Pro Pundits

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

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. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Sanchez Ward
    TAA Cancelo Van Dijk Saliba Neco
    KDB Diaz Martinelli Andreas DaSilva
    Haaland Jesus Mitrovic

    2ft
    0itb

    A). Van Dijk and DaSilva to Dalot and Rashford and play 343 rotating Dalot and Saliba
    B). Van Dijk and Diaz to Dalot and Rashford, play 433 with the idea of swapping Jesus to Kane week after

    Basically its

    A). Dalot/Saliba, Diaz, Rashford Jesus
    B). Dalot, Saliba, Rashford, Kane

    Thanks

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A for me

    2. Not again Shirley
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not at all convinced of Kanes form and also his positioning as he still seems to play very deep. On fairness the Leicester game could be a decent one for him.

  2. Assisting the assister
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Ramsdale + Walker > Pope + James

    2FTs. exact money

    A. yes
    B. No

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Maybe just Walker -> James?

    2. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Interesting yep

  3. Joyce1998
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Milner is like watching my dad play Sunday league

    1. Kevin and Perry go
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

  4. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Even the commentator said " to no-one's surprise Milner is taken off"

  5. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    What a relief, player subbed off just after 60 mins.
    Watch and learn Mr.Klopp.

  6. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Liverpool are complete and utter trash.

  7. RICICLE
    • 1 Year
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Salah rested for Wolves, nice, parting gift hopefully before I bin!

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      *dropped, who rests someone for wolves lol

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        this

    2. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Yeah I would drop him for Wolves lol

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      If 3-0 up I would say rested for for Wolves but being 3 goals behind it's hauled off after a poor performance

    4. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Definitely "rested" for Wolves when chasing 3 goals in an away match in a Champions League group with Ajax and Napoli.

    5. RICICLE
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Wow so hostile these comments lol

  8. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Shocking free kick from Trent. Just woeful

  9. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Diaz/Archer -> Rashford/Mitrovic -4? Yay or nay?

    Sanchez
    TAA James Cancelo Saliba
    Salah Diaz Martinelli Gross
    Haaland Jesus

    Ward Neco Andreas Archer

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Nay.

      Diaz in form. And they play against Wolves on the weekend.

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Will Diaz start v wolves?

        1. banskt
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Unless they want to lose again, he has to start.

        2. DycheDycheBaby
          • 8 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Surely he has to. They are that bad at the moment and Diaz is the only shining light.

        3. _Ninja_
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Fair enough. Cheers

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Nah, Diaz the only light in this dismal display.
      Rashford confirmed fit?

      1. _Ninja_
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Cheers just not sure Diaz starts at the weekend as still on the pitch now. Not sure on Rashfords fitness.

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Diaz is fit lad, should be fine.

          1. g40steve
            • 6 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            The only one really causing problems going forward, plenty of problems full stop at the back!

  10. Aye
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    How has Salah played this evening?

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Didn't know he was playing...

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Who?

      1. Aye
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Great haha

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Garbage

    4. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Not like the Salah we are used to.. liverpool is falling apart

  11. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    The difficult 7th year

    1. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It’s when bands do a 7th album and go a bit experimental.

  12. PartyTime
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Lewandowski hat trick!

    1. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You called it!

      1. PartyTime
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        😎

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Told ya!

  13. winchester
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Have 2ft and 0,6m itb. Any advice here lads? need to downgrade one of taa or cancelo, if i want to bring in toney.

    sanchez
    taa cancelo james trippier
    salah diaz martinelli eze
    haaland jesus

    ward andreas neco greenwood

    1. Bluetiger1
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Look at possible Diaz or Salah for cash to utilise 2ft

    2. adam wigan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Trent out I think. Can get a playing 4 / 4.1 defender and upgrade fodder striker to Toney

      1. adam wigan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Although you’d expect liverpool to get a clean sheet against wolves. I’m planning Trent downgrade GW8, then getting Toney GW9 for his game against Bournemouth. You could do that and use the transfer this week to get Pope so you avoid the Brighton blank next week

  14. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Lewa cpt.
    This CL fantasy game is quite easy.

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Never in doubt 🙂

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm well over a hundred pts, too easy

  15. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    YEAHH.
    LEWANDOWWWSSSKKKKKKKKIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII (C)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    1. PartyTime
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      We feast!

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Left it on Haaland 😀

        1. PartyTime
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          😆

  16. FPL Emu
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Jota looks match fit now

  17. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Spurs struggling to score against a 10-man team consisting of Arsenal, Man U & Newcastle rejects

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Easy group for them. Saving the energy to keep knocking at the doors of an impenetrable defense on the weekend.

    2. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Timing!!!

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Whoever let Mane leave wants sacking what a horrendous decision!

  19. Valar(Keith)
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I'm someone who would just hold Salah blindly all season usually. Just admit even I'm getting a bit worried now

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I must admit*

    2. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Never doubt Salah.

    3. RICICLE
      • 1 Year
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Same, I’ve agreed that if he does nothing next game, or a bare minimum, then it’s get rid time

    4. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I’ve sold him on WC. I’m a big Salah advocate but there are problems at Liverpool. And he’s suffering.

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Richy

  21. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    RICHARLISON goal

  22. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Trent trots back like he doesn't care when napoli on a counter

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Too big for boots, believing the hype.

  23. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Salah to be 12.9m by this week's deadline

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      hold the back page.

      it does not matter so much when the premiums drop as by definition there's better options to play into.

  24. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Richarlison keeps his top on.

    Perisic assist but Spurs quiet alround.

  25. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    And a Perisic assist, absolutely unreal CL matchday!!!

  26. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Klopp doing a Tuchel.

    Wtf has happened to Liv.

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Liverpool peaked?

      I said that pre season but the Community Shield persuaded everyone they'd always be in contention.

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        The Community Shield was such a false positive -- I lost my WC because of that. I picked 3 Liverpool players and had to sell them after GW2.

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      They could get away with shambolic defending previously as the opponents were too busy defending from the lightning attacks, oh & Mane was the engine.

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        VVD was enormous as well. This year not so much.

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Good old days returned

  27. NotsoSpursy
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I have 2ft.

    A) Diaz ->Bailey
    Archer -> Mitro
    B) Do nothing and waste a transfer
    C) something better?

    Diaz v Wolves could be worth keeping for?

    Pope (Gazzaniga)*
    TAA - Cancelo - James - Trippier -Williams
    Martinelli - Salah - Díaz - Groß - Andreas
    Jesus - Haaland - Archer.

  28. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Spurs 2

  29. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    2 best 6.5M midfield punts this week? Looking at Trossard, Gross, Rashford, Sinisterra. Thoughts?? WC in 8 and 2FT this week. Best one week punts elsewhere?

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Target defenses of Forest, Everton, Villa, Liverpool.

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        *Leicester

  30. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Diaz rested at the weekend?

    1. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      No could see Salah being benched though

    2. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Possibly

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm thinking that way, rest this weekend ahead of Ajax and Chelsea games

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      yeah

      looks possible