FPL

Salah to miss Olympics but other FPL players involved ahead of Gameweek 1

There was welcome news for Mohamed Salah‘s (£12.5m) prospective owners in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) when it was revealed that Liverpool have refused permission for the Egyptian to represent his country at this summer’s Olympic Games.

Egypt wanted to name Salah as one of three ‘overage’ players for this under-24 tournament, which runs from July 22 until August 7 – the final taking place less than a week before the start of the Premier League season.

The president of the Egyptian FA, Ahmed Megahed, suggested that Salah had wanted to be involved:

I knew in June they would not let him go. Anyway we respect their decision.

I tried many, many times with Liverpool, as did the Egypt FA, to persuade them to let Salah be a part of the Olympic team but they refused completely.

Mohamed wanted to play the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. He talked with me, I did my best to bring him. Salah was a key player in my Olympic plans. But the club refused – we need to move on.

Clubs are not obliged to release their players for this tournament as it is not officially recognised on FIFA’s match calendar.

But a number of Premier League players look set to be involved, despite their employers not being compelled to grant permission.

While the FPL assets in Olympics action should still all be back in the UK by the time that 2021/22 gets underway (barring any quarantine period) and should theoretically be at least as match-fit as their club colleagues, the fact that their pre-season campaigns would have been affected with their domestic teams – e.g. missing out on tactical drills – could have an impact come Gameweek 1.

THE PREMIER LEAGUE PLAYERS INVOLVED AT THE OLYMPICS

Chris Wood (£7.0m) will hook up with New Zealand in the Far East, along with West Ham United’s Winston Reid (£4.0m).

Wood had his best-ever season for FPL points in 2020/21, scoring on 12 occasions and setting up a further three goals.

Depending on the Kiwis’ progress into the tournament, two of Burnley’s trio of £5.5m forwards – Matej Vydra, Ashley Barnes and Jay Rodriguez – could well be given the nod against Brighton and Hove Albion on the opening weekend.

The Seagulls’ Alexis Mac Allister (£5.5m) will be representing Argentina, meanwhile.

The Manchester United duo of Eric Bailly (£5.0m) and Amad Diallo are also set to be involved with the Ivory Coast.

Apart from Wood, the headline news from a Fantasy perspective is Richarlison’s (£7.5m) call-up by Brazil.

The Everton forward, who had also represented his country in the Copa America this summer, has been granted permission to take part in the Olympic Games by the Toffees.

Richarlison has been away in South America since the beginning of June and, should Brazil go deep into the Olympics, will barely have had any rest by the time 2021/22 kicks off.

READ MORE: Can Everton’s FPL assets have a strong start under new boss Rafael Benitez?

Aston Villa’s Douglas Luiz (£4.5m) is in a similar boat, having been selected for both aforementioned international tournaments.

It’ll be interesting to see whether Rafael Benitez and Dean Smith follow Jurgen Klopp’s lead in giving their international players three weeks off.

Arsenal’s Gabriel Martinelli (£5.5m) will also be joining Luiz and Richarlison in Japan, although Gabriel Magalhães (£5.0m) has withdrawn through injury.

The other Premier League representatives at the Olympic Games are Brighton and Hove Albion’s Tudor Baluta, Everton’s Niels Nkounkou, Crystal Palace’s Jay Rich-Baghuelou, Southampton’s Caleb Watts and Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Rafa Mir, none of whom are listed in FPL.

OLYMPIC GAMES – FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

  • Group stage: Matchday 1 – July 22
  • Group stage: Matchday 2 – July 25
  • Group stage: Matchday 3 – July 28
  • Quarter-finals – July 31
  • Semi-finals – August 3
  • Bronze medal match – August 6
  • Gold medal match – August 7
294 Comments Post a Comment
  1. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    ok - i'm going wild, got a Spainish vibe

    Donna (Stek)
    Maguire, Shaw, Maehle, (Kimpembe, Dumfries)
    Olmo, Insigne, Ferran, Damsgaard, Sterling
    Immobile, Kane, Oyarzabal

    5 frees used.

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Olmo (c)

  2. Henning
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    How attacking is Emerson?

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Not Spinazzola attacking but defs will get forward further than the CB’s in open play

      1. Henning
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanx, its him or Bonucci.

    2. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Going with cheaper Di Lorenzo

  3. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Immobile Chiesa Insigne Emerson Donna + FTorres… come on Italy!

    Chiesa/Insigne/Emerson (c) ????

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Insigne

    2. Henning
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Insigne

  4. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who to get a) F Torres or b) olmo?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      A

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks went a) and insigne caotain

  5. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sanchez (Sondergaard)
    TAA Shaw Lamptey (Ayling, Williams)
    Salah Fernandes Jota Harrison (Gilmour)
    Watkins Antonio DCL

    Thing I don't like about it:
    1. Brighton double up
    2. Too much money spread around in the 7.5-8.0 options
    3. No City

  6. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Morata benched

    1. Bring the Cavalry
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Simon
      Azpi Garcia laport Alba
      Pedri koke busquets
      Torres oyarzbal Olmo

  7. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Morata not even on bench ?

