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

    I'm leaning back towards the WC get out of jail with Salah>KDB for now

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

      What sort of team you looking to have?

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

      Template seems to be something like...

      Martinez Forster
      Cancelo Coufal Chilwell Kilman Lewis
      KDB Bruno Grealish Ziyech Soucek
      Vardy DCL Watkins

      Have Son/Kane/Salah atm so maybe time to restructure? Also deadwood like Mitchell and Steer can go.

      Big question is keep or bin Spurs players.

  2. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Any sense in taking a hit to bring in Ziyech for Salah? Planning on moving to bring in City assets for GW10.

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would just go for a City player now.

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ta. I just needed someone to advise me on being sensible.

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

    Reece James pretty much nailed now after some uncertainty?

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

    All the Salah panic on him missing two GWs... he was always going to test positive today, but assuming he got the virus after the wedding he should be fine for Brighton, correct? He should test negative then.

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not so simple. Sounds like a negative test is needed to leave. Then 10 days quarantine in England. Someone correct me here if wrong.

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

        If that's the case, then he will miss Brighton. Glorious. Not sure though, did England change quarantine rules recently? I did hear something about that but not sure.

      2. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Is that quarantine to do with just the uk standard rules or because of his positive test ? If the former, why don’t any other players have to quarantine ?

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

      That’s my thought as well. I don’t think he will miss 2 GWs, but with testing protocols I guess its possible?

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

      Unless the lockdown "timer" resets today.

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

      The only chance of him playing vs Brighton was getting negative today so no, we won’t play at least next 2 GWs

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

        Any basis for your statement? What if he tests negative, say, on Sat/Sun? Isn't it enough to travel back to UK and play the following weekend?

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

          You must self isolate after arrival

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

      So when is next test ? What happens is he test positive in that ??

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

        He still won’t be able to enter the UK

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

      Oh dear. I think I will sell, to much uncertainty

  5. That Was Easy!
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do I take Salah out for a hit? Could play Cancelo instead, already have Bruno (C) and have taken a hit (2 injuries out)

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

      Who would you remove him for? What could you do with the extra cash? Would you want him back for Fulham?

      1. That Was Easy!
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Salah > KDB/Sterling. Would bring him back in with Son leaving.

        However these questions are too much planning in my mind with all the craziness right now.

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

          It's bonkers! 😆

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

    Already took a -4. Anything else worth another -4? Or out and out WC?

    McCarthy (Button)
    Lamptey-Semedo-Chillwell
    Salah*-Rodriguez-Ziyech-Bruno (C)
    Wilson*-Kane-Adams

    KWP-Bissouma-Ferguson

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

    If Wilson is out, it's for 1 GW. So is it worth to transfer him out for Watkins or juste bench him and play Kilman/Podence ?

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

      I would keep him. Sounds like there is a chance he plays this weekend. And their fixtures after Chelsea are solid.

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

        That's my thinking too... I think I'll keep.

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

        Hasn't he gone the whole IB without training?

    2. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sold him for Watkins few days ago, I had no Villa's players.

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

        Watkins is tempting, just not sure I want to use a transfer for this move right now...

        + already own Grealish and Konsa.

        1. AzzaroMax99
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Then save your FT. Grealish is enough from Villa.

  8. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If you didn’t own Greilish would you consider doing salah to greilish for a -4 which would allow son to KDB GW 10 ?

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doesn’t sound bad at all. Certainly viable.

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

      Definitely

  9. Assist me a river
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy or Mendy on WC?

    1. AzzaroMax99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you don't need that 0.5 then Mendy.

  10. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Already on -8 so keeping Salah for this week.
    Next week the plan is (if still Salah no show) him to KDB and maybe even Kane to Vardy.
    Sounds reasonable?

    Mendy
    Chilwell* Lamptey Digne Cresswell
    Bruno(C) Ziyech Zaha
    Kane DCL Watkins

    Forster Anguissa Salah** Mitchel**

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      At least you've learned how stupid early transfers are

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No, they are not stupid. Bought players I wanted for next few weeks as Bruno, Ziyech, Watkins (their price rose so couldn't afford them latter) and had some injuries in my squad. You need to take some risk sometimes 😀

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

    WC active boys

    Ryan, Steel

    Chillwell, KWP, Justin, Target, Kilman

    Bruno, Hamez, Son, Grealish, 4.4

    DCL, Vardy, Jesus

    enough in bank to do bruno to Salah .. any critique??

