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.

Best players by position:

1,215 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Can we expect Ferguson to come back into the lineup by GW5? That's when I need him.

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

      Pulisic should ruin Ward in GW4 so there's a good chance...

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

    A) Che Adams + Bruno
    B) Martial + Greenwood

  3. Coaly
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings (cry) or Antonio (NEW) for GW1 only?

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

      Impossinle to predict. Either both or none may return. First week a bit of a lottery. Think you just need to make sure you have room to adjust as the gameweeks move on. Whichever gives you that then go with them.

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

        Agree with this. Alonso and Soucek here, fwiw

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

          *Antonio lol

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

    Big 3 up-front. Good to go?

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

    Plan: GW2 Vardy to Martial, GW3 Alli to Pulisic (possibly)

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

      Yes but why Mina?

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

        GW2 to 4 looks promising, and the James + Mina combo...

  5. AgentRed
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    When is Ricardo Pereira expected back do we know?

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

      FPL reckon 1st Oct, can't see him rushing back in for West Ham on the 3rd/4th so more likely after the IB.

      1. AgentRed
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers. Tempted by Justin as most of the other 4.5 options have tricky fixtures first up.

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

    McCarthy - Steer
    Egan - Justin - KWP - Targett - Mitchell
    Mane - Aubameyang - Son - J Rod - Bissouma
    Ings - Antonio - Wilson

    GW 2 - Antonio > Martial
    Gw 3 - Aubameyang > Sterling
    GW 4 - WC

    I’m a GW 4 WCer and thus going punts and all out for the juicy fixtures in the first 3 gws.

    Thoughts?

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

    Who will start? Nyland or Steer?

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      no one knows.

  8. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else worried about Tottenham fixture pile up ?

    Sep 13 - Everton (H)
    Sep 17 - Lokomotiv Plovdiv (A)
    Sep 20 - Southampton (A)
    Sep 22 - Carabao Cup R3.
    Sep 24 - Europa League Q3.
    Sep 26 - Newcastle (H)
    Sep 29 - Carabao Cup R4.
    Oct 1 - Europa League PO.
    Oct 3- Manchester United (a)

    Kane Son Alli and Doherty owners needs to have a good bench just incase of rotation along side covid quarantine threat when visiting europa away ties.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Do Mou really needs to play his best asstes to progress against Plodiv or in mickey mouse cup ?

    2. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mainly for Doherty, Son and Kane are undroppable for PL IMO. Alli will be rotated for sure.

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

        With who? With Lo celso injured there is no competition for Alli spot.

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Ndombele, but fair point.

        2. JustPark
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Probably but likely to drop deep in midfield. Not exciting.

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

        You still with double Spurs defence mate?

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Davies is locked in, I like Doherty a lot but am now off him. The extra 1M gets me Vardy over Ings plus an extra FT and an easy switch to Aguero. Alongside my concerns about Aurier rotation that's the main reason, he should still be great though adapting to the new system could prove tricky!

          Dier is with Davies right now so yes, however I like Wolves and Everton's 5.0 just as much so he may go. Wanting to spread the risk.

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

            Sweet. Nice planning there. Eyeing Kun too, so kane to Kun in gw4 is a possibility.

            Dier and Doherty here, but Dier can be a wolves as well if i don't feel like doubling up anymore.

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

      Scrap the Caravan Cup & its not too bad.

      United game will be moved to Sunday once they progress in Europa too.

  9. Ambitious, but rubbish...
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    McCarthy
    TAA - Davies - Egan
    Auba(c) - Salah - Son - Traore - Lundstram
    Werner - Mitro

    Nyland - Ayling - Taylor - (4.5 fodder)

    Good to go or any concerns?

    1. Evasivo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Lund not guaranteed starter I understand

  10. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Going 4-4-2 and will save a transfer 0.0itb

    McCarthy
    Walker-Peters Trent Justin Dier (Buur)
    Aubameyang Salah Son Havertz (Bissouma)
    Werner Adams (Davis)

    Thought?

  11. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    "Alphonse Areola and Marek Rodak “can push each other” for the goalkeeper’s jersey in west London."

    Oh no, was all set on Rodak (on averege 3 saves per game in championship) but now not sure I want to risk it.

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

      Blessing in disguise for you. If he’s having to make 3 saves a game in the championship you know something’s wrong with the defence

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        When it comes to 4.5m goalies save points is what you mostly get (Pope aside) but I hear you.
        Just dont want to go with dullard McCarthy pick, not to mention mega boring Brighton option...

        1. Ser Davos
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Meslier

    2. Alli In
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Who is Alphonse Areola, he doesn't appear in the Fulham keepers list?