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Saw someone on here say he isn’t in the squad?!

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Is this true?

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

      He is

    4. Moxon
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He is on the bench.

  8. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Torres and Phillips or Olmo and Mount?

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Olmo Mount

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Mount to start?

  9. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the Italian penalty taker?

    Jorginho?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I believe so

    2. nothing_else_Mata
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      would say Immobile or even Insigne

  10. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is Berardi on the bench?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Lineups out?

        1. Bielsa's Bucket
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          ye

        2. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Yes

  11. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Sarabia to Mount or Omo folks???? Already have 5 England and 5 Italy(Berardi is one) and for Spain I have Alaba and Morata and Sarabia atm!!

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      *Olmo

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Mount, if he's likely to start

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah he was my initial thoughts mate!! Surely he starts!!

  12. smix
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Get Olmo for -4 or just hold on to Sarabia and hope he plays next game if applicable ?

    1. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I'd hold, haven't seen many hits pay out, so -4 isn't worth it imo

  13. dirtmcgirt
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Have one transfer left to get rid of eliminated defender or striker but also have grealish/moreno. do I transfer either of those out or jest Immobile/danish striker in?

  14. smix
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Morata to Dolberg worth it ?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      For free, yes.

  15. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Barella or Veretti?

  16. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Finally will get some Donnaruma save points against "shoot straight at keeper" Spain.

  17. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Is it worth ditching Morata to Dolberg for a -4? Already have 14 players still in the game, including Kane and Immobile

    1. Saosin
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      No

    2. Dr. Rog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Keep Morata. If they are chasing he will come on, and then proceed to miss 3 open goals anyway.

    3. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Don't think so

  18. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Should I use a transfer to do Morata to Oyarzabal?

    Or Berardi to Chiesa?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Same dilemma here but would rather use free transfers to remove 4 deleted players and Spinazzola. Also Morata and Berardi could both do well off bench

    2. Bielsa's Bucket
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Had 1FT. Did Chiesa for me. Left Morata on and transferred P.Torres for Eric Garcia

  19. smash
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Chiesa or Olmo (same price)

    Thanks.

    1. Saosin
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Chiesa

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Olmo

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        what's your planned moves Dunas?

        1. dunas_dog
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 8 months ago

          Bringing in Insigne Sterling Olmo Shaw and Emerson I think. And you?

          Donna
          Emerson Alba Maelhe
          Insigne (c) Berardi Olmo Sterling
          Immobile Kane Morata

          Stek Shaw Stones Damsgaard

          1. Rinseboy
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 8 months ago

            same just unsure on Emerson vs Bonucci!

            1. dunas_dog
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 8 months ago

              Yes still thinking about that too. Emerson low ownership and attacking potential v Bonucci nailed and threat from set pieces

              1. Rinseboy
                • 12 Years
                2 years, 8 months ago

                I've gone Bonucci for the set peice threat and Spains weakness! Good luck

  20. Steager
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Whats this Oyarzabel fellow like?

    just seen he's starting. I need a replacement for Lukaku. Is he ok?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Oya

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      He's good.

    3. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      he's super fun! lively. with Olmo too, I love this Spanish attack now.

  21. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    5 ENG
    4 ITA
    3 ESP
    2 DEN
    1 Bushchan 😛

  22. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Ouch, didn't need that. Who do I spent my last FT on?

    Berardi > Mount/Olmo/Barella
    Morata > Oyarzabal/Dolberg
    Steklenberg > Pickford

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Mount/Olmo

      1. Il Capitano
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 8 months ago

        Ta, think I'll go Mason, threat of an early sub for the Spanish frontline

  23. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Donna (Stek)
    Maehle Maguire Shaw Stones (Kimpembe)
    Insigne Sterling Dams (Berardi Sarabia)
    Immobile Morata Kane

    Have 2 FTs

    A) Berardi & Sarabia ➡️ Olmo & Chiesa
    B) Sarabia & Kimpembe ➡️ Ferran & Emerson

    Thoughts?

    1. Saosin
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      B

  24. smix
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    A. Morata to Dolberg & hold Sarabia or
    B. Sarabia to Hojberg & hold Morata ?

  25. BenSvnt
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Price changes, if i have Kante, is he going to change when completely out?

  26. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    This is my team after using my 5 free transfers

    Simon Pickford
    Lorenzo Emerson Maguire Shaw Maehle
    Insigne Berardi Sterling Damsgaard Sarabia*
    Immobile Morata Kane

    Should I take a hit to replace Sarabia? If yes then Ferran or Chiesa?

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      I don't think there's enough time to make up a hit.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Nah, if they win he might be fit for the final

    3. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      You've also got to replace Berardi as he doesn't start.

  27. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Score prediction tonight?

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      2-2 Spain to win in Pens.
      (1-1 at FT)

  28. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who has the better attacking returns Bonucci or Chiellini??

  29. liboo
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Who is the best captain from Italy today ?!!!

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 8 months ago

      Insigne

  30. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 8 months ago

    Just asked the Magic 8 Ball if I should go Morata>Dolberg. It said yes.

    As good a source as any.