UPDATED: As some of you may or may not know, the NFL Draft has commenced here in America. All the teams in the National Football League descend upon New York and spend the next several days drafting the best college football players in the land. So naturally I thought to myself that this would be something fun to try out with the EPL. Obviously since there is no draft for the EPL this would fall under the “Mock” category but it should be fun nonetheless.
And thanks to The Gaffer, we’re going to make it interactive and will award the best EPL draft selection winner with a package of Premier League goodies — including soccer books, a collector’s edition EPL Talk Magazine and a soccer-related DVD.
The Rules:
- Players who were born in 1989 and after are eligible for the draft. They will be taken off their current squads and put into the draft pool,
- Draft positions will be determined by the standings in the table as of today,
- Academy Players will not be included,
- Players selected will have played in the Premier League at some point in their career.
We will be doing two rounds for the draft. And you can play along too.
Step 1
Based on the above criteria, feel free to go through the squads of players available throughout the Premier League. Or, if you’re short on time, you can review the following select list to see if there are players you would pick:
Aaron Ramsey, Alex Kacaniklic, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Andy Carroll, Carl Jenkinson, Chris Smalling, Connor Wickham, Daniel Sturridge, Danny Welbeck, David De Gea, Davide Santon, Dedryck Boyata, Emmanuel Frimpong, Gareth Bale, Gary Gardner, Ignasi Miquel, Jack Robinson, Jack Rodwell, Jack Wilshere, James McClean, Jonjo Shelvey, Jordan Henderson, Josh McEachran, Junior Hoilett, Kerim Frei, Kieran Gibbs, Kyle Walker, Marc Albrighton, Mario Balotelli, Nathan Delfouneso, Paul Pogba, Phil Jones, Raheem Sterling, Romelu Lukaku, Ryo Miyachi, Sebastien Coates, Theo Walcott, Tom Cleverly, Victor Moses and Wojciech Szczesny.
Step 2
For rounds one and two of the draft, the order of the picks will be based on the current league positions (from worst to best). Since Wolves is already relegated, newly promoted Reading will take their place as the first pick.
The order of the picks will be as follows:
Reading, Blackburn, Bolton, Wigan, QPR, Aston Villa, Stoke, Norwich, Swansea, Sunderland, West Brom, Fulham, Liverpool, Everton, Chelsea, Spurs, Newcastle, Arsenal, Man City and Manchester United.
Step 3
Go ahead and name your picks in the comments section below. Go ahead and list your round one picks (from 1-20; Reading FC first, Man United last) and round two (from 1-20, again Reading FC first, Man United last).
Later today, I’ll be naming my Round 1 and Round 2 picks and will update this article accordingly.
The person who makes the best picks — according to the EPL Talk Podcast panel — will be announced as the winner on this weekend’s podcast and will receive a package of prizes from EPL Talk.
The deadline to enter your draft picks is tonight (Friday, April 27, 2012) at midnight ET.
And now live from The Royal Albert Hall in London, let the draft begin!
UPDATED: Here are my round one and two picks:
Round One:
| Pick | Player | Age | Position | Team |
| 1 | Jack Wilshere | 20 | MID | Reading |
| 2 | Wojciech Szczęsny | 22 | GK | Blackburn Rovers |
| 3 | Gareth Bale | 22 | MID | Bolton Wanderers |
| 4 | Mario Balotelli | 21 | FWD | Wigan Athletic |
| 5 | Phil Jones | 20 | DEF | Queens Park Rangers |
| 6 | Daniel Sturridge | 22 | FWD | Aston Villa |
| 7 | Andy Carroll | 23 | FWD | Stoke City |
| 8 | Chris Smalling | 22 | DEF | Norwich City |
| 9 | David Hoilett | 21 | FWD | Swansea City |
| 10 | Theo Walcott | 23 | FWD | Sunderland |
| 11 | Danny Welbeck | 21 | FWD | West Bromwich Albion |
| 12 | Jack Rodwell | 21 | MID | Fulham |
| 13 | Josh McEachran | 19 | MID | Liverpool |
| 14 | Romelu Lukaku | 18 | FWD | Everton |
| 15 | David De Gea | 21 | GK | Chelsea |
| 16 | Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain | 18 | MID | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 17 | Kyle Walker | 21 | DEF | Newcastle United |
| 18 | Tom Cleverly | 22 | MID | Arsenal |
