FPL Question Time – Whether Salah is essential and the end of rotation threat

Liverpool midfielder Mohamed Salah (£13.3m) is the headline topic in this week’s Fantasy Premier League Question Time offering.

The Egyptian has wowed everyone with three goals and three assists in his last four top flight outings and his lofty price has many wondering how much to sacrifice to get him in.

We’ve asked one of the best managers in the game what his thoughts are on Salah, as well as discussing the end of rotation threat, differential strikers and how best to invest in Manchester United.

Who’s on the panel this week?

FPL General – one of the biggest names in Fantasy football with three top 500 finishes in his last four campaigns.

Tom from Who Got the Assist?, one of the FPL community’s most popular podcasts.

Holly from Fantasy Football Community, currently ranked 15k worldwide

Question 1 – FPL General

James: How essential is Salah going forward? Would you make multiple transfers to take out any of Hazard, Kane or Aubameyang to bring him in?

General: “This is a question I’m asking myself this week. Selling the Egyptian ahead of the festive fixtures was a costly decision and I’m looking to bring him back in this week.

“No player is essential, but Salah is the player I’d want to own for the next five Gameweeks more than any other.

“He can be captained in all five which is a big factor. He’s back to his best, playing in a team fighting for the league title, it’s not one to overthink.

“I will be making multiple transfers to fit him back in, most likely three moves for a -4 hit.

“Points hits to accommodate a player like Salah are fine as you would expect him to pay you those points back, especially if you are going to captain him often which is likely to be the case given Liverpool’s kind fixture run.

“To get Mo back, I must lose one of Kane or Hazard this week. I’m torn. Both have great fixtures. The fact that I’m no longer confident in handing the Belgian the armband may swing it in Kane’s favour.

“I was severely punished by Salah over the festive period and I won’t be making the same mistake again. He’s as close to essential as they come now.”

Question 2 – Tom

Nikolas Mavrogalos: Is it all time for everyone to buy a ticket and jump on the Ashley Barnes train?

Tom: “Ashley Barnes is an enabler. Let’s get that clear.

“He operates on the same plane as the temporarily injured Danny Ings does – a striker who will help you if you need to unlock cash for elsewhere in your side.

“What Barnes has on his side, though, are strong stats and good performances to the eye.

“He’s actually second over the last six Gameweeks for big chances, for example, and third for shots in the box. Strong stats however you look at it.

“With Fulham (home) and Watford (away) in the next two matches, he might be a strong pick if you need a player at his price point, but it’ll be one you’ll need to continually monitor.”

Question 3 – Holly

Suraj Janyani: Now the busy schedule is out of the way, can we go the cheapest bench possible and maximise funds in our first XI without fear of much rotation?

Holly: “Rotation wasn’t as bad as first feared over the busy schedule and we are very lucky this season to have players with regular minutes at the budget end of the pricing to fill our benches.

“Button is the choice keeper at £4.0m, at least for the next few weeks. Meanwhile, Bednarek £3.9m joins the likes of Bennett £4.1m, who started the season at 4.0 along with Wan-Bissaka.

“Those playing 3-4-3 have better cheap midfield options to choose from than those going 3-5-2. Camarasa at £4.6m and Westwood £4.5m represent the best value picks, but it’s possible to downgrade as far as Romeu/Gibbs-White at £4.3m or even Puncheon at £4.2m.

“Kamara at £4.6m is the only extra-cheap option for our front lines, but he’s been in Ranieri’s bad books and could lose his place during the transfer window.

“If you are in the situation where there’s no obvious transfer to be made in your team, look to downgrade your bench in preparation for maximising funds in the first XI.

“With double and blank Gameweeks starting to come on the horizon, an early look at the clubs to target could make the decision making process even easier.”

Question 4 – Tom

Carlos: Is it time to dump Martial? He seemed like the logical choice when Solskjaer took over Manchester United but Rashford and Pogba have stolen the show instead, while Martial has produced only one goal and assist in four matches…

Tom: “Martial is looking the fall guy for me of the players I have, as I’m doubled up with him and Pogba.

“The call is being made because there is an abundance of assets in midfield right now and I simply want another option.

“However, Martial is a clinical player who has it in him to be a match winner for Manchester United, as we saw early in the season.

“This is very much one where there’s a case to keep or sell, but it is very dependent on your situation and who you might replace him with to complement your strategy going forward.”

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