Pro Pundits

My FPL Gameweek 9 transfer plans and whether I’ll be keeping or selling Salah

Three-time top 5k finisher Az reveals his current Gameweek 9 plans in his latest Pro Pundits column.


So after my article last week, I’m back to give my thoughts about the, quite frankly, chaotic international break and what it means for my own team going forward.

I’m writing this on Tuesday evening and I currently have three “flags” in my team: Ben Chilwell (£6.0m), Mohamed Salah (£12.3m) and Tyrick Mitchell (£4.1m). This could all change in the next few days but I’m feeling quite lucky, as I know plenty of managers have the likes of Raheem Sterling (£11.5m), Marcus Rashford (£9.6m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) and even Andrew Robertson (£7.1m) and are sweating on their fitness and availability for the weekend.

It’s a difficult time, and if you’ve made early moves, don’t beat yourself up. While it is generally advisable to wait as long as possible to gather as much information as you can, sometimes price fluctuations mean that you have to take a risk to avoid being “locked out” of the moves that you want to make.

In the October international break, I made some early moves that made me a tidy profit of £0.6m on my team value. Okay, it meant that I had to play the Wildcard the same week when issues started to arise, but I still think that it was an acceptable risk for that kind of team value. It was only the late injury to Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m) that really forced my hand, and without that, I’d probably still have it in my pocket.

Those without Wildcards or even Free Hits need to factor this into their decision making, but as always, sometimes the early moves can pay off and set you up nicely for the weeks ahead. I cannot say I wouldn’t have moved early to dump the likes of Alexander-Arnold, Callum Wilson (£6.6m), Mitchell or Danny Ings (£8.3m), who we are all fairly sure aren’t going to make miraculous recoveries for the next Gameweek.

Is now the right time for some restructuring? 2

Armed with only one free transfer this week, I have shown patience over the international break. In my previous article, I talked up the upcoming potential of the likes of De Bruyne and Bruno Fernandes (£10.6m) but have yet to make an official move for either player.

Salah’s fitness status is weighing on my mind.


Az <p>One half of the FPL BlackBox YouTube series with Mark Sutherns.</p><p>Former Membership Strategy Manager for FFS&nbsp;</p> Follow them on Twitter

1,114 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this team after doing Salah to Rashford? Leaves enough money to get KDB (Son) or Vardy (Jimenez) next GW

    Martinez
    *Chilwell Coufal *Kilman
    Rashford(c) Son Rodriguez Grealish
    Kane Werner Vardy

    Button Justin Bissouma Ferguson 0FT 2.7 ITB

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy is Jimenez this week currently

    2. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like Salah>Rashford(c)

    3. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Aye like it. I am looking at doing something similar I think.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, going for Rashford over Fernandes opens up a few more possibilities in GW10 liek going directly from Son to KDB or getting Cancelo and Vardy for Coufal and Jimenez.

        Also, Rashford is a decent captaincy option next GW against the Saints high line where pacy left sided forwards have done well this season (Zaha, Son, Werner)

    4. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What's your thinking with rashford over Bruno?

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        See above

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          If you ignore price and subsequent moves for later GWs, do you still think Rashford is the better option for GW9?

          1. ppv
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Bruno is much better option

          2. Miguel Sanchez
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I think it's 50/50 between Rashford and Fernandes this week. Neither has been particularly good at home this year (small sample size) but last season Rashford was a lot stronger at home than Fernandes.

  2. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If you are transferring out Salah, would you bring in KDB one GW earlier or bring in Bruno for a hit?

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bruno if you intend to captain

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Is Bruno a better captaincy pick than to DCL?

        1. JJeyy
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          yea imo

    2. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mane

    3. Jack Burton
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think I'm bringing in KDB one week early

  3. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Bruno then? Need a captain.

