Everton used to be a plum fixture for fantasy assets until a while ago. But under the reign of David Moyes 2.0, this narrative has ceased to exist. The Toffees have now won four out of the last five with the stalemate being the last Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.
The picture was entirely different before their dramatic reunion with David Moyes, who guided West Ham United to European glory during this long absence from the Everton dugout. Before the Scot’s appointment, the Merseyside club had won only once in the last 12 games. Hence, despite snatching points from Arsenal, Chelsea, and City on the trot, Sean Dyche had to depart.
But Everton look like a revamped side now, having hammered 12 goals in the last 5 matches. However, they were dealt with a heavy blow in the Liverpool game, as their in-form linchpin of attack, Iliman Ndiaye suffered a serious knee injury that will possibly keep him out of action for months. Remember, the Everton gaffer remarked, “It’s not looking great.”
In spite of losing his key man, David Moyes is enjoying a back seat. All thanks to a 27-year-old Portuguese forward named Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal, who is popularly known as Beto. The former Udinese target man who may remind you of Peter Crouch, now looks an asset to explore in fantasy football.
He is not only the go-to man for David Moyes so far as goals are concerned but also can be your top-choice for the best budget forward ahead of gameweek 26. Beto has started the last three games for Everton and struck the net four times from a total xG(Expected Goal) of just 1.8!
Now, this tells a lot about the current Everton no.9 who only had a goal and a single start in the campaign before this purple patch. David Moyes was handed a long injury-list which is only getting longer but helps the cause of Beto in FPL. With no Armando Broja, Youssef Chermiti, Ndiaye or Dominic Calvert-Lewin in the scene, Beto, who was considered a fringe player even a few gameweeks back, has put the no.9 debate at Everton to rest.
I still own Iliman Ndiaye(£5.5m) and Beto(£4.9m) appears the perfect replacement for the Senegalese, while adding some funds to the bank. He can be a huge differential too, with only 2.3% ownership. The former Portimonense striker who celebrates like NBA legend LeBron James every time he scores a goal, has a kind run of fixtures now. Everton is slated to face Manchester United, Brentford, Wolves, and West Ham United in the next four.
Beto’s life seems like a fantasy itself — started his senior career in the amateur leagues of Lisbon and used to have a part-time job with fast-food joint KFC. Now, he is on the PL billboard, even if for the time being. I can have my money on Beto, who always looks up to Samuel Eto, to embark on a similar dream run in Fantasy Premier League 2024-25 as well.