| 19 | Paul Pogba | 19 | MID | Manchester City |
| 20 | Aaron Ramsey | 21 | MID | Manchester Untied |
Round Two:
| Pick | Player | Age | Position | Team |
| 21 | Jordan Henderson | 21 | MID | Reading |
| 22 | Ryo Miyachi | 19 | FWD | Blackburn Rovers |
| 23 | Nathan Delfouneso | 21 | FWD | Bolton Wanderers |
| 24 | Marc Albrighton | 22 | MID | Wigan Athletic |
| 25 | James McClean | 23 | MID | Queens Park Rangers |
| 26 | Davide Santon | 21 | DEF | Aston Villa |
| 27 | Emmanuel Frimpong | 20 | MID | Stoke City |
| 28 | Jonjo Shelvey | 20 | MID | Norwich City |
| 29 | Kerim Frei | 18 | MID | Swansea City |
| 30 | Sebastien Coates | 21 | DEF | Sunderland |
| 31 | Gary Gardner | 19 | MID | West Bromwich Albion |
| 32 | Ignasi Miquel | 19 | DEF | Fulham |
| 33 | Connor Wickham | 19 | FWD | Liverpool |
| 34 | Carl Jenkinson | 20 | DEF | Everton |
| 35 | Raheem Sterling | 17 | MID | Chelsea |
| 36 | Victor Moses | 21 | FWD | Tottenham Hotspur |
| 37 | Dedryck Boyata | 21 | DEF | Newcastle United |
| 38 | Alex Kačaniklić | 20 | MID | Arsenal |
| 39 | Jack Robinson | 18 | DEF | Manchester City |
| 40 | Kieran Gibbs | 22 | DEF | Manchester Untied |
Just a bit of insight on my picks for the draft, I went with age and upside when determining a lot of the picks above. I went heavy on what could benefit the team in the future with a little bit in mind for what could help the team now. Just keep in mind I tried to be as unbiased as possible with my picks and had the intention of having as much fun as possible.
If you would like a little more insight into why I made these picks you’re all more than welcome to tweet me @Morgan_Green
Enjoy!
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taimur
May 1, 2012 at 8:23 pm
The NFL Draft is a footnote compared to the headlines coming from world of real football when the two best teams with dozens of world-class players, including Ronaldo and Messi, crashed out of the Champions League.
Pete
April 28, 2012 at 12:35 pm
This is one for the Americans, I have looked at the rules and I still don’t know what you’re suppose to do
Best player in 3 yrs time though will be Josh McEachran. I’ll put £20 on it
trickybrkn
April 28, 2012 at 2:44 am
I understand this is a project in fantasy, but it would seem that the PL would actually find itself using a draft similar to MLB then the NFL. The NFL has a built in free feeder system in college football. and its localized. MLB is an international game and raws from youth leagues, like the PL. Many PL clubs have affiliate clubs to ship out younger players for loans… and the MLB has a draft that would be similar to the PL, on unknown players. In todays world football even a talented 13 year old is known by the best clubs already. actually a draft would be good for the development for the 13 to 18 yo players…
BA14
April 27, 2012 at 9:23 pm
Round 1
Reading: Mario Balotelli
Blackburn: Romelu Lukaku
Bolton: Tom Cleverly
Wigan: Danny Welbeck
QPR: Daniel Sturridge
Aston Villa: Aaron Ramsey
Stoke City: Andy Carroll
Norwich City: Phil Jones
Swansea City: Gareth Bale
Sunderland: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
West Brom: Theo Walcott
Fulham: David Hoilett
Liverpool: Emanuel Frimprong
Everton: Victor Moses
Chelsea: Jack Rodwell
Tottenham: Kyle Walker
Newcastle: Jordan Henderson
Arsenal: Jack Wilshere
Manchester City: Stefan Savic
Manchester United: David De Gea
Round 2
Reading: Wojciech Szczęsny
Blackburn: Chris Smalling
Bolton: Conor Wickham
Wigan: James McCarthy
QPR: Martin Kelly
Aston Villa: Rafael
Stoke City: Davide Santon
Norwich City: Marc Albrighton
Swansea City: Nathan Delfouneso
Sunderland: James McClean
West Brom: Sebastien Coates
Fulham: Ignasi Miquel
Liverpool: Frederico Macheda
Everton: Kerim Frei
Chelsea: Oriol Romeu
Tottenham: Josh McEchran
Newcastle: Dan Gosling
Arsenal: Carl Jenkinson
Manchester City: Gary Gardner
Manchester United: Paul Pogba
I think the top offensive players, goal scorers and creative players, will go first unless it’s a sure fire defender. Most of the teams picking high in the draft will likely need goals more than defense. sexy football baby!
BA14
April 27, 2012 at 9:28 pm
and I completely forgot Kieran Gibbs. Late first round maybe to Manchester City or early 2nd round.
