Fantasy Premier League 2013: Division Newcomers Worth Gambling on

Even for the most talented of footballers, the move between nations, divisions and sometimes continents is never an easy one.

However, there are those leagues that bear more resemblance to the style of the Premier League, making the transition that much easier, and sheer talent can often be enough to see a player through.

This season, there are as many unknown quantities coming to the English top flight as ever, many of whom will be considered risky acquisitions on the fantasy market.

However, with risk comes reward, and the following names can all be considered potentially valuable purchases for the fantasy manager.

All prices and information is in reference to the Official Premier League Fantasy Football website.

Marco van Ginkel

Club: Chelsea

Position: Midfield

Price: £6.0m

Despite being just 20 years of age, Marco van Ginkel could be a worthy acquisition in the Chelsea midfield after featuring very heavily in the club’s preseason tour.

Partnering a combination of Ramires, Frank Lampard and John Obi Mikel in central midfield, this season will see the Dutchman attempt to replicate the standards shown last season at Vitesse Arnhem.

Then, van Ginkel managed to pitch in with 12 goals and 12 assists across all club competitions, and the wealth of talent around him at Stamford Bridge may only see the Dutch international’s numbers increase.

Wilfried Bony

Club: Swansea City

Position: Forward

Price: £8.0m

Exactly what Michael Laudrup was lacking last season, Wilfried Bony will now look to be the reliable striking presence at the Liberty Stadium capable of scoring a goal or two (or 31 as he showed at Vitesse Arnhem last season).

The Ivorian’s arrival means that some of the attacking pressure is lifted from Michu’s shoulders, and the Spaniard can get back to his role as playmaker for the Swans, sitting just behind Bony.

Arlo White is one in particular who feels Bony will be a success in South Wales, sharing his thoughts via Twitter:

As a result, both players are bound to benefit from the change in attacking dynamic, and “Swanselona,” as they are known to some, should offer a very steady chain of ammunition to their newly acquired frontman.

Roberto Soldado

Club: Tottenham

Position: Forward

Price: £9.5m

Just one of several formerly La Liga-based players choosing to jump ship this summer, Roberto Soldado comes to Tottenham having enjoyed his most prolific season in a Valencia shirt.

Scoring 24 goals and making four assists in just 33 La Liga starts, the forward represents everything Spurs need right now—a confident, all-round attacker combining the talents that Jermain Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor tend to show separately.

In truth, Soldado’s season depends majorly on whether or not Gareth Bale remains at White Hart Lane to supply the Spaniard, but if the Welshman is around, Soldado looks a bargain.

Erik Pieters

Club: Stoke City

Position: Forward

Price: £5.0m

While a Stoke City purchase may not figure among many ideal fantasy sides, Mark Hughes has actually struck somewhat of a coup in landing PSV Eindhoven’s Erik Pieters.

Last season, injury meant that the defender was unable to feature in more than a handful of games, but previous seasons showed just how much potential the Dutch international has when it comes to helping out in attack.

Never shy of getting forward down the left flank, it only helps Pieters’ chances of points galore that the Potters’ defence at home makes for potential clean sheets aplenty.

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