Team News

FPL Gameweek 1 team news: Injury updates on Pulisic, Ziyech, Holgate and more

The first half-dozen pre-Gameweek 1 press conferences took place on Thursday, with a number of key injury updates being delivered by the head coaches in question.

Ten more virtual media gatherings will follow on Friday, with Aston Villa, Burnley and the two Manchester clubs not in action, of course, on the opening weekend.

We’ll run through the headline injury news and stand-out manager quotes from the conference calls so far, with a more detailed discussion to follow in our Team News tab.

Chelsea

Pulisic benched as Lampard switches to a 3-4-3 against unchanged Spurs

Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta are in contention to feature against Brighton and Hove Albion on Monday evening, with the pair rejoining training after their recovery from hamstring injuries sustained in the FA Cup final.

To what extent they will be involved remains to be seen, with boss Frank Lampard saying:

I am very happy to welcome them both back. Yesterday was their first day fully training with the team, so they’re in contention for Monday.

I have to be careful and I have a squad to pick from, but the way they’re training and the attitude they’ve come back with, it looks like they’re over those injuries. I just have to make sure I manage them both back in in their own ways.

New signings Hakim Ziyech (knee) and Ben Chilwell (heel) have joined Billy Gilmour (knee) on the treatment table, while Thiago Silva is also unlikely to feature.

Lampard said:

Hakim Ziyech took an injury to his knee against Brighton, in the friendly game, so he won’t be fit [this weekend]. We’re working with him. We hope it’s a matter of weeks, hopefully a couple of weeks, but we will have to see on that one.

Ben Chilwell is working towards fitness, he won’t be fit for Brighton. He has developed and improved this week and going in the right direction, which is good news for us.

Thiago Silva is now in London but not training with us until the weekend, so I doubt very much he will be in contention for the Brighton game.

Billy Gilmour is obviously a longer-term injury, he will be out for a couple of months more. Other than that, we are in decent shape.

Leeds United

A taciturn Marcelo Bielsa gave his first pre-match press conference as a Premier League manager on Thursday.

The Argentinean revealed that Rodrigo and Robin Koch could be in contention to make their Leeds United debuts at Anfield, saying:

They are in very good physical condition ahead of the game.

Koch may even have a chance of starting on Merseyside despite a lack of preparation time with his new teammates, with Bielsa adding:

The spot on the right of the defence in the back four does not require a lot of adapting.

The Whites almost have a clean bill of health going into Gameweek 1, with Bielsa saying:

All the players are available to play. Adam Forshaw is out. He’s a separate case.

Everton

Mason Holgate (toe) looks set to be missing when Everton take on Spurs this weekend but Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes appear to have shaken off minor fitness concerns.

Carlo Ancelotti told the media:

I think that Holgate is out. Mina I think is available to play, Gomes is available. We are going to check tomorrow Delph, he will start training with the team tomorrow. For the others, I think the physical condition of the team is quite good.

Southampton

One of the more popular sub-£6.0m midfielders looks set to be missing in Gameweek 1, with Ralph Hasenhuttl revealing that Stuart Armstrong has come back from international duty with Scotland with an injury.

The Saints boss also confirmed that Alex McCarthy is his number one goalkeeper at the start of the new season, with one of Angus Gunn or Fraser Forster likely to depart the club and the other playing understudy.

Sheffield United

Chris Wilder told reporters that a couple of his players are “touch and go” for the weekend, although didn’t name any names.

Sander Berge came back from international duty with Norway with a knee problem, so may be amongst that number.

Wilder had said last Friday that Jack O’Connell would be “100% fit” for the visit of Wolves despite not featuring in pre-season and added that Lys Mousset “will be fine” after a knock to his toe.

Fulham

Scott Parker said ahead of Gameweek 1 that Jean-Michael Seri and Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, who spent last season out on loan, will be given a chance to work their way back into the first-team fold but have “only just returned to the building”.

Parker also said that new acquisition Alphonse Areola and Marek Rodak “can push each other” for the goalkeeper’s jersey in west London.

The Fulham boss didn’t report any fitness concerns in the broadcast section of his presser.

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1,215 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ragsyboys
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Does 'league of doing bits' exist ?

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yes

      1. ragsyboys
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Can I know the league code ?

  2. clarkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this team? Too template-y?

    McCarthy
    Justin VVD Vinagre
    Auba Salah Son Havertz
    Werner Adams Nketiah

    Button, Mitchell, Ayling, Bissouma

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I like the Nketiah punt, I wouldn't double on Chelsea personally.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nah, looks good.

    3. FPL ElasticO
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Going into the season with no TAA or Robertson will be brave.....
      Good luck

  3. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Final Piece - Pick one:

    1. Barnes
    2. Jota
    3. Pereira
    4. Zaha

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      4

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1

    3. NULL-X-VOID
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Punting on 3

    4. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      2

      1. Kamara Police
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Well that clears that up 🙂

  4. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Who else still going with BBGW1+WCGW2 strategy? Always thought it's good to do it and GW1 blanks for Manchester teams is the reason I'm going for it this year.

