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Pro Pundits September 7

FPL Q&A: Time to sell Salah and ditch ‘big at the back’?

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Throughout the 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season, our team of Pro Pundits, Hall of Famers and guest contributors will be appearing regularly on these pages to share their thoughts.

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Here, four-time top 5k finisher Az takes some FPL questions ahead of Gameweek 7.

Gameweek 7 Pro Pundit Article

Hello, hello, everyone! I thought I’d take a look at some of the pressing questions from the Fantasy community today. Anything that takes my mind off Graham Potter’s seemingly imminent departure to Chelsea…

Q. Should we sell Mohamed Salah? (Mozumbus, @FPL_Edmund, @SamFox885)

FPL Gameweek 7 hot topics: Salah's form, Leicester's defence, three up top

There’s no doubt that since Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) came back from the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), his FPL output has been on the decline. From Gameweeks 1-21 last season, Salah was averaging 8.8 points a game with an average non-penalty xG (NPxG) of 0.6 and an expected assist (xA) tally of 0.2.

Upon his return, there were minor changes to both his NPxG (which fell to 0.5) and xA (which increased to 0.3). However, the points were harder to come by – dropping to an average of 6.2 points a game.

This season, despite a shake-up in the attack for Liverpool, we expected Salah to get back to the heights of the start of last season. Things got off to a good start, with 14 points against Fulham in Gameweek 1. However, since then, things just haven’t been dropping for the Egyptian King.

An average NPxG of 0.4 is the lowest it’s ever been, and while his xA is up to 0.3, Salah is only averaging 5.2 points a game – a far cry from his highs of 7.8 points a match in 2020/21 or 7.3 in 2019/20.

The biggest worry is perhaps his decline from being a reliable captain option to someone who has blanked more times than returned in the last five games.

 

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Haaland Foden


Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

855 Comments Post a Comment
  1. banskt
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Think I will sell Sanchez this week (although he plays against Bournemouth) so that I don't waste one of my 2FTs. Team after that change will be:

    Pope
    Cancelo | Trippier | Saliba
    KDB | Sterling | Martinelli | Gross
    Haaland | Jesus | Toney

    (Ward, Struijk, Neco, Andersen)
    1FT, 1.4m in the bank

    GTG? Plan is to play a mini WC (3 transfers) next week to buy Kane, Mitrovic, 8.0m mid (sell Jesus, Toney, KDB).

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  2. Casualspotted
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Think Im selling Diaz. Three games in row he played 90 minutes. Time for rest. Wanted Trossard but BHA has blank. Dont like Rashford vs Palace

    Any suggestions?

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    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bowen has 3 home games in next 4.

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      1. Casualspotted
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I will WC in GW 9

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        1. banskt
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Still, he plays against NEW, eve in GW7 and 8. Definitely nice fixtures if you are looking for a punt. Just a suggestion.

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    2. AD105
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Did look v good though, surely Klopp has to start him Saturday, though I’d imagine he’ll only get 70 mins depending on the scoreline - looks more threatening than Mo atm

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      1. Casualspotted
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Yup but i want to make transfer. Have two and cant see anyone else to sell. Diaz is closest

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    3. JabbaWookiee
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Also clueless as to who to bring in. Got 2FTs and an injured Rodrigo stinking up my team but only 6.2m for a replacement unless I get rid of someone like Jesus, Cancelo Trent or Salah which I don’t think I’ve got the kahunas to do. Tough one.

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    4. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Jota is far off the pace. Diaz is super fit. He will start.

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    5. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I think he’ll play, he’s liverpools Bruno Fernandez. Proper grafter.

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  3. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    If I WC gw8...is there anything worth a 1 week FT here? 1.2m ITB.

    Sanchez
    TAA James Cancelo Saliba
    Salah Diaz Martinelli Gross
    Haaland Jesus

    Ward Neco Andreas Archer

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    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      For 1 week, think you could attack the defense of Everton, Forest, Bournemouth, Villa or Leicester. Therefore, some attacker from Leeds, Arsenal or Leicester. You already have 3 Arsenal. How about Maddison as a fixture-based punt?

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    2. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Cancelo to Chilwell if you feel brave enough.

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    3. maglia rosa
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Sinisterra maybe 🙂

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  4. Pepeye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    The only Liverpool player worthy o a place is Diaz, the rest played like bin bags tonight

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    1. Klopp's Kids
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      attacking wise he's the only one playing well. every other player not worth it for value

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    2. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Bar Allison saved a pen.

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  5. Klopp's Kids
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Salah to KDB or Diaz to Bowen tempting next week.

    Diaz unlucky not to have more points.

    Wildcarding soon for sure though. Maybe over international break...

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  6. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    111 pts in UCL fantasy. Cant even muster half of that in FPL this season

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    1. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Well feels good. Little victory’s are the best.

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    2. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      *done.