Brian Eustace
April 27, 2012 at 6:07 pm
Gareth Bale – Reading
Theo Walcott – Blackburn
Daniel Sturridge – Bolton
Mario Ballotelli – Wigan
Phil Jones – Qpr
Jack Wilshere – Aston Villa
Jack Rodwell – Stoke
Chris Smalling – Norwich
Danny Welbeck – Swansea
Tom Cleverly – Sunderland
Alex Ox Chamberlain – WBA
David De Gea – Fulham
Junior Hoilett – Liverpool
Kyle Walker – Everton
Victor Moses – Chelsea
Wojiech Scezny – Spurs
Kieran Gibbs – Newcastle
Andy Carroll – Arsenal
Josh McEchran – Man City
Aaron Ramsey – Man Utd
Romelu Lukaku – Reading
Nathan Delfonseou – Blackburn
Ryo Miachi – Bolton
Conor Wickham – Wigan
Frimpong – Qpr
Paul Pogba – Aston Villa
Kerim Frei – Stoke
Sebastian Coates – Norwich
Dedryck Boyata – Swansea
Ignasi Miquel – Sunderland
James Clean WBA
Marc Albrighton – Fulham
Alex Kakanalic – Liverpool
Jack Robinson – Everton
Jonjo Shelvey – Chelsea
Gary Gardner – Spurs
Davide Santon – Newcastle
Raheem Sterling – Man City
Carl Jenkinson – Man Utd
Mark
April 27, 2012 at 5:43 pm
This is probably the worst EPL related article I have ever seen in my life.
Morgan Green
April 27, 2012 at 6:02 pm
Mark,
I realize there isn’t much relativity to the EPL but it’s meant for fun and there are prizes available. You’re more than welcome to test your knowledge and see how you stack up against the others who have taken part.
Sincerely,
Morgan Green
Saul Barrera
April 27, 2012 at 3:15 pm
Round One
Reading-Gareth Bale
Blackburn-Phil Jones
Bolton-David De Gea
Wigan-Danny Welbeck
QPR-Tom Cleverly
Aston Villa-Daniel Sturridge
Stoke-Mario Balotelli
Norwich-Theo Walcott
Swansea-Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Sunderland-Kieran Gibbs
West Brom-Chris Smalling
Fulham-Victor Moses
Liverpool-Romelu Lukaku
Everton-Jack Wilshire
Chelsea-Kyle Walker
Spurs-Junior Hoilett
Newcastle-Frimpong
Arsenal-Wojciech Szczesny
Man City-Jack Rodwell
Man United-Aaron Ramsey
Round Two
Reading-Andy Carrol
Blackburn-Jordan Henderson
Bolton-Marc Albrighton
Wigan-Nathan Delfouneso
QPR-Jonjo Shelvey
Aston Villa-Josh McEachran
Stoke-Paul Pogba
Norwich-Sebastian Coates
Swansea-Kerim Frei
Sunderland-David Santon
West Brom-Dedryck Boyata
Fulham-Ryo Miyachi
Liverpool-Connor Wickham
Everton-Carl Jenkinson
Chelsea-Jack Robinson
Spurs-Gary Gardner
Newcastle-Ignasi Miquel
Arsenal-James McClean
Man City-Alex Kacaniklic
Man United-Raheem Sterling
Mufc77
April 27, 2012 at 1:45 pm
Anyone who thinks bale is actually as good as all the media hype over the last 18 months is also delusional, in my humble opinion of course.
Kody
April 27, 2012 at 2:00 pm
These aren’t mutually exclusive, though. He can be not as good as the media makes him out to be, and good enough to warrant a top pick in this draft.
Kevin
April 27, 2012 at 1:43 pm
1. Reading – Gareth Bale / Andy Carroll
2. Blackburn – Kyle Walker / Dedryck Boyata
3. Bolton – Danny Wellbeck / Nathan Delfouneso
4. Wigan – Paul Pogba / Kerim Frei
5. QPR – Mario Balotelli / Connor Wickham
6. Aston Villa – Jack Wilshere / Emmanuel Frimpong
7. Stoke – Tom Cleverley / Jordan Henderson
8. Norwich – David de Gea / Junior Hoilett
9. Swansea – Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain / Marc Albrighton
10. Sunderland – Jonjo Shelvey / Victor Moses
11. West Brom – Daniel Sturridge / Sebastian Coates
12. Fulham – Theo Walcott / Ignesi Miquel
13. Liverpool – Romelu Lukaku / Gary Gardner
14. Everton – Jack Rodwell / Jack Robinson
15. Chelsea – Phil Jones / Davide Santon
16. Tottenham – Josh McEachran / Wojciech Szczesny
17. Newcastle – Kieran Gibbs / Alex Kacaniklic
18. Arsenal – Aaron Ramsey / Carl Jenkinson
19. Manchester City – Chris Smalling / James McClean
20. Manchester United – Ryo Miyachi / Raheem Sterling
Phillip Badger
April 27, 2012 at 1:19 pm
btw, anyone who doesn’t think Bale would be first pick under this scenario is delusional. UEFA CL team of the season last year, it was like 10 Barca players and Bale.
