DREAM TEAM managers should always be alert to potential difference-makers, especially those who are cheap as chips.
At this point in time, might Jacob Ramsey (£2.7m) fit the bill?
The Aston Villa midfielder has been on a role of late with 35 points in four appearances across the last three Gameweeks.
The 23-year-old scored against West Ham and provided two assists at home to Celtic in Gameweek 21 for a combined return of 22 points.
Like most of Unai Emery’s troops, he underwhelmed away to Wolves in Gameweek 22 but bounced back with a strong showing against Tottenham in the FA Cup in Gameweek 23.
Ramsey scored within a minute at Villa Park on Sunday, thanks in no small part to Antonin Kinsky’s error, and received 12 points for his efforts come the final whistle.
From a Dream Team perspective, this fruitful form has come at a good time as gaffers should be very interested in Villa players at this stage of the season.
Villa are one of just three teams set to fulfil two fixtures in Gameweek 24 with Ipswich and Liverpool due in the Midlands within four days of each other.
A home game against the Tractor Boys has to be considered a favourable match-up and while Arne Slot’s league leaders are quite the opposite, that midweek fixture is essentially a bonus point-scoring opportunity – a helpful quirk in the schedule.
Not only that, Emery’s side will also double up in Gameweeks 25 (Chelsea & Crystal Palace) and Gameweek 26 (Cardiff & Champions League round of 16 first leg).
This combination of form and fixtures surely makes Ramsey, who currently features in just 0.4% of teams, an appealing option for the next month or so.
Villa’s No41 has started the last four games in a row and delivered enough goal involvements to retain his place but some Dream Team bosses may be concerned about his minutes given the level of competition within the squad.
January recruits Donyell Malen (£2.9m), Marco Asensio (£3.5m) and Marcus Rashford (£3.4m) have added extra dimensions in attack and it will be interesting to see how Emery shuffles his pack.
Many gaffers will feel Morgan Rogers (£3.5m) allows them to cover Villa’s busy period and that may well be the case.
The 22-year-old has scored 11 goals and provided seven assists in all competitions this season.
His tally of 195 points is only bettered by six midfielders at the time of writing.
After a wave of transfers this week, Rogers is now the third-most popular player in his position (21.7% ownership).
He probably is the first port of call for Villa points, with Ollie Watkins (£5.1m) also a strong option when fit, but Dream Team managers who like to go against the grain should at least consider Ramsey ahead of Gameweek 24.
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