Three West Ham stars among Dream Team’s top six midfielders but availability doubt clouds strategy
MIDFIELDERS from Manchester City have tended to dominate Dream Team in recent years.
At this moment in time, however, it's West Ham who boast the best assets in the all-important position.
After 12 Gameweeks, three of David Moyes' troops are among the top six midfielders - no other team has more than one representative in the top ten!
Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) remains top dog on 130 points but Jarrod Bowen (£5.2m) is just 11 points behind in second place on 119.
The Hammers' No20 is somewhat generously categorised as a midfielder as a fair share of his minutes have come as a centre-forward in recent weeks.
Even when he plays from the right flank, Bowen is usually his side's primary attacking threat - he's scored nine goals in all competitions already this term.
For comparison, no other midfielder has scored more than six goals at this stage.
The 26-year-old is level with Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m) on 18 shots on target, the joint-most among assets in his position.
Bowen is a fantastic selection despite his lofty price of £5.2m but many Dream Team gaffers have potentially had their plans scuppered ahead of Gameweek 13 by an availability concern.
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Bowen withdrew from the England squad with a knee injury and while West Ham are said to be hopeful the issue isn't as significant as first feared, he may be unavailable this coming Gameweek.
Moyes should provide an update during his press conference later this week.
James Ward-Prowse (£4.2m) completes an all-English podium of Dream Team midfielders having amassed 106 points.
The set-piece specialist is the game's joint-top assist provider with nine to his name in all competition, alongside Saka.
However, the true secret of the former Southampton captain's success is his ability to earn plentiful bonus points.
Ward-Prowse has earned 25 bonus points to date, the most among all players - that's almost a quarter of his overall tally.
Lucas Paqueta (£3.9m) is currently joint-sixth in his position alongside the injured James Maddison (£4.2m) on 94 points.
The Brazil international has scored five goals this season with three of them coming in his last five outings.
A talented playmaker in possession, the 26-year-old is also an excellent defensive asset high up the pitch.
Paqueta has made 45 tackles already in 2023/24, the third-highest total among all players, an output that has earned him 19 points.
West Ham's midfield success is particularly relevant at this juncture as their double header this coming Gameweek appears favourable - Burnley in the Premier League followed by Backa Topola in the Europa League.
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If Bowen, who features in 23.3% of teams, is indeed sidelined with injury then Dream Team bosses could hope to earn healthy returns from either Ward-Prowse or Paqueta instead.
Backing multiple Hammers may even be a profitable strategy!
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