    1. Pukkipartyy
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah

  4. Bennyboy1907
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Current team : 2FT’s 1.1ITB

    Martinez (Forster)
    Robbo Chillwell Lamptey (Saiss, Mitchell)
    Salah Son Zaha Grealish (Bisouma)
    Kane Bamford DCL

    Clueless on what to do, any help please?

  5. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hmm Salah positive again.
    I guess its Salah to KDB now (double up with Sterling) and then before GW12 Sterling to Salah.

    1. n-doggg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not mane?

      1. Iceball
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe, or even Bruno

  6. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah/Foden -> Rashford/KDB worth a -8?

    Will have funds to go for Son -> Raz next week

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah looks good

  7. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So with the latest news what's the most possible scenario?Salah is out for Leicester and Brighton?

    1. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      100% out for GW9, that's not in doubt. I'd suspect GW10 too now, as he'll lack some fitness, plus he might not even be back in Liverpool for another fortnight... three tests positive, so he has it. That'll need to run its course and requires two negatives.

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Do you know when he will do the next test?

        1. CroatianHammer
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          At this stage I assume every 24 hours? But that's just guessing.

  8. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bench 1 of these;

    A) Justin - away to Liverpool

    B) Brewster - home to West Ham

    C) Ayling - home to Arsenal

    Thanks.

    1. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ayling...

      Brewster hasn't had a great start to his season, but look, play the 2 points.
      Justin, facing a team of red flags? Play him.

  9. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play Dallas or Lamptey?

    1. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lamptey, he's basically a winger now, so maybe he nicks a goal and you don't care about clean sheets after that.

    2. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lamp

      1. Ronnies
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Lamptey

    3. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I plan on starting Lamptey against Liverpool even

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

    Help please!

    A. Salah Bruno KDB

    B. Salah Bruno Vardy

    C. KDB Bruno Vardy

    D. Salah KDB Vardy

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C

    2. MESSINHO
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Need more context to answer that.

      C this week.
      A long term.

      1. HaffNanner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry, which three premiums to target for the long term. Will take a couple weeks of moves to get there

  11. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kilman lost his father yesterday. RIP. So he may not play this GW. Or he may and put up a brilliant performance.
    His emotional instagram post
    https://www.instagram.com/p/CHtI_VWp1cm/?igshid=1c1vr758yyfl4

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sad news for anyone losing a father ,many of us on here have endured such a loss , likely out though

  12. OLLY G
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Jota please?

    Too risky with rotation?

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Risky but cheap with a huge upside . Your call

  13. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you do Salah to Bruno for a hit. Already have Rashford and KDB.

    Ziyech instead perhaps?

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      tough one......Rashford is already a good candidate for captain, I would maybe go Ziyech to diversify

  14. Ron_Swanson
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah has returned a second positive test

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This must jeopardise his gw10 availability, right?

    2. CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I believe this was his 3rd.

  15. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which two?
    a)Fernandes
    b)Ziyech
    c)Rashford
    d)Rodriguez

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A B

      1. wulfrunian
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        cheers

  16. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looks like a -8 then

    Salah, Foden & Wilson out

    Bruno/Rash, Grealish & Vardy in

    Thoughts?

    1. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sometimes you just have to do it mate.....

      Similar to me. I've already done taa and foden to grealish and cancelo

      And now I think ill end up doing salah to bruno for - 8

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Great moves, could recover the hit and some this week itself.
      I'm planning something similar:
      Salah + Maupay + Robertson > Bruno + Vardy + Coufal(-8).

    3. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I. would not lose Foden now . Really expect Pep to have realised he's the link they need in attack. May be wrong but Im holding

      1. DannyDrinkVodka
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Me too, rocking a KDB/Foden/Cancelo triple-up from GW11

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Yep something similar here

      2. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You are definitely wrong

        1. Debauchy
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          lol time will tell mate

  17. Sir Edo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi, regarding members statistics (Player Stats).
    Filter All games 2020/21 Season, but can only find one Laptey assist, should be three.
    Someone have an idea what I did wrong?
    Worried that i view incorrect data when picking an attacking defender. 😉

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Maybe winning penalties doesn't show up?

