Harry Kane is no stranger to a slow start to the season, but now that he's finding his form he may become the must-have Fantasy Premier League player that we remember from previous seasons.
To start the 2015/16 campaign Kane was frustratingly held to one goal in his first nine premier league matches. No matter what he did, he simply couldn't find the back of the net and the one goal he did score should've been ruled offside.
Goal droughts don't tend to last long in the world of Harry Kane, so when Gameweek 10 came around the striker silenced the critics by scoring a hat-trick against Bournemouth and ultimately going on to score 25 goals that season.
This season looks as if it may follow an eerily similar trajectory. The Englishmen only scored twice in his first five matches and was then sidelined by an ankle injury until Gameweek 11. Since his return, the Tottenham talisman has already scored three times in two matches, including a brace in a dramatic come-from-behind win over rivals West Ham.
The point being is that Kane's autumn curse has finally been lifted and he is now ready to start racing up the goalscoring charts in attempt to keep his name in the race for the golden boot. Everyone in the league knows that the forward possesses the ability to do so, but now the question is how and when do you bring Kane into your FPL team.
Who to transfer out to afford Harry Kane?
When it comes to bringing the Spurs' striker in, there are actually a few options out there, but I'll start by taking and individual look at each of the four forwards that you'd likely be able to do a straight swap for Kane.
Sergio Aguero (£13.2m, 46.3% ownership)
Next Four: BUR (A), CHE (H), LEI (A), WAT (H)
The absolute easiest way to bring Kane into your team would be by swapping out Aguero. By doing so you barely have to strategize and you pad your fantasy bank account a bit. However, that's where any of the positives stop.
Aguero's the best goalscorer in the league, and when he's healthy he's an absolute must-have player. Fantasy Premier League occasionally rewards the brave, but the line between bravery and over-the-top audacity is far too blurred in this scenario to actually consider taking the plunge.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic (£11.1m, 25.0% ownership)
Next Four: WHU (H), EVE (A), TOT (H), CRY (A)
Despite only scoring two goals in his past seven matches, both of which came against a terrible Swansea side, a quarter of FPL managers are still clinging on to the striker.
The Manchester United forward has underwhelmed since arriving at Old Trafford and really only looks good to score a goal every few matches now. Even though Ibrahimovic has been a prolific goalscorer throughout his career, he's 35 years old and he's not getting any younger.
Zlatan claims to age like fine wine, but to that I'd say, when was the last time you heard anyone speak about the magnificent vineyards of Manchester? Exactly. It's time to move on.
Diego Costa (£10.5m, 42.1% ownership)
Next Four: TOT (H), MCI (A), WBA (H), SUN (A)
Of all the players mentioned so far, the argument for swapping Costa for Kane is perhaps the most interesting one. The Chelsea striker has had an incredible season thus far and currently tops the fantasy charts for forwards with the impressive goal tally of 10.
Now to be clear, Costa is a great fantasy option but there are a couple of reasons to consider opting for Kane instead.
First is that the two of them, assuming they both play to the best of their ability, will likely score a similar number of goals from this point of the season onward, but Kane's 6.6% ownership can make him a much more valuable differential option. Harry Kane also takes penalties for his club which gives the Englishman a slight advantage when it comes to increasing his goal total.
Tough decision? Absolutely, but I think Kane may just edge out Costa as the better option.
Romelu Lukaku (£9.9m, 34.6%ownership)
Next Four: SOU (A), MUN (H), WAT (A), ARS (H)
If you have the ability to transfer out Lukaku for Kane, or are willing to take a point hit, then this may be the best option available to you.
Even though the Belgian is one of the best strikers in the league, he receives very limited service from his Everton teammates and faces very tough fixtures over his next nine PL matches.
The Toffees will go on to face Southampton twice, Man United, Arsenal, Liverpool, Leicester and Manchester City. Not the best fixtures for Ronald Koeman's side to get their attack clicking once again.
If you're not sure how to free up the necessary funds, the emergence of dirt-cheap players like Matt Phillips, Wilfried Zaha and Victor Anichebe (who flew up our Power Rankings this week) should be able to help.
When to bring Kane into your FPL team?
Next Four: CHE (A), SWA (H), MUN (A), HUL (H)
For those of you now considering Kane, you may be put off by the fact that he'll be going up against a Chelsea side that hasn't conceded a goal in six matches.
Not wanting to bring him in for that reason is understandable, but there are a few things you should know.
First is that the bitter affairs between these two sides tend to be more open and exciting matches, and this weekend should be no different with the Blues looking to increase their lead at the top of the table and the Spurs looking to hop back into the top four.
In this clash between the two London sides, Kane actually has a decent scoring record, as well. The forward has scored three in the last four of these rivalry matches, and he seems to be the most likely to end Chelsea's clean sheet run.
Other than the chance the he's the one to end Chelsea's streak that won't last forever, bringing in Kane now means you get to avoid price rises and you can take advantage of his low ownership.
Not to mention, Tottenham have three very easy home fixtures on the horizon against Swansea, Hull and Burnley.
There's a lot to love when it comes to Harry Kane, but now it's up to you to bring him in before he becomes another bandwagon player with a much heftier price tag.
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Article by Sam Horbal.
