Captain Sensible
11 September 2026 348 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

348 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Biggsy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 15 mins ago

    Midfield slots on WC. Pick 2

    A. Mbeumo
    B. Rogers (have Palmer & JP)
    C. Szloboslai

    1. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      1 hour ago

      AB

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        55 mins ago

        This

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        37 mins ago

        agreed

  2. The Hunt
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    1 hour, 14 mins ago

    Potential GW5 or GW6 WC for a non Haaland owner like me.

    4.5, 4.5 (yet to decide on the two rotating GKs)

    Gvardiol, Calafiori, Konsa, Munoz, De Cuyper

    Bruno, Saka, MGW, Rogers, Gross

    Isak, Pedro, Wissa

    0.1 ITB

    Having trillions extra on the bench isn't a problem when you're bypassing a 15.5m player. Also, making a decision on who to bench every week will add a bit of thought and fun to the game.

    Thank you.

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      57 mins ago

      BB still available?

      1. The Hunt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        32 mins ago

        Oh no. I was one of the GW1 lemmings 🙁

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

          Amongst all this no-Haaland talk, I haven’t heard one content creator or data analyst recognise that Man City’s fixture from gameweeks 1-11 are incredible. While he’s fit and healthy, he’s got to be in, for me. Reconsider gameweek 12 onwards.

          1. The Hunt
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 17 Years
            just now

            Agreed, he has four eyecatching home fixtures up to GW 11 but his away fixtures up to GW12 are not so clever and I can see alternative captaincy alternatives in all those weeks. For me it all boils down to my own personal opinion which is that he's at least 2m overpriced.

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      54 mins ago

      Isn’t one of the main reasons to WC5 or 6 to get Haaland as a captaincy option vs SUN (H), IPS (H), FUL (H) etc? If you don’t have him and won’t get him, do you need a wc?

      1. The Hunt
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        just now

        Unfortunately I do 🙂

  3. Joyce1998
    • 10 Years
    1 hour, 8 mins ago

    Already own Pedro

    A- Mbeumo>> Rogers
    B- Bruno.F>> Palmer
    C- Both

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      56 mins ago

      Probably A

    2. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      56 mins ago

      A safest, I did both on WC. Makes sense given form and fixtures - can always get them back

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      53 mins ago

      Neither unless you’re on FH or WC5

  4. Nightf0x
    • 11 Years
    1 hour, 7 mins ago

    Verb (kinsky)
    Cala konsa ewjik (hume shaw)
    Palmer bruno foden schade (slater)
    Pedro haland dcl

    Currently on -4, g2g or WC? (Already lost -0.2 on shaw & hume)

    Verb dub - Cala konsa egan thomas dedic - Rogers bruno mgw ode gakpo/szobo -Haland pedro 4.5 (or) verb dub - cala konsa egan mitchel jcunha - rogers mgw ode mbeumo taverner - pedro haland isak

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      50 mins ago

      Ouch for the defence, can you FH? If not, I’d probably hold and hope for the best.

      B is my preferred of your two WC drafts, though I have to say I don’t like MGW or the some of those defensive picks…

      1. Nightf0x
        • 11 Years
        48 mins ago

        Yes still have FH

        1. Mr Turnip 1
          • 1 Year
          12 mins ago

          I’d FH then if I were you

  5. Boberella
    • 9 Years
    1 hour, 7 mins ago

    Considering differential captain. De Cuyper.
    Crazy?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      56 mins ago

      Yes

    2. Royal5
      • 15 Years
      55 mins ago

      Maverick move

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        30 mins ago

        Where he gets shot down in a forest, or takes a photo of a Russian mig inverted giving the international peace sign?

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      53 mins ago

      It’s bold.

      He’s great don’t get me wrong, but it’s bold

      1. Boberella
        • 9 Years
        just now

        Suppose these are the moves that win the thing. I probably won’t do it, but Palmer and Haaland blanks with a 12-15 pointer from de Cuyper would do wonders to make up for me not owning Bruno in GW2!

    4. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      42 mins ago

      Not crazy but a little bit eccentric perhaps. Don't forget that there are nearly 20 players who have returned better ppg than him thus far.

      1. Boberella
        • 9 Years
        just now

        Fair point. And away game too. Would be more inclined if Brighton were at home.

  6. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    1 hour, 4 mins ago

    In years past, I’d have wildcarded just to do Maguire to Konsa at 4.4m.

