While the Bulgarian stock exchange has seen its value plummet a la the US stock market, Bulgaria's greatest footballing export Dimitar Berbatov seems headed in the opposite direction.
The expensive Manchester United striker opened his Champions League account today netting twice in United's 3-0 away win in Denmark.
It was certainly a day of expensive fantasy strikers finding the net. In addition to the high-priced Berbatov:
Robin van Persie scored twice for Arsenal. (Too expensive.)
Emmanuel Adebayor scored twice for Arsenal. (Too expensive.)
Wayne Rooney scored once for Manchester United and then left with an injury. (Too expensive.)
While these fantasy studs are clearly in-form after impressive Champions League displays, we here at Never Captain Nicky Butt urge managers to approach high-priced strikers with extreme caution.
For every fantasy soccer manager that plays it smart with a muscular in-form Zaki or drink-driving Cole there is another who still clings on to both Rooney and RvP while sacrificing the ability to pick up midfield maestros (and more consistent fantasy performers) blog favorites Ronaldo, Lampard, and Ashley Young.
We think that between Zaki, Defoe, Alves, and Yakubu, there are enough "medium priced" options out there that will hit double digit goal returns this season. Why spend 9.5MM for 17 goals from van Persie when you can spend 8MM for 17 goals from Defoe?
Berbatov looks good in a suit, but perhaps that suit is just too expensive for the common (fantasy) man(ager).
I'll take Defoe or Zaki in a track suit over the silk red Manchester United tie any day.
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10 comments:
He's alright looking but he's got a widow's peak.
Firstly I would like to start by saying that I really enjoy reading your blog. You have made some very valid points which I have took on board!
However im not so sure about this one. I agree the likes of Adebayor, Rooney, Drogba etc are way over priced and I would pick a big hitting midfielder over them any day.
I picked Berbatov up for 9.2 million on transfer deadline day; since then his price has risen to 9.4 million, just over 1 million more than the likes of Defoe Yakubu etc and very reasonable for Man Utds leading striker! He is also only held by 12.8% of managers. Granted he hasnt scored in the premiership yet, but with the return of big Ron, his midweek brace and a favourable run of fixtures; I expect he will start scoring and his value will start to soar.. Making me a tidy little profit!
I also believe in the long run he will score far more points than Defoe etc, making him well worth the 9.4 million price tag.
Anyway this is how my team is looking for this week..
GK - Gomes
DEF - Bosingwa Kompany Laursen
MID - Ronaldo(C) SWP Valencia Fabregas
FOR- Berbatov Zaki C.Cole
BENCH - A. Traore Figueroa Hamann
What do you reckon? Im thinking of droping Kompany and Laursen due to fixtures for Figueroa and Traore??
@ ollycee.
I like your theory, as well as your lineup. There is no doubt that Berbatov will be the primary beneficiary of Ronaldo's genius this season. You have Zaki. You have C. Cole. However, I think Traore should be in your starting lineup (certainly this week and most). Laursen is priced too high given Villa's inability to keep the clean sheet thus far in the campaign. If you find a way to open up a point or two so as to replace Fabregas/SWP with Lampard/A. Young, your team is flawless. In the long term, I think the latter midfield duo will be more productive.
@ stepovers
I tend to agree with you, I will slip Traore in for Laursen this week I think. However the big man does have his good points.. The amount of bonus points he has scored this season (8) means he has basically kept the equivalent of a clean sheet in four of Villas six games. He loves getting forward for set pieces and I think he will improve on his one goal already scored so far. Do you think there are better value defenders than Laursen available?
I do have a cheeky 1.7 million in the bank to upgrade Fabregas to Lampard or Gerrard (great minds and all that!). But I prefer Arsenals fixtures over the next few weeks so I will hold off that move for now. I picked up SWP for 7.5 million so im planning to keep hold of him for a bit longer to really cash in on him.
I'm "suffering" with Fabregas as well at the moment. But if you replace him, you just know that that's gonna be the game he's finally gonna break out!
He's too good, and has too many capable team-mates to set up, to not get on the scoresheet sooner or later. And at 9.9 I think he's actually pretty good value.
Berbatov - I don't like the fact that Utd have him, Tevez and Rooney. Pretty good chance that he'll be rested every 3 or 4 games.
@ silent jay:
I doubt Sir Alex would rest Berba every three or four games. I think his "fit" is to play him up front with Tevez, dropping Rooney in behind. Berbatov is incredible with his back to goal. This suits Rooney as well, given his tendency to track back in defense.
@ ollycee - looks like a great lineup.
I don't doubt Berbatov's brilliance but there are just so many moving parts in United's attack that I find it hard to believe he will substantially outscore a Defoe, Alves, or Zaki this season.
In Alves' first 14 Premier league games (11 last year and 3 this year) he has 7 goals and takes most of Boro's free kicks.
Berbatov will likely have more assists in a higher-scoring team, but the 2M difference could allow you to upgrade easily from Cesc to Lampard. This is just hypothetical of course.
In my opinion, come season's end, there will be a much bigger difference between CRon/Lampard and other midfielders then between Berbatov or RvP and other great strikers...
Ibracadabra, we may have to agree to disagree on this one!
I have some spare cash in the bank and in the next couple of weeks I will have C Ron, Lampard and Berbatov in my side... Not a bad point scoring force! I just think Berbatov will be first choice up front and now he's found his scoring boots the flood gates will open!
Granted I could down grade Berba to Alves and swop SWP for Lampard giving me a midfield of C Ron, Lampard and Fabregas.. Do you think this would be a better option?
Remember one Ruud van Nistelrooy for United? Berbatov, despite his demeanor, is Sir Alex's long awaited replacement for the prolific Dutchman. Berbatov has the predatory instincts that will make the most of Ronaldo's long range shots. I see him poking in 5-10 goals off rebounds alone. Anderson, Ronaldo, Nani, Scholes (when fit), and Rooney (when fit) enjoy nothing more than blasting long range shots that lead to deflections/rebounds. In addition to the goal scoring, Berba holds the ball well and can create.
Jennie - How can you call out Dimitar's widow's peak when he's paired with Rooney?
re: more Berbatov -
I love this guy, I am just arguing that owning a Lampard and Ronaldo (or Cesc, A Young) is more valuable.
I rode Berbatov when he was valued at 8M two years ago at the end of the season to a Premier League title and wiped out the competition jumping on the Bulgarian. At 8M, he would be the best value in the game.
At 9.5M, he is priced right (and is better value than Adebayor, RvP, and Rooney - the others I mention in the post), but it is still a lot to spend for a striker that doesn't take penalties or free kicks, risks rotation, and plays on the same team as LITERALLY the best footballer in the planet.
At Tottenham, as the biggest fish in a smaller pond, Berba scored ~ 175 fantasy points a season. Excellent returns, but at 9.5M I expect over 200...
If you can somehow afford Berbatov, Lampard, and Ronaldo in the same team, go for it and pray for lots of 4-0 Man Utd wins... If Berbatov is the CLEAR CUT first choice (no rotation) then he is DEFINITELY more valuable than the other premium strikers!
- Ibra
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