We will get the Gameweek 22 team news from at least 12 Premier League managers on Friday.
We say ‘at least’ because we may also get some updates from the four head coaches whose teams (Ipswich Town, Brighton and Hove Albion, Manchester United and Southampton) were in action on Thursday. It is known, for example, that Ruben Amorim and Ivan Juric recorded embargoed Gameweek 22 sections at the end of their post-match pressers last night.
As ever, we’ll bring you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) injury updates on this page.
This is a ‘live’ article, so it’ll be updated as and when manager quotes become available – so keep refreshing for the latest news.
For the headlines from the four pressers held already, read our Thursday round-up here.
GAMEWEEK 22: FRIDAY’S KEY TEAM NEWS UPDATES
- Chelsea: Palmer among four new doubts, Maresca on James, Chalobah available
- Liverpool: Jota concern, Diaz illness, Darwin back from suspension
- Manchester City: Pep to assess players with “problems” – Haaland could be one
- Arsenal: Arteta non-committal on Calafiori, five others still out
- Tottenham Hotspur: Johnson + Bissouma doubts, Werner out for 3-4 weeks
- Newcastle United: Schar still a doubt, Pope latest, no fresh concerns
- Aston Villa: Malen available, Duran avoids additional ban
- Crystal Palace: Sarr a minor doubt, Lerma out
- Wolverhampton Wanderers: Cunha has flu, Toti a week away
- Manchester United: Dalot available again, four still out
- Bournemouth: Kepa available again, no injured players returning
- Everton: Garner back in training but McNeil among five still sidelined
- Nottingham Forest: Nuno discusses fatigue, Forest almost injury free
GAMEWEEK 22: FRIDAY’S PRESS CONFERENCE TIMES
Friday’s #FPL Press Conferences
Iraola – 9am
Slot – 9.15am
Howe – 9.30am
Guardiola – 12.30pm
Postecoglou – 1pm
Maresca – 1pm
Arteta – 1pm
Glasner – 1.30pm
Nuno – 1.30pm
Pereira – 1.30pm
Moyes – 1.30pm
Emery – 2pm pic.twitter.com/uYWVv6YGto
— Fantasy Football Scout (@FFScout) January 17, 2025
CHELSEA
Enzo Maresca dropped a bombshell injury update on Friday, which might influence the Gameweek 22 captaincy debate.
Romeo Lavia, Enzo Fernandez, Levi Colwill and, more pertinent to FPL, Cole Palmer are all concerns for Monday’s clash with Wolverhampton Wanderers.
“We have Cole who is not in the session today. Levi was not in the session today. Enzo was not in the session today. Romeo was not in the session today. We have three or four players who are doubts for Monday’s game because of the last game, they had some problems.
“Cole, first half they kick him. He didn’t train today, we don’t know if he’s going to train tomorrow or in two days. The same situation for Enzo, Romeo and Levi.” – Enzo Maresca
Reece James got through his Gameweek 21 cameo unscathed but Chelsea will continue to monitor the defender.
“For Reece, it’s not about if he scores goals or how many minutes, it’s just to manage a little bit his situation. So, we’re going to see. For sure if he can play 45 minutes [as he did in the cup last week] that means he can be ready but what we don’t want is an injury again. Since we start we are trying to help him and we are going to do exactly the same in this moment.” – Enzo Maresca on Reece James
Wesley Fofana (hamstring), Benoit Badiashile (unknown) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspended) remain sidelined.
Doubts remain about Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (unknown), who is pretty much surplus to requirements anyway.
LIVERPOOL
Arne Slot says the Reds will assess the fitness of Diogo Jota ahead of Saturday’s trip to Brentford.
The forward reported some discomfort after his goalscoring cameo performance at Nottingham Forest in midweek and will be checked by the Reds’ medical team.
“There is no doubt about the fact that Jota is an important player for us but he wasn’t, like you said, on the training ground yesterday so that means we have to see today where he is.
“So, it is not sure that he will be available for tomorrow. We have to wait and see today.
“He felt a little bit when he came in [at Forest], a little niggle during the half-hour he came in. He could finish the game but afterwards he complained a bit about it and that’s why he didn’t train yesterday.
“We have to wait and see if he is available today and then, of course, tomorrow.” – Arne Slot
Slot was also asked whether the slightly injury-prone attacker is on a specific training programme to try to maintain his fitness.
“Not because it’s Jota but I think every player has an individual programme. I said this last week I think as well, 80 or 90 per cent of [the time] they do the same but of course, every individual has things he wants to improve or to prevent him from getting certain injuries that he maybe had in the past.
“Of course, there is an eye on him doing some individual work to prevent him from getting injured but that is not only with him, that’s for all the others the same.
“There is a special programme for him, as there is for every single player – there is a special programme for every single player – but 80 or 90 per cent is for every player the same.” – Arne Slot
An absence for Jota would potentially be good news for Luis Diaz, then, although he first has to shake off an illness.
