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Fantasy Focus: Mystery Booster revealed
After a hectic two weeks of group action at the FIFA Club World Cup™, the knockout stage has arrived. With that comes plenty of transfer moves to ponder in the tournament’s official Fantasy game, as well as a whole new layer of strategy around them with the mystery Booster now revealed and active.
The Qualification Booster will see every player in a team who progresses through to the subsequent stage of the tournament awarded an extra two points.
Other key changes involve the cap on players per club going from three to four while the overall budget has also been increased from $100m to $105m allowing more high profile, higher-priced players to be including in owners’ teams.
Play the official FIFA Club World Cup Fantasy game
So now, players must decide whether to deploy the Qualification Booster during the round of 16, where it may perhaps be easier to assess the likelihood of teams progressing or whether to look at one of the other Boosters, including the 12th Man or Maximum Captain options.
With unlimited transfers also available until lockout ahead of the first round of 16 clash between SE Palmeiras and Botafogo, FIFA assesses some possible transfer targets that could help teams surge up the rankings on the run home.
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GK Gianluigi Donnarumma ($5.7m) | PSG | Next opponent: Inter Miami CF
The Italian star conceded just one goal in the group stage, keeping two clean sheets behind an impressive PSG defence. Paris will be favourites against Inter Miami in the round of 16 and will also fancy their chances of winning the tournament, making Donnarumma a great option for the remainder of the competition.
DEF Alex Telles ($5.1m) | Botafogo | Next opponent: SE Palmeiras
Botafogo have impressed so far and the experienced left-back has more than played his part in their success. In the round of 16, Telles and Botafogo face Palmeiras, against whom his team are unbeaten in their last five meetings. Along with Fluminense FC’s Juan Pablo Freytes, Telles is the highest scoring defender in the game and given the possibility that he’s also on penalties, the 32-year-old is approaching must-own territory.
DEF Sergio Ramos ($5.3m) | CF Monterrey | Next opponent: Borussia Dortmund
Monterrey conceded just one goal during the group stage, going undefeated as they secured a round of 16 slot, in large part thanks to a string of fine defensive displays. Dortmund will certainly not be an easy task, but Ramos is known for starring when the lights are brightest and given he also offers a genuine scoring threat, he’s one of the key defensive assets to target.
MID Angel Di Maria ($7.3m) | SL Benfica | Next opponent: Chelsea FC
The Argentine is the only midfielder to break the 30-point barrier so far in the tournament. His comparatively low price therefore makes him a leading option, even with Benfica facing a tricky second round test against Chelsea FC. The Portuguese side are though unbeaten so far and will be looking to extend that run against Chelsea, with Di Maria looking to keep his club swansong alive for as long as possible in the USA.
MID Matheus Nunes ($4.9m) | Manchester City | Next opponent: Al Hilal
The midfielder turned right back could be an exciting option for managers who are still looking for a cost-effective alternative for their squad. Nunes has scored an impressive 19 points in his last two appearances and will be looking to build on those impressive outings in the round of 16.
FWD Igor Jesus ($4.1m) | Botafogo | Next opponent: SE Palmeiras
With a price tag of just $4.1m, Igor Jesus offers elite points-per-price return. He has already scored 21 points, putting him ahead of more higher profile – and higher-priced options - such as Harry Kane and Serhou Guirassy. He also has form on his side, scoring twice and providing an assist in the five matches he’s played against round of 16 opponents Palmeiras.
FWD Kenan Yildiz ($7.3m) | Juventus FC | Next opponent: Real Madrid
With 31 points, the Turkish starlet is the highest scoring attacking player in the game and also comes at an affordable price. Yildiz has contributed at least one goal or an assist in all three appearances at the tournament and already secured the scouting bonus twice.
FWD Liam Delap ($6.0m) | Chelsea FC | Next opponent: SL Benfica
On a favourable side of the draw and with his direct competition for a starting role – Nicolas Jackson ($7.4m) suspended, Chelsea FC’s Liam Delap comes in at a highly-affordable price point and with a genuine scoring threat. Coming off a goal-scoring, seven-point, outing in the Blues’ final group match against Espérance, the new signing looms as a savvy investment.