    1. That Was Easy!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Would want a WHU defensive asset I think. Aguero might be back soon no?

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

        thanks

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

      Looks like a thing of beauty to me

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

  12. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on Salah Son to Bruno KDB ?

    2FTs 1.6ITB.

    Martinez
    Robo/Kilman/Chilwell
    Salah/Son/Hamez/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Bamford

    Martin/Reguilon/Mitchell/Stephens

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

      I have a feeling about Son this week, he may like playing on the break vs City

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

        The only thing is I don’t know whether I would like to have double Spurs in that game

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

        after 2 weeks of failed captaincy with him, I foresee a haul from him as well!

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

    Injuries and COVID permitting...!

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

    Steer, Saiss, Brewster, Mitchell

    Thanks guys - you reckon gtg?

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

      starting line up looks solid

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

        Thanks mate

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

      Looks good, but wouldn't captain vardy

  14. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My brain has gone to mash potato

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

      *looks at username*

      Checks out

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

      Mine is just fine, Chilwell the only doubt here. Still sitting on 2 FT!

      1. Simon69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        You should get two Spurs defenders with your FTs. Clean sheet monsters.

        1. Steve The Spud
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Haha, I remember that

          1. Simon69
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Expert opinion.

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

              With your 2M rank you'll be needing a few of those 😆

              1. Simon69
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Come back to me when you've got a little number next to your username.

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

    Thoughts on this plan for next 2 GWs?

    GW9:
    Salah + Maupay + Robertson > Bruno + Vardy + Coufal (-8)
    GW10:
    Son + Konsa > Grealish + Dias/Cancelo (-4)

    Martinez Steer
    Robertson Chilwell Konsa Kilman Mitchell
    Salah Sterling Son Jrod Anguissa
    Dcl Maupay Bamford

    1 FT 0.5 Itb

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not sure I'd be planning -12 over next 2 weeks tbh

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

        Agree with that but all those realistically need to be transferred out, apart from Konsa who I have to remove as I have 3 Villa players already.

  16. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    lads

    salah + maupay to vardy + ziyech for free ?

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

      If Salah is only out for a week then i really think it's worth keeping.

      If he's got no symptoms, then he's actually getting a 2-3 week break and then fresh against a Brighton team who will at least try and play and have already given away 4 penalties (most in league) this season.

  17. Greenbackbøøg…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Does anyone know what happened to Eze? Whys he got a flag

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

      Pulled out of the England U21 alongside Brewster, Boothroyd said he wasn't going to take a chance on them so probably precautionary but he's had fitness issues since the season began

  18. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah > Bruno for free, if it means taking a-4 to get Kane > KDB next week?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah to Bruno for free looks a no brainier now

  19. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How come a lot of people think KDB is gonna outscore Son in GW9 ?

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

      I don't think their is any difference between them this week, both are probably going to score 2-3pts.

      From next week, Kevin has better fixtures.

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

      After last 2 blanks, one of them being WBA, I think it’s pretty understandable

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don't think they do. I think they expect scores to be similar in 9, with the benefit of KDB being in 10-13.

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

    Crazy to go for Rashford(when fit) instead of Bruno?

    Ideally I prefer Bruno, but Rashford would allow a midfield of Salah, KdB and Grealish near future.

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

      If the extra 1M matters than Rashford > Bruno.

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

    Having not looked at football for what feels like a few thousand years. Any thoughts on these?

    a)Son and Maupay -? Jesus and Jota (makes it slightly harder to get city player in next week)
    b) Kane and Maupay -> Aguero + 6.9 forward (I like Wilson or Adams)
    c) Kane and Son -> Aguero and Rashford (Spurs have awful fixtures, but i have a lot of value tied up in them and think they'll still do ok)

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

      Not sure on jesus or Aguero

  22. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thank you Maupay for being a waste of space and now also falling in price to put me 0.1 short on my moves. Don't look at price changes they said...

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

      Tell me about it =(

      All set to do Maupay and Son -> Werner and Jota pending news on Friday.

    2. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WTH, he fell again! ?

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

    Can't remember the last time I had 0 Pool players in my team!

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

      Still have Robo, would like to get rid but possibly not the most important move

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

      Time for Mane's COVID immunity to come up clutch!

