Captain Sensible
11 September 2026 292 comments
FFScout Tom FFScout Tom
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With the Gameweek 4 deadline of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) fast approaching, it’s time to have a good think about who to captain.

With the two most-expensive players in the game, Erling Haaland (£15.5m) and Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m), facing each other on Sunday, the likes of Cole Palmer (£9.7m) and Joao Pedro (£7.7m) will come to the fore for Chelsea’s home clash against Hull City. The duo boast over 900,000 transfers in between them at the time of writing.

Who is the best Chelsea attacker? Should we be moving away from Messrs Haaland and Fernandes? Or does the answer lie in the form of Liverpool assets ahead of the Reds’ home match against a Fulham side struggling defensively?

That’s what we’re considering in this week’s ‘Captain Sensible’ article.

In this piece, we will assess the on-site captaincy poll, analyse myriad player and team statistics, consult the Rate My Team (RMT) points projections, and settle on a top three for the armband, ahead of Saturday’s 1.30pm BST deadline.


Captaincy Poll

In the closest Fantasy Football Scout captaincy poll of the season so far, Palmer holds the lead with 36.7% of the vote. Two goals, including a penalty, against Leeds United in midweek will no doubt have cemented the decision for some. Palmer has three attacking returns in three Gameweeks so far.

Joao Pedro sits second, with just 27.4% of the vote share ahead of the Blues’ home fixture against Hull on Saturday. While the hyper-engaged FFScout community may be leaning towards Palmer, expect the masses to favour the Brazilian, as Pedro is the highest-owned player in Fantasy.

Elsewhere, three other players have managed to garner more than 5% support: Haaland, Alexander Isak (£9.1m) and Morgan Rogers (£7.6m). The latter notched four assists after coming off the bench in the League Cup on Wednesday, while Haaland scored twice in the Champions League.


Player Stats – Gameweek 1



FFScout Tom <p>Deputy General Manager. Forever chasing the top 10K. Chelsea fan.&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

292 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Absolutely Muñozed
    • 1 Year
    1 hour, 40 mins ago

    hello Brothers
    on WC who from Hull would you pick
    1. Egan
    2. Ajayi
    3. Mendy

    1. Winnerr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      43 mins ago

      1

    2. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      39 mins ago

      Egan for DC even if they concede

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      33 mins ago

      Nobody. I’d get Bobby Thomas

    4. Dibble
      • 3 Years
      33 mins ago

      Mendy

    5. Rhodes your boat
      • 10 Years
      27 mins ago

      3

  2. Winnerr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    1 hour, 39 mins ago

    I want to play Wirtz this week but worried he played 90 midweek and Grav could easily come in and Dom to play 10...

    Any LFC fans thoughts? I know Grav been bad but surely due a game and Fulham good opportunity.

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      16 mins ago

      Not a Liverpool fan but I wouldn’t be too worried, we’ve not seen Wirtz benched yet and, whilst there’s a small chance he comes off early, he’s played 90 every game apart from the first one. I think the upside vs Fulham at home and his security of starting make him worth going for

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        16 mins ago

        He’s in my team and I’m keeping him work really any worries at all

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          13 mins ago

          *without really

  3. Ball Ake
    • 2 Years
    1 hour, 36 mins ago

    Palmer for me everyday of the week. The Ipcress File beats even the best Bond film.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 29 mins ago

      Condorman beats both!

      1. Ball Ake
        • 2 Years
        1 hour, 23 mins ago

        I made my Dad take me to watch that on holiday in Bournemouth in 1981 instead of For Your Eyes Only, the beginning of a succession of poor decisions on my part.

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          1 hour, 10 mins ago

          Tis a mistake I mineself made. Many others too I suspect!

  4. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    1 hour, 36 mins ago

    On WC for the 4th/5th defender slot would you go with an attacking player like Hall/Muhareovic for 5.1m or save cash and go with Egan/Ajayi who might make me 0.1m or two while sat on bench most weeks.

    Going with Hall at least gives me better bench options if there’s injuries elsewhere in squad.

    1. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      38 mins ago

      I'd go Hall, when you need to call on a bench player you want the best you can afford.

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        26 mins ago

        But it obviously restricts future transfers having less cash available

        1. Ball Ake
          • 2 Years
          18 mins ago

          True that, but I like to have at least one top player on my bench for emergencies.

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      32 mins ago

      I’d get a 4th defender above 4.0 and a fifth at 4.0, unless you want to play 4 at the back. Basically you don’t usually want to be in a situation where you’re playing a 4.0 defender frequently

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        10 mins ago

        I’ve got Cala and Konsa, Gvardiol, then DeCuyper, just the last slot to fill

        1. Bobby Digital
          • 9 Years
          6 mins ago

          Go for 4.0m then

        2. Rhodes your boat
          • 10 Years
          6 mins ago

          Would certainly fill it with a 4m decender unless you have BB left

  5. Fifa las vegas
    • 14 Years
    1 hour, 34 mins ago

    Interesting one on FH:
    A) Haaland, Odegaard, Szob
    B) Bruno, Saka, Barcola

    1. TochanMama
      • 14 Years
      34 mins ago

      A

    2. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      34 mins ago

      A.