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      BB2 for me, allows to start with Manchester players

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        But yeah, many are still in that camp.

    2. Jambot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not me bud. But good luck

    3. HTL
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's interesting on two points, the first being the uncertainty of starts over the staggered weekend (particularly with the FPL deadline being brought forward), the second being you could end up in a situation where the season is curtailed anyway, so may benefit to get it out of the way.

  5. Give Me the Mane
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT, please! Any suggestions?

    McCarthy/Nyland
    Robbo/Justin/KWP/Lamptey/Mitchell
    Auba/Salah/Son/Mount/Bissouma
    Ings/DCL/Mitro

    GW2 - Ings to Martial & Mount to Greenwood
    1M ITB.

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks good imho. Personally wouldn't take -4 in the first GW

    2. ace3.1415
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mount > Barnes
      Robbo > Trent
      Not too sure about greenwood bc of sancho speculation?

  6. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When your whole team depends on Soucek's fitness...

    1. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      could go for Ceballos instead ?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yep, he is an option. Not sure about his FPL prospect though.

        1. olly:)
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          as much as Soucek really, not gonna do much but if u need him to be 12th man and start for a blank player GW1 it aint bad

          1. Holmes
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            Yeah, may not be that bad since it's for 2 gameweeks anyway.

            I hope he is a sure starter?

            1. olly:)
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 6 months ago

              he's a sure starter if fit, i've read most arsenal forums and they all have him in their predicted lineups, they all like him.

              1. Holmes
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 6 months ago

                Cheers, plan B sorted. Thanks!

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      🙂

  7. Jambot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Interesting to see 4.5 holding in the scout picks. Is he expected to start for arsenal?

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Should start, can see Fulham scoring though.

    2. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yeah Ornstein said he is in line to start vs Fulham on saturday, in my team.

    3. Sahil.....
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes...luiz injured...saliba gabriel holding 3 cbs to start

      1. FPL ElasticO
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If that is the back 3 for arsenal, I would love to have Mitrovic......

  8. Darth Vydra
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Should i have a Utd player on my bench cause am pretty stacked in first 11

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't bother, maximise starting 11.

      1. Darth Vydra
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Owk because i had

        Mccarthy
        TAA KWP Stevens Vinagre
        Salah Auba ASM
        Kane/Werner Ings Mitrovic

    2. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think it’s a sound idea tbh. I’d rather bank the transfer GW2 and jump on rising assets etc

    3. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I'd rather have a chance of a double digit score than save a pre arranged transfer

  9. HTL
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm not actively playing this year. Can I get by without any City cover (namely KDB)?

    Ryan
    KWP - TAA - [C. Taylor]
    Auba (TC) - Soucek - [Fernandes] - Salah
    Wilson - Mitrovic - Werner

    Walton - Dendoncker - Dallas - Mitchell.

    I wanted Rhian Brewster to enable Dendoncker > Foden but he could move to the Championship after GW1 and I'm not touching my team after that point.

    1. QUEN
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Dendoncker > 4.5
      Mitchell > 4.5

      1. HTL
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Thanks, I guess it would be a likely 2 points ceiling from either option tho?

        Could potentially go Salah > KDB and then Dendoncker can become a 5.5

        1. QUEN
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yeah just thinking if it’s a ghost team prob want a full bench.

          Very tricky tbh when looking over a season I think KDB

  10. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Michy to Palace official, no zaha oop

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      zaha was never a consideration for most

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Michy essential in a couple weeks

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Benteke

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      zaha is better on the wing anyway I feel

  11. Pieters 4 Wood
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Johnstone
    TAA Doh KWP
    (S)al, Auba, Son, Souc, ASM
    Wern, Mitro

    Button Ayling Ferg Brew

    Thoughts?

    1. ace3.1415
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Don't like soucek
      Johnstone/Button > Ryan/Walton

  12. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A bit of template-ish but how does this team look?

    McCarthy (4.0)
    TAA Davies Egan (Taylor Mitchell)
    Auba [c] Mane Alli JWP (Bissouma)
    Werner DCL Wilson

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Looks fine, should do well. Would go Pereira over JWP

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Ta

  13. QUEN
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Why’s everyone assuming Werner will be taking penalties over havertz in the ranking order

    Looking at the history both were on penalties before. Both have scored 13, whilst havertz has missed none, Werner has missed 3.

    Have I missed something guys?

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No-one has a scooby tbh.

    2. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Didn't realise that!

  14. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Big 3 up-front. Thoughts?

