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. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    If Kilman is out because his father passed way does this means that Saiss will play this week?

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

      Not definitely but it gives him a chance to play. Wait for pressers for more info.

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

      If out then yes he should play. I also think Nuno will start as both Kilman and Nouri was exposed on the left side against LEI and might want to tighten up the left side with Saiss at LCB

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

    So Southgate finally realised Grealish is good enought to start for England.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Lad is on fire at the moment, I bet Spurs and United wish they've paid whatever Villa was asking for him after this season it will be twice the price.

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

      Southgate is a crap manager

  3. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Grealish starts again, I just know how this is going to end....

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

    Trent, Salah, Mitro -> Cresswell, Bruno, Werner worth -8? Can get Salah back for Bruno by gw 12 by downgrading Jimenez

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

      Yes. Great moves. Say hi to Gretel

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

        Haha I will!

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

      I think Werner is a risk to start due to his minutes in the international games. Probably not worth the Mitro - 4

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Agree think Werner may start but wouldn’t take a -8. Just do the 2 moves.

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

      You really want to drop bruno in 12? Great fixtures after, and utd beat City 3times last year so not a bad fixture

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

    Any news on Wilson??

    1. Well you know, Triffic
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Last seen floating in the South Pacific ocean

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        🙂

      2. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Excellent

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

        🙂

  6. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My rank calls for an All or Nothing Wildcard. Good team from GW10?

    Martinez (Button)
    Chilwell Cancelo Targett (Coufal Mitchell)
    KdB Bruno Grealish Jota (Lemina)
    Vardy Jesus Richarlison

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Think you need s stronger bench with players like Cancelo, Jota and Jesus

      But it looks like a team with very high ceiling if all are starting.

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

        You're right. I could get Soucek instead of Lemina.

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

          Definitely do that then. I think you might like Charlie Taylor to rotate with your defenders better than targett Villa double up too.

  7. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Saiss likely to start this weekend?

    1. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't saiss so

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Almost laughed a little bit there

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Saiss, Saiss, Saiss what you want but don't play mind games with my defender....

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wolves don't play 'til Monday so a good chance Kilman is back for that.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Good spot.

  8. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So A or B?

    A. Salah >> Bruno(C)
    Then Son+Saiss >> KDB+Killman(-4) next week.

    B. Salah >> KDB (Grealish(C))

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

      I'm currently debating whether to go Bruno (C) or bring in KDB one GW early. Currently leaning towards Bruno option. He is Utds talisman after all.

    2. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Similar problem below. But involves keeping Salah. Seems a tough call.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Any way of doing Son > Bruno?

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Nope

  9. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi All. 1FT 1.7ITB, and a few injuries and problems. I have burned the WC last international break to fix injuries and an awful start.

    McCarthy
    TAA*, Chilwell*, Lamptey
    Salah*, Son, Rashford*, Ziyech, Foden*
    DCL, Watkins
    Brewster*, Mitchell*, Dallas

    TAA the obvious problem planning him to Dias who seems more sure of starts at City.Chilwell is hopefully OK. Brewster hopefully OK as he nicely covers Salah for a few weeks if need be. Foden is an issue but hoping for some points over the next 3 then sell GW12.

    The issue is Rashford. If he is out I will need to take another hit but was planning on him to KDB already GW10. That seems a poor move this week to get double City. Fernandes is better but it then means I have to take him out straight away or take out Son or Salah to KDB when I want to keep them longer term. Any thoughts appreciated.

  10. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on WC team? Route to get Salah back would be Bruno & DCL to Salah & £6.1m forward in a few gameweeks (although fully expect things to change). Could move Soucek to £4.5m mid to give myself a bit more leeway when bringing Salah back?

    Martinez, £4m
    Chilwell, Cancelo, Coufal, Justin, Lamptey
    Ziyech, KDB, Grealish, Bruno, Soucek
    DCL, Watkins, Vardy

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

      Looks decent. Go with playing 4.5mid since you'll play 343 most weeks. You also have cheap defs with a higher ceiling than a 4.5mid so can go 4 at the back depending in fixtures

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers, probably the sensible thing to do.

  11. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    no one fancy watkins cap this week?

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He was playing for Weston-super-Mare just a few years ago.

    2. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not for me, happy just having him in the team. Bruno, DCL and Grealish are ahead of him

  12. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Made my moves early, 0.0 ITB. Will be a nerve racking last couple of days.

    Martinez
    James - Cancelo - Chilwell
    Salah - Bruno - Ziyech - Grealish
    Kane - DCL - Richarlison

    Forster - Lamptey - Bissouma - Mitchell

    1. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Provided just Salah missing out, Lamptey is a good sub. Minus Salah not too dissimilar to alot of WC teams.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Solid team. Lamptey in for Salah and still looks pretty good.

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      What are the moves? Does anyone else know?

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

    Who to place first on bench?
    1. Dallas
    2. Bissouma

    1. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dallas

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

      Dallas

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1

  14. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Tielemans another goal just now v Denmark

  15. Dosh
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Tielemans in red hot form! Just scored again for Belgium.
    Could be good from GW10 for Leicester's easy fixtures.

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

    A) Kane + Bruno
    B ) Vardy + Ziyech -4

  17. The Ilfordian
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Soucek scores for Czech Republic

  18. GarethJohn
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey guys
    I’m going alright the last few weeks and kinda stuck on moves this week, I know I need some bench cover as that’s hurt me too the last few weeks:

    GK: Ryan - McCarthy
    DEF: Zouma, Chillwell, Saiis
    MID: *Salah , Zaha, Son, Grealish, Ziyech
    FWD: Kane, *Wilson

    Bench: *Mitchell, Dunne, Obafemi

    I have 1.4mil in the back as well

    Thanks guys