With the FPL deadline approaching after a bumper international break, the Star looks at the best players to bring in and what to do with the various injuries picked up during the three weeks off
The constant headache that is FPL is back, and after a bumper international break that saw Man City handed a guilty verdict and several high profile injuries it’s feeling more like a footballing migraine than ever before.
However, there is some good news. After such a long time away from the ebb and flow of Premier League football some managers may lose focus and forget or even abandon their teams. That means it should get easier and easier to rise the rankings, especially if you’ve had a slow start.
Although, if you’ve been following this column from the beginning, hopefully you will already be way up the leader board with several of the Daily Star’s picks amongst the top scorers in the game so far.
Here are our tips for GW6:
Keep the faith with City
Whatever you think will be the outcome of Man City’s financial misconduct breaches post-appeal, the general consensus is that any verdict could take months if not years to come into place. So don’t start shifting the likes of Haaland and Cherki too soon, even with a tricky trip to Anfield up next.
City are a team that welcomes pressure, and while their current situation is slightly different to a title race, there is no indication that their form will drop because of it.
Maresca’s men have so-so fixtures on the horizon, although games against strugglers Ipswich and Fulham could prove big point scorers.
If you have City players, especially the likes of Semenyo, Cherki and of course the big Norwegian himself, don’t feel you need to press the big blue button and get rid.
Hold your nerve
The deadline for this week is at 11am on Saturday morning, but managers will no doubt be keen to make changes sooner rather than later.
However, we reckon you should at least wait until later today, as both Arsenal and Chelsea are holding press conferences in which Mikel Arteta and Xabi Alonso are likely to shed some light on several injury concerns.
Chelsea could be without both Joao Pedro and Cole Palmer, after the talented pair withdrew from their international squads with injuries.
With Arsenal, Arteta should be giving some insight on Ezri Konsa and Kai Havertz, who both withdrew from their nations during the break.
If you’re thinking of getting rid of anyone because of injury, wait for the latest update before pulling the trigger.
Ones to watch
Benjamin Sesko’s injury problems continue to haunt the Slovenian, meaning Bryan Mbeumo is likely to receive even more minutes up top for United.
While the Cameroonian has started the season slowly, he is putting out some decent underlaying in terms of big chances and expected goals, meaning an upturn in form could be on the cards.
Bournemouth’s Marcus Tavernier is getting close to being a must-own, with the midfielder still only costing £6.1m despite looking like one of the most lively and high scoring players in the league.
Our final tip is Bobby Thomas, who constant DefCon threat means that he is picking up 4 points nearly every game despite being just £4m. If you’re in need of some dosh, consider swapping him for a more expensive asset.