Begovic adds to AFC Bournemouth's FPL appeal

AFC Bournemouth's first foray into the transfer market provides an early bonus for Fantasy Premier League managers.

Asmir Begovic will arrive at Vitality Stadium to contest the No 1 spot with Artur Boruc in 2017/18, after playing only twice under Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte. 

Despite recording 10 clean sheets, the Cherries defence was far from resilient this season.

Their total of 67 goals conceded was fewer than only four sides, two of which - Hull City (80) and Sunderland (69) - were relegated.

Manager Eddie Howe will look to Begovic to help address such frailties. 

Since making their respective Premier League debuts in 2008/09 and 2012/13 respectively, Begovic has produced an FPL save every 28 minutes, compared with Boruc's average of 33.9 minutes.

With the Cherries ranked in the bottom five for both shots (552) and shots on target faced (187), Begovic should be kept busy to supply FPL managers with a steady stream of save points.

His record as a regular No 1 is also promising

Prior to joining Chelsea in the summer of 2015, Begovic returned 144 points, 136 points and 106 points in three full seasons at former club Stoke City.

By comparison, Boruc's best FPL haul was 125 points in 2013/14.

The new signing could also boost the clean sheet prospects of AFC Bournemouth's defensive regulars.

Centre-back Steve Cook produced more clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI) in 2016/17 than any other player (476) on his way to earning 17 bonus points.

Despite finding the net on only two occasions, Cook was also ranked top among AFC Bournemouth defenders for shots (29) and shots inside the penalty area (20). 

The appeal of raiding full-backs Charlie Daniels and Adam Smith could also be revived.

Smith supplied a goal and five assists this season, while Daniels finished as the sixth-highest scoring defender in FPL thanks to four goals and three assists.

See: Top-scoring FPL defenders 2016/17

(Photo courtesy of AFC Bournemouth)