A limping Aguero renders Jesus as essential, while clouds gather over Southampton and Gabbiadini and a consistent Spurs attack presents us with an uncomfortable decision. This and more fill our heads as we look back on Gameweek 35.
Aguero scare has us turn to Jesus…
Even with seven goals in his last nine starts and his first double-figure return since Gameweek 13, we were ready to overlook Sergio Aguero when the Wildcard came calling.
Now that the Argentinian suffered a groin injury at Middlesbrough, and Gabriel Jesus scored on his return to the Manchester City starting line-up, this path is almost confirmed.
Pep Guardiola admitted that he had intended to withdraw Jesus on the hour-mark but, with his side chasing the game at the Riverside Stadium, his plans changed. Jesus exploited the extra pitch-time by heading City’s equaliser – ironically from an Aguero assist.
Guardiola had previously stated that he could partner his two South American strikers and he followed through with that promise, opting for a 3-4-1-2 in which Jesus Navas and Gael Clichy offered width as his wing-backs.
But over the remaining fixtures, with David Silva in line for a return and Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling surely considered for recalls, Guardiola will be forced to choose between his frontline options.
Aguero’s injury may have made one decision for him.
Suffered late on in Sunday’s 2-2 draw, Guardiola must wait to see if the Argentine will return to contention this season – reports last night confirmed that the striker will undergo scans.
Even with Aguero available, Jesus will likely figure prominently over City’s remaining four fixtures – perhaps starting every match to become the obvious choice in their attack ahead of Gameweek 37.
Whether paired up with Aguero or leading the line as a lone striker, Jesus looks set to profit, with the defences of Crystal Palace, Leicester City, West Brom and Watford unlikely to slow the Brazilian’s rapid ascent.
Sane’s rest could be beautifully timed…
Guardiola dared to rest Leroy Sane to the bench at the Riverside Stadium – the first time the German winger has failed to feature since Gameweek 21.
After 12 successive starts and with fellow winger Raheem Sterling in and out of the line-up, it was perhaps just a matter of time before Sane took his time out.
Significantly, he was introduced early in the second period as City chased the game, coming on to earn the controversial penalty which offered Guardiola’s side a foothold.
His pitch-time from here on in appears to rely on Guardiola’s chosen formation, which will surely be influenced by the availability, or otherwise, of Sergio Aguero and David Silva.
Should Silva make a return, Guardiola will likely switch back to a 4-2-3-1, turning to Sane perhaps in tandem once again with Sterling on the opposite flank.
The winger’s partial rest means we can optimistically anticipate four consecutive starts for Sane to see out the season.
Found in just 6.4% of squads, he remains a healthy Wildcard option capable of inflicting significant damage over City’s remaining matches, which include those delicious back-to-back home encounters in Gameweek 37.
Gabbiadini is no longer a shoo-in…
Trudging off on 59 minutes to a chorus of boos and heckles, Manolo Gabbiadini’s contribution to Southampton’s turgid stalemate with Hull City was limited by Claude Puel’s unpopular decision to reshuffle.
But while Southampton fans aimed their frustrations at the manager, there are growing doubts surrounding Gabbiadini’s spark following his recent return from a groin injury.
In his three appearances so far, the Italian has provided a single assist, in the defeat at Chelsea, and has been hooked before the hour-mark on two occasions.
His underlying numbers have also dipped alarmingly when comparing those three recent outings with his outstanding introduction to the top flight over Gameweeks 24 to 29.
He’s received just 4.3 passes in the final third over his last three appearances, half his average in his first four starts. In addition, vital indicators such as shots, shots on target and penalty area touches have also declined – by 50% or more.
It could be that Gabbiadini has lost a degree of sharpness, or it could be that Southampton themselves are now in slumber.
Again, the statistics offer key evidence: over the last three Gameweeks, the Saints have created an average of 5.7 chances from open play, compared with 12.1 per match prior to Gameweek 33.
Combine that with talk of growing dissent in the camp, tough fixtures and questionable motivation for the season’s climax and suddenly investment in Southampton loses its lustre.
