Fantasy Premier League managers could be forced into some tough decisions after two north London rivals were handed the higest prices in this season’s game.
Harry Kane is valued at £12.5m following his 29-goal Golden Boot winning season.
The Tottenham Hotspur striker averaged 7.5 points per match (ppm) last term, topping the ranks among regular Premier League starters.
Alexis Sanchez ranked second for that statistic, recording 6.9ppm.
The Arsenal star remains a midfielder and is priced £0.5m cheaper than Kane at £12.0m, up from £11.0m last season.
To build a balanced squad, FPL managers may have to choose between the top-priced pair.
Devastating pairing
Romelu Lukaku can be an alternative, or a potentially devastating partner, to Kane in our forward lines.
The Manchester United signing is valued at £11.5m in FPL and could prove more popular than the Spurs man.
Should managers swoop for one or both of Kane and Lukaku, it could mean Eden Hazard and Spurs' Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen are overlooked in midfield.
Hazard, who begins the season an injury doubt, claims a £10.5m price tag, up from £10.0m in 2016/17.
Alli and Eriksen command fees of £9.5m, having been valued at £8.5m last time out.
Bargain hunt
Finding value in midfield looks vital.
Manchester United’s Paul Pogba will prove a popular option at £8.0m.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s Cesc Fabregas, Crystal Palace’s Wilfried Zaha and Manuel Lanzini of West Ham United all catch the eye at £7.0m.
In defence, Marcos Alonso – who topped the ranks with 5.7 ppm last term – may be ignored by many with his £7.0m price tag.
Instead, FPL managers will likely seek out budget choices, having poured big funds into the attacking positions.
With no certain starters in the £4.0m bracket, managers could focus on Lewis Dunk, of Brighton & Hove Albion, or Mason Holgate, of Everton, at £4.5m.
Holgate could start the season at right-back for Everton due to Seamus Coleman’s injury.
Stolen gems
In goal, there could be some steals among the promoted sides.
Huddersfield Town’s Jonas Lossl, along with Brighton's Mat Ryan, are both available for £4.5m.
At just £4.0m, Rob Elliot may yet start as first choice for Newcastle United.
Such bargains will be crucial.
Kane and Sanchez are perhaps the nearest thing to guaranteed goals, assists and FPL points.
But they make the search for cut-price gems a necessity.
