Which Albion players should make it into your Fantasy XI?

IF we had our way you’d be able to select 11 Albion players in your Fantasy Premier League team - but in the interests of fairness and to keep some of the less fashionable teams happy, you’re only allowed three.  

Anyway, we’ve gone through all the effort of crunching the numbers and collating all the important stats so you can decide which Baggies players have earned their place in your team…

Matt Phillips has picked up 41 of his 67 points since returning to the starting XI at Leicester just four games ago. Three goals and three assists during that time has seen his stock rise in Fantasy Premier League circles and he has now been selected by 6.1 per cent of managers – a figure which will surely rise if he remains in such a rich vein of form.

Loved nearly as much by Fantasy Premier League followers as he is at The Hawthorns, Gareth McAuley is now the seventh-most-selected player in the competition, with a staggering 1.2 million managers now claiming him as their own. Only Aguero, Costa, Sanchez, Hazard, Walker and Capoue feature in more teams than the 37-year-old. 

Ben Foster is the third-best performing goalkeeper in the Fantasy Premier League, behind only Thibaut Courtois and Tom Heaton. The Baggies stopper has recorded three clean sheets this season and is selected in 15.9 per cent of teams. 

Often an unsung hero, Salomon Rondon has been Mr Consistent for Fantasy Premier League managers this season. The Venezuela international has clocked up 54 points, with four goals and two assists so far. He’s also excellent value at £6.6, with a host of big names below him in the forwards' points table. 

Signed by the Baggies in late August, the talented attacker grabbed four goals and two assists in his first five games for the club. His impact at The Hawthorns resulted in him being selected by 215,955 for game week 10 – before injury saw him sidelined for the games against Leicester and Burnley. He’s since featured twice as a substitute but it remains to be seen how long it will take him to wrestle his way back into Tony Pulis’ starting XI.

The ever-present Baggies skipper is also a popular choice with Fantasy Premier League managers. At just £4.4, the Scotland international is excellent value. 

Evans popped up with his first Premier League goal of the season in Albion’s 3-1 win over Watford last Saturday - a display which earned him nine #FPL points.

His four goals last season suggest it’s only a matter of time before the ever-present right-back is on the scoresheet. Dawson has gone under the radar with Fantasy Premier League managers so far this term but has still claimed a respectable 32 points.

Morrison has only been back in the starting XI for four games but he’s already claimed 24 points in a period which has coincided with three wins in four games for the Baggies. The Scotland international netted back-to-back goals against Leicester and Burnley, and assisted Chris Brunt’s goal in the Hawthorns win over Watford. Surely more managers will soon benefit from the magic of 'Mozza'.

Brunt proved his Fantasy Premier League worth in Saturday’s win over Watford with an assist from a corner and a long-range goal in the space of just 18 minutes. The Northern Ireland international’s return from injury has also coincided with Albion’s impressive form. The Baggies have scored from seven corners so far this term, and with Brunt taking most of them, he will surely appeal to more managers as the season progresses. The fact he is listed as a defender rather than a midfielder – due to his role at left-back last season – should twist the arms of managers contemplating whether to sign him up.

The Republic of Ireland winger is unfortunate that his absence due to suspension coincided with an impressive run of form for the Baggies. Having started the six previous matches there is no reason to suspect McClean will not play an important role as the season progresses, especially during the busy festive period.

Nyom has become a fans’ favourite in recent weeks and his performances in the club’s last two games have seen him earn the wba.co.uk Star Man on both occasions. The Cameroon international has not missed a minute for the Baggies since appearing as a substitute against West Ham in gameweek five.

The Fantasy Premier League points system may not yet fairly reflect his contribution for the Baggies but it certainly does not go unnoticed by his loyal followers at The Hawthorns. If points were awarded for interceptions, tackles and work-rate, we’re certain our Claudio would be in almost everyone’s team.