While the 16 clubs still competing in the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League have now submitted their updated squads ahead of the knockout stage, UEFA.com picks out a number of eye-catching signings made during the January transfer window which could turn out to be ideal acquisitions in the future. from Matchday 7 on #UCLfantasy, presented by Playstation.
João Cancelo (€6.7m) – Bayern
#UCLfantasy’s most possessed player was on the move in January as defender Cancelo joined German champions Bayern on loan from Manchester City. Over 50% of Fantasy managers already own the full-back, renowned for his attacking prowess alongside Pep Guardiola. Cancelo provided four assists, two clean sheets and 36 Fantasy points during the group stage and his attacking style is already paying off at Bayern with two assists for his new club. Cancelo’s #UCLfantasy property should therefore remain high ahead of Bayern’s Round of 16 against Paris.
Enzo Fernandez (€5.5m) – Chelsea
The FIFA World Cup-winning midfielder left Benfica for a British record after scoring and providing an assist for Argentina in Qatar. Fernández had already played a key role in the UEFA Champions League this season for Roger Schmidt’s Benfica, scoring twice in the third qualifying round draw against Midtjylland, before adding two more assists in the group stage. These attacking credentials could come in handy when Chelsea take on Dortmund.
Pedro Porro (€5.1m) – Tottenham
Porro also moved to England on deadline day, joining Tottenham initially on loan. The 23-year-old was a top target for Antonio Conte and his defensive ability and very attacking style at full-back makes it easy to see why. Porro has started four of Sporting CP’s six games in Group D, racking up 24 points including 11 on Matchday 1 with a clean sheet and an assist. Tottenham now face AC Milan and it wouldn’t be surprising to see Porro start in an attacking wing role, making him a potential avenue for #UCLfantasy points at both ends of the pitch.
Gonçalo Guedes (€7.5m) – Benfica
Guedes returned to Benfica on loan from English side Wolves six years after leaving Lisbon. Capped 32 times by Portugal, Guedes hopes the move will spark a return to the form he showed last season for Valencia, where he registered 13 goals and six assists in 42 appearances. Having scored on his Portuguese La Liga debut, he also has the added appeal of being listed as a midfielder in #UCLfantasy, but has started the last two games as a striker for Benfica, who face Club de Bruges.
Mykhailo Mudryk (€6.3m) – Chelsea
A standout performer in this season’s group stage, Mudryk’s blistering pace and direct run helped him bag three goals, two assists and 33 fantasy points for Shakhtar Donetsk and before his move to Chelsea, Mudryk had scored seven times in his last eight league appearances. . At a relatively low fantasy price, Mudryk could prove a huge boon for Matchday 7 as a midfielder who carries a significant goal threat, especially if Chelsea get space to play on the counter-attack in their first leg in Dortmund.
