Team News
31 December 2021 940 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
Share:

We’ve got the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news information in our second press conference summary ahead of Double Gameweek 21.

A dozen top-flight managers faced the media on Friday, with the conference calls of Ralph Hasenhuttl and Eddie Howe not staged due to the postponement of Southampton v Newcastle United.

You catch the headline updates from Thursday’s pressers – featuring Leicester City, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United via this link here.

For much more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page (which is being refreshed on Friday evening) and Injuries and Bans feed.

Az and Neale’s video round-up is below, meanwhile:

And for other help and advice, from our weekly Scout Picks to team reveals, head to our complete Gameweek 21 guide here.

LIVERPOOL

FPL managers will be slightly concerned by Jurgen Klopp’s comments on his squad’s Covid situation.

“We have three new Covid cases in the team and a few more in the staff. I’m not [able to tell you who] because we still have to make the whole processes, get a proper PCR, all these kind of things. You will see the day after tomorrow on the teamsheet, it’s pretty clear then who is affected or infected.”

There’s no word yet on the identities of these new cases, although Alisson and Roberto Firmino were absent from training on Thursday. The third player in question tested positive on Friday morning.

Andrew Robertson will be serving the third and final match of his suspension, meanwhile.

Nathaniel Phillips (cheekbone), Adrian (calf), Divock Origi (knee) and Harvey Elliott (ankle) are known injuries but Klopp also added Takumi Minamino (muscle) and Thiago (hip) to the list.

“I would say Taki [Minamino] is probably closer, he’s running outside. Thiago, not yet. That means for him it might take a little longer. It’s a hip issue and we don’t have an idea where it’s coming from.”

CHELSEA

Reece James‘ hamstring injury was being scanned on Friday, with media reporrts suggesting it is a tear that will keep him out for up to two months.

Thomas Tuchel also confirmed that the left-sided Ben Chilwell won’t return from his knee injury this season.

“With Reece [James], he has a hamstring injury. Like always with muscle injuries, the exam is a bit later because the images are better if you wait a bit. The images will be later today, I guess, then we will know more about it.”

Andreas Christensen also left Wednesday night’s match early, this time due to a lower back issue. The fourth defender to succumb to injury is Thiago Silva (hamstring), although he and Timo Werner (Covid) were pictured back in training on Friday.

Doubts remain over Ruben Loftus-Cheek (ankle), meanwhile.

ARSENAL

Takehiro Tomiyasu, Pablo Mari, Cedric Soares, Calum Chambers and Albert Sambi Lokonga all missed the Gameweek 19 win at Norwich City because of Covid but Mikel Arteta doesn’t have any more cases to report.

“The rest of the squad is in a good place, we tested the players and we don’t have any other news than the ones we had before.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, serving an internal club suspension, has been granted permission to join the Gabon AFCON squad early, whilst Sead Kolasinac (ankle) remains out for the foreseeable future.

LEEDS UNITED

Marcelo Bielsa was able to deliver both good and bad news, with Kalvin Phillips (hamstring) and Liam Cooper (hamstring) out until March but names like Daniel James (hip), Diego Llorente (illness), Jack Harrison (hip) and Junior Firpo (suspension) declared available for the six-pointer against Burnley.

Patrick Bamford is back from his own hamstring problem – the one that recurred when scoring his comeback goal against Brentford – but there is a match fitness issue that Bielsa intends to control. Jamie Shackleton (achilles), Rodrigo (heel), Charlie Cresswell (shoulder) and Pascal Struijk (knee) remain out.

“This is the fourth week since Patrick’s [Bamford] injury. Patrick is healthy but he hasn’t played for four weeks now. That puts into doubt the convenience of him playing without having done any football training sessions. Phillips and Cooper will return in March. Shackleton and Cresswell will come back towards the end of January or beginning of February.”

ASTON VILLA

Several Covid victims were able to play last time out in Gameweek 19 like Morgan Sanson and Anwar El Ghazi, as Bertrand Traore made his return from a thigh injury.

This time, it’s just the ongoing problems of Leon Bailey (muscle) and Marvelous Nakamba (knee) alongside Tyrone Mings‘ suspension for receiving his fifth yellow card of the season. A late call will be made on Ashley Young (toe).