    3. Fifa las vegas
      • 14 Years
      31 mins ago

      Cheers chaps, confirms it!

    4. Stranger Mings
      • 5 Years
      23 mins ago

      A

    5. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      2 mins ago

      A not close either

  6. Keane There Dunne That
    • 14 Years
    1 hour, 34 mins ago

    A) Mbuemo -> Rogers (Pedro C)
    B) Fernandes -> Palmer (Palmer C)

    First to 3 wins it

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      31 mins ago

      Don’t love either tbh…

      1. Fifa las vegas
        • 14 Years
        26 mins ago

        Don’t be making comments like this that have me questioning my FH again 🙁

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          18 mins ago

          Oh on FH I would be selling both for sure

          Just wouldn’t be doing it with Fulham coming up in gw5

          1. Fifa las vegas
            • 14 Years
            5 mins ago

            Ah fair

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 10 Years
      25 mins ago

      Eurgh bit of a coin flip that one! B if I had to pick

  7. TochanMama
    • 14 Years
    1 hour, 33 mins ago

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori - Konsa - Oshea
    Tzolis - KDH - MGW - Mbuemo - Semenyo
    Haaland - JP
    (Kinsky - Gonzalo - Gvardiol - Maguire)

    A) Semenyo to Rogers
    B) Maguire to Livramento
    C) Roll
    D) something else (suggest)

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      30 mins ago

      D Maguire to Vuskovic/Muharemovic. Livramento not nailed

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        29 mins ago

        I like A too though

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          29 mins ago

          Just don’t feel great to play O Shea and Semenyo seems fine vs Utd’s current set of LBs

      2. TochanMama
        • 14 Years
        25 mins ago

        Got a lot of price drops lately.
        Mbuemo Maguire Tzolis MGW Semenyo

        I can only get in a 4.9def or lower for Maguire

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          19 mins ago

          Ah shame

          Maybe De Cuyper?

          Otherwise A might be better

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 10 Years
      24 mins ago

      B to Muha

  8. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    1 hour, 33 mins ago

    1 FT:

    A) Hume > Konsa
    or
    B) Le Fee > Rogers (would mean benching Tzolis)

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 10 Years
      37 mins ago

      Do you have palmer/JP?

      1. Garfield1001
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 mins ago

        Yes both

        1. Would be tempted to go A but I know people are very keen on triple Chelsea attack (think 2 is enough, they might only score once!)

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      28 mins ago

      A

  9. Rhodes your boat
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 33 mins ago

    On wc

    A) Verbruggen/kinsky (rotation, don’t have defensive coverage from either)
    B) Kinsky/4.0
    C) 5.0 GK (Suzuki/martinez/…)

    1. Garfield1001
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 32 mins ago

      B

    2. Viiksisika
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 10 mins ago

      A, but Kinsky/Leno instead? I'm on that atm.

  10. SomeoneKnows
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 31 mins ago

    Kinsky
    Calafiori, Konsa, De Cuyper
    Palmer, Rogers, Saka, XXX
    Haaland, Joao Pedro, XXX

    (Dubravka, Hall, Muhamerovic, Slater)

    A) Szoboslai, Barry
    B) Gross, Wissa

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      26 mins ago

      Is this wc? FH? Transfers?

      If WC then A

      Assuming it’s not FH because if it is you should have Isak

      If it’s transfers then whichever two you have right now

  11. Dibble
    • 3 Years
    1 hour, 30 mins ago

    What do you think of my wildcard ?

    Kinsky Dubravka
    Calafiori Konsa De Cuyper Muharemovic Thiaw
    Palmer Rogers Grob Odegaard Sangare
    Haaland Pedro Isak

    0 itb

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 27 mins ago

      Are you a police officer?

      1. Dibble
        • 3 Years
        1 hour, 26 mins ago

        Yes

        1. The Knights Template
          • 12 Years
          1 hour, 9 mins ago

          Woohoo tis Officer Dibble!

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      1 hour, 26 mins ago

      Depends if you are top 10k now. Otherwise l template...

      1. Dibble
        • 3 Years
        1 hour, 24 mins ago

        Beg pardon?

        1. My heart goes Salalalalah
          • 9 Years
          1 hour, 22 mins ago

          Of you want to hang around your current rank and make some small gains' thiis ia the team....

          1. Dibble
            • 3 Years
            1 hour, 15 mins ago

            Are you saying this is the template?

