It has been pointed out that it is one thing to identify players to drop or avoid but quite another to find replacements that will help a manager's team outperform the opposition in the coming months. That sounds like a challenge and thanks to the opportunity to assess players provided by the international break, we offer up a selection of potential transfer targets that are likely to increase in value in the coming months.
Cesc Fabregas, CM, Arsenal - We appreciate that the Spain international's performances have not exactly slipped under the radar but we believe he will be better still in the months to come. He won't be cheap but the Arsenal midfield player will be worth whatever price his owner requests as we believe he will finish the season as PlayTheGame's top performer. Currently second to Paul Scholes in successful passes, joint leader in the points category, joint third in goals with four and joint top in assists with five, Fabregas has work to do only in the Average Goals For category. It's not like Arsenal have trouble scoring... Recommendation: buy.
Gael Clichy, LB, Arsenal - At the risk of coming across as converts to the Arsenal cause this season, our second choice is another Gooner. Also known as the reason Arsene Wenger let Ashley Cole go to Chelsea, Clichy has caused most of North London to forget their erstwhile best left back in the world. Of course that was easy to do considering they may very well have the new best left back in the world playing for them but the good news for PTG managers in the market for his services is that few beyond Islington are aware of it. Recommendation: strong buy.
Ricardo Carvalho, CD, Chelsea - Since Jose Mourinho's departure, Chelsea appear to have taken on the airs of a club that will be lucky to finish mid-table. This is not the place to debate the specialness of the Portuguese, but we feel that reports of Chelsea's demise are premature. The majority of the squad that secured two Premiership titles is still there and while PTG managers may not be enamoured with the style of play that proved to be so successful, no one could argue that Chelsea's defence was always its strength. John Terry's potential absence may hurt Carvalho's value but we're willing to bet that JT will be back sooner rather than later. Recommendation: buy.
Gary Neville, RB, Manchester United - At 32, Neville poses the greatest risk on this list but the fact that the Manchester United defender has yet to play this season may make him ridiculously cheap to acquire. His recovery from a series of injuries involving his ankle, calf and thigh encountered a setback last week when Neville failed to make the reserve team to face Liverpool but he'll have plenty of time to repay the faith Sir Alex Ferguson has shown him in the coming months. Recommendation: buy.
Elano Blumer, LM, Manchester City - What's not to like about a 26-year-old two-footed Brazilian who can play across midfield or as a forward and who has played a leading role in transforming the fortunes of Manchester City under Sven-Goran Eriksson? Much like Clichy above, Elano's reputation has not yet spread to the national consciousness but it will not be long before this changes. The £8 million pound man has already tallied three goals and five assists, numbers that stack up well against our pick for fantasy player of the year, Cesc Fabregas. Recommendation: strong buy.
