As part of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) early-season tradition, managers are deciding to buy and sell a lot of players in the build-up to Gameweek 4.
Based on form, injuries, suspensions and upcoming fixtures, these individuals are frantically being switched around.
Above: As of Thursday afternoon, the most bought (left) and most sold (right) players heading into Gameweek 4
But whether it’s a good idea or not is a different matter.
Looking at this week’s most popular ins and outs, let’s pick out a couple of players who are good to buy, keep and sell in preparation for Gameweek 4.
Jack Grealish (£6.7m)
So, the loan move attempting to rejuvenate Grealish’s career is off to a great start. Everton’s playmaker has four assists from two starts, sparking a transfer rush that has seen him rise twice in price.
Three of the Toffees’ next four league games are at their new home, beginning against the 29-year-old’s boyhood club, Aston Villa.
Now that Ismaila Sarr (£6.5m) is injured, it can be claimed that Grealish and teammate Iliman Ndiaye (£6.5m) are the only appealing FPL midfielders priced between £6.0m and £7.0m. A duo that Mohammed Kudus‘ (£6.6m) owners might soon look towards.
VERDICT: BUY
Marcos Senesi (£4.6m)
Meanwhile, an early December hamstring injury for Senesi gave Dean Huijsen an opportunity in Bournemouth’s starting XI – one grasped with both hands.
As a result, the recovered Senesi couldn’t get back into such a strong backline, despite bagging four goals and five assists in 2023/24. Therefore, now that the Cherries’ defence has been picked apart by Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool, the Argentinian is in favour again.
In fact, not only has the team kept consecutive clean sheets, but Senesi is only of only four players to pick up defensive contribution (DefCon) points in all three matches so far. He’s comfortably exceeded 10 DefCon actions each time, sitting alongside Virgil van Dijk (£6.0m) on 43 of them.
Senesi is a useful asset for Bournemouth’s nice-looking fixture run.
VERDICT: BUY
Ollie Watkins (£8.9m)
Without doubt, it’s been a frustrating start for both Watkins and his FPL owners. He’s been unable to score from eight shots inside the box (joint-third), two big chances and 1.10 expected goals (xG).
The Aston Villa forward is without any attacking returns, playing in the only team that’s yet to find the net.
However, after visiting Everton, they’re against Sunderland, Fulham and Burnley – a run that’s hard to resist. Introducing Harvey Elliott (£5.4m) and Jadon Sancho (£5.9m) into proceedings should help, too.
Gameweek 8 could then be a smart time to turn Watkins into similarly-priced Viktor Gyokeres (£9.0m).
VERDICT: KEEP
Cole Palmer (£10.4m)
Chelsea’s star player pulled out of Gameweek 2’s warmup and hasn’t played since. Without an update on whether Palmer will make the Brentford clash, another 668,000 have said goodbye, following an initial three million sales.
Even so, if you’ve kept him through Gameweek 3, it may be worth holding a bit longer. Certainly until Enzo Maresca’s pre-match press conference.
And if Palmer starts, you’ll have an explosive differential who soon faces Brighton and Hove Albion at home. Last year, in the exact same Gameweek 6 encounter, Palmer scored four times past the Seagulls.
VERDICT: KEEP
Matheus Cunha (£8.1m)
As for sales, Cunha was a popular purchase before facing Burnley at home, even though he’d blanked in Gameweeks 1 and 2. Now there’s Gameweek 3 to add, though it’s not his fault – a hamstring injury took place before the half-hour mark.
Manchester United’s attacking midfielder recently assured supporters on social media by saying he’s not in a bad way.
“What an incredible environment, it’s great to be here. I’ll be back soon, always with joy and gratitude. Thanks for all the messages.” – Matheus Cunha, on Instragram
Nobody beats Cunha’s five big chances up to now, and he was seen post-match without either crutches or a leg brace.
But he had to pull out of the Brazil squad, and up next domestically is a trip to Manchester City.
VERDICT: SELL
Rayan Cherki (£6.5m)
Definitely out of that derby is Cherki, who Man City signed from Lyon for an initial £30m.
While he scored past Wolverhampton Wanderers in Gameweek 1, it came during a 17-minute cameo. His start versus Tottenham Hotspur failed to reach the hour mark before a torn quadricep injury denied him a Gameweek 3.
“He’s out for two months. Seven or eight weeks.” – Pep Guardiola on Rayan Cherki
It’s bad enough to force his recent 919,000 ownership to sell en masse.
VERDICT: SELL
Do you agree or disagree with these conclusions? Feel free to leave a comment below about who to buy or sell before Gameweek 4.
