Three-time top 5k finisher Az reveals his current Gameweek 9 plans in his latest Pro Pundits column.
So after my article last week, Iโm back to give my thoughts about the, quite frankly, chaotic international break and what it means for my own team going forward.
Iโm writing this on Tuesday evening and I currently have three โflagsโ in my team: Ben Chilwell (ยฃ6.0m), Mohamed Salah (ยฃ12.3m) and Tyrick Mitchell (ยฃ4.1m). This could all change in the next few days but Iโm feeling quite lucky, as I know plenty of managers have the likes of Raheem Sterling (ยฃ11.5m), Marcus Rashford (ยฃ9.6m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (ยฃ7.3m) and even Andrew Robertson (ยฃ7.1m) and are sweating on their fitness and availability for the weekend.
Itโs a difficult time, and if youโve made early moves, donโt beat yourself up. While it is generally advisable to wait as long as possible to gather as much information as you can, sometimes price fluctuations mean that you have to take a risk to avoid being โlocked outโ of the moves that you want to make.
In the October international break, I made some early moves that made me a tidy profit of ยฃ0.6m on my team value. Okay, it meant that I had to play the Wildcard the same week when issues started to arise, but I still think that it was an acceptable risk for that kind of team value. It was only the late injury to Kevin De Bruyne (ยฃ11.5m) that really forced my hand, and without that, Iโd probably still have it in my pocket.
Those without Wildcards or even Free Hits need to factor this into their decision making, but as always, sometimes the early moves can pay off and set you up nicely for the weeks ahead. I cannot say I wouldnโt have moved early to dump the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Callum Wilson (ยฃ6.6m), Mitchell or Danny Ings (ยฃ8.3m), who we are all fairly sure arenโt going to make miraculous recoveries for the next Gameweek.
Armed with only one free transfer this week, I have shown patience over the international break. In my previous article, I talked up the upcoming potential of the likes of De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes (ยฃ10.6m) but have yet to make an official move for either player.
Salahโs fitness status is weighing on my mind.
