Completed Transfers: Who will be the next big asset in Fantasy Premier League next season?
2) Darwin Nunez
Liverpool, Expected FPL price: 9.5m
A Uruguayan striker at Anfield elicits great memories for Liverpool fans and FPL managers alike. Darwin Nunez has joined Liverpool in a big-money move this summer to replace the outgoing Sadio Mane.
Nunez scored an impressive 26 goals and added 4 assists in 28 league games last season. His 24 goals came from an xG of 15.73, showing a large overperformance. Whether his level of finishing can help sustain this overperformance remains to be seen unlike for Haaland where he’s done so over a large number of seasons.
He produced an impressive xG of 0.70 and xA of 0.23 per game in the league. He did take penalties for Benfica last season, something he’s not expected to do with Salah or Milner on the pitch for Liverpool.
Welcome to Liverpool! @Darwinn99 How may I assist you? 😜 pic.twitter.com/YvuzVJBfvg
— Trent Alexander-Arnold (@TrentAA) June 14, 2022
Nunez linking up with Trent Alexandre-Arnold and Andrew Robertson could be a major hit
However, in 20-21, Nunez scored just 6 goals in 29 appearances, underperforming his xG by nearly 4. So while his numbers from last season are incredible and he might well be a talent on the up, it remains to be seen if he can sustain this level of production and output, including a terrific 27.2% conversion rate.
Another caveat is that in Salah, Diaz and Jota, Liverpool have a strong front 3 that have spent some time at the club already. While I fully expect Nunez to claim the striker spot from Jota, it’s enough of a threat to make me initially wait and watch.
If he does establish himself as a starting forward and bring anything close to his finishing ability from last season, add to that his aerial presence and delivery from the Liverpool fullbacks, and we’re looking at another excellent FPL option.