With Fantasy Premier League open for registration, we can now assemble our 15-man squads and make unlimited transfers up to Friday 11 August.
Along with the new Free Hit chip there are many factors to consider ahead of Gameweek 1.
The new breed
The summer transfer window has already brought exciting fresh talent to the game.
Arsenal’s Alexandre Lacazette is priced at £10.5m on the back of 28 goals in as many starts for Lyon in Ligue 1.
The Gunners have also signed wing-back Sead Kolasinac, who produced three goals and five assists for Schalke last term.
He is valued at £6.0m and is sure to attract FPL interest if Arsene Wenger continues with a 3-4-2-1 formation.
On Merseyside, Liverpool’s new winger Mohamed Salah produced 15 goals and 13 assists in an outstanding campaign for Roma. He is priced at £9.0m.
Everton midfielder Davy Klaassen supplied 14 goals and 10 assists for Ajax last season and costs just £7.5m.
One of the first confirmed summer signings, Manchester City’s new playmaker Bernardo Silva, is priced at £8.0m after arriving from Monaco.
Star promotion
FPL managers also need to weigh up the prospects on offer at the promoted teams.
Having scored 23 goals in the Championship, Newcastle United’s Dwight Gayle is available for £6.5m.
His team-mate Matt Ritchie supplied 12 goals and seven assists. Priced at £6.0m, he also takes his side’s penalty kicks.
Costing £6.0m, Brighton & Hove Albion’s Anthony Knockaert is another potential bargain to track.
The Seagulls wide man was the 2016/17 Championship Player of the Year thanks to 15 goals and eight assists.
Managerial matters
New managerial appointments will also have a bearing on the FPL season.
Mauricio Pellegrino takes charge at Southampton for the most promising opening run of fixtures. They play only two of last season’s top nine over the opening 12 Gameweeks.
The tactics and teamsheets of Frank de Boer at Crystal Palace and Marco Silva at Watford could have a major impact on our own selections.
While there is still a month to go before the Gameweek 1 deadline, FPL managers should monitor these newcomers over the pre-season.
There is certain to be a gamechanger among them.
