If you have just used a Wildcard, 6 (maybe 7) template players for your season-long fantasy team have already emerged.

Marcos Alonso (6.8, defender, Chelsea)

Maurizio Sarri abandoned Antonio Conte’s 3-4-3 which granter Marcos Alonso his out-of-position status. This should have doomed Marco’s endless fantasy potential, but instead, the Spaniard’s output got even better. He had 6 goals and 5 assists in 2016/17 season, 7+2 in 2017\18. He already has mind-blowing 1+5 and 2 clean sheets to go with it this season.

Alonso leads FPL in points with 44( Sadio Mane is 5 points behind with 39). Marcos has 12 shots already, his closest rival - Luke Shaw - only 8. Spaniard, unsurprisingly, leads the pack with 6 shots in the box. Only Andrew Robertson has more penalty area touches (17 to 16) than Alonso, and only Sean Morrison is ahead in the xG+xA metric ( 1,53 to 1,67).

This fella’s attacking stats and his influence on Chelsea’s game are so substantial that even his tricky schedule is not off-putting: after Cardiff, he is facing dangerous West Ham and Southampton sides away, Liverpool and MU at home.

Benjamin Mendy (6.4, defender, Manchester City)

Mendy was sidelined for the most part of last season with a serious injury. Pep Guardiola could not wait for the Frenchman’s return to introduce a couple of new formations where his left-back has a long list of attacking responsibilities. Benjamin quickly became one of the core players and an enticing attacking pick in Pep’s squad that we were striving for. Only 4 players have not missed a single minute in the first 4 games. Mendy is one of them. He is trailing Alonso in points, but his team has underperformed in the clean sheet departament. Manchester City are in top-3 for chances conceded but have only 1 clean sheet so far. Mendy has not scored yet with any of his 6 shots (2 in the box). He is creating chances though trailing only Jose Holebas and Andy Robertson (7 against their 9). He has 5 assists to his name and has the most amount of touches in opponent’s third (111).

Eden Hazard (10.7, midfielder, Chelsea)

Hazard started his first game only in gameweek 3 but has had either a goal or an assist in each of his 4 games played (only his teammate Alonso was able to pull off the same trick). Sarri has team attacking through the left flank alike his former Napoli side, and Hazard has almost unlimited freedom.

Belgian has played only 223 minutes out of 360 but leads his team in passes received in the attacking third (141) and xG+xA (2,26). He has created the most amount of chances (10) and has the most amount of opponent’s box touches (25). He trails only Alonso and Pedro with 10 shots to 11 and 12 respectively. Mind you, Hazard is still not at his best, meaning his involvement in Chelsea’s attack will increase.

Chelsea have shown their intent to control the ball in the opponent’s third, and Hazard has shown that he is their main offensive threat. Bingo!

Sadio Mane (10.0, midfielder, Liverpool)

Salah is worth a sky-high 13 million on FPL which is a hard amount to part with, but there is a more budget-friendly alternative in Liverpool. A must own, rather than just a friendly budget option, really. Sadio was worth 9.5 million but is 10.0 already - that is the biggest price rise of the season. Fully deserved, I would say.

Mane is second in FPL points (39), his closest rival 10 points behind (Lucas Moura). Interestingly, Mane receives more passes in opponent’s third than even Salah (78 to 65). Sadio’s trademark is efficiency. His shots come only from good positions (all his 10 shots come from the box) and his conversion rate is great. It is hard to say how long this will last, but Mane is on fire right now and should not be ignored.

Sergio Aguero (11.3, forward, Manchester City)

Manchester City plays Fulham (home), Cardiff, Brighton (home), Burnley (home) - all four are in top-10 worst defenses at the start of the season. Manchester City generates 2,41xG per match, Kun Aguero is fully fit and starts every match no matter the formation. Pep Guardiola has tried different formations, including innovative 3-3-4, but Aguero remained the spearhead in every one to date. He has had 20 shots on goal, his nearest rival - Jesus - has only 10.

Aguero is the main forward of the most potent attack in the league. Not so long ago Kun had a 3+1 against Huddersfield and might repeat the trick in one of the next games. Entering this period without the Argentine is not advisable.

Aleksandar Mitrovic (6.7, forward, Fulham)/Callum Wilson (6.2, forward, Bournemouth)

It is obligatory to have a cheap and reliable forward from a bottom 10 team to pair up with Aguero. The one you could even start against top sides. Mitrovic and Wilson are your go-to guys. There is only one forward in the league who has played 360 minutes so far - Mitrovic. Wilson is up to par, having left early only once in the 89th minute. They are willing to take their chances and fire a lot of shots at goal. That is why there in league’s top-5 for shots, shots in the box, big chances, penalty area touches, and xG+xA. Fulham and Bournemouth like to attack and are in top-10 for chances created.

Bournemouth fixtures look better, and Wilson’s stats are slightly better. On the other hand, Mitrovic work rate and finishing touch are more enticing. You could pick one or, even better, both of them.

Even if you have seven of the aforementioned players, you will have enough funds to have 15 reliable starters with good potential fantasy returns. Watch out for the price chance through - these lads’ prices are going up by the day. Be quick to grab them before their transfer price becomes too steep.

Fantasy Sports / alonso

6 must-own players in your EPL seasonal tournaments

6 must-own players in your EPL seasonal tournaments

6 must-own players in your EPL seasonal tournaments