      1. Sir Edo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thanks, seems right since Martial who won a pen vs. Spurs have 0 assist.. Thanks!

    2. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      There's a column for assists, another for fantasy assists (e.g winning a pen) and a third for total. Lamptey has 1 'real' assist + 2 'fantasy' assists for a total of 3.

    3. SH@KTIMAAN
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They are under fantasy assist

  18. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who scores more this week?

    A. Son + Konsa
    B. Maupay + Robbo

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Give us a C

    2. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  19. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How is this looking for GW9 ?

    Mendy
    Chilwell, Coufal, Targett
    Salah, Bruno(c), Ziyech, JRod, Grealish
    DCL, Kane

    Justin in for Mo from bench

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You can get Mo out now, he won't play

  20. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any epidemiologists in the house?

    Does salah now need to isolate for a further 10 days, given he is still testing positive?

    Is he likely to miss gw10 too?

    Feeling that I may have to make the salah to bruno switch....

    1. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The big problem is that he is still in Egypt with a positive test. If I understand the FIFA rules and the UK government correctly he will not be allowed back into the UK until he test negative and then he must do 10 days isolation.

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah chances of him acting gw10 must be reduced by this.

  21. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah, Barnes Kane and Son to Rashford Grealish Vardy and KDB for -8?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      why kane-> vardy this week
      postpone it to the next week and play kane this week

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah thinking about the last 2 transfers to do next week.

      2. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Vardy is gonna bang. Exactly the type of game he thrives in. Arguably, if you don't buy him this week, you've missed the boat.

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

    Trent, Foden, Salah --> Coufal, Bruno, Mane (-8)?

  23. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Liverpool echo reporting Salah to miss 2 gws!

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      GTFO Mo

  24. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Help appreciated chaps - 1 FT, 2.5 ITB.

    Martinez
    Chillwell*, Zouma, Kilman
    Salah*, Son, Fernandes, Barkley
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    (Steer, Justin, Bissouma, Mitchell)

    Salah -> KDB and then Son -> Salah when Salah is back? Will probably then look at Zouma -> Cancelo/Dias for City's nice fixtures.

    Cheers

  25. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Time to move on from Salah.
    😎

    1. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That was yesterday , never too late though Christina

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No rush.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          lots of flags in my team

          1. Debauchy
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Aye sit tight

  26. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah + Foden > Bruno + Ziyech (-4) ?

  27. Totti
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    salah second PCR still positive
    so, keep or sell?

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      what do you think?

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I mean if he will miss one gameweek then we might keep him
        but now i don't know he'll miss 1 or 2 Gameweeks
        if 2 then we should sell for sure

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          there is no way he misses only 1

    2. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sell sell sell

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        will miss 2 Gameweeks?

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

      Got to sell surely. Cant imagine how he can be playing in 9 days when he is currently testing positive in another country

      1. Totti
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        but we want a confirmed news that he'll miss brighton match as well

  28. Voodoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Shame about Richarlison, I fancied him as a decent alternative to DCL and a good differential... Did anyone see if it looked serious?

    1. Totti
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      what happend?

      1. Voodoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cavani caught his ankle apparently and got sent off.

        1. Totti
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          but he's not flagged in FPL

          1. Voodoo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            He is.

    2. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Check out Cavani red card vs Brazil on YouTube.

      I just got RichArlison for Ings the other day, oh FFS!!!! I think he could be ok, but you never know.

      1. Liberate HK - antichinazi
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same here...Ings --> Rich before Ings' price drop

  29. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My provisional plan for next 2 GWs:

    GW9:
    Salah + Foden > Rashford + Zaha

    GW10:
    Son + Kane > KDB + Vardy

  30. Werner Bremen
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Ziyech for -8? He will play instead of KWP

    1. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      For another hit I mean