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. timawflowers
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Play hames or bamford?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lads, it's Fulham

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Both

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

      both

    4. Captain Scarlet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      How is not playing JRod even a consideration?

  2. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Declan Rice to Chelsea on January 90% completed. Don't @@ me they are serious title contenders now...

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      That might well be true, but negative effect on WHU much more than any positive on Chels surely.

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I hope they invest their money to something that's worth if this transfer goes ahead

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I very much doubt that, tbh.

    3. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      lol they dont need rice. They need better CBs that arent 35 years old and better than Zouma and Rudiger

      They have Kante and Kovacic and Jorginho why do they need Rice....

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

        Jorginho will likely be off but we still have RLC and Gilmour so no need for Ruce.

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

      Don’t even want him

  3. The Head-Ake
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Bruno and save? 1FT and 0.1ITB 🙂

    McCarthy
    Lamptey | Zouma | Kilman
    Grealish | Salah | Ziyech | Son(c)
    Werner | DCL | Kane

    Martin | Mitchell | Walker-Peters | Bissouma

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yep

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      For sure

    3. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks guys

  4. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Be like Salah. Stay Positive.

    >.

    1. The Head-Ake
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      .

  5. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    1FT, 4.0 ITB:

    Martinez, Peacock-Farrell

    Chilwell, *Saiss, Lamptey, Coufal, *Mitchell

    Salah, Son, Rodriguez, Grealish, *Alzate

    Kane, Calvert-Lewin, Bamford

    A - Saiss out and play 4 at the back
    B - Salah to Bruno / KDB
    C - Something else?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A looks ok

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Monitor Wolves presser

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

    Wait for Press Conf on Salah to see of he's out for 1 or 2 games. If it's 2 games then even a hit to bring in KDB or Bruno seems sensible.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Still waiting to see if Kev or Bruno haven't picked up anything nasty on their travels

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

      You won't find that out for sure in a press conference before this weekend

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

    The question now: is it worth doing Salah to Bruno for a hit?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not for me - what else can you do?

      1. Kingtekkerz
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I can save the hit and play Cancelo instead

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Sounds okay. Captain?

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes if you aren't planning to get him back

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah out for 2 GWs for sure?

      1. Kingtekkerz
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Definitely out for 1 GW, could possibly be back the week after

    4. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes imo.

    5. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why not mane or jota ?

      I have Salah too 🙁

      1. Kingtekkerz
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Fancy Bruno against WBA, but Mané is under consideration aswell

    6. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I think Mane is the best option. Don't fancy Bruno and already planning KDB next GW. Swapping for Mane at least gives Liverpool cover and offsets futures transfer bringing Salah back in.

  8. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I guess Kevin will be incoming 2 weeks earlier than expected...

  9. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Imagine if FPL did Black Friday sales. Limited time 25% off Salah while he's out with Covid, 10% flash sale across the entire Liverpool team

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

    Anyone concerned West Brom will be Bruno's 3rd start in a week, having travelled to Portugal and Croatia prior?

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      no

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

        just me then

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He always look tired to me, it's probably normal for him

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

      Played 46 and 72 minutes will be fresh as a daisy.

  11. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If Salah is out 2 weeks or more, I am tempted by a WC9/BB10 strategy. Downgrade Salah, use the Salah money to fund a more expensive keeper on WC, keep McCarthy as the other keeper, roll FT and BB in GW10, then in GW11 or 12 do something like Ziyech + expensive keeper -> Salah + 4.0 keeper.

    Anyone else tempted?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds great, but as they say, everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not at all

  12. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah + Barnes + Jimenez -> Bruno + KDB + Richa 😎

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Out of the outgoing players the one I'd be inclined to want to keep is actually Barnes - I think he'll haul in Leicester's upcoming easy fixture run

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

        I refuse to have a rotation risk in my team

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good tranfers

      1. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Double everton after their next three fixtures is not ideal though.

    3. Captain Scarlet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t love the Rich part of that if I’m honest...

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

        🙁 just saw the flag

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

      As boring as it is just Salah to Bruno and save the points.

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

    Will you capt Bruno in wk 10, 11 or 12?
    Prob no.
    Do you have an alternative (c) in wk 9? DCL? Grealish? Kane? Auba?
    😉

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      At 10.6 you don't really need to Captain him in those weeks.

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

        ...you prob dont even need to own him.

    2. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If one do think Bruno is the best captain this gw, the question is rather do you have alternative captain to Salah in gw10-12, in which case one can hold Bruno for a couple of gw's and then switch back.

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

        10: Sterling/Vardy
        11: Sterling/Kane/Ziyech
        12:Vardy/get Salah back

        1. Pompel
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Looks like a cunning plan yeah. Maybe KDB for Sterling. I guess Salah is required for GW12.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Unfortunately same can be said for Salah.

      At that price he doesn't need to be perma captain though.

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

        ofc, selling Salah is a no brainer.

