Fantasy Premier League Transfers 2013: Midfielders and Strikers You Need to Sign

As we approach the winter period, it’s now that fantasy managers the world over begin to get an idea of just which players are must-haves, while teams begin to look weirdly similar.

Therefore, it’s more important than ever that one not get complacent and be as vigilant as ever in finding “the next big thing.”

Whether it’s a player set to thrive upon the absence of an injured squadmate or the main beneficiary of a team’s rise in form, there are always prospects ready to be drafted in prior to their stock soaring through the roof.

Looking at recent form and performances this weekend, several scoring talents stand above the rest as having serious points potential. The cream of the crop is mentioned below.

Adam Lallana

Club: Southampton

Price: £6.3 million

Adam Lallana’s worth continues to rise in sync with Southampton’s standing as a possible contender for a European finish this season, and the midfielder proved essential in the Saints’ victory over Fulham this weekend.

A fan favourite of the St. Mary’s masses, Lallana embodies the hard work and high-pressing style that Southampton have excelled under with Mauricio Pochettino.

Although not necessarily the constant finisher of chances himself, both of the 25-year-old’s two goals have come in his last three matches, showing the Englishman may now be finding his shooting boots.

A cheap acquisition at £6.3 million, it could be important to jump on this particular bandwagon while it still holds value.

Aaron Ramsey

Club: Arsenal

Price: £7 million

If you’re one of the minority yet to put Aaron Ramsey in their fantasy line-up, it’s recommended to fall in with the rest of the crowd and draft in a player who’s been a sure winner of points this term.

So far this season, the Welshman has raked in an average of seven points per game and has only twice not played the full 90 minutes, showing Arsene Wenger’s rising preference of fielding his talents over others.

With five league goals to his name already, Ramsey recorded his fourth assist of the campaign against Crystal Palace, coping well with the pressure of his side being down to 10 men, chipping in calmly for Olivier Giroud to take the plaudits.

Marko Arnautovic

Club: Stoke City

Price: £5.5 million

For some time now, Marko Arnautovic has been billed as a prodigious talent, but he's failed to match expectations with the likes of Inter and Werder Bremen.

If Mark Hughes can get the 24-year-old’s mind firmly focused on the game, it’s possible that Arnautovic can yet go on to give Stoke City the much-needed attacking impetus they lacked under Tony Pulis.

The Austrian’s sumptuously curled free-kick against Manchester United was just a glimpse of the flair that Arnautovic holds, which can be great as long as his knack for petulance doesn’t become an issue.

Earlier this week, Mario Balotelli stated that he looks like a saint compared to his former San Siro teammate, per the Daily Mail’s Paul Collins.

Hughes certainly has a task on his hands.

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