Pro Pundits

Debating whether to get Salah straight back into my FPL team for Gameweek 10

After much deliberation in Gameweek 9 I finally opted to transfer Mohamed Salah (£12.2m) out of my team at 00:40 on Saturday morning. That’s the latest I’ve made a transfer all season.

Instead of opting for the obvious Bruno Fernandes (£10.8m) move, I went for the long term play and brought in Kevin De Bruyne (£11.6m) who I knew I’d want for the foreseeable. 

With two free transfers it didn’t seem that risky to get rid of Salah, especially with the potential for him to miss an additional Gameweek.

As you can see below it didn’t go well.

andys-article 5

With just 50 points it undid all the hard work from the Gameweek before and saw a big red arrow.

The big question is whether to get Salah straight back in as I look at a team without Jamie Vardy (£10.2m) and wonder whether I really want to captain De Bruyne.

andys-article 6

From what Klopp has said it looks as though he’s now available and back training

“Salah trained with the team yesterday and looked really good. The test was negative so, if nothing changed since yesterday, he is available. Now we have to see what we do with that because he was quarantined until three days ago.” – Jurgen Klopp

There’s still no guarantee he’ll play against Brighton, so I’ll be heavily focused on watching the outcome of the Champions League game between Liverpool and Atalanta on Wednesday.

The ideal situation is that he plays some part in the game and comes through unscathed. Given that he had no symptons and is now back training you would think (or is it hope?) that he’ll be fine to play a Brighton side who will be down one of their key players in Tariq Lamptey (£4.8m).

The reason I’m so keen to get him straight back is simple, captaincy. I think Jamie Vardy is the best captaincy option for Gameweek 10, but Salah gives a great option, not just for this week but for many Gameweeks to come:

  • Gameweek 12 – Fulham (a)
  • Gameweek 14 – Crystal Palace (a)
  • Gameweek 15 – West Brom (h)

The rotation that I mentioned in my previous article with a Manchester City player is just too good to turn down. 

It’s important not to overthink sometimes, and a fit Salah really should be in my squad.

In order to get to that point I probably have to do the unthinkable and sell one of Heung-Min Son (£9.5m) or Harry Kane (£11.0m).

I fully understand the form argument but I’m a fixtures man, and until Gameweek 16 I have no intention of captaining either of these players. That doesn’t necessarily mean they have to be sold, but I don’t have a better way of funding the moves I want to make and ultimately I’d rather own Salah than Kane…….for now.

Kane may have been explosive towards the start of the season but his highest score in the last four Gameweeks is 9 points. In fact in the last four Gameweeks he’s only had 9 shots in the box.

Twelve players have a higher non-penalty xG than Kane in the last four. In the first five Gameweeks he was third, only behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.8m) and Sadio Mané (£12.1m).

Kane is still being fairly consistent, but the explosiveness seems to be on a downward trend and it’s that which makes me feel I can get away with it for a few Gameweeks.

FPL Gameweek 2 team news and injury updates so far

Choosing a cheap striker to fund the Salah move is difficult. There’s still so many options to choose from, but it’s Patrick Bamford (£6.1m) that I’m considering.

I’m consistently impressed with the number of chances Leeds United create for him. In fact they’ve created a total of 98 chances so far this season which is equal with Aston Villa and just nine behind Liverpool at the top. 

From those 98 chances, Bamford has already had 31 shots in the box over the entire season. No other player has had as many with Salah (26) and Kane (25) in second and third respectively.

Even if we filter out the opening Gameweeks where there were a lot of goals, and perhaps teams were getting adjusted to a new and slightly different kind of season it’s still promising for Bamford.

In the last four Gameweeks he’s had 18 shots in the box, five more than Trézéguet (£5.3m) in second. No player has a higher expected goal involvement either and he’s been involved in 80% of Leeds goals.

Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) is another option to go for as well, and he has penalties in his locker which is a big plus. However from open play there is really no competition between the two. Watkins still has a chance of making the team however as I think it’s probably time I moved on from Neal Maupay (£6.4m) who’s been stinking up my team with no returns since my Gameweek 5 Wildcard.

The only question left is who does Salah come in for. It’s between Marcus Rashford (£9.5m) and Son which will leave me with money in the bank to upgrade the other one in a few Gameweeks to Mané or Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) down the line.

I think most people would side with selling Rashford. He looked tired and rusty against West Brom, squandering a great chance from Fernandes.

However when you compare the two over the last four Gameweeks it’s quite close. Both players have only had four shots in the box, but Rashford has created six chances to Son’s two.

I also prefer Manchester United’s fixtures with Southampton (a) and West Ham (a) versus Tottenham Hotspur against Chelsea (a) and Arsenal (h).

A lot has been made about Spurs being better against stronger teams because they can play on the counter but I don’t expect either Chelsea nor Arsenal to attack them like Manchester City did. I think both games could be close.

If it was for the long term I’d probably hold Son, but if I go through with the Mané or Sterling double up then I only need them for two Gameweeks at most so Rashford might get the nod as a bit of a differential with slightly better fixtures in my book.

