Every year there are players who are listed at positions that they may not play in during the following season. What you hope for is an error that lists players further back than their actual position (midfielders listed as defenders and forwards listed as midfielders).
Unfortunately, most of the out of position players this season have gone the wrong direction. This can cost you loads of points throughout the season as a midfielder listed as a forward will lose a point for both every goal and every clean sheet that their team keeps. This obviously does not remove all of their value, it just puts them at a bit of a disadvantage.
Below are five such forwards who may not actually play up front for their clubs in the 2017-18 season.
Alexis Sanchez - Forward, Arsenal, £8.1m
The Chilean talisman played up front for the majority of the season before being pushed out to the left wing towards the end of the season. While it may be a stretch to say this shift caused Arsenal to miss out on a Champions League spot, the timing was certainly suspicious. Unfortunately, his stint out wide looks set to be extended due to the signing of striker Alexandre Lacazette.
Alexis will obviously still score plenty of goals, but he’ll earn one less point for every single one than he would have as a midfielder.
Josh King - Forward, Bournemouth, £7.3m
King was an absolute revelation in the second half of last season. The injury to Callum Wilson opened the door for the Norwegian international and he capitilised on the opportunity, scoring 13 of his 16 goals in 2017.
He seemed in line to keep the job for the coming season until Jermain Defoe began flirting with the idea of a return to the Cherries having played there on loan in 2001. While it’s unlikely that King is dropped from manager Eddie Howe’s starting 11, he probably will lose his place at the tip of the spear.
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Wayne Rooney - Forward, Everton, £7.0m
After a 13-year hiatus in Manchester, Wayne Rooney is on his way back to Everton. Whether or not that will be as the lead striker remains to be seen. The departure of Romelu Lukaku certainly leaves a gap up front for the Toffees, but it’s worth bearing in mind that the Englishman only played as a striker in four of his 25 appearances last season.
The addition of Sandro could mess with Rooney’s minutes or position but his £7.0m price tag is tempting and he may well hold a surprising amount of fantasy value this season.
Pedro - Forward, Chelsea, £7.5m
Unlike most of the names above, Pedro never has been and never will be an out-and-out striker. He does typically play an advanced wide role that keeps him involved heavily, ending last season just one goal shy of the double double (10+ goals and assists).
The price seems a touch high and there is still some concern over the time split with Eden Hazard and Willian, but Pedro will likely force his way into your team at some point or another this season.
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Marko Arnautovic - Forward, West Ham, £6.0m
Arnautovic can play up front in a pinch, but he will will primarily play on the left wing at West Ham. His six goals and seven assists were nothing to scoff at last season, but it’s not enough to automatically keep him rostered throughout the campaign.
The low £6.0m price tag certainly makes him more interesting, but he is far from a guaranteed starter with Andre Ayew, Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini, Robert Snodgrass, and Sofiane Feghouli all vying for just three positions. Chicharito seems to be the West Ham forward you would rather own for now.