Ahmed Yussuf
April 27, 2012 at 1:19 pm
Kody,
Is that about my selection?
It’s not that he’s low, its that every club gets one 1st pick, and then a 2nd pick.
So Bale’s a 1st pick.
Phillip Badger
April 27, 2012 at 1:22 pm
you have Bale going 19th.
Kody
April 27, 2012 at 1:47 pm
Exactly. Sure he’s a first pick, but 19th overall is WAY too low.
Phillip Badger
April 27, 2012 at 1:17 pm
1st/2nd
Reading: Gareth Bale/Ciaran Clark
Blackburn: Phil Jones/Victor Moses
Bolton: Daniel Sturridge/Rafael da Silva
Wigan: Tom Cleverley/Jordan Henderson
QPR: Chris Smalling/Samba Diakite
Villa: Jack Wilshere/James McClean
Stoke: Oriol Romeu/Connor Wickham
Norwich: Danny Welbeck/Marc Albrighton
Swansea: Aaron Ramsey/Gylfi Sigurdsson
Sunderland: Theo Walcott/Grant Hanley
West Brom: Paul Pogba/Scott Sinclair
Fulham: Kyle Walker/Kieran Gibbs
Liverpool: Andy Carroll/Steven Caulker
Everton: Ross Barkley/Karim Frei
Chelsea: Junior Hoilett/Ryan Bertrand
Spurs: David de Gea/Joe Allen
Newcastle: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain/Jake Livermore
Arsenal: Wojciech Szczesny/Ryo Miyaichi
Man City: Romelu Lukaku/Raheem Sterling
Man Utd: Jack Rodwell/Josh McEachran
Phillip Badger
April 27, 2012 at 1:24 pm
whoops, forgot Balotelli…put him in there 5th for QPR. He’d go a bit higher based on skill, but QPR would be the first team crazy enough to think they could handle him!
Kody
April 27, 2012 at 1:13 pm
Surprised to see Bale so low
Jean
April 27, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Tom Cleverley would certainly be my first pick 😀
Ahmed Yussuf
April 27, 2012 at 12:26 pm
1st Pick 2nd Pick
Reading: Wojciech Szczesny/ Nathan Delfouneso,
Blackburn: Emmanuel Frimpong/ Jack Rodwell
Bolton: Daniel Sturridge/ Dedryck Boyata
Wigan: Danny Welbeck/ Aaron Ramsey
QPR: Josh McEachran/ Marc Albrighton
Aston Villa: Mario Balotelli/ Jonjo Shelvey
Stoke: Phil Jones/ Nickolas Bendtner
Norwich: Theo Walcott/Ross Barkley
Swansea: Kerim Frei/ Jordan Henderson
Sunderland: James McClean/ Chris Smalling
West Brom: Paul Pogba/ Raheem Sterling
Fulham: Junior Hoilett/David Ngog
Liverpool: Ryo Miyachi/ Javier Hernandez
Everton: Alex Kacaniklic/ Connor Wickham
Chelsea: Tom Cleverly/ Kyle Walker
Spurs: Andy Carroll /Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
Newcastle: Kieran Gibbs/Oriol Romeu
Arsenal: Romelu Lukaku/ Victor Moses
Man City: Gareth Bale/Jake Livermore
Manchester United: Jack Wilshere/ Grant Hanley
Bill Polean
April 27, 2012 at 11:23 am
Reading-Jack Wilshere
Blackburn-Danny Welbeck
Bolton-Gareth Bale
Wigan- Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain
QPR-Romelu Lukaku
Aston Villa-Jack Robinson
Stoke-Junior Hoilett
Norwich-Daniel Sturridge
Swansea-Tom Cleverly
Sunderland-Theo Walcott
West Brom-Chris Smalling
Fulham-Wojciech Szczesny
Liverpool-Andy Carroll
Everton-Mario Balloted
Chelsea-Sebastien Coates
Spurs-David De Gea
Newcastle-Emmanuel Frimpong
Arsenal- Ryo Miyachi
Man City-Carlos Tevez
Man. United-Jack Rodwell
Morgan Green
April 27, 2012 at 11:52 am
Hi Bill,
Just an FYI Tevez is not eligible for the draft as he was born before 1989.
Sincerely,
Morgan Green
Phillip Badger
April 27, 2012 at 1:45 pm
eligible players you don’t have in your top 40 though:
Romeu, Caulker, Sinclair, Barkley, Diakite, Sigurdsson, Hanley, Clark, Bertrand, Livermore
all would go before some you’ve listed at the end, IMO.
Morgan Green
April 27, 2012 at 2:03 pm
I didn’t include Diakite and Sigurdsson only because they’re on loan to teams in the league. I wanted to keep it to players whose parent clubs are in the EPL. But I do agree with the Sigurdsson Opinion. He would easily be Top 10.