Lessons Learned from FPL Gameweek 9

976 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which combo is better

    A. Salah, Targett/Coufal/Lamptey/Dallas

    B. KDB, Bellerin

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Salah and Lamptey/Targett

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

    Probably I will be patient with ManCity so I won't make any move this gw to have 2FT for the next one to jump onto double ManCity if they are back to form

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

      Oh wow what are the odds hahah, see my post below.

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

    I am considering saving a free transfer here when most people are making big calls and shifting their premiums.

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Coufal
    Bruno (c) Son Ziyech Hames Grealish
    Kane DCL
    Steer Mitchell Brewster Lamptey
    1FT, 1.8ITB

    Rolling the FT here because im undecided on a move.
    Good decision?

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

      Good team. A little defensive for my liking but I can see you decision for rolling FT

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

        Cheers. Yeh I have made aggressive moves and even hits to try and bring Ziyech, Bruno etc early this season but on all of those occasions I was sure of what I wanna do..here im not.

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Zaha owners ditching or holding?
    First drop will not change his sell price for me so waiting for info.

    1. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d sell, hes coming into a tough run of fixtures by the time hes able to play

    2. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'd be tempted to punt on Jota

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

      Already sold his ugly mug

    4. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Holding if he's able to play on Friday.

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

      Do we know he’s out for more than just friday’s game?
      Is it as soon as he tests negative he’s good to go?

      1. Christophe Savage
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He hasn't had a positive test has he? he is just self isolating. Has there been confirmation he has tested positive?

  5. Champione
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Robertson Chilwell James
    Bruno Son Ziyech Grealish
    Kane DCL Brewster

    Steer Trossard Lamptey Dunne, 1 FT, 1.9 ITB

    A) Ziyech + Trossard > KDB + Riedewald -4
    B) Kane + Trossard > KDB + Bamford/Adams
    C) Kane > Vardy
    D) Kane + Son > Vardy + KDB -4

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

      A as im not convinced on losing Kane.

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

        Actually no, you are starting Brewster? I would fix that first.

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

          yeah, Trossard is creating some troubles

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

            I would even take a hit to sort out your 7th attacker.

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

              so B looks a viable option then? Vardy and Jota also possible

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

                Yup B with either of those. Or just do Trossard to Jota for free this week

      2. Champione
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        thanks

  6. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Looking to transfer out Coady for a Man City defender. Looking at either Cancelo or Dias, leaning towards Cancelo but I’m unsure. Cancelo surely has a higher ceiling but Dias has a potentially lower rotation risk?

  7. AdamJ91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Kane > Vardy (-4) worth it or nah?

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

      Not even doing it for free

  8. Jamb0
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who to start?

    A) Dallas (eve)
    B) KWP (MUN)

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

      tough, A imo

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

      Dallas looks good and Everton look leaky. I’ve been burnt benching KWP but would bench him

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

    Still not sure which to prioritize for GW10. Salah or Vardy. Or go for both for -4.

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

      Liverpool's early kick-off putting me off atm but would need a big sofa. Vardy more important this week imo

    2. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Depends if your looking for a 1 week punt or long term.

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

    Manchester City 4-0 and 5-0 wins Vs Burnley every season doesn't mean they will keep it up. They were also winning 0-4 or 0-5 vs WHU(A) in the past years but now they drew 1-1

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

      That’s a great point and I don’t see myself captaining KDB even if he was in my team.

    2. Garam MOSALAH
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Who will you go for C
      Bruno, Mane or Kdb ?

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

        Kdb probably but Bruno is close too. BHA(a) won't favour Mane because he is more of a box attacker rather than counter attacks imo. Southampton can be tricky for Man Utd because they are very solid when they want. So it's KDB probably

      2. Neo-Viper
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bruno

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

        Bruno

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

      This. History of fixtures doesn’t mean much. Especially this season

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

      Was this because they were lacking a fully fit Aguero?

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

    Let’s talk about Werner. Some more poor misses last night coupled by his heavy minutes. Any owners getting itchy feet? I know I am.

    1. The Rumour Mill
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Agreed, Against newcastle and Rennes he missed about 4 big chances, either through poor contact, too close to the keeper or missing the goal entirely. His decision making was awful against newcastle too. He was even misplacing simple passes last night. Looks well out of form to me. He probably gets a reprieve from Frank as pulisic is out, but to be fair CHO could play in his position too.

  12. Garam MOSALAH
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    With exact funds, 1 FT should I

    A) Mane > Salah
    B) Save FT

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

      B

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Save ft

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

      B

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

    If it's true that Zaha tested positive early last week then why the F@#$ didn't the moron Roy tell us in the press conference?

    1. R.C
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Similar thing happened with Salah, think he tested negative and then was allowed to leave Egypt but no one mentioned that lol

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

    Sometimes we have to go off what’s happening. Yes City have good fixtures on paper, but their attack hasn’t clicked. No guarantee they’ll get over those issues

    Sounds mad but, it could be a risk going with KDB/Sterling(C) this week. Especially with Bruno Salah DCL being popular picks

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

      Agreed

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

    Just tinkering with my team and planning the next few gameweeks which i'm is never a good idea. Let me know your thoughts on this?