“Bailey will still be missing, and Nakamba. Young has got an outside chance, he has a little fracture in his toe, but he is pushing to be available. Other than that, we should have the whole group available, dependent on COVID testing.” – Steven Gerrard

WATFORD

Kiko Femenia (hamstring) has joined Danny Rose (knee), Ismaila Sarr (knee), Nicolas Nkoulou (hamstring), Peter Etebo (thigh) and Kwadwo Baah (ankle) on the Hornets’ injury list.

Tom Cleverley (hamstring) is available for the match against Tottenham, whilst Ben Foster (groin) began training outside this week and is ahead of schedule. Christian Kabasele (calf) is due to begin training with the squad again next week.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Assistant manager Osian Roberts spoke to the press in the absence of Patrick Vieira, who is recovering after testing positive for Covid. He was unable to give clarity on Conor Gallagher‘s illness, the one that caused him to miss the 3-0 win over Norwich City.

“It’s one we’re unsure of and we’re tackling it on a day to day basis. The rest of the group, we will see what today brings. Hopefully, we’ll have clarity later on this evening.” – assistant manager Osian Roberts

Joachim Andersen (muscle) could be available and Wilfried Zaha is free of suspension after his red card at Spurs. It’s too soon for James McArthur (hamstring) to return, however.

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

The recent recoveries of Danny Welbeck (hamstring), Joel Veltman (fatigue), Neal Maupay (Covid) and Pascal Gross (Covid) have greatly reduced the Seagulls’ injury list, with just Lewis Dunk (knee) and Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring) out. As for Leandro Trossard, there is optimism that he will recover from his slight hamstring issue.

“We’re hopeful he’ll be available.” – Graham Potter on Leandro Trossard

BURNLEY

Covid robbed Nick Pope, Kevin Long, Josh Brownhill and Jay Rodriguez of involvement at Old Trafford but all bar Brownhill could return at Leeds. Ashley Barnes (thigh) has “had a little minor setback” and Connor Roberts (illness) is making progress but is “not there yet”.

Maxwel Cornet (thigh) may be risked, considering his importance to the team and imminent post-match departure to AFCON.

“Kevin Long is back in after his Covid case and two others we’re waiting at the end of their Covid spell, so we’re hopeful that they come back in the next 24 hours. Josh Brownhill won’t because of the protocols. Ashley Barnes had a little minor setback so he’s still a bit of time away. Maxwel [Cornet] has made really good progress and has been on the grass today, so he comes back into the thinking. We’ll have to be careful and decide with him.” – Sean Dyche

BRENTFORD

Thomas Frank has ruled Rico Henry (hamstring) out of facing Aston Villa but labels Bryan Mbeumo (calf) as a vague “touch and go”. Kristoffer Ajer (hamstring), Vitaly Janelt (Covid) and Dominic Thompson (ankle) may make the bench on Sunday but it’s too soon for names like David Raya (knee), Mathias ‘Zanka’ Jorgensen (hamstring), Charlie Goode (hamstring) and Joshua Dasilva (hip).

The Bees can at least welcome back midfielder Christian Norgaard from suspension.

EVERTON

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (thigh) was due to make his return against Newcastle United, had the game not been called off. FPL managers will be excited to see him back, having scored in all three early-season matches before getting hurt. However, Rafael Benitez hasn’t yet decided how strongly to ease him back into action.

“The issue will be how long he can play if he starts the game or, if he comes from the bench, how much impact he can [have on] the game. We are considering all these things but he’s training well.”

Richarlison (calf), Andros Townsend (foot), Tom Davies (knee) and Yerry Mina (calf) remain unavailable, with nothing said on the status of Lucas Digne or Demarai Gray. Everton’s Boxing Day match was postponed because they only had nine outfield players available but Benitez wouldn’t be drawn into specifying any more than that.

“We had issues with Covid and these players that had problems are coming back. They have been training so we are much better. We cannot give names, we cannot give numbers.”

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Rayan Ait-Nouri (muscle) is about to join the squad for training but won’t make the clash against Manchester United. Also out are Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring), Willy Boly (calf), Pedro Neto (knee), Jonny (knee) and Yerson Mosquera (thigh), with a slight chance that Fabio Silva will be back from Covid to make an appearance.

FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

940 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Who would you have as first sub please?

    A....broja v Brentford but may not start

    B.....alonso v lpool

    Thanks

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Broja

    2. F4L
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Broja

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers....might need him if foden covid rumour true!

  2. Bobby Digital
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Foden 🙁

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What ?

      1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Covid rumour

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          FFS

          The twists and dramas of this season can't take it hahaha

          1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            It would be typical with him, he's gone on this weird cycle so often this season:

            - haul
            - few games where he blanks or doesn't appear at all
            - repeat

        2. HonestBlatter
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Source?

          1. Toonmad
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 7 months ago

            Came from ffsluke on twitter in a massive post about predicted li e up for citeh. Says he wouldn't say it if it wasn't what he heard from a reliable source. Seems like he wouldn't bs about it

    2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Hmmmmmm. Removes finger from keyboard halting Jesus out transfer …

      1. Lord of Ings
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Jesus isn’t starting unless City lose half their first team lol
        You can happily sell him.

        1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Oh he’s history by deadline for sure

    3. Totalfootball
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Source?

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Martinelli+Tierney >> Gray+Coufal a smart move? Gives me a hell of a headache though. Can’t do Martinelli to Gray in 1 move.

    DDG
    TAA. Cancelo. Reguilón
    Son. Jota. Foden. Bowen
    Ronaldo. Antonio. Broja
    (Foster, Dalot, Tierney, Martinelli)

  4. Carlton P
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    James + Hwang to Johnson + Antonio -4?? Worth it

  5. Old Bull
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Can someone please update me as to where we are at with the DGW situation.

    1. marcos11
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Double this week for Everton, West Ham and Brentford

      1. Old Bull
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, but I’m wondering what the likelihood of more being added tomorrow is. I’m guessing it’s unlikely.

        1. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Slim. But this season ….

  6. Kodap
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What would be my best moves here? Little bit stuck & out of the loop with DGW’s etc. Got 1.5m in the bank & 1FT.

    Lloris
    TAA - James - Lamptey - Cancelo
    Son - KDB - Bilva - Jota
    Antonio - Broja

    Bachmann - Dennis - Rudiger - ESR

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bilva to Bowen

      1. Kodap
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yep, I need to shift James too. Happy taking a -4 who’s the best James replacement?

  7. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone know if foden gone down to London to try to work out if has COvid ? Although guess could have tested whilst in hotel

  8. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    NOOOO BETTY WHITE IS DEAD

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Sad

    2. Lieutenant Frank Columbo
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Last woman standing. RIP. Thank you for being a friend.

  9. tristanabc
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Good to go (if Foden Covid rumours are true I'll swap to Gray (-4))?

    De Gea
    Keane Cancelo TAA
    Bowen(C) Salah Jota Moura Foden
    Antonio Watkins

    4.0 Dennis Walker Livra

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd keep foden. If he has covid he will hopefully be back for 22

  10. Lord of Ings
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I hope we get early news on Foden.

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Can’t see pep saying anything

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
        4 years, 7 months ago

        More than you believe

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          We cannot replace him, we cannot

  11. F4L
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Would risk it with DCL on WC?

    1. Tabasco
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Aye

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        cheers

    2. ZTF
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Personally no. Gray is a good way into them for these fixtures, low price & almost fully fit.

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        yeah defo getting Gray

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Reckon hell play both games ?

    3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He has barely kicked a ball in months. Not for me mate

      1. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        fair assessment 😀

  12. ZTF
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Start 1

    A) Jota (CHE A)
    B) B.Silva (ARS A)

    1. Matjes_taet
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A

  13. Matjes_taet
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Fabianski or Pickford in for Ramsdale?

    1. Tabasco
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Is that for free? Fabianski if so

      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

  14. oi no professionals
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Shall I bring in Big Ron or DCL?

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not DCL

  15. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Better combo this week

    A. Ben Johnson and Bernardo
    B. Reguilon and Gray

    Thanks

    1. Matjes_taet
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. Tabasco
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

  16. House Frey Wedding Planner
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Just done Bernardo to Bowen.

    James to Keane for a -4 a good move? Alternatively can do James to Robertson and one other transfer for a -4 in dgw22 but will lose value on James by holding him.

