Fantasy WSL top tips: Transfer special
Our Fantasy WSL expert Ro Thomas looks ahead to Gameweek 12 and brings you some top transfer tips
The WSL is finally back after the agonisingly long winter break and we had our first glimpse in Gameweek 11 of the impact January transfers have already made.
The transfer window closes on 30 January so there are likely still moves to come that could affect the most important stakeholders in this business: the Fantasy WSL Managers. This week, we will look at some of these deals, and how they might play out for you over the coming games.
Rebecca Knaak was the stand out transfer pick of the weekend despite Manchester City’s chaotic 4-2 loss to Manchester United. Her goal (securing her six points as a defender), a bonus point, and the Visionary’s additional three, meant that even though she was docked two points for letting in four goals, she emerged from the defeat with an impressive 10 points.
Looking forward, City have a fairly good run of WSL games ahead of them, albeit they do have to face Arsenal on 2 February. Knaak has a good goal-scoring record from her previous club FC Rosengård, helping her team win the Swedish league from the back and putting away 12 goals herself. Supporting the rest of the City defence in keeping clean sheets will also be important in helping her win Fantasy WSL points. City’s title hopes might be slipping away, but Knaak could still be the joker in your pack.
Lize Kop, who transferred from Leicester to Tottenham, played in goal against her former team at the weekend, keeping a clean sheet to earn six points total. She would have been a selection for the brave last week, as she only played in two games for Leicester this season - a draw to Liverpool and a loss to Arsenal. With Crystal Palace as their next opponent, you might think Kop is worth another punt. However, with 2.6% of players having selected her, she is just outside of Visionary status meaning there is no three-point boost available, which would have made her much more interesting.
Liverpool’s newest signing Scottish Sam Kerr, also had a decent start in the WSL, starting for the reds and gaining six points for a clean sheet and Visionary points. She will not have the boost again this week, but buoyed by the win against Brighton, and facing a struggling Leicester next might give her an opportunity to grab some points.
Other players on the move include 18-year-old forward Emma Watson, who has been loaned to Everton for the remainder of the season. She only managed eight minutes on the pitch with Manchester United so far in the WSL this season (though scored in Subway Cup group stage match), but got a good run out with Everton during their 1-1 draw with Aston Villa last weekend.
As a hotly-tipped youngster looking to prove herself after coming back from an ACL injury last season, supported by a much-reinforced Everton, and a Visionary to boot, she could be the hipster’s choice. Others Everton have brought in who are all currently flying under the radar of manager selections might also be worth a shot including Kelly Gago (forward transferred from Nantes), Louna Ribadeira (Chelsea loanee forward) or Martina Fernández (Barcelona loanee defender).
A special mention to Manchester City’s Kerolin, who will be a vital addition to their front line considering Bunny Shaw and Lauren Hemp are still out with injuries. Coach Gareth Taylor has indicated Shaw’s return is “imminent”, but she may still see minutes managed on her return. I’m really keen to see what Kerolin can bring to the WSL and have brought her in this week.
It’s important to remind all Fantasy WSL players that unlimited transfers are available until the deadline this week at 11am GMT on 25 January, an hour before Aston Villa meet Manchester City. After this, any further WSL newcomers will need to come out of your weekly two-transfer allowance – worth considering if you are planning to add some of the widely reported players like Naomi Girma.
I’m taking this opportunity to rotate out some much appreciated but sadly lower scoring players (thank you Anna Patten) and replacing with higher scoring players from clubs where I’m not already at saturation point (welcome Anouk Denton), whilst also keeping budget in reserve for when I want to bring in the mighty Shaw back into my line up.
I hope you’re also able to make the most of this transfer period. Please judge my new signings in the comments below, and let me know who is top of your shopping list?