

Total Score (last season) : 209

This is a no-brainer. Kevin De Bruyne had his best season yet, as he led Manchester City to a third Premier League title with eye-catching displays, loved by fans and envied by opposition supporters. De Bruyne finished with a league-high 16 assists as Manchester City won the title with five games to spare. He also scored eight goals, gaining 25 bonus points in the process.

He finished with the fourth highest overall points in FPL 2017-18 and will look to continue his fine form in the Premier League. An impressive World Cup campaign followed. Belgium finished third and De Bruyne delivered with a goal and two assists in the tournament. With the form he is in, he will be expected to take the league by storm once again, continuing from where he left off last season. £10.0 is a very low price and can even be termed a bargain, considering what he brings to the team.

Harry Kane - £12.5 – Forward (Tottenham)

Total Score (last season) : 217

Another no-brainer. The only reason you would not put him in your team is that you are superstitious. Yes, Kane hasn’t scored in August.  But, superstitions are superstitions till the root cause of it is broken and there is no one better to do it than Harry Kane. Kane, winner of Golden Boots, saviour of Tottenham, the deliverer of goals, the Undaunted.

For all those who thought 2014-15 was a flash in the pan, provided consistency. Four consecutive seasons of 20+ goals and all signs point to a fifth one. August or no August, Kane is easily going to give 200+ points this season. You can have him singlehandedly lead the attack on your FPL team, allowing you to hoard on quality midfielders.

Eden Hazard - £10.5 – Midfielder (Chelsea)

Total Score (last season) : 173

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Whaaat? No Mohamed Salah! Yes, it was a tough decision to drop him after his amazing season that defied all odds. We chose Eden Hazard over the Egyptian because of one overriding factor – Maurizio Sarri. A player adaptable in any position, Hazard can seamlessly fit into Sarri’s system and he will reap rewards because of it.

Although, his score of 173 last season is low for his value of £10.5, Sarri’s aggressive pressing style will give Hazard a lot more opportunities than Antonio Conte’s rigidly defensive formation. The Belgian can get 200+ points this season in the FPL if he can maintain the form he showed in the FIFA World Cup. Hazard will mostly be played in a front three which provides him with more chances. Being defined as a midfielder in FPL will give him more points for goals and Sarri too would be expecting a lot of goals from the Belgian.