            1. The Knights Template
              • 12 Years
              1 hour, 8 mins ago

              Arise, Sir Officer Dibble, the Blue Knight!

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      1 hour, 22 mins ago

      Good

    4. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      31 mins ago

      Seems a bit too heavy in defence. I’d drop Thiaw to a 4.0

  12. DagheMunegu
    • 6 Years
    1 hour, 27 mins ago

    Verbruggen
    Cala Gvardiol Maguire
    Bruno Foden Wirtz Gross
    Haaland Pedro DCL

    Kinsky Gomez O'Shea Rodon

    A Rodon to Konsa
    B Bruno Foden to Saka Palmer -4
    C Bruno to Palmer
    D Foden to Odegaard
    E save

    Will WC GW 6

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      25 mins ago

      FH if you can

      Otherwise A and bench Maguire

    2. fricky_
      • 5 Years
      23 mins ago

      I second the FH shout if you have

  13. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 25 mins ago

    Not to Rodon

  14. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 24 mins ago

    Is Jair Cunha nailed in that Forest defence?

  15. RICICLE
    • 4 Years
    1 hour, 21 mins ago

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori - Hall - Konsa
    Odegaard - Palmer - Rogers - Szoboslai
    Isak - Pedro - Haaland
    __________________________________
    Bentley: Gross: Thomas: Egan

    Narrowed my final WC decisions down to this:

    A) Keep Gross & Egan
    B) Gross + Egan > Gomez + Justin
    C) Gross + Egan > Slater + Muharemovic
    D) Just Gross > Gomez/Slater & keep the change

    Struggling to finish this part off, any help most appreciated guys, cheers!

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      49 mins ago

      I think C. I’d generally want one bench defender above 4.0. Muha seems amazing value and can come in in a pinch. I’d probably start him over Hall this week tbh.

      All your attackers are secure starters so Groß is probably less necessary

      1. RICICLE
        • 4 Years
        46 mins ago

        Cheers mate!! My thinking exactly! I had Muharemovic even before Wildcarding, and thankfully he’s not changed in price.
        Gross I’m no longer seeing the appeal of because like you say all the mids would be played over him in any given GW really, so for sure less necessary.
        Think Muharemovic is the right choice over Justin as well.

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          37 mins ago

          Yh the DefCons feel more like reliable points and if you don’t need Groß then you don’t need Gomez so I think it makes sense to go up to Muha. I’m planning to wc in 6 and I might well be keeping him even in that team! I back Leeds defence this year but he also has DefCon potential and set piece threat too

          1. RICICLE
            • 4 Years
            33 mins ago

            That makes even more sense to me not needing to step down to Gomez if not wanting/needing Gross, seems I’d just be putting funds there for the sake of it, make a lot of sense.
            Muha I’ve liked from the very start, I also back Leeds defence this year, should provide some nice shut outs against the likes of Ipswich/Hull/Sunderland and the likes hopefully.
            Huge Defcon and set piece threat as well for sure!

            Sorted theh mate cheers for that, all done, Slater and Muha it is!

  16. Three Pints of Schlager
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 hour, 20 mins ago

    Wrexham was already quite hard to watch tonight.

    Even harder is, watching Zverev's pre-service ball bouncing routine. Just hypnotising.

    I'm still not sure

    1. ... who to captain though.

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        21 mins ago

        Nobody knows this week it seems

  17. fricky_
    • 5 Years
    1 hour, 20 mins ago

    The ultimate question: is Bruno to Palmer worth it

    1. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      23 mins ago

      Yes.

    2. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      22 mins ago

      Although the ultimate question really is ai worth it.

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      22 mins ago

      Probably not unless it’s A) for the long term and B) you have a spare transfer to reinvest cash elsewhere to improve your starting XI

      1. fricky_
        • 5 Years
        18 mins ago

        Would mean I WC in 5, but that would mostly be to get to Haaland. Had a flying start without him, but it´s time to get him, and also offload Liverpool

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          8 mins ago

          Ok with WC5 I quite like it tbh. Personally I’m holding out till 6 so I can wc later with more info, including injuries from intl break. I had another way to get Palmer this week though so wc5 is fine if you feel you really want Palmer and don’t mind doing it a little early to get Haaland for Sunderland. I also have no Haaland so need Bruno to captain in 5

    4. If you have use for the saved money, yes!

  18. Ball Ake
    • 2 Years
    1 hour, 19 mins ago

    Congratulations to the Freemantle Dockers, my son is currently pouring many celebratory pints in Subiaco.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 12 Years
      1 hour, 3 mins ago

      They’ve been amazing this year.

  19. Harper_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 17 mins ago

    Is Bobby Thomas nailed?

    1. Claro

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      8 mins ago

      Small chance the answer is no but it’s probably yes

  20. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 16 mins ago

    0.1 over budget on Free Hit, who should O change?

