Erling Haaland secured back-to-back hat-tricks in GW6. (Image: Premier League/Twitter)
Gameweek five caused controversy for the majority of managers, as big assets rippled uncertainty and knee-jerk decisions across the board.
Its a one day break until the beginning of GW6, so managers have to get their act together to be prepared to go again.
Updates
Reece James returns
With only several hours until the GW5 deadline, James (£6.1m) was ruled out of Chelsea’s clash against Southampton due to illness. Instantly, managers deliberated on benching or transferring him, not knowing the full extent of the situation.
As we approach GW6, James is set to return and play when Chelsea host West Ham United at Stamford Bridge.
Managers will either be relieved or annoying depending on their quick decision-making at the GW5 deadline.
Rodrigo Moreno injury
Leeds United’s Rodrigo (£6.4m) is set to miss the next month of football due to a suspected shoulder injury. Rodrigo was subbed off in the 32nd minute of Leeds’ encounter with Everton.
Over the last three gameweeks, managers has rushed to get Rodrigo into their squads due to his incredible form. Now, face the dilemma of removing him at little cost.
The best Rodrigo replacements include Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m), Gabriel Martinelli (£6.4m) and Pascal Groß (£5.9m). Teammate Jack Harrison (£6.1m) could be a liable option, as he is expected to have more chances in front of goal, due to the absence of Rodrigo.
Due to the string of unexpected squad mishaps, managers are resorting to use their wildcard chip, which isn’t the worst idea – although there are better times to do so.
Darwin Nunez returns from suspension
Liverpool are set to welcome Darwin (£8.9m) back to the fray after an eventful start to life in the Premier League.
Darwin scored and assisted on his debut in a 2-2 draw after Fulham. The following match he got sent off for head-butting Crystal Palace defender Joachim Andersen, receiving a three-match ban.
It is assumed that Darwin will set straight back into the Liverpool squad, whom are riddled with injuries.
Also assuming he has gotten his act together, Darwin could well hit the ground running once again, as Liverpool face Everton in the Merseyside derby in GW6.
Erling Haaland rotation dilemma
Before GW4, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola announced the probable rotation between Haaland (£11.9m) and Julian Alvarez.
This is still yet to happen, as Haaland has started every Premier League fixture for Manchester City thus far, but with the new Champions League season approaching, Guardiola may opt to have Haaland at full fitness for that.
With that thought in mind, Guardiola may shift his starting 11 around, in the hopes Haaland can be at peak fitness ahead of Manchester City’s game against Sevilla.
Managers won’t know until it is too late, but spare some caution when selecting Haaland ahead of MW6, especially for captaincy.
New assets to watch
The closure of the summer transfer window has allowed clubs to finalise their squads until the window reopens in January.
With new players arriving to FPL, as well as swapping team fro more minutes, some assets look more valuable than they previously did.
Alexander Isak (Newcastle United): £7.0m
Newcastle United announced the signing of Isak well before the deadline, allowing him to feature in their clash with Liverpool.
Isak scored in that match and could have secured a second if he wasn’t deemed offside. At £7.0m, Isak is an interesting option as he is stacked with pace and offers great finishing.
Newcastle United have also hit the ground running this season, proving to be a tough team to defeat. Seven goals have been scored by the Toon and they’ve only been defeated once this season.
If Isak continues to be at the forefront of that attack, he has more than a chance of scoring 10 or more goals this season and be a valuable asset.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Chelsea): £9.0m
Aubameyang returns to London, this time donning Chelsea’s blue, after a seven-month stint in Barcelona.
Despite the controversy surrounding Aubameyang at Arsenal, his move to Chelsea still has some sense to it. Chelsea were desperate for a number nine, since the exit of Romelu Lukaku.
Now with a proper striker up top for Chelsea, it could not only boost them up the table after a shaky start, but revive Aubameyang’s career.
Chelsea look fresh with the arrival of Raheem Sterling – who has already netted three times. The usual suspects of Kai Havertz and Hakim Ziyech could help Aubameyang find his mojo.
Daniel James (Fulham): £6.0m
James arrived at Fulham on a one-year loan deal from Leeds United on deadline day and could have an instant impact.
Fulham have thrived in the final third, with striker Aleksandar Mitrovic sitting second in the golden boot with five goals.
James could put his hat in the ring to start for Fulham, which he did on occasion for Leeds. With the attacking threat that Fulham hold, it could intensify with the addition of James.
He speed up and down the wing can haunt teams on the counter-attack. If he hits the ground running, Fulham might’ve added another string to their bow.
Billy Gilmour (Brighton and Hove Albion): £4.4m
Arriving from Chelsea on a permanent deal, Brighton have got itself a young maestro in Gilmour. The Scotsman endured a one-year loan spell at Norwich last season and has since struggled to mould into the new-look Chelsea.