“I assume he is [fine], yeah. Yesterday he was not allowed [to train] because he had, I think it was, a bit of a sore throat but I assume he will be training with us today. I still have to hear this but we are expecting him to train with us today.” – Arne Slot on Luis Diaz
Slot’s third option through the middle, Darwin Nunez, returns from suspension here.
Joe Gomez (hamstring) remains out.
MANCHESTER CITY
In a press conference dominated by talk of Erling Haaland‘s lengthy new contract, there wasn’t much in the way of team news.
Pep Guardiola was, however, asked about Haaland being an injury doubt after – in a reporter’s words – going “down on his haunches” in the second half at Brentford.
“We’ll see, yesterday was a day off, we are now going to train – we will see. Some players finish with some problems, like every game, and we’ll see. ” – Pep Guardiola
Rodri (knee) is a long-term absentee, while Ruben Dias (muscle) and John Stones (foot) have been on the sidelines of late.
The trip to Ipswich Town very likely also comes too soon for Oscar Bobb (leg): the young winger has only just returned to training after missing the first five months of the season.
“No, I don’t think he’s [too far away]. Still he has a little bit doubts because it’s a long time. Training session by training session, he will be fine.” – Pep Guardiola on Oscar Bobb
We’re assuming Kyle Walker won’t be involved, having expressed a desire to move away from the club.
ARSENAL
Riccardo Calafiori (muscle) remains a doubt for Gameweek 22, with Mikel Arteta offering little of note when asked about the Italian defender.
“There are a few decisions to make this afternoon with the medical staff to understand whether they are in the best condition for this game or the next one. So, we’ll decide that.” – Mikel Arteta
Ethan Nwaneri (muscle), Bukayo Saka (hamstring), Ben White (knee), Takehiro Tomiyasu (knee) and Gabriel Jesus (knee) are all still out.
“Not so far, no.” – Mikel Arteta on whether any of his longer-term absentees are “close” to a return
TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR
Destiny Udogie (hamstring), Cristian Romero (hamstring), Micky van de Ven (hamstring), Wilson Odobert (hamstring), Guglielmo Vicario (ankle) and Rodrigo Bentancur (concussion) remain out for the Lilywhites.
We now finally have a timeline for Timo Werner, too: he’ll be out for 3-4 weeks after picking up a hamstring injury last weekend.
Yves Bissouma (knock) and Brennan Johnson (calf) are the newest concerns but Ben Davies (hamstring) could return.
Fraser Forster (illness) has also returned to training.
“There are a couple still sore from midweek. We’re just waiting on to see how… Brennan has a bit of a calf complaint and Biss is a bit sore as well. So, we’re just waiting to hear information on them.
“Coming back, Ben Davies should be involved.” – Ange Postecoglou
“He is back in training doing his first full training session sort of today and maybe the day before the last game. He is back in training.” – Ange Postecoglou on Fraser Forster
“At the moment, yes. We’ve obviously got some alternatives there with Djed and Archie able to play there. All of the guys at the back are doing a hell of a job for us considering our limited options. Hopefully, getting Benny back gives us another option and then Romero and Van de Ven but up until that point – for guys like Pedro, Archie and Radu and the main ones – they have to keep soldering on and doing a job.” – Ange Postecoglou on whether he has ‘no option but to keep starting Pedro Porro
NEWCASTLE UNITED
Fabian Schar will be assessed today after missing out in midweek with an illness.
“We’ll make a decision today. Fabby trained yesterday but was not 100% himself in terms of his wellbeing. Nasty cough, I think he had a nasty illness, so we’ll see how he’s recovered today and then make a decision whether he’s fit enough to be involved.” – Eddie Howe on Fabian Schar
The return of Nick Pope (knee) is imminent, although the visit of Bournemouth likely comes too soon. A Gameweek 23 comeback is possible.
“I think tomorrow might be a little bit too early but certainly he’s going to be close for next week. He’s not trained with us yet but he’s certainly building up to that moment, we’re happy with where he is at and I think mentally he’s getting there, ready to play.” – Eddie Howe on Nick Pope
Harvey Barnes (thigh), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Callum Wilson (hamstring) remain on the sidelines for the Magpies.
Howe hinted that Newcastle have no fresh concerns for the clash with his former club.
“I think it’ll be pretty much the same squad.” – Eddie Howe
The ex-Bournemouth boss was also asked whether two starts in less than 72 hours would be too much for the newly fit-again Sven Botman.
“Yeah, of course, we monitor all the players. It’s a quick turnaround in games, it’s an early kick-off as well, so we lose a couple of hours there.
“So, we’ll try to make the right decisions for the team and for the squad and for the individuals.” – Eddie Howe
ASTON VILLA
Unai Emery said that new signing Donyell Malen “could be” involved tomorrow.
“He’s usually playing as a number seven and sometimes as a number 11 on the left side, while he can also play as a number ten.
