Opinion

Hazard redemption, Salah dilemma and the ‘Special Wan’

After deploying his Wildcard and turning to his arch nemesis in Gameweek 5, the FPL General is in better spirits for his latest column.

This week he reveals his love for his newfound ally and gives his thoughts on the Salah debate.

Find out what he believes are the key talking points for Gameweek 6.

Hazard is a tro– I mean legend

Did Eden Hazard really score a hat-trick while he was in my side? I still can’t believe it. The player that has caused me and many others so much pain in FPL redeemed himself somewhat with a sensational 20-point return in Gameweek 5.

Maurizio Sarri has suggested the Belgian could score 30-35 goals this season; music to the ears of his owners. His link-up play with Olivier Giroud was key in his mega points haul against Cardiff, with the Frenchman creating two of Hazard’s three goals in his first 90-minute appearance of the campaign.

If he nails down the starting striker berth at Chelsea ahead of the misfiring Alvaro Morata, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Hazard reach Sarri’s prediction of 30+ goals.

Another big performance from Hazard against West Ham in Gameweek 6 will see the terms ‘essential’ and ‘must-have’ brandished alongside his name. He’s already the most transferred in player this week.

Time for Mo to go?

One possible route to Hazard for a lot of managers is losing Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian has blanked in his last three appearances if you include the midweek Champions League win over PSG. He’s the most transferred-out player ahead of Gameweek 6, many presumably making the switch to Hazard.

Selling Salah before a home game against Southampton is a risky move though. I feel last week was the optimum time to go #NoSalah when Liverpool had Spurs away and Hazard faced Cardiff at home.

Salah stays in my team for Southampton. If he blanks again, he could be gone by the time Gameweek 7 rolls around.
West Ham looked a lot stronger with Declan Rice and Pedro Obiang in midfield in the 3-1 win over Everton. They could frustrate Hazard and Co. on Sunday.

The Special Wan

Aaron Wan-Bissaka. What a guy. He’s well on his way to becoming the best £4.0m defender in FPL history. A lot of us got his 9-pointer off the bench in Gameweek 5. He’s a gift from the FPL Gods. Cherish him.

Manchester United assets stake their claim

Luke Shaw and Paul Pogba impressed again in United’s 3-0 win over Young Boys on Wednesday night. Shaw put in another assured performance at left back which should see him keep his place for the visit of Wolves. Pogba scored a brace including one from the spot and set up Anthony Martial for United’s third. Can he bring this form into the Wolves fixture? Priced at £8.2m, he shouldn’t be ignored with a nice run of fixtures coming up.

Captaincy

It’s a tricky one this week. There’s no runaway leader in the poll with Salah, Hazard, Aguero and Mane all viable options among others.

Liverpool have the home fixture, but can we justify giving Mo the armband considering his form? Maybe Mane is the better pick against his former side? Will Hazard deliver against a West Ham side buoyed by their victory in Gameweek 5? Aguero didn’t start in the Champions League midweek, does that mean he’s nailed on to start vs Cardiff? Why has he only scored in one Gameweek so far?

Lots of questions and no answers. The beauty of FPL. It’s going to be a very interesting Gameweek. Whatever happens, FPL Twitter will be entertaining as the pro-Salah and no Salah sides go toe to toe after the Liverpool vs Southampton game. Get the popcorn ready.

Good luck to all in Gameweek 6.

You can follow the FPL General on Twitter HERE. He has achieved three top 500 finishes in the last four seasons.

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704 Comments Post a Comment
  1. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Is it worth to WC just to fix bench (Pelt,Gunnar > Bennett,Hojbjerg) and swap Arnie to Zaha?
    Im on -4 atm too (did Ings to Mitro) and have Mendy to manage but rest of the players going nowhere.

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      No mate. Not for me. Peck away at it

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Nah I don't think so

    3. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      if you can field 11 with Arnie I would leave, Arnie could still play

      1. Zenith UK
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        And score. Arnie can score against anyone. Chelsea will be playing on the back of UEL and they have Liverpool midweek. Best time for West Ham to be playing them IMO.

      2. Brehmeren
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        The answer must surely be: if you can field 11 without Arnie..

    4. StoichkovFPL
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Cheers guys

    5. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Are you kiddin?

      Chill.

      1. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        😛

      2. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        🙂
        Thanks bro

  2. farmerfat
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    @FPLGENERAL you are my favorite Sir!

    1. Pumpkinhead
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      boost

  3. badgerboy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    'Loads of questions and no answers.' Indeed.

    1. A.T
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      😀

  4. rdamjan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What are you doing with Arnie?

    Arnautovic was replaced at Everton because of a problem with his knee. "We will see if he is fit for Sunday. He played well [at Goodison] and we hope he will recover." Hernandez is still sick and Wilshere has a problem with his ankle. "The doctor can say more about Jack. #WHUFC

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Keep unless confirmed out on friday.

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Will we get any more info?

        1. Brehmeren
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          No. Which is why I am very tempted to switch to Mitro

    2. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I would hold for now. He doesn't like to miss games.
      Arnie can also score against anyone, he's one of those players.

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Knees up mother Brown.