    Verbruggen 4.0

    Konsa Calafiori VVD

    Palmer Rogers Odegaard Szsobo

    JP Haaland Isak

    1. 4.0 4.5 4.5 for rest of bench

      1. Viiksisika
        • 12 Years
        10 mins ago

        4.5 bench defender to Kadioglu?

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          7 mins ago

          This is a great shout

  21. dansmith1985
    • 4 Years
    1 hour, 15 mins ago

    Would you FH this team?

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori Shaw DeCuyper
    Bruno Cherki Szobo Gross
    Haaland Pedro DCL

    Kinsky Tzolis Hume Diop

    1. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      16 mins ago

      No way

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      5 mins ago

      100%. You have only one Chelsea, only 1 Liverpool (and he’s not super exciting for such a good attacking fixture) and 4 players from the Manchester derby, one of whom is Shaw who might not start.

  22. ididnt
    • 15 Years
    1 hour, 15 mins ago

    A. Rodon > Konsa -4
    B. Dedic > de Cuyper -4
    C. Hold and start Dedic/Hume and hope they play.

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      5 mins ago

      A for me

  23. Warby84
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 13 mins ago

    Virgil/Odegaard (3-4-3)

    Or

    De Cuyper/Gabriel (4-3-3)

    Thoughts?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      5 mins ago

      2 for me but I think that will be unpopular…

    2. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 mins ago

      First

  24. Kodap
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 13 mins ago

    Final decision on WC is basically MGW, or Mbeumo.. I'm happy everywhere else.

    0.2m itb

    Verbruggen
    Cala - Konsa - Vuskovic
    Odegaard - Rogers - Palmer (c) - Szob - MGW
    Haaland - Joao Pedro

    Kinsky - Van Hecke - Barry - Mendy

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 mins ago

      MGW

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 mins ago

      Mbeumo by miles

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        4 mins ago

        Just look at the underlying stats from like every season

  25. SanderM94
    • 3 Years
    1 hour, 13 mins ago

    Play one of:

    a) Gross
    b) D. Gomez

    Thanks!

    1. Ball Ake
      • 2 Years
      16 mins ago

      a

    2. Warby84
      • 11 Years
      16 mins ago

      B

    3. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      14 mins ago

      A

    4. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      10 mins ago

      A

    5. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 mins ago

      A

  26. D15jones
    • 4 Years
    1 hour, 11 mins ago

    Sorry guys stupid question as know all the talk is about odegaard but any love for Declan rice? Just worry that odegaard might frustrate and rice will tick over. Any thoughts?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      2 mins ago

      Not sure on rice, but haven’t looked into him. I prefer triple defence personally. If you want an attacker, I guess check DefCon and underlying numbers but I can’t say I’ve looked into it too much. Rice was perhaps a little lucky with how many points he scored last year if I recall correctly

  27. jonnybhoy
    • 13 Years
    1 hour, 10 mins ago

    Barry or Wissa?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      just now

      Wissa has better fixtures and reputation coming up

  28. Henryyy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 9 mins ago

    Who would you bench next GW?

    A Wissa (lee)
    B Van Hecke (EVE)

    Cheers!

    1. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      10 mins ago

      B

    2. jonnybhoy
      • 13 Years
      9 mins ago

      B

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      3 mins ago

      A. I rate the Leeds defence…

  29. Flynny
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 9 mins ago

    Pick 1 for free hit. Thanks?

    A...wirtz...bit worried recovery minutes

    B...munoz of liverpool

    C...ode...Sunderland away doesn't feel like many goals

    D... gros

    Thanks

    1. ididnt
      • 15 Years
      19 mins ago

      B

    2. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      18 mins ago

      E VVD?

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        3 mins ago

        Don't rate pool defence v Fulham

        Maybe munoz

    3. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      17 mins ago

      B

    4. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      10 mins ago

      A for me but B also probably fine

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        8 mins ago

        Cheers. Seen murmurings of wirtz rested....prob nothing but might go munoz

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          7 mins ago

          Not happened yet this season but I guess Iraola hasn’t been in charge for long so who knows what we’ll get from him

          1. Flynny
            • 11 Years
            1 min ago

            Indeed.....munoz played 30 midweek. With gakpo and barcola doubtful I feel munoz should start....but who really knows

  30. Bleh
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 7 mins ago

    Starting XI and bench order correct?

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori, Muharemovic, Konsa
    Palmer, Cherki, Tzolis, Gomez
    Haaland, Isak, Pedro

    (Kinsky, Wilson, Davis, Kadioglu)

    1. Henryyy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      23 mins ago

      Looks good!

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      13 mins ago

      Correct

    3. Bleh
      • 9 Years
      5 mins ago

      Thanks both