“In the attacking third, he’s always close to getting into the opponent’s box to score goals and get assists. More goals than assists. We will need a player like him trying to threaten the opponent in behind.” – Unai Emery on Donyell Malen
In a further boost, Jhon Duran has avoided a further suspension despite admitting a Football Association charge of “acting in an improper manner” after being sent off against Newcastle United in December.
The Colombian striker has been with a fine instead.
John McGinn (hamstring), Ross Barkley (calf), Pau Torres (foot) and Diego Carlos (foot) look set to miss out again.
“Pau Torres is still being out, not available for tomorrow. John McGinn is starting to train on the field but not for tomorrow. Ross Barkley is still being out. Diego Carlos this morning, in the medical report, he’s not feeling good and I think he’s not going to be [available] for tomorrow as well.
“Hopefully the other players, we are going to train now, they can be there.” – Unai Emery
CRYSTAL PALACE
Crystal Palace will be without Jefferson Lerma for Saturday’s trip to West Ham United.
The Colombia international was forced off after 20 minutes of the Eagles’ 2-0 win over Leicester City, having struggled with illness.
The more widely owned Ismaila Sarr (hamstring) is also a minor concern.
“Jeff Lerma is not available tomorrow – he is sick – but all the others who played at Leicester look quite good.
“We’ve a little small question about Ismaïla Sarr. He’s suffering a little bit with tightness in his hamstring, but we will take the final decision tomorrow.
“But all the others are fine.” – Oliver Glasner
Matheus Franca (groin) has recently returned to the grass but remains well short of match fitness after a lengthy absence, while Adam Wharton (groin) remains out.
WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS
Having just returned from suspension and injury, Matheus Cunha is now ill.
The Brazilian striker missed training on Friday but Vitor Pereira said he could still feature against Chelsea, what with it being a Monday game.
“Today he was out of the training because he got, I think, a flu, he was a bit sick. I hope tomorrow that he will be on the pitch maybe. If he’s on the pitch training, there’s a possibility for him to play the next game.” – Vitor Pereira on Matheus Cunha
Elsewhere, Sasa Kalajdzic (knee), Yerson Mosquera (knee), Toti Gomes (hamstring) and Enso Gonzalez (knee) remain out but Boubacar Traore (knee) is back on the grass after a long-term lay-off.
Toti could return next week.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Diogo Dalot will return on Sunday, having missed the visit of Southampton through suspension.
As for the injury news, Ruben Amorim didn’t deliver any fresh updates in the Gameweek 22 section of Thursday’s presser.
Four players look set to miss out again, though: Jonny Evans, Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Victor Lindelof.
BOURNEMOUTH
Andoni Iraola confirmed that the Cherries would not get any of their injured players back this weekend.
Evanilson (foot), Enes Unal (knee), Adam Smith (muscle), Luis Sinisterra (hamstring), Alex Scott (knee), Julian Araujo (hamstring), Marcos Senesi (quad) and Marcus Tavernier (hamstring) are all still sidelined.
James Hill (hamstring) was added to the injury list in midweek.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is available, at least, having been ineligible to face parent club Chelsea in midweek.
“No, we are not going to recover anyone from the other day, no. It’s just three days, so no.” – Andoni Iraola
New loan signing Julio Soler is now at the South American U-20 Championship, so he too is unavailable.
EVERTON
Dwight McNeil (knee), Armando Broja (ankle), Youssef Chermiti (thigh), Seamus Coleman (muscle) and Tim Iroegbunam (foot) remain out for the Toffees.
James Garner (back) is back in training, however, after a long spell out.
“Jimmy is back on the pitch training but the others at the moment aren’t. We’re hoping that Dwight isn’t too far away but we’re just waiting for some more information really.
“Tim is still just about to get back into training as well now.
“Seamus just had a slight injury in training so [him and Chermiti] are a wee bit behind that, yeah.” – David Moyes
NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Long-term absentee Ibrahima Sangare (hamstring) is the only flagged Forest player at present.
“Assessing, assessing from the previous game. Danilo coming back. Ibrahim [Sangare] closer. Healthy squad, thank God.” – Nuno Espirito Santo on injuries
With injuries not really a concern, Nuno Espirito Santo addressed the issue of fatigue after a gruelling clash with Liverpool – although a Tuesday-Sunday turnaround really helps with the recovery.
“They were tired and they are recovering now, it was a very intense game but they are okay, they are okay. We play good, we compete very well. Now it’s a moment to recover. Many of them, in terms of distance and intensity, were higher than ever, so that says that we have to be careful and prepare the next one.
“The same dilemma as I have always. Every game, trying to figure out the best decisions and solutions for the game. We have almost every player available, a healthy squad, so the same – but I think in terms of time, we have time to recover well.” – Nuno Espirito Santo
2 months, 19 days agoSarr -> Eze (-4) is madness, right!