And when considering Gabbiadini specifically, we also have to factor in the risk of Shane Long, Jay Rodriguez and perhaps even Charlie Austin eating into his pitch-time.
Five fixtures still to play makes the Italian a major draw. But confidence in Gabbiadini getting opportunities to deliver has been dented.
Only fear is keeping Sanchez in the frame…
Trepidation surrounding Gabbiadini’s potential will likely influence our final decision on his selection.
But that pales in significance next to the fear that surrounds the potential omission of Alexis Sanchez from our squads.
Ordinarily, a return of a single goal from six Gameweek starts would render any asset superfluous – let alone one priced at 11.5. But graced with two extra fixtures, the perspective changes.
Despite his form and Arsenal’s malaise, Sanchez is still pulling in the purchasers and will likely go into Gameweek 36 as the leading contender for the captaincy.
While some will entertain the idea of going without him – constructing formidable line-ups without his hefty price tag – we all must surely acknowledge the risk involved in that strategy.
With many captaincy calls (triple or otherwise) set to ride on the Chilean, the potential damage he could inflict over successive double Gameweeks presents a convincing argument.
And yet we also have to accept that such a dilemma offers an opportunity for the brave to exploit.
Those trailing behind and seeking inspiration are presented with an obvious tactic at this point – omit Sanchez and strengthen across the squad in hope that he remains subdued.
It stings to shed a Spurs asset…
Rarely are we treated to a collection of attacking assets in a single side that offer the consistency currently provided by Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Christian Eriksen.
Under normal circumstances, it would be a welcome scenario. But at a time when our budgets are stretched by the clamour to cover double Gameweek assets, the riches provided by Mauricio Pochettino’s attack become an unlikely problem.
Losing one of that trio in order to make way for Eden Hazard and Alexis Sanchez presents a painful decision. And with the aforementioned Jesus, Sane and Gabbiadini also key considerations, it seems we could be forced into deploying a four-man midfield for Gameweek 36 prior to the Bench Boost a week later.
That makes Alli and Eriksen the candidates to be shown the door, although line-ups without Kane in attack are also being discussed.
As it stands, Eriksen’s ownership continues to grow, while Alli’s threatens to stall. The extra funds liberated by the England midfielder’s sale seems to be persuading the majority to select Alli as their Spurs sacrifice.
…unless it’s Kyle Walker
Ironically, at a time when we’re freeing up a spare Spurs slot, perhaps to make way for renewed defensive investment, the previous hot property in Pochettino’s backline appears locked in a steep decline.
Previously found in 1.62 million FPL squads, Kyle Walker’s ownership has taken a dent following a run that has seen him benched in three of his last six Gameweeks.
Saturday’s north London derby provided the latest setback, with Kieran Trippier favoured at right-back against Arsenal.
The presumption that Walker was first choice and Trippier his understudy can no longer be entertained and, amid chatter on Walker’s future at the club, there are now big concerns surrounding his remaining pitch-time.
Sales have accelerated, leaving Fantasy managers looking elsewhere in the Spurs rearguard for solutions for the approaching double Gameweek. With one of Alli or Eriksen perhaps making way in midfield, we have Jan Vertonghen earmarked as our current weapon of choice in a defence that has kept 17 clean sheets to this point.
We should cherish King while we can..
We started the season lamenting the lack of explosive value options but, finally, in the shape of Josh King, we have been spoiled.
His winner at Sunderland on Saturday continued an extraordinary run of 12 goals from his last 14 Gameweeks. Accompanied by an assist and 13 bonus points, the Bournemouth midfielder has treated us to a rate of return that far exceeds his modest price tag.
It is testament to his credentials as an asset that, even when considering a cast of double Gameweek assets, King remains a key attraction – he’s placed third for transfers-in ahead of Gameweek 36.
The value he offers in an expansive and entertaining Bournemouth side simply cannot be ignored and, with three matches to go, should be nurtured.
King will doubtless be re-classifed as a forward next season, with his cost hiked well into the mid-price bracket. Hopefully, care will be taken not to kill him off completely as an option but, at the same time, we will surely never see King in this guise again.