    DDG
    TAA, Cancelo, Johnson
    Son, Bowen, Jota, Foden
    Kane, Watkins, Broja

    Foster, James, Alonso, Luiz

  17. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Foden covid. Ffs… Shewt me already!

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Source?

      1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Don't bite

        1. FPL_Crisis
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Damn Luke is pretty good. Enough to remove him over Bilva for Bowen. Decent break til gw22 too

  18. Slitherene
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bench order G2G?

    Sanchez ¦ Steele
    TAA Cancelo Dawson Cash
    Foden Gray Bowen
    Ronaldo Kane DC-L
    ¦ Gallagher Livramento Martinelli

  19. Weeb Kakashi
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Guaita
    TAA Cancelo Dias
    Son Foden Jota Bowen Rashford
    Antonio King

    Alonso Reece

    Rashford Reece> Coufal Gray (-4)?

  20. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    James* > Jansson for free anybody?

    TAA Cancelo Coady Rudiger James*

  21. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I can't believe I will need to set my alarm clock on new year's Day because of fantasy football hahaha

  22. Not again Shirley
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Gündogan or Raph on WC?

  23. sp1122
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bit of a weird one, but interested in people thoughts:

    Play one of:
    A) Allan (double game week)
    B) King v spurs
    C) Borja v Brentford
    D) White v man city

    Draw to Allan is the double, but he will probably just get 2pts or less per game.

    1. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Allan is a 4 pointer
      King could score, but Spurs look solid
      Broja may not start
      Arsenal could keep Man City out

      I always favour the attacker in these circumstances, so I would play King

      1. sp1122
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks, good logic.

        Almost seems allan is one of the bottom options despite the double!

    2. JoJoRed
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Broja

  24. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which one of Bilva or Foden goes for Bowen?

    Is it just Twitter rumours to start the year on Foden covid or it’s confirmed?
    Guess with the winter break any player now should probably only miss this weekends matches right…

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Foden just rumoured.

      But from a sensible and reliable person who wouldn't tweet it if it wasn't without substance

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Would you remove him if so?

        1. Flynny
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Not me. He should be back for the next league game

  25. Redranger
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Salah & Broja > Son & Dennis for -4? Means I’ll have 11 playing

  26. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Both these moves for a -8?
    - Gerhardt > Antonio
    - Saka > Gray

    Hedging bets since in this case I'll bench King (have Regulion) & drop Saka (have Cancelo). If it pays off, a decent swing.

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think you should do that

  27. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Don't really to - but see no other option than - 8 to ensure I have Antonio.

    Thoughts on:

    James, esr and king to coufal grey and Antonio- 8?

    Ddg (Ramsdale)
    Taa cancelo alonso (James livra)
    Son foden jota bowen (esr)
    Ronaldo king broja

    1. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Similar as my thoughts. Sure you want to tripple up on WH?

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Not hugely

        Good news is they have Leeds in gw22

        Only have 4.8m for the defender.....no everton options....only thing I can think of is targett or bavies / dier

        1. Aeu96197
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          I think I’m going with the same WHU three. I’ve same Coufal/Johnson/Dier/Bavies issue as well, but I’m going to go with Coufal I think. It’s such a good double for them, I’m going to try and hit it.

          If you can bench him in 23, they’ve great fixtures all the way to 26/27 as well

  28. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Foden, Broja and James -> Gray, Antonio and Keane (-8)?

    Will have a bench of Dalot, ESR and King.

    1. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Terrible idea.v

      1. FPLtfs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Ah, ok. Any reason?

        1. Flynny
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Wouldn't lose foden

          Should only be out for 1 if covid

    2. Fpl_Ludwig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think it’s pretty good to be honest

      James out, Foden rumoured out with Covid

      Would consider Dawson over Keane if you don’t have him already

      But fair enough if you go Keane over him

  29. Garlana
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    No mentions of Dawson over coufal, fancy Dawson's chance at nicking a goal over coufal. Thoughts?

    1. Flynny
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'd go Dawson if I could afford - but i can't

  30. @FPL__Engineer
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Digne?

    1. WHUFCSmith23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not if you live FPL points