    Now I’m FPL Zwischenzug.

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      48 mins ago

      You have ascended

      I wish I was as patient with price changes as you, though I do still have my wc in tact

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        21 mins ago

        I’ve spent my TC, that’s as frivolous as I’ve been this season.

        It’s a consequence of starting with a reasonable team that needs transfers but not enough to justify a wildcard.

        I’d have done a -8 by now chasing the upside lol

  7. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    1 hour, 3 mins ago

    Play Shaw or Leif Davis?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      51 mins ago

      really?

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      49 mins ago

      Do you really have to?

      Probably Davis because at least he might get an attacking return after he’s shipped 2+ goals

    3. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      47 mins ago

      Transfer Shaw to someone better

  8. Atwood
    • 16 Years
    1 hour ago

    1FT
    A - Bruno > Palmer
    B - Mbeumo - Rogers
    C - Bruno/Foden > Palmer/Rogers (-4)
    D - Free Hit

    Verbruggen
    White - Calafiori - Muharemovic
    Foden - Mbeumo - Bruno - Gross
    Haaland - J.Pedro - Calvert Lewin

    Kinsky - Dedic - Sangare - Diop

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      46 mins ago

      Only you can decide if you want to go without Bruno. If you do and will captain Palmer, then that’s the move (without the hit). If not, get Rogers.

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      46 mins ago

      Easy D to get Isak, Palmer, Rogers, De Cuyper, one or two Pool mids, and ditch your quadruple Manchester derby, that game can be unpredictable, even when City have been streets ahead of Utd normally

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        45 mins ago

        Then you’ll have your Manchester players back next week for great fixtures v Sunderland H and Fulham a

      2. Atwood
        • 16 Years
        43 mins ago

        Yeah, I’m thinking it’s worth it to get 2 x Chel and 3 x Pool that I otherwise won’t have. Foden was a nightmare transfer last week that needs fixing too.

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        41 mins ago

        This. Free Hit is perfect for your team this week.

    3. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      45 mins ago

      A then straight swap back next week?

  9. FPLShaqiri
    • 8 Years
    56 mins ago

    Start Kayode or Davis?

    1. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      40 mins ago

      Probably Kayode

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        11 mins ago

        This

  10. Boberella
    • 9 Years
    52 mins ago

    Calafiori De Cuyper xxx

    Finish back 3, Play:
    A) Hall (LEE a)
    B) Konsa (SUN a)

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      40 mins ago

      It has to be B, doesn’t it?

      1. Boberella
        • 9 Years
        2 mins ago

        Thinking that way

    2. Boberella
      • 9 Years
      36 mins ago

      Just that Sunderland v Arsenal fixture last season was a 2-2 banger.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 17 Years
        35 mins ago

        I’m hoping Arsenal concede, actually, by the head still says play double Arsenal defence.

      2. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        10 mins ago

        Sunderland put up about 0.4 xG that game though…

        I’m an Arsenal fan and it still lives in the memory!

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      11 mins ago

      B

  11. cutch
    • 12 Years
    51 mins ago

    Start one:
    A) Yeremy
    B) Gross

    My other MFs and FWs: Bruno, Szoboslai, Tzolis, Haaland, Isak and Joao Pedro

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      17 mins ago

      Start both maybe and risk benching Tzolis?

  12. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 17 Years
    49 mins ago

    Last decision, play Gomez or DCL?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      37 mins ago

      DCL. Always DCL at home.

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        10 mins ago

        This

    2. cutch
      • 12 Years
      35 mins ago

      DCL for me

  13. ARRichter
    • 1 Year
    46 mins ago

    Think I've settled on the following WC team:

    Verb Kinsey
    Konsa Cali De Cuyper Hall Egan
    Gross Palmer Ødegaard Elanga Rogers Haaland Pedro Isak

    Or should I have Raya + Thomas + Dubravka instead of Kinsey, Hall and Ødegaard?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      34 mins ago

      I prefer Kinsky, Hall and Odegaard

      1. ARRichter
        • 1 Year
        2 mins ago

        Thanks, that's my thinking

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      9 mins ago

      Not sold on Elanga

      Otherwise good team

  14. Price Changes
    CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    44 mins ago

    Price changes:

    Elanga Newcastle £6.1 > £6.2 Up
    Hall Newcastle £5.1 > £5.2 Up
    Konsa Arsenal £4.4 > £4.5 Up
    Ajayi Hull City £4.1 > £4.2 Up