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  7. OptimusBlack
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    If you have TAA Salah & Diaz
    Who to Keep ?

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    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Diaz

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    2. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      If you have them three keep all of them no way klopps gonna run of into the night. Unless he punches rush in the face.

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    3. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Klopps not German or is he ?

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  8. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Two possible lineups with Matip and Thiago back plus Melo available. Robbo and Trent are looking better. Fabinho, Milner and Gomez were an absolute car crash. VVD also at fault for the f'ups. Matip was the standout defender in the 2nd half. Lead by example. Salah had chances again so who knows how he gets on vs Wolves.

    ------------Allison
    Trent Matip VVD Robbo
    Melo Thiago Fabinho
    Salah Firmino Diaz

    Or

    ------------Allison
    Trent Matip VVD Robbo
    ---------Melo Thiago
    ---Salah Firmino Diaz
    ---------------Nunez

    Full strength now. Time to turn the sh*teshow around vs Wolves.

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    1. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Don’t know why matip didn’t start, probs tolled Klop he wasn’t 100%.

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      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Because Matip just returned from injury.

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    2. Hits from the Bong
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      No Elliot, the Salah stifler?

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  9. GoonerSteve
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    On Wildcard already and current team is:

    Reya
    Trent, Cancelo, James
    Salah, Martinelli, Rashford, Groß,
    Haaland, Jesus, Toney

    Iversen. Andreas, Neco, Patterson.

    0itb.

    It's all very uninspiring and template, so I'd welcome feedback on what changes you fine folk would make.

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    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I would say it is sensible going with Salah but at this point Diaz looks like the mid to own. At least you can switch to Diaz.

      Salah's role has completely changed in the team.

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      1. GoonerSteve
        • 14 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        What are your thoughts on James? I would like to get Trippier in but not sure how.

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        1. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I have James. Would rather have him than not.

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  10. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Who to sell to get Trippier?
    A) Rico Henry
    B) Estupinan
    C) Neco Williams

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    1. EugeMurts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

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    2. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

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    3. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Unusual that you have all 3 .

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    4. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A

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  11. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    So much for my planned triple Brighton dead-end team until WC GW9, thanks industrial action. Really don't want to WC GW8 but I don't fancy Ward in goal and having no bench:

    GW7
    Sánchez
    TAA | Cancelo | James
    Salah | Martinelli | Groß | Mac Allister
    Haaland | Jesus | Toney

    Ward Saliba Walker* Andreas 0FT 0M

    GW8
    Ward(tot)
    TAA | Cancelo | James | Saliba
    Salah | Martinelli | Andreas
    Haaland | Jesus | Toney

    Bench: Walker* 1FT 0M
    Unavailable: Sánchez Groß Mac-Allister

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    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I would hate to start Andreas each week. As it is, he is being subbed off now.

      77, 78, 60 in his last 3.

      He just isn't that good.

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  12. Casualspotted
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Martinelli C anyone?

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    1. Gandalf
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Definitely not

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      1. Casualspotted
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Why?

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        1. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Low ceiling, and better options available

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    2. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I like it

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  13. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Do we think Richarlson has earned the starting spot now?

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    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Conte is in full rotation mode now. Kane the only attacking asset which you can guarantee to start.

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  14. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Sanchez
    TAA Gabriel Cucu Walker
    Salah Martinelli Groß
    Haaland Kane Jesus

    Neco Andreas Neco Reid

    Which do you prefer?

    1. Walker to Dalot and keep all options open (WC8, WC9, later WC)

    2. Commit to WC8 (Brighton issues) and Kane + Walker > Mitrovic + Cancelo to catch some price rises and improve team for current GW

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  15. PScholes18
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Considering Salah & KDH to two of Sterling, Rashford and Bowen.

    Liverpool getting players back, but was abysmal last night.

    Which move would you do?

    Will have 18.2 ITB for the two transfers.

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    1. keyslamma
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I personally am on Sterling and Bowen, but I've WC this week so I guess it depends on the rest of your setup. Bowen and Sterling have a great run of fixtures and are both guaranteed. Rashy could potentially lose spot to Martial soon or at least have his minutes shared. Plus they play City in 3 games. Depends how far ahead you look but I think Bowen and Sterling are nice picks especially if like me you are 104pts behind in your mini league lol.

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  16. tallboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    "going forward" looks even more stupid when it is written down that when it gets said all the time, it's like you have a quota to meet!
    Unless you have mastered time travel, everything you talk about is already in the future, so saying going forward continually is redundant.
    Save it for when you are talking about a player moving into attack, going forward.....although if you are suggesting it might happen I suppose you think "going forward going forward" makes sense..

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    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I'll make sure Az does less of this going forward

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  17. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Should I lose Gundo ahead of Spurs or save FT? I have 3 Brighton so will need to lose two of those GW9, so that would be a -4 if I use a FT this week.

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