While away on loan, it was evaluated that Gilmour had progressed his ability in many aspects. But, after struggling to find a certain place at Chelsea, at permanent deal elsewhere looked more appealing.
Gilmour has potential to have effect in midfield and forward, which he may be hoping to express at Brighton. He could play a pressing role in the Brighton midfield, with the potential to provide attacking threat through assists.
The Seagulls have looked immaculate this season in defence, so bolstering their midfield can’t be a back option.
More FPL News
Captaincy Selection – Gameweek Four
Hot or Cold
Assets began to mould to the Premier League, notching their first big points of their careers. While unexpected injuries and rotations struck for other assets.
Hot – Erling Haaland: 17 points v Nottingham Forest
With the rotation of Haaland still fresh in the mind of managers, Guardiola chose to start Haaland once again.
In his time on the pitch, Haaland scored his second consecutive hat-trick of the season. Scoring a whopping 17 points including three bonus points.
The FPL top scorer is showing no intentions of slowing down anytime soon. But, the rotation factor should still be thought of as weeks progress.
Hot – Julian Alvarez: 10 points v Nottingham Forest
Haaland’s likely replacement in the starting 11, Alvarez (£6.2m) impressed in his first start of the season.
Alvarez played in the number 10 role, behind Haaland and was able to score twice, claiming 10 points including two bonus points.
Displaying his versatility, Alvarez played a similar role to what Kevin De Bruyne usually would. Despite this, he was able to convert in front of goal and have impact elsewhere.
Hot – Luis Sinisterra: 10 points v Everton
Like Alvarez, Sinisterra (£6.5m) earned his first start for Leeds this season. Usually complimented by Rodrigo, Sinisterra had to go without him for majority of the match.
Sinisterra scored the equaliser, 10 minutes after half-time to earn a point for Leeds who conceded early to Everton.
His score of 10 points, including three bonus points gave managers something to keep their eye on. His popularity will only increase due to the injury of Rodrigo.
Cold – Rodrigo Moreno: 1 point v Everton
Unfortunately for Rodrigo owners, his injury will keep him out of action for a suspected month. Meaning a transfer out is the sensible option, as his price will continue to decrease.
He was taken off in the 32nd minute of Leeds’ clash with Everton, only claiming one point for his time on the pitch.
Plenty of options at a similar price point are available. These will have to be quickly investigated with the quick turn around to GW6.
Cold – Ivan Toney: 1 point v Crystal Palace
After three consecutive points returns, Brentford’s Toney (£7.1m) has no blanked twice in a row.
There is no reason to suggest that Toney is instantly a poor selection. He has chances to score in each match and constantly fills his position.
Brentford continue to have attractive fixtures upcoming, with Leeds and Southampton in their next two gameweeks.
Cold – Kevin De Bruyne: 1 point v Nottingham Forest
Guardiola shocked managers when he decided to bench De Bruyne (£12.2m) for their clash against Nottingham Forest.
If he had have played the full 90, or even started there is no doubt he would’ve been a chance for more points.
Unfortunately, like Salah against Bournemouth, a big name was unable to either get on the scoresheet, nor have a say in any of the six goals.
But, it is now good to know that even De Bruyne is at risk of rotation in Manchester City’s line-up.
GW6 Captaincy selection
Mohamed Salah v Everton
Salah (£13.0m) was unfortunate to blank in Liverpool’s 9-0 win over Bournemouth, but he made amends when scoring 10 points against Newcastle. The Egyptian assisted the two goals for Liverpool as they won in the 98th minute.
A performance like this shows that in most situations, Salah is going to be in dangerous positions to have a say in Liverpool’s goals.
He will be primed to face Everton. He has scored four goal and provided one assist in matches he has played against the Toffees in the Premier League.
Harry Kane v Fulham
Kane (£11.4m) has found a good patch of form, having an attacking return in each of his past five Premier League appearances.
From those matches, he has scored four goals and provided one assist, most of them, arguably better than their next opponents.
Kane will once again be predicted to be at the forefront of Tottenham’s attack, hoping to apply pressure to their tight-knit defence.
Raheem Sterling v West Ham United
Sterling (£10.0m), has made attacking contributions in three of his first five appearance for Chelsea in the Premier League.
He has played a number of positions already, ranging from an attacking midfielder, to winger and even their number nine. His versatility offers plenty of threat to attack defence on his day.
Sterling will hope to continue to hit the ground running, after two consecutive games where he has scored in. The inclusion of Aubameyang could cause disrupt to his number of goals.
Erling Haaland v Aston Villa
Managers are still unsure on whether Haaland will start for Manchester City in their GW6 fixture against Aston Villa.
Pundits suggest that Guardiola may rest Haaland ahead of their Champions League fixture against Sevilla only three days after.
If he gets his chance on the pitch, he is more than likely to have some effect, scoring six goals in his last two games. The rotation factor may be too much for some managers who may opt for another captain.
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