  5. DenDanskeDuo
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Mkhi + Arnie —> Mitro and Fraser for -4? Leaves me with 1.7 itb

    1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      yes for Fraser but wait on more Arnie news

      1. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Not sure we'll get more Arnie news.

  6. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Yes FPL General I like this article. I'm on my own with this one I'm sure but I've decided to take Aguero out this week for Kane. It's my inner Gnarls Barkley I guess

    1. cpo001
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Madness

      1. Pep Pig
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Oh

  7. aghein
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Patricio

    Alonso Robertsson Mendy AWB Shaw
    Salah Hazard Fraser
    King Aguero

    Hamer, Wally, Hjobjerg, Kamara

    0FT, 2.1 ITB, WC intact

    GTG?

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      gtg

  8. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Arnie to (even if fit):

    A)Mitro
    B)Wilson
    C)Ings/Jimenez (will leave funds for Pedro-Son next gw)
    D) Zaha

    Cheers

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

    2. Licious Lizard
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Keep if fit.
      If not Mitro or Zaha

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        3 homegames in 4, but those fixtures.. I think Mitro form and good fixtures will beat Arnie form and bad fixtures

        1. Licious Lizard
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          I’m not so sure - Arnie is fixture proof and gravimetriske involved in every WH goal.
          And Then you would maybe want him back when his fixtures turn good wasting 2 FTs in the process.

          1. Licious Lizard
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            *heavily involved

          2. Pukki Party
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers understand what you're saying. However i "saved" two transfers keeping Richarlison on my bench so that allows me to do it haha

    3. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A or D

    4. aghein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

    5. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A

    6. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      None of the above. Especially if fit.

  9. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    I know Salah does well against the top teams, but swapping him for someone like Alli/Eriksen in GW7&8 is tempting. Madness?

    1. MysticMac17
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Not before the Southampton game anyways, maybe after it depending on how he does.

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Wouldnt swap to either of those, but i understand Mane/Haz

  10. MysticMac17
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    I'm not so sure Shaw will start at the weekend. Like his price but feel he will be rotated with Young, especially after Young's impressive performance last weekend.

    1. aghein
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Hope not..

    2. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Young will play Derby midweek. Shaw will play this weekend and next weekend IMO.

  11. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    A. Kane and Pedro
    B. Mitrovic and Hazard

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      b

    2. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      B

      No brainer!

  12. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    1 lukaku or pogba

    If i go lukaku then i have Højbjerg as 4.4m bench fodder and if i go pogba then i can get Arnie/king/zaha to rotate with mitro/fraser/rich

    2 would you double up with shaw/smalling in defence

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      1pog
      2noway

    2. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pogba.
      Only thing that makes Shaw attractive is his ability to get forward and cross. Utd have 1 CS in 5 in the PL so far this season. Defo don't double down, DDG has killed the start of my season so far.

      1. Zizou
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        thanks both

  13. #FPLBhuna
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    yellow flags make your team look so ugly

    thankfully only one left

    1. Duffy Dunk
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Waiting for Pep to mendyt tomorrow.

      1. #FPLBhuna
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        ha

    2. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Took the plunge and swapped Mendy for Robbo, should be fun

  14. Eddie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Gabbiadini an injury concern?!

    Back to the drawing board

    1. #FPLBhuna
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      lol

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      DGW plan out of the window

  15. Gashead9
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    1 FT, 0.1 ITB, used 1FT already to bring Fraser in for Neves.
    Anything else worth a transfer, or save?

    Patricio,
    Alonso, Mendy, Robertson, Wan-Biss,
    Salah, Hazard, Dilva, Fraser,
    Kun, Zaha

    Hamer - Austin, Billing, Peltier

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Save

    2. Gashead9
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Sorry, Hazard is Mane!

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        S A V E

      2. Eddie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        If it was Hazard, but for the bench that team would be pretty much perfect.

  16. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Still struggling here. The only player I really need/ want to get rid of is Wally but the player I am scared to be without is Hazard. I think the following are my only feasible options

    A) Mané, Wally > Hazard, Fraser (-4)
    B) Wally > Fraser (FT)
    C) Wally, Pedro > Fraser, Richarlison (-4)
    D) Wally, Pedro, Mendy/ Robbo > Hazard, Hojbjerg, Doherty (-8)
    E) Suck up my fears, bench Wally and save FT

    1FT £0.3itb
    Foster
    Alonso, Mendy, Robbo, PVA
    Salah (C), Mané*, Pedro*, Wally*
    Aguero, Wilson
    (Fab) (Hughes, AWB, Kamara)

    Leaning towards A) and would then lose Pedro for Rich next week. D) gives both LIV mids and Haz but feels like suicide. C) brings two decent players but then loses CHE attacking returns

    Help!?
    Thanks!

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Think I replied to you earlier today...

      B

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Yeh sorry mate. Forgot to turn on notifications earlier! Appreciate the reply and I know B is the sensible choice

    2. gomez123
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      same thing here....go A

    3. Stevie B
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mane could backfire at the Southampton game. Maybe do Wally -> Fraser this week and then Mane -> Hazard next week. D is too much.