    -----

    Eze Arsenal £6.4 > £6.3 Down
    Xavi Spurs £6.0 > £5.9 Down
    Brobbey Sunderland £5.9 > £5.8 Down
    E.Le Fée Sunderland £5.9 > £5.8 Down
    Merino Arsenal £5.9 > £5.8 Down
    Ampadu Leeds £5.5 > £5.4 Down
    Clarke Ipswich Town £5.5 > £5.4 Down
    Georginio Brighton £5.5 > £5.4 Down
    Jensen Brentford £5.5 > £5.4 Down
    Alcaraz Everton £5.0 > £4.9 Down
    Berge Fulham £5.0 > £4.9 Down
    Dasilva Brentford £5.0 > £4.9 Down
    Endo Liverpool £5.0 > £4.9 Down
    Lewis Man City £4.5 > £4.4 Down
    Olusesi Spurs £4.5 > £4.4 Down
    Penders Chelsea £4.5 > £4.4 Down
    Robertson Spurs £4.5 > £4.4 Down
    Sessegnon Fulham £4.5 > £4.4 Down
    Walton Ipswich Town £4.5 > £4.4 Down

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      33 mins ago

      carnage

      1. rainy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 11 Years
        1 min ago

        Boodbath!

    2. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      33 mins ago

      Mind as well do it once more at least.

      1. G-Whizz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 9 Years
        17 mins ago

        Thanks for this, bit of a strain on me ol' eyes, but thanks 🙂

        1. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          8 mins ago

          No worries.

    3. Wow, another blood bath.

      And why are people buying Elanga with Murphy risking his minutes?

      1. I still think he’s one of the best 6m players out there, especially with Newcastle’s short term fixtures (benching him this week).

        1. What about Barnes?

          1. Now it looks like he could be the better pick, but tactically, Newcastle are positioning Elanga as the most advanced players for the out ball.

    4. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      8 mins ago

      Cheers rainy!

    5. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 mins ago

      I think if I was a football player and I saw my price was about to fall on the FPL I'd create absolutely loads of accounts and buy myself to save the ignominy of a drop.

      Obviously the 19 rejects above hadn't thought of that.

  15. nevermind
    • 7 Years
    43 mins ago

    Bench boost? Kinsky (EVE), N. Williams (av), Thomas (BRI), Slater (chel)

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      32 mins ago

      Nah, there’ll be better opportunities

      1. nevermind
        • 7 Years
        just now

        Thanks

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      20 mins ago

      Wait

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      8 mins ago

      It’s not awful tbh but Slater puts me off slightly

  16. Letsgo!
    • 9 Years
    43 mins ago

    Haha love taking a little risk
    Starting mitchell over konsa

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 mins ago

      Good punt

    2. That's nothing else than chasing previous.points.

      Statistically, Mitchell is more.likely to blank now.

  17. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    42 mins ago

    Is this too much money in def?

    Calafiori Konsa Hall Williams Muharemovic

    Will largely play the first 3 most GWs until GW11.

    Am on BB5, but can also go Justin + Mykolenko (have Sels as GK) instead of Williams + Muharemovic.

    A. Williams + Muharemovic
    B. Justin + Mykolenko + 1m

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 17 Years
      35 mins ago

      Yes. I think you need at least one Hull defender for pure value

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 min ago

        Maybe will get one in due course after I am done with my BB

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      35 mins ago

      Not at all, sets up the BB more easily

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 mins ago

        Yes maximizes the BB next GW

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      10 mins ago

      They’re all good picks.

      I like it with the BB tbh. You could consider just Williams to Mykolenko unless you really need the full £1m

      Don’t buy Hull defence. There’s very little value there going forward…

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        just now

        Agree

  18. George Agdgdgwngo
    • 17 Years
    40 mins ago

    First 4.4m mid

    1. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      1 min ago

      I wonder if anyone told Shane Ferguson (4.0m) that he was a very popular midfield player in the FPL a few years back? If they did he probably thought it was because he was a good football player.

  19. grooveymatt65
    • 13 Years
    37 mins ago

    Hey guys what do you think about this WC team? Thanks!

    Verbruggen
    Calafiori Konsa Gvardiol
    Palmer Rogers Wirtz Mbeumo Odegaard
    Haaland JP
    Dubravka Mendy Egan Furo

    £1.0 itb

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      30 mins ago

      It’s like my team but better, so good job!