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

    1ft,1.7itb
    Son to grealish the best move here?
    Then next week, Kane and bissouma to kdb and Antonio/watkins

    Mccarthy button
    Chilwell James ayling Taylor mitchell
    Mané Bruno son soucek bissouma
    DCL Kane Bamford

  25. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Had planned to bench Salah in this team. With him testing positive again he definitely will miss Brighton. Who to bring in for him for a -4? Or should I just play Podence and hope Salah will play Brighton?

    Martinez (Steere)
    James Coufal Lamptey (Dallas Mitchell)
    Salah Sterling Son Ziyech (Podence)
    Martial DCL Bamford

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

      No guarantee he misses Brighton.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Doesn't the isolation math say something else?

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

          I’m confused on this as well. What are the rules? FPL app says he is expected back for Brighton game. But folks on here say there is no chance he plays...

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            With his positive test today he will have to continue staying in Egypt well into the middle of next week. If the result post that is negative he will have to isolate for 10 days in UK. All of this means he wont be available for Brighton.

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

          Haven't heard a single person come up with valid isolation math so until then I'd hold tight.

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hold tight imo, knowing fantasy he will start and brace. I am going to start him with Bissouma coming on as sub vs Villa incase of a no show.
      Over thinking always gets punished in fantasy I swear

  26. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    It is the question of the moment, but what about being on WC:

    Keep Salah or shift to Mane?

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

      If you're on WC it's a no-brainer to shift to Mane.

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah > Bruno just on doable, obviously.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        ...just *as* doable...

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

      If on WC why not shift

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Uncertainty on when he could return, mostly. Honestly not sure the travel/quarantine restrictions.

      2. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        That and I constantly second- and third-guess myself.

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

      Mane gives you pool cover. Good move.

      If we get the confirmation that Salah is out for Brighton I'll be doing the same on Friday.

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

      Mane on WC could be amazing, go for it

    6. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      On WC, no brainer to ditch Salah. He'll be back at 12m by the time we want him again, if not lower. I'm keeping 1.5 to go back up from Bruno for GW12.

      On:

      Martinez McCarthy
      Cancelo Dias Coufal Justin C. Taylor
      KdB Bruno Ziyech Grealish Bissouma
      Kane DCL Watkins

  27. AJ24
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rate my WC

    Martinez, Ryan
    Dias, Chilwell, Justin, Kilman, J Lewis
    KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Jota, Soucek
    DCL, Watkins, Bamford

    5.8m ITB to go Jota->Salah when we know what is going on.
    Jota can arguably be changed to Ziyech, Zaha, Sterling etc..

    1. AJ24
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Or of course Mane..

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

      Looks fine on paper though Rashford could be a better placeholder than Jota.

  28. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Am I understanding this correct? With Salah's positive test today he will have to continue staying in Egypt well into the middle of next week. If the result post that is negative he will have to isolate in UK for 10 days. All of this means he wont be available for Brighton.

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

      Why does he have to continue staying in Egypt? What if he tests negative tomorrow or Friday?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Even if a test happens in a couple of days and it is negative, the 10 days of UK isolation means he will miss Brighton.

    2. D92RF
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The 10 day isolation rule does not apply to professional footballers. So there is no way of knowing whether he'll be available vs Brighton and we won't know before this week's deadline unless he tests negative in the meantime.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Did not know there is an exception to the rule for professional footballers!

      2. A.J.
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        As far as I'm concerned, as soon as he left his 'bubble' to attend anything other than his sporting event he went there for, he should lose all isolation immunity granted to professional sportspeople and should isolate for the full amount anyone else would need to.

  29. ShaunGoater123
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    had to take a hit to get here but am i set up right for the weekend, GTG?

    McCarthy
    Bellerin / Dallas / Chilwell
    Mane / Fernandes (C) / Ziyech / Soucek
    Kane / Vardy / Watkins

    Button / Bissouma / mitchell / Justin

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

    WC has been activated.

    Mccarthy
    Targett Chilwell Cancelo
    KDB Grealish Bruno Ziyech
    Bamford Vardy DCL
    (Forster, Kilmann, Coufall, Soucek)

    1.5M ITB ready for Salah’s return.

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

      Looks excellent on paper.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      looks good, so cue 35 pointer