Members

Who are the best Romelu Lukaku replacements in FPL?

Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) is poised to miss Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) after injuring his ankle in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League win over Malmo.

Thomas Tuchel may give us a more exact prognosis on the Belgian’s fitness in Friday’s pre-match press conference but the premium FPL forward is seemingly set to sit out Saturday’s home fixture against Norwich City at the very least, with the Chelsea boss saying Lukaku would miss “some games”.

Over three million Fantasy bosses owned the Belgium international after Gameweek 8 but the mass exodus has begun, with around 400,000 of those having already ditched him at the time of writing.

So who are the best replacements for the injured Lukaku in FPL?

We take a look at the options available to Fantasy managers in the article below.

All our stats and graphics are taken from our Premium Members Area, where there is currently a seven-day free trial on offer.

BEST LUKAKU REPLACEMENTS: PREMIUM FORWARDS

JAMIE VARDY

Vardy on target again as Man Utd's defensive issues continue in Gameweek 8 2

Top among FPL forwards for transfers in ahead of Gameweek 9, Jamie Vardy (£10.6m) is the go-to Lukaku replacement for many Fantasy managers.

It’s not so much the immediate fixtures – Brentford (a), Arsenal (h), Leeds (a) and Chelsea (h) is a mixed bag over the next four Gameweeks – as the form, with Vardy now the Premier League’s joint-top goalscorer after scoring on five occasions in his last four appearances.

Some of us may have wanted to wait for Gameweek 13 and a ticker-topping four-game stretch for Leicester City but moving for Vardy now at least saves a transfer further down the line, and opposition difficulty doesn’t seem to be much of a barrier to the veteran hitman anyway: last season, for example, he bagged 10 goals and assists combined in 12 fixtures against the ‘big six’ sides.

It’s true that 50% of his attacking returns this season have come against Norwich City and Burnley, two of the weakest defences in the division.

And the return to the starting XI of Kelechi Iheanacho (£7.0m) is also worth monitoring, as the Nigerian was the bigger goal threat of the two when Brendan Rodgers paired them up top towards the final third of last season.

Vardy hasn’t been adversely affected so far, with totals of six shots and five attempts in the box in the last two Gameweeks in keeping with his output in 2021/22 before that, and it has been Iheanacho who has been playing slightly wider and deeper.

Above: Touch heatmaps for Vardy (left) and Iheanacho (right) over the last two Gameweeks

One word of caution for medium-term holders of Vardy is that the 34-year-old striker is currently enjoying midweek breathers in the UEFA Europa League to aid with his recovery between league games. More Premier League matches replace those European nights throughout November and December, with nine top-flight games to contest in the space of 35 days from Gameweeks 13-21. The Leicester striker may not escape a benching or two over that period, then, but the same could be argued for huge swathes of the FPL players in our teams.

HARRY KANE

Kane and Wilson enter FPL differential conversation ahead of Gameweek 9

The August curse extended to mid-October this year, with Harry Kane (£12.1m) only opening his Premier League account in last week’s win over Newcastle United.

As is the case with Vardy, it’s not until next month that Spurs’ fixtures really leap off the page – a four-match period from Gameweeks 12-15 looking like the ideal time to pounce on the Lilywhites.

Kane’s extra cost is the main deterrent considering that Vardy and an alternative route into the Spurs attack, Son Heung-min (£10.1m), can be snapped up for some £1.5m-£2.0m less.

Kane’s underlying stats have really stepped up a gear over the last four Gameweeks, as he’s joint-top among FPL forwards for shots alongside Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m) and Vardy.

While plenty of those efforts are coming from distance, the typically dead-eyed Kane has still had more shots on target than any of his positional rivals – and the same number of big chances as Ronaldo.

Still, Son is outgunning Kane for big chances, shots in the box and expected goal involvement (xGI) even over this four-match period, so justifying that extra £2.0m outlay if it’s a ‘one or the other’ dilemma is not easy.

THE OTHERS

Cristiano Ronaldo dominates his premium peers stats-wise over the course of the season but some stiff fixtures, not to mention United’s iffy form and inability to carve out a single ‘big chance’ for him over the last three Gameweeks, leads us away from the veteran Portuguese.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£9.9m) is arguably the pick of the rest from the premium pool. Having found the net in each of his last three appearances at the Emirates, the Gabon international and his Gunners teammates have four more very favourable home encounters against Aston Villa, Watford, Newcastle and Southampton between now and Gameweek 16.