    Ramsdale
    Trent, Mina, Davies, KWP
    Auba, Alli, Rodríguez
    Vardy, Werner, Ings
    (Button, Mitchell, Lemina, Gordon)

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Risky but might work. Don't like Leicester prospects, personally.

      1. Thescaff
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Agree

      2. adstomko
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Same, but their fixtures are appealing

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yerry and James.

  15. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A. Egan or..
    B. Saiss ?

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Saiss

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Egan sure starter? WOL have many changes at the back and need to monitor a bit

    3. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Egan more nailed & better threat

  16. fuzzymike
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Boly worth 0 5m more than Coady??
    With all Wolves Defs these two look the most nailed for season.

    1. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      No

    2. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes bonus & goal threat.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I think both are too expensive.

      Comparatively, yes. Boly is worth extra 0.5 over Coady.

      1. Bullet Eder
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        How is Coady too expensive at 5.0? Would be in every single team if he was 4.5

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Just that I don't like to pay 5m for someone with 6pts as ceiling. Likes of Egan, Davies, Dier, Coleman will probably offer something more.

          Agreed though, at 4.5 he would be in pretty much every team.

  17. LLoris
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Justin or KWP??

    1. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Kwp

    2. Jonesfromthere
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      kwp

    3. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Imho Justin is much better option. But that's just me.

      1. Thescaff
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Obliterated defence & a transfer waiting to happen.

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Don't think Perreira will be back so soon

    4. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      kwp

  18. Thescaff
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hybrid 532 here, what do we all think?.. ...

    Ryan
    TAA Justin Egan KWP Robbo
    Auba(C) Son Salah
    Mitro Werner
    Bench - Walton Soucek Bissouma Wickham

    Transfers
    Gw2 = Son - Rashford
    Gw3 = Auba - KDB/Sterling

  19. AdemolaLookman
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Helloo, can anybody tell me who will be taking Chelsea penalties this season?

    1. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      we don't really know until the first one is taken, Jorginho if he's on the pitch if not - Havertz/Werner most likely.

  20. fuzzymike
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Is Oriol Romeu gonna get descent pitch time now Højbjerg gone??

    1. olly:)
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      yeah

    2. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes but maybe waste of a saints spot

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah but a Saints 3rd spot might become valuable.

  21. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any news or latest rumours about Brewster?

    1. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing, only it may happen very late in window

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Nothing helpful pre-GW1.

  22. COYS78
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on the lineup?

    McCarthy
    VVD/KWP/Saliba/Justin
    Salah/Auba/Son/Oriol Romeu
    Vardy/Kane

    Martinez/Mitchell/Stephens/Brewster

    Was hoping for news sooner on Emil and Rhian. Weeks 2 & 3 transfers gain funds with moves to Martial & Bruno

    1. ace3.1415
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure if Martinez will play
      Brewster will either be kept or loaned to championship team imo

  23. ace3.1415
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Che Adams + Bruno
    B) Martial + Greenwood ( or other 7.5 mid)

  24. MARVELLUS
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    So Douglas at Leeds:
    Highest owned 4m defender
    In FFS predicted lineups.

    Is he the 4m defender we all are looking for?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Koch RCB means Ayling to RB & Dallas back to LB.

  25. jg7u
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Do you think Jamal Lewis goes straight to the starting lineup? Prefer him over Lascelles if that's the case.

    1. Hairy Potter
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not sure, Dummett is injured, but Manquillo might play left back instead of on the right.

  26. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on this draft? (4-4-2)
    Ryan
    Trent, Saiss, Dier, KWP,
    Auba, Son, Salah, ASM
    Werner, Ings

    Walton, Stephens, Ferguson, Brewster

    any changes needed? Bit worried about the bench!

  27. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Damn so we are not sure if azpi would start.

    Can't bring in James either because sounds like chilwell might be back next week.

  28. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Will J Rod start GW 1?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Burner dont have a fixture, so no

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        burnley

      2. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        H Rod

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          hot rod

      3. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Grrrr.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Burnley don't play GW1.

    3. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I am guessing a sub appearance. Bit unfair on himself to throw him in for the full game. Might damage his ego too much..

  29. Team Bobcat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    No real love for Richalison in any of the teams I have seen thus far.

    Much more potential than the aging Ings.

    A sound differential

    Usually starts fast also

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      better than ings? no way

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He scored 13 last term. Younger than Ings and should do better with more support. He is better than Ings and cheaper. Barcelona not interested in Ings.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Can't tell if you're trolling with the ings comment

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I feel I am being trolled by everyone else who has Ings in their team and not Richalison. Just saying

    3. Give Me the Mane
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      If you have funds ig, other DCL + 1M can be added somewhere else

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I have thought about this too. DCL is cheaper no doubt but I feel likea gambit hence Rich

  30. fuzzymike
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Doucouré a good 5.5 option?? Likely to start GW1??

    1. tilope
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      wondering the same thing...

    2. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      He is a sure starter