  12. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Newcastle slot? ASM surely?

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Callum Wilson looks tasty.

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

      Yeah

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

      why surely?

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

        In the attack. New boys wouldn't be thrown into starting 11 right away?

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

        1m cheaper than Wilson too

  13. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Zaha as a pick?

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

      Not as good as bats now

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      v good

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

      Like him... Maybe GW3 onwards. Harvey Barnes till then

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

      eze will allow zaha to flourish in my opinion

    5. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Never been keen on him.

      Over the years possibly one of the most overhyped fpl players ever.

    6. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I had him until the Batshuayi deal.
      Was OOP and on form, but now I'm less sure.

  14. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bats or Mitrovic?

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

      M for now

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mitro is in my team until GW10, bar injury.

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

    Who's better to start every week?

    A: Soucek
    B: Egan
    C: Saiss
    D: Davies

    1. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D if it's every week.

  16. Raul Seleccion
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    overkill to go Saliba/Tierney, Auba and Nketiah for 2 weeks?

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

      Tell us, old timer.

  17. kwyap123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Any Wolves fan out there can help? Who is this Fernando Marcal? Will he be a threat for Vinagre to start?

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

      No threat

  18. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Armstrong out, not great for Ings/Adams surely?

    1. Root
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Out with what?

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

        International injury

  19. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Never thought I would ever say this ... but .... Everton and Newcastle are looking sexy 🙂

    1. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      and good fpl value

      1. Hotdogs for Tea
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        loads - ASM, Jamal Lewis, Lascalles, King ... Rodríguez, Doucouré, Richarlison, DC-L ...

        1. Dthinger
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Fraser?

          1. Hotdogs for Tea
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 6 months ago

            yip, Newcastle look very attacking and have a forward that can score goals

  20. RohanVaswani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Adams Barnes

    Or

    B) Jwp Dcl?

    1. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      B

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

    Best 5.0 M or lower option
    A) James
    B) KWP
    C) Davies
    D) Egan

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      D

    2. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      James for me, although tough start as not nailed and Pool GW2.
      Spurs will keep CS this season - more than sheffield imo.
      KWP is cheap, assist potential, and high ownership.

  22. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Doherty, ASM, Mitro
    2. Davies, Pereira (WBA), Wilson

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

    Ryan
    Trent, Saiss, Dier, KWP,
    Auba, Son, Salah, ASM
    Werner, Ings

    Walton, Bissouma, Ferguson, Brewster

    any changes needed? Bit worried about the bench!

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

      You could swap Dier and Ferguson with two 4.5s like Justin and Lascelles to get more players who play on your bench

  24. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I reckon Doucoure is a better option at 5.5 that ASM. At 1.0% ownership he could be a decent differential.

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

      ASM is a bomb waiting to explode. He's very agile, good dribbling, also technique and speed. Reminds me a lot of Mane, only with a better dribbling.

  25. Moxon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Salah, KDB, Werner, Martial. 42m for the highest scorer from each of this years top 4 teams. It's what to do with the remaining 58m that's the problem

  26. DIMITRIS
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    RMT please:

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA / Robbo / Justin (Mitchell, Johnson)
    Mane / Auba / ASM / Son (Bissouma)
    Adams / Werner / Mitrovic

    1. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I love it! Afraid two 4.0 defs is a one too many though

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Perhaps Son->Havertz/Pulisic for a 4.0 def to C.Taylor. Fully aware he doesn't play gw1 but Mitchell should

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

        Cheers. I plan on getting Bruno instead of Mane for GW 2 which will get me 1.5 itb. I can use that money down the line to upgrade whenever needes, and to jump easily on early bandwagons. Thanks for answering 🙂

        1. Whazza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Sounds excellent, I'm a bit jealous you have it all planned out. I'm boring going Salah but want to keep long-term

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

            That's not bad either. No one really knows when will he explode and get like 2 goals and assist.
            I'm taking a risk, but I'm happy with it.
            Cheers 🙂

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

          to upgrade wherever is needed*

  27. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Best 5.5m punt?
    A) diangana
    B) saka
    C) other

    1. polis
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Wish Saka was nailed. Would be him easily then.

      ASM and Doucoure in the 5.5m mix too.

  28. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on Batshuayi (6.0) as an option?

    1. polis
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Is now the best 6.0 option

  29. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    This is where I'm at.
    Thoughts

    McCarthy Button
    Mitchell Trent Taylor Vinagre James
    Salah Zaha Son Auba Stephens
    Mitrovic Werner Antonio

  30. Apwilkin
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alli and Egan or Havertz and Taylor?