Transfer season is well and truly under way, with multiple Premier League clubs already confirming one or more new signings ahead of the 24/25 EPL season. We'll share our analysis on what to expect from each of these new arrivals from a Draft EPL Fantasy perspective between now and when the transfer window slams shut on September 1. Our first installment looks at players confirmed by their respective clubs between the window opening on June 20 and July 1.
Check out our 24/25 Draft Kit for all the pre-season information you could ever need. We've got a Live Draft Aide, Draft Rankings, Team Previews, Cheat Sheets, Strategy Articles, Draft 101. Dominate your draft!
Premier League Summer Transfer Analysis
24/25 Premier League Confirmed Transfers Analysis
Below, DraftLad will cover each Premier League transfer individually, providing his analysis of how they will be expected to perform in the upcoming 24/25 season. We use a five-star rating model to rank the new signings relative to their draft value; use these as a guide to help get your Draft Premier League season off to a flyer!
We’ve ranked the transfers, based on a star rating, from 1 to 5:
⭐️ = Steer clear
⭐️⭐️ = Wait and see
⭐️⭐️⭐️ = Could be worth a punt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = Great prospect
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ = The Premier League signing you’ve been waiting for!
The Premier League Summer Transfer Analysis covers signings that were confirmed by their respective clubs between the end of the 23/24 season and July 1 (no Zirkzee, Yoro, or Philogene just yet - look for Part 2 soon!). If you would like to see the converted fantasy points scored by many of the below players this past season (in their respective leagues) check out our table here: https://www.thedraftsociety.com/transfers-fpts PP90 = fantasy points per 90. GPP90 = ghost points per 90. PPS = fantasy points per start.
Ross Barkley
Position: Central midfielder (M in Fantrax)
Team: Aston Villa
Signed From: Luton for £6m
Prospects: Barkley had a remarkable English career turnaround for Luton last season at the ripe age of 30. He had 9 returns,10.4 PP90, and 8.4 GPP90 in 30 starts for the eventually relegated side but earned rave reviews and even some infrequent England shouts from his work in the center of the park. In come Emery's Villa, often buyers of older talents (see Tielemans, Coutinho, Carlos, and Torres) to keep his talents in the top-flight. For Luton Town, Barkley most often played as part of a midfield 2, next to a more defensive-minded option. He offered little out of possession, but much with the ball, in the form of dribbles, shots, and key passes. If he can keep his levels up, Barkley's value this season will mostly likely be predominantly a function of how many starts he gets under Emery. In the center of the park, even after losing stalwart Douglas Luiz, the Villans are fairly crowded. Returning from injury, there's Kamara, Buendia, and Ramsey. There's captain McGinn (35 starts last season) & Tielemans (17 starts). There's newly signed CM, Onana from Everton and DM, Barrenechea, and even Dendoncker still kicking. Plus, loads of attacking options. Still, Luiz off to Juve leaves 35 starts up for grabs and Barkley is coming off a great season where he offered something different from central midfield that Villa's other options have no proven history of: goal contributions. If Emery can put up with Barkley's defensive deficiencies and perhaps partner him with a complementing, fit-again Kamara or Onana or play him further forward, his starts could soar and fantasy points along with them. Or he could be a rotational mid, like Tielemans last year, likely with better PPS, who's used more so in easier matchups. Regardless, his upside is undeniable after doing it in a worse team last season. Depending on how bullish you are on his starts this season, we think 8th round and later could be good value for Barkley.