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      27 mins ago

      Not sure about Gvardiol, rest are all solid

      1. grooveymatt65
        • 13 Years
        7 mins ago

        Who would you rather? Was thinking Hall tbf

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 mins ago

          Hall is great for next 6 GWs

    3. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      8 mins ago

      Delicious

      What a team!

      I’d do one hull defender to Muharemovic personally, and start over Gvardiol this week. Don’t love the double Hull defender on the bench, you’ll rue having to play one of them if a defender gets injured in a couple of weeks…

      1. Mr Turnip 1
        • 1 Year
        5 mins ago

        Or get Hall/Vuskovic if you don’t like Muha

      2. grooveymatt65
        • 13 Years
        just now

        Tbf meant to change this! Only got them for price rises, will change 1 of them for someone better, maybe Muharemovic as suggested

  20. Jigger & Pony
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    31 mins ago

    Final WC team. BB in GW5.

    Sels
    Calafiori Konsa Muharemovic
    Palmer Rogers Odegaard Szoboslai Barnes
    Haaland JPedro Barry

    Kinsky Barry Williams Hall

    Would you change anything?

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      5 mins ago

      Sels is unusual. It might work out for you

      I really like this team

      1. Jigger & Pony
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 min ago

        Thanks mate

  21. DagheMunegu
    • 6 Years
    30 mins ago

    Who score more this GW only ?

    A Bruno Foden
    B Bruno Gomez
    C Palmer Foden/Gomez
    D Palmer Saka/Odegaard -4 ?

    I really like D but I dont dear

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      30 mins ago

      C

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      13 mins ago

      C probably

    3. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 min ago

      C

  22. Slurpy
    • 11 Years
    19 mins ago

    Verbruggen (Kinsky)
    Califiori De Cuyper Gvardiol (Shaw Diop)
    Rogers Fernandes Szobo Gomez (Ndiaye)
    J.Pedro Haaland (c) DCL

    Been thinking about this all week and can't decide. All ready done Cherki to Rogers so no FT left.

    A) Free Hit
    B) Wildcard
    C) Do nothing

    Appreciate any help.

    1. DagheMunegu
      • 6 Years
      4 mins ago

      C

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 mins ago

      C

    3. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      just now

      B

  23. Four Letter Wirtz
    • 10 Years
    14 mins ago

    Downside of going No Haaland is that I have the funds to shoot myself in the foot with bench points...

    Which one of these three should I play? Barry (tot), Guehi (mun), Hall (lee)

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 mins ago

      Probably Hall I think

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      1 min ago

      Hall

  24. Hits Central
    • 9 Years
    13 mins ago

    Would you free hit this team just to get more Liverpool in. If not I’m thinking to triple captain palmer?

  25. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    10 mins ago

    Start:

    A) Cherki
    B) Gross
    C) Bench Gross and bring in Rogers for Cherki and start him over Wissa.

    I already have Palmer, Pedro,

    1. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      just now

      C if it’s free

      Otherwise B

    2. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      just now

      B

  26. FDMS All Starz
    • 10 Years
    9 mins ago

    With Gross as the 8th rotating player, which combo would you pick on WC? Really stuck

    A) Barry & Saka (penalty takers?)

    Or

    B) Isak & Odegaard

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 mins ago

      I’ve gone for Barry and Odegaard

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      5 mins ago

      Groß and Barry rotate really well

      But I think B unless you’ll captain Saka semi frequently

    3. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 mins ago

      In isolation I think B will score more points, but you'd never be benching isak/ode, so I'd go A and rotate Barry/Gross (they rotate quite nicely actually). Saka is a good price point in midfield if you need to move around big hitters for future flexibility.

  27. Big Hands Barry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    9 mins ago

    If we get early team news that Ngumoha is starting winger for Liverpool tomorrow, worth a one week punt for a mid up to 5.8?

    He became Liverpool's youngest ever league goalscorer at Anfield vs Fulham in April.

    1. Jigger & Pony
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 mins ago

      He’s not looked great when he’s been on the pitch first 3 GWs

    2. Mr Turnip 1
      • 1 Year
      4 mins ago

      Might be, though he probably won’t go past 60 mins

    3. The Hunt
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 17 Years
      2 mins ago

      He'd do well in the Championship but he's a bit of a headless chicken in the EPL imo.