    GW10 - Saiss to Cancelo
    GW11 - Son to KDB (c)
    GW12 - Kane and Fornals to Antonio and Salah(c)

    Team currently

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Saiss
    Grealish Son Fernandes Fornals Podence
    DCL Kane

    Forster Lamptey Brewster Ferguson

    GW12 team

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Saiss
    Grealish KDB Fernandes Salah Podence
    DCL Antonio

    Forster Lamptey Brewster Ferguson

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Imo I would be trying to get in salah or mane this week for the start of a good run of games...

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

        i need 3 playing defenders so that's priority. Salah may come off the bench this week.

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Salah will start this week vs Brighton imo. Very rare klopp resta him, if anything he will take him off early if the game.goes well

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

            Probably. Who would you replace him with though in my team?

            1. n14mul
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Probably need to get rid of one of the spurs to find it

  16. tc93
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    G2G? Got 1FT.. tempted to do Lamptey to Cancelo (free) and maayybee Wilson —> Bamford.

    Martinez
    Chillwell / KWP / Kilman
    Salah / Fernandes / Ziyech / Grealish
    Kane / DCL / Wilson

    Button, Lamptey, Michell, Stephens

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

    I have a trio of Grealish, JRodriguez and Zyech and I wonder if its time to ditch Grealish. I looked at he`s points this season and he has twice scored more then 10p. Both scores came from games against Pool and Southampton. Teams that played with high def line and Villa played counterattack. The next fixures are against teams that sitt deap and mostly defend. They are not easy fixtures as it looks like on paper.

    Any thoughts?

    1. n14mul
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Interesting to see how long barkely is out for as I think it will affect the way they set up. If you have dcl I would look at possibly moving on hames after the Leeds game

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

        This is good advice. Hames probably goes before Grealish for me too

        1. n14mul
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Plus jota is too good to ignore even if he is not guaranteed to start, all depends on which formation you have.

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

      Much rather ditch Ziyech

  18. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Not many options to replace him really.

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

      Reply to pino

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

      I can upgrade to DeBruyne

  19. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will Mark get Salah back?

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mark does what he wants

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

    Sterling as likely to score vs Burnley as Salah against Brighton according to the odds, can't wait for his 3 pointer come the weekend!

  21. stokkies
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What to do with Lamptey? I got 0 to spare to have to be the same value or less, thinking of James Justin?

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Keep

  22. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pick 2 out of Bruno sterling salah

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

      Bruno Salah for me

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

      Bruno Salah

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

      I am going with all 3. Bruno and salah should be the 2.

  23. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who to captain?

    1. Salah
    2. Bruno

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1

  24. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who is a better option long term?

    1. Charlie Taylor
    2. Lewis
    3. Both

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

      1

  25. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which combination is better this week

    A) James + KDB
    B) Cancelo + Hamez

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

      A

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

      A

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

    If Cancelo starts today would you still get him over Dias?

    Kilman & Mitchell are my 4th & 5th defenders.
    Chilwell, Lamptey and City defender will start most weeks. Not sure if I can afford the rotation risk with Cancelo.

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

      I'm debating this too and may end up going with a more nailed option like Cresswell who's a bit cheaper as well

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

        Don't like West Ham's fixtures for clean sheets. Only Palace looks good in the next 5 games (AVL, MUN, lee, CRY, che) imo.

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Even if he doesn’t start I wouldn’t get him because that’s a dangerous bench

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

        I'm considering that. Does he have any goal threat from corners?

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          He’s got plenty, 1 goal every 4 games in Portuguese league last season

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

            Sounds promising! Cheers mate!

  27. jaguar shark
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FTs, Bruno back to Salah then?

    1. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Or Robbo/Rod to coufal/Salah...?

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

        This. Shame to lose Robbo after 12 pointer but stats said they were still letting attacks into the box and rather lose him than in form Bruno

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

        And based on Fulham games, JRods job is to spray balls to the wings: Digne, Iwobi and Rich for them to cross to DCL. High risk of assist the assisting

  28. AnfieldLad
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best way to get Salah back:

    A) Son Kane -> Salah Vardy (-4)
    B) Soucek Kane -> Salah Bamford (-4)
    C) Bruno -> Salah

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

      Hmm B I reckon

    2. jaguar shark
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      C. The others are super aggressive imo.

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

    A) short term move : Kane to vardy (c)
    B) long term move : Kane and bissouma to kdb and Watkins
    C) upgrade : soucek to jota
    D) upgrade : Taylor to cancelo

    Would captain Bruno in B, C, D

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

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

      Can you upgrade Bruno to KDB next week if you do A?

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

        I could but Bruno isn't going anywhere for me

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

    Dont know whether it was mentioned already, but KDB and Walker didnt travel with the team for rest reasons.
    So good news for (future) kdb owners I guess.

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

      Depends if it's a rest or COVID related