The demands made on a pro footballer’s body these days are incredible, meaning that only those with sturdy physiques and an ability to heal quickly have longevity in the sport.
This applies in the Premier League more so than any other domestic league in Europe, due to the physicality and relentless pace that games are played at.
This can throw up some difficulties for Fantasy Football managers, many of whom have to weigh up if a talented player is worth the investment if they are going to spend half the season nursing injuries. Some good cases in point last season were Christian Pulisic and Diogo Jota, both of whom showed flashes of genius but spent the majority of their time receiving treatment on the physio table.
Here are some of the most robust players in the Premier League, who are sure to deliver consistent points hauls throughout the entirety of a Fantasy Football Premier League campaign.
West Ham’s Czechs
Tomáš Souček and Vladimír Coufal were two of the biggest breakout stars in the Premier League last season, as they took David Moyes’ Hammers to within touching distance of the Champions League places.
Despite hardly missing a game throughout the entire Premier League campaign, the dynamic duo then headed straight to Euro 2020 where they helped their Czech national team reach the quarterfinals.
With both men practically assured to play pivotal roles in the 21/22 season, they will both make for shrewd additions to any Premier League Fantasy Football outfit. The only thing that could hold them back is fixture congestion having a negative effect on their performances, especially because West Ham will have to contend with a gruelling Europa League campaign this time around.
A Fox with Gloves On
Kasper Schmeichel has consistently been one of the most assured goalkeepers in world football over the last few seasons and proved his worth once more as he led his Danish national side all the way to the Euro 2020 semi-finals.
Most Fantasy Football managers focus on the men who can score them huge goal tallies, but it also pays to have a shot stopper who can rack up points with those all-important clean sheets.
Man Utd Goal Machine
Bruno Fernandes is one of those wiry athletes who is so hardened to getting kicked that his legs may as well be made of iron.
However, he is far from only being a midfield warrior, constantly banging in goals, be it from set plays, penalties, or open play. He was a budget buster in Fantasy Football leagues last season and will no doubt harbour huge bids this time around as well, particularly because he seems impervious to injury.
Many Dias Since He Missed a Game
By most Fantasy Football metrics Rúben Dias was the best defender in the Premier League last season. He also only missed one solitary game through injury, only to return to action in even better form than he displayed before his fleeting layoff.
With a plethora of high-quality defensive talent packed around him in the Man City squad, it is hard to see him not being close to the top of the best defender rankings come June.
Mo Stopping the Egyptian King
He was unsettled by transfer rumours, playing in a team whose injury list was the worst in the league, and had a misfiring Roberto Firmino alongside him, but Mo Salah still ended up finishing the season with 22 goals in just 37 appearances.
With Liverpool looking like they will be back to their best in 21/22, Mo Salah is one striker that most Fantasy Football managers will be dying to get their hands on.