Fantasy Football (Soccer For you Yanks)

This isn't the most popular fantasy sport, but nonetheless, it is my favorite for sure.

So I've decided to rank out the top players for every spot going into this season, which starts this weekend.

Defenders:


1. John Terry: Top man, strong, great decision maker, strong in the challenge. Has great fantasy value, not only because of his solid rear guard, but because he also scores goals. He will be out for the first month or so, so act accordingly.

2. Jamie Carragher: Some will disagree here, but as far as points go, hes actually rated higher then Terry. Again has the convenience of a great back line and a great keeper. What keeps him from top spot is his lack of goals.

3. Joleon Lescott: Finished top last year on a middle of the table team. Great defensive prowess. A quality pick up. Only problem is he plays for Everton.

4. Nicky Shorley: A Reading product, he was a top sleeper last year, and he didn't disappoint. Readings breakthrough season made this guy into a class defender. Solid, dependable pick.

5. Steven Finnan: Great Defender, aggressive, and is apart of a Liverpool rear guard which is prone to runs of clean sheet games.

Defender Sleepers:

Daniel Agger: Great player, scores goals, again, part of Liverpool's defense
Ricardo Carvalho: Should be in the top 5, but i cant do it. Too Risky for me
Rio Ferdinand: If he can not score on himself, hes also a top 5 canidate
Richard Dunne: Fluke? Not sure, otherwise hes a great choice

Midfielders:

1. Christiano Ronaldo: Even though hes playing a strikers role most of the time, you have to stick with him. He's this years LT of soccer.

2. Steven Gerrard: Had a less then stellar season last year. Otherwise hes my number one choice. He's dependable, and unlike Ronaldo, doesn't dive and get yellow cards as much.

3. Cesc Fabregas: Ahead of Fat Frank because he is the new maestro at Arsenal. Without Henry this year, he will be leading the attack and will be full of assists and goals.

4. "Fat" Frank Lampard: Im not sure about him, but every year he doesnt disappoint. Will score goals, will get assists. Solid Pick.

5. Michael Essien: If he stays healthy, he will be good. Kind of like Lampard, just not as many goals.

Sleeper Midfielders:

Mikael Arteta: Good player, not up in the top 5 yet, but good pick regardless.
Garry Speed: Older, yet still a good player, likes to put the ball in the net. Nuff said.
Gamst Mort Pedersen: Good good player, needs to do a little more in a not so good team, but a solid pick here.

Forwards:

1. Didier Drgoba: Scores a lot of Goals, wins games. Your first pick

2. Wayne Rooney: Not a great season last year, but still your next best. He will do much better this year.

3. Dimitar Berbatov: Came out of nowhere last year, and had a brilliant season. Expect nothing less from him this season, he will only get better.

4. Robin Van Persie: Without Henry this year, he has to shine. Good skill and pace, and great shooter. Expect a lot out of him.

5. Dirk Kuyt: This is a risk, with a good reward. A decent player who knows where to be.

Sleeper Forwards:

Fernando Torres: Tremendous pace, skill, shooting ability. This player would be in the top 5 if this wasn't his first year.
Michael Owen: If he stays healthy, hes a brilliant choice. Will feature prominent in the Newcastle front.
Nicolas Anelka: Time will tell, he has flashes of brilliance every now and then
Robbie Keane: Solid pick, scores a lot of goals, plays opposite of Berbatov.

Goalkeepers:

1. Pepe Reina
2. David James
3. Petr Cech
4. Edwin van der Sar
5. Doug Friedel