    4. Differential C (Mark)
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A, Haz is essential

    5. adey70
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      A looks good...

    6. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Late reply but just reading through comments. Although I don’t take hits as they never work with me our teams are similar and I’m debating Walcott to Fraser too. I was tempted to save but Fraser looks great value even with double Bournemouth. We can also assess Salah another week, and there are then funds for Hazard if he loses it again this week. If not plenty of funds for other moves next week.

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers mate. Yeah this is almost certainly what I’ll do. The Haz vs Mané thing will just have to gnaw away at me!

  17. Stevie B
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What to do with this team?

    Foster Fabianski
    Alonso Mendy Robertson Wan-Bissaka Peltier
    Salah Mane Pedro B. Silva Stephens
    Agüero Zaha Ings

    2 free transfers, 0.0 in the bank.

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pedro > Maddison

      1. Henryyy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        What he said!

    2. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pedro > Fraser

    3. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Pedro > Richarlison

  18. Oven Glover
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Jonny Evans starting improves the prospects of a Leicester CS. Just hope that he stays fit for Leicester’s good run of fixtures.

  19. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    I have both Arnie and Mendy in my team, and I only have 1 playing sub (wan-bissaka).

    So my conundrum is that if we hear nothing/bad news on Mendy tomorrow - Is it worth taking out Arnautovic for a FT (probably to Zaha/mitro)?

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Or, dare I say, Deeney.

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Options will be considered (they were just the first two to come to mind)

        1. Oven Glover
          • 8 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          Arnie is a machine, he’ll be back 😉 I understand why you’d want to go that way but if you’re confident that you can field 11 with WB, save the FT.

          1. FF Dirtbag
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 7 months ago

            All depends on Mendy news for me. Plus Arnautovic has got harder defences coming up (even though, truly, he can score against anyone)

    2. kalmoffit
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I plan to sell both.

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Interesting... but with a good playing sub I wouldn't do that in one go... Just need to ensure a playing XI

        1. kalmoffit
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 7 months ago

          True. It's to get Aguero in my own case so I sort of hope they're both out.

  20. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Got 3.3 m in bank. Ings to Vardy (-4) for team below. Could be great differential with good fixtures.

    Foster
    Van Dijk Mendy* Alonso
    Hazard Mané BSilva Fraser
    Aguero Mitrovic Vardy

    Patricio AWB* Tomkins Billing

    1. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I would. Think Vardy is a great shout and toying with him in my team!

  21. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Foster [ Fabianski
    Mendy Alonso Robbo WanB [ Peltier
    Salah Hazard Bilva Fraser [ Kante
    Aguero Wilson [ Madine

    1 FT £1.5M ITB

    SUGGESTIONS WELCOME !

    1. Oven Glover
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Save or take care of Peltier or Madine.

    2. GE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Save

    3. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Your bench is a bit exposed. Maybe Peltier to one of the wolves boys

  22. Zizou
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    best defender for 5.1m or less

    Shaw/TAA/Holebas/other

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw

    2. GE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw

    3. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Shaw or Chilwell

    4. Zenith UK
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      For Shaw

  23. tjostolv
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Is richarlison nailed on this gw?

    1. GE
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Guess so

      1. tjostolv
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Schurrle a better pick,? Cheaper

  24. GE
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What would you do with 2FT here?

    (2FT, 0.0 itb)

    Patricio
    Alonso/Mendy/Robertson
    Salah/Mane/Mkhi/Walcott
    Aguero/Zaha/Mitrovic

    Bench: Hamer, W-B, Stephens, Peliter

    1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      I hate to waste a freebie on a 4.0 player, but maybe get a fifth playing defender in for Peltier and drop Mkhi?

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Mendy, Walcott and Mkhi to Bennett, Hazard and Fraser for -4pts possible?

      1. GE
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Interesting, is Mendy injured for a long time?

  25. Drop Dead Tsimikas
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Completely offtopic - any Spurs fan card holders here who could help get me a ticket to the Barca match, perchance?

  26. MTPockets
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Is Mane a better pick against his former side in the same way Walcott's a better pick against his?
      Neither have scored/assisted against them (three games for Mane, one for Walcott)

    • Pacer.
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      PENALTY WATCH

      I'm going to have a go each week at predicting the likliest penalty award)s just using the for/against and ref award stats for the season so far.

      This week:

      Bournmouth (+2) v Burnley (-1)
      Official: Anthony Taylor (x 2 awards, 1H/1A)

      1. Licious Lizard
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I Really miss the Men In Black articles/ posts

      2. kalmoffit
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        Is it just me think that Bournemouth-and it's usually Wilson-take far too many dives

    • hjalmarekdal
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      RMWCT 🙂

      Hennessey Foster (Best GK combo?)
      Alonso Mendy Doherty Bennett AWB
      Salah Hazard Dilva Richarlison Ward
      Vardy Zaha Mitro

      1. Licious Lizard
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        I’d lose Dilva for Maddison/Fraser and upgrade a striker

    • Pooodle
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      Is Wilson or King the better option?

      King has obviously outscored Wilson recently but does seem fairly reliant on pens.

    • seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 7 months ago

      feel like taking a punt on Son...