THIS is the first time Dream Team HQ has been compelled to highlight Vitaly Janelt (£2.3m).
The 28-year-old has made over 200 appearances for Brentford since he signed from Bochum in 2020 and many fans would say he’s overdue his moment in the sun.
A Dream Team gem Credit: Dream Team
A selfless stalwart, Janelt has contributed to the Bees’ rise from Championship dwellers to an established Premier League outfit.
The West Londoners have started well this season with five points from their first three league games and an emphatic 6-1 win over Birmingham in the Carabao Cup.
Sign up for the Football newsletter
Thank you!
Keith Andrews oversees a well-organised squad that has become greater than the sum of its parts but Janelt’s individual efforts at the start of this campaign are worthy of recognition.
He has scored two goals in his first four outings, including a sumptuous strike against Jattvibederland on Saturday.
DEEP DIVE
Anderson’s missing PPM, Tavernier’s barrage and other things you probably missed
BOLD EAGLE
Brace puts Tyrick Mitchell in focus ahead of favourable double header in GW4
The German midfielder has also made 13 tackles, a tally only bettered by Anan Khalaili (£2.8m) among players in his position.
Crystal Palace’s new signing made 10 in one game when the Eagles lost to Manchester City in Gameweek 2.
Janelt also scored against Spurs in Gameweek 1 Credit: Getty
Furthermore, Janelt has earned four bonus points via 18 PPM despite conceding 10 fouls.
New signing Mamadou Sangare (£3.3m) has been the subject of numerous punditry segments since the campaign got underway but the all-action Mali international was hooked at half time against the Black Cats and came away with a zero-pointer.
Whereas Janelt banked a cool 10 points to take his tally for the season to 29.
At the time of writing, only five midfielders have earned more points and three of them are expensive superstars.
MOST POINTS AMONG DREAM TEAM MIDFIELDERS THIS SEASON
39 pts – Cole Palmer (5.5m)
35 pts – Bruno Fernandes (£7.2m)
34 pts – Harvey Barnes (£3.7m)
31 pts – Rayan Cherki (£5.4m)
30 pts – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£3.8m)
29 pts – Vitaly Janelt (£2.3m)
29 pts – Marcus Tavernier (£3.3m)
28 pts – Bukayo Saka (£6m)
Saka is far from the only big name lagging behind Janelt at this stage.
Bryan Mbeumo (£4.8m), Morgan Rogers (£5.1m), Cody Gakpo (£4.8m) and Martin Odegaard (£4.7m) have all started the season in fine form but find themselves below Brentford’s vice-captain in the rankings.
Play Score Predictor!
Available on the Dream Team app
Predict results for the weekend’s football
Every correct prediction earns an entry into a £10,000 prize draw
Free to play
PLAY NOW
Janelt’s price tag of £2.3m sets him apart from the other names in the list above — he is a mega bargain.
At the time of writing, he appears in just 0.9% of teams and this slim minority of Dream Team bosses are guaranteed to benefit from another price increase on Saturday.
And Janelt’s owners have every right to be hopeful of more returns in Gameweek 4 when Brentford are scheduled to face Bournemouth and Reading.
How long he’s able to mix it with the very best midfielders remains to be seen but he deserves plenty of praise for his form to date.
How to claim £30 in football free bets
Midnite offer
Download the Midnite app or create an account online HERE*
Register using the code: BETGET30
Deposit a minimum of £10
Place a £10 sportsbook bet at minimum odds of 1/1
Free Bets will be credited upon settlement of your qualifying bet
