Chelsea’s German changes position in Fantasy, while West Ham attacker earns hefty price rise

The Scout assesses the opening player prices in 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League and their implications.

Chelsea

Kai Havertz’s (£8.0m) switch from a midfielder to a forward is among the most significant changes in position in 2022/23.

The majority of the German’s minutes came as Chelsea’s most advanced central player in the previous campaign under Thomas Tuchel.

And he seems likely to retain that role this term, with strike rival Romelu LukaJC having returned to Inter Milan on loan. 

Mason Mount (£8.0m) could prove more popular as an identically-priced midfielder.

The England star produced 11 goals and 11 assists last term compared with Havertz’s eight goals and four assists. 

However, the kind pricing of Blues wing-backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell (both £6.0m) is likely to drive more investment towards the Chelsea defence.

Both offer major attacking potential under Tuchel.

James delivered five goals and nine assists in 22 starts last term, claiming six sets of double-figure returns.

Chilwell combined three goals and an assist with four clean sheets and five bonus points in his six starts, amassing 54 points. 

Chelsea’s very favourable opening schedule further raises the appeal of their key players.

They face only two of last season’s top six in their first 12 fixtures, hosting Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool in Gameweeks 2 and 8 respectively.

At a cost of only £5.0m, goalkeeper Edouard Mendy can offer further value for managers looking to double-up or even triple-up on the Blues defence. 

West Ham United

West Ham United’s Jarrod Bowen (£8.5m) has earned a big rise of £2.0m from the start of last season.

The Hammers midfielder enjoyed his best-ever Fantasy campaign in 2021/22, finishing fourth in the overall standings on 206 points.

Bowen’s improvement last season suggests he can still be worth that outlay.

He was involved in 29 goals, scoring 12 and supplying a further 17.

That was more than double his goal involvement from 2020/21, when he produced eight goals and six assists. 

A tough early run of opponents means managers should wait before considering Hammers players.

David Moyes’ men face three of last term’s top four in their first six matches before their schedule turns kinder from Gameweek 7.

A cost of £5.0m can also bring Aaron Cresswell into contention as an all-round pick in defence from that point, while Michail Antonio (£7.5m) could appeal as a mid-priced forward.

See: All 2022/23 player price reveals

Also in this series

Part 1: Saka rises after career-best campaign
Part 2: Haaland cheaper than De Bruyne
Part 3: Brentford offer early value
Part 4: Salah rises in price, Jota now a forward
Part 5: Big drops for Ronaldo and Fernandes
Part 6: Wolves wing-backs can be budget favourites