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

      Have Kane and DCL Cpt Bruno but likely KDB Cpt gw 10 and thats it no Cpt for Bruno 10 11 or 12

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

        Bruno could go for Sterling GW 11 then Sterling to Mane GW 12
        But yeah still have WC so can play around a little

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

      KDB GW10-11

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

      Bruno hasnt blanked in any of the 10 league away games he has played so far

  14. 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

    Son/Salah/Saiss >>> Bruno/KDB/Coufal (-4)

    Then plan for Salah back is to drop Kane for cheap forward

  15. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is coady going to play this weekend after the positive covid result in the Ireland squad? If so Saiss > James -4 worth it? Bench is looking poor the now with Saiss Mitchel and another non starter

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure what the Ireland squad has to do with anything. Word is that Coady should be fine - he was neither injured nor positive himself, just isolating due to contact with someone else.

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sorry got mixed up. Nice one mate will do the -4 need to sort the bench out. Cheers

    2. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wouldn't bring in James for a -4, got a feeling he might not play this weekend. How about a West Ham defender?

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Thought about them but james looks like he has made the position his now. And with chillwell maybe out Azpi will go in there

  16. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    0.1m off of Salah + Foden > KdB + Ziyech.

    Joy. That would have been so clean.

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

      Blessing in disguise Foden coming good soon

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nah. I'm looking to swap him for Torres come GW10. Let's see.

        After all this faff I might end up doing just Salah > KdB this week.

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

    Vassilev to Watkins or Salah to Bruno with the FT? I'm leaning towards both for a -4

    3.5itb 1ft
    Martinez
    Chilwell Taylor Ayling Cancelo Justin
    Grealish Son Rodriguez
    DCL Kane
    (Peacock Bissouma Salah* Vassilev*)

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

      I like both moves

  18. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah tested positive again

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

      *sigh

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

      Yay !!!!!

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

      Yes its confirmed in norwegian media too. If that means that he needs to be in quarenteen for 10 days after he tests negativ, he might be out for 14 days.

    4. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ohh damn,should have sold before drop.

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

      I was hearing thath the next test would be at thursday?

  19. 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

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

      Moves look good

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

        Cheers.

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

      There's been a lot of talk about Watkins or bamford.
      Is it too much to go for both + DCL?
      Would have Mané, kdb, Bruno and grealish in midfield

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

        Sorry, reply fail.
        Your moves look good

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

          Cheers.

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

        No problem. I am considering Kane -> Watkins for the same reason but not sure about the Villa double up. I think I would prefer Ziyech to Watkins in a 3-5-2 and then spend the spare $ in defence.

  20. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Team
    Martinez
    Coufal Robo Chilwell (Dunne Mitchell
    Salah* Zaha Barkley Fernandes (Anguissa)
    DCL Watkins Werner

    Got 3mil ITB should I do Salah > De bruyne??

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

      yes bring him in early

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

    Injuries and COVID permitting...!

    Martinez
    Taylor Lamptey Chilwell
    Son Mane Grealish Son Hames
    Abraham Vardy (c)

    Steer, Saiss, Brewster, Mitchell

    Thanks guys - you reckon gtg?

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

      One Son = Rashford!

  22. Thewonderfulgame
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best DEF at £5m or under for the next 3 or more GWs?

    1. Assisting the assister
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal

  23. JP\'s
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    De Bruyne, Fernandes and Wilson or Fernandes, Vardy and Rodriguez?

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

      Are you bringing in a City mid later? If not, go with the first option

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I guess Dr Bruyne, Rodriguez, Vardy is not possible?

      FVR out of those

      1. JP\'s
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        A Man City midfielder seems so tempting with the run of fixtures they have at the moment though. So finding it hard to keep KDB out of my team.

  24. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah to Ziyech, Brewster to Vardy :0

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

    There's been a lot of talk about Watkins or bamford.
    Is it too much to go for both + DCL?
    Would have Mané, kdb, Bruno and grealish in midfield

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Nope, not too much as long as they keep ticking.

    2. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      My idea. But rather watkins now, bamford from gw12 and on.

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

      Well if I WC GW13 will have both Bamford and Watkins. Not sure about DCL with fixtures at that time but had him from gw 1 so will see

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

      There is good value in the cheap strikers this season. I would go with both and DCL to allow more budget in midfield,

  26. FFSbet.com
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cmon Southgate finish us,start Kane,DCL,Grealish,Chilwel.l

  27. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    echo reporting he be out for 3 games. He has to isolate now till next Saturday which is morning of game . Do you really think he play first day back with team?

    I will sell as I 12m on bench for 2 weeks is a waste . KDB or Mane or get Kane ?

    Have Bruno already

    1. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Even if back for Brighton, he won't have trained much and may not even start. Then it's Wolves....

  28. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Anybody thinking of captaining Ziyech or another Chelsea player this week?

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

      If I had a Chelsea attacker I would yes

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah, thinking of bringing one in and capping.

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

      Werner (C), Ziyech (VC)

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        nice!

  29. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    You feel Bruno will be brought in by the masses, and will no doubt be the most captained. Going without him could be risky.

    Regardless of wether you’ll captain him in GW10/11 he’s a great option for both them games.

  30. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi guys, how are we today?