DREAM TEAM managers in need of an affordable bargain to bring their XI together should browse the newly-promoted clubs for appealing options.
Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton are set to make the jump up from Championship this term and all three teams possess talent capable of providing excellent value for money.
We’ve identified five players worthy of consideration.
Leif Davis (£2.5m)
The Tractor Boys’ ambitious left-back was a hugely influential figure during his side’s promotion campaign.
Davis provided a whopping 21 assists in the league, putting all the Championship’s most-creative midfielders to shame!
It goes without saying that he’s likely to find life harder in the top flight but a defender capable of such creative output is worth highlighting.
The main caveat in regards to Ipswich assets is that they face a baptism of fire in their first two outings: Liverpool (h), Manchester City (a).
With this in mind, it’s probably wise to wait until their fixtures settle down before giving Davis and company a whirl.
Stephy Mavididi (£2.5m)
Leicester were head and shoulders above every other Championship side for long stretches of last season thanks in no small part to the quality of their attacking unit.
Mavididi registered 13 goals and six assists in all competitions from the right flank in 2023/24 but even those impressive numbers don’t tell the full story – he’s got talent to burn.
At the time of writing, Jamie Vardy (£2.5m) is the most-selected player among the newly-promoted clubs but Dream Team bosses would probably be better off with some younger blood if they have faith in the Foxes.
Truth be told, much of the same applies to Issahaku Fatawu (£2.5m) on the opposite wing but Mavididi gets the nod from us in a head-to-head purely because he’s a greater goal threat.
Adam Armstrong (£2.5m)
It would be unfair to characterise Southampton as a one-man team but there’s no doubt their No9’s firepower is a huge reason they have returned to the Premier League.
Armstrong plundered 24 goals in total, including a pinpoint finish against Leeds at Wembley to secure promotion in the play-off final.
The 27-year-old is in danger of being known as one of those strikers who is prolific in the Championship but not good enough for the Premier League but he heads into the new campaign at the peak of his powers.
Saints start with a trip to St James’ Park but their fixtures look relatively favourable after that until the start of October.
PLAY DREAM TEAM AHEAD OF THE NEW SEASON!
Omari Hutchinson (£2.5m)
Ipswich’s No20 is arguably the most-exciting talent among the newly-promoted crop.
Previously on the books of Arsenal and Chelsea, Hutchinson’s natural talent was complimented at the age of 12 by none other than Pele.
He scored 11 goals (many of them high quality) and provided six assists on loan at Kieran McKenna’s side last season and he’s since made the move permanent for a club-record fee.
Still just 20 years old, many pundits are tipping him for a bright future – he’s one to keep an eye on at the very least.
Ricardo Pereira (£2.5m)
Experienced gaffers may remember that the Portuguese full-back was something of a Dream Team gem once upon a time.
Pereira has endured rotten injury luck in his career but he was among Leicester’s most-used players last season and his industrious style may be favoured by the scoring system.
He gets through plenty of tackles and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he earned his fair share of bonus points too.
If the 30-year-old starts well enough, the Foxes have a nice run of fixtures from early October through to November that might be worth targeting.