Trips to Leicester and Manchester United needn’t be feared from a defensive perspective either, with those two hapless backlines on just one clean sheet apiece in 2021/22.

A lack of big chances this season (two, fewer than 17 other forwards) is the main downside and he’s having to rely on his historically strong goal conversion rate to maintain his output. A possible recall for Alexandre Lacazette (£8.3m) would also presumably see Aubameyang shunted to the left flank, as has happened many times before.

Gabriel Jesus (£8.6m) is being routinely overlooked by many of us, with the week-to-week rotation risk and a ‘reverse out of position’ tag cited as the main reasons. And yet, despite registering fewer minutes than 15 other FPL forwards, he is still third among players in his Fantasy position for points.

The no-shows and one-pointers will be as regular as the double-digit hauls, nevertheless still resulting in a decent points-per-match average (Jesus’s is currently 5.90). Strong benches will be needed to negotiate those rests, so with many of us taking punts on rotation risks such as Phil Foden (£8.0m), Reece James (£5.5m) and Ben Chilwell (£5.7m), the Man City man may be one gamble too many.

BEST LUKAKU REPLACEMENTS: MID-PRICE/BUDGET FORWARDS

IVAN TONEY

Toney off the mark as injuries and Covid impact Villa 4

Lukaku’s injury doesn’t just allow FPL managers to move sideways between premium forwards but downgrade to a mid-price or budget option in order to reallocate funds elsewhere, perhaps with a view to recruiting Son, Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) or the man who looks set to lead Chelsea’s line in Lukaku and Timo Werner‘s (£8.6m) absences, the ‘out of position’ Kai Havertz (£8.1m).

One such cut-price striker is Ivan Toney (£6.4m), whose Brentford side sit top of our Season Ticker from now until Gameweek 18.

Pre-season price offer extended for FFScout Premium Membership 10

Full-year memberships, monthly subscriptions and a FREE trial are all now available.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 150+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • Enjoy our Flat-Track Bully feature which introduces an opposition filter to your tables.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

ALREADY A USER? CLICK HERE TO UPGRADE YOUR FREE ACCOUNT

NEW TO SCOUT? CLICK HERE TO START A MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNT

3,460 Comments Post a Comment
  1. boroie
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Already have:
    Cancelo
    James
    Foden
    who are not guaranteed starts every week…

    Is adding Havertz and Jesus into my team on top of those 3 playing with fire?

    1. WenzelK
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Think you’re on to something. Got Cancelo, Azpi and foden. Thinking of switching Saka/Lukaku to Havertz/Jesus… but that might be too many risky players. Is kdb/Armstrong a better combo maybe?

      1. boroie
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        True… although why was Armstrong not playing last week?

        Only thing I would say, is that you would think that between James, Cancelo, Foden, Havertz and Jesus, I would be very unlucky if at least 3 didn’t start and my bench is probably strong enough to cope with 2 not playing. A lot probably depends on how long Lukaku and Werner are out for as you’d think Havertz’s position is pretty nailed until either 1 of them is back.

        1. WenzelK
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          True about Havertz. Borja needed minutes? From the comments today it seems like hassenhutl actually values Armstrong.

  2. Inter Me Gran
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone thinking of Benrahma > Bowen? He’s been ticking on nicely and got another goal tonight

  3. banskt
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Assuming Lukaku comes back in GW10, how many minutes will Havertz play in GW10 and GW11?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Big assumption

      1. banskt
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I know. But if he comes back in GW10, how will that affect the minutes of Havertz?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Don't think he will imo.

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Cannot see him back for 3/4 weeks- possibly after International brea

  4. JollyGoodYellows
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What transfers would you make here?

    1FT and 0.0 itb

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Alonso Cancelo Livramento White
    Salah Benrahma Raphinha Barnes Gilmour
    Antonio Ronaldo Toney

    1. Deer-in-headlights
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Barnes to Mbeumo for this week.

  5. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    is Alonso captain too mental?!

    1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Do you think he starts mate?? I own him too

    2. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Might not play

    3. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      is the general view he has been dropped now?!

    4. Costa Nostra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell surely first choice now that he's up and running.

  6. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any help appreciated… Wc thoughts?

    McCarthy Foster
    Dias Rudiger TAA Liv Manquillo
    Salah Raph Havertz Foden Mbuemo
    Vardy Antonio Borja

    Option for Jesus, Son over Vardy, Foden

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Which attacker gets benched?

      1. Tsparkes10
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Borja

  7. The-Red-1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foden to Havertz (c) for a -4?

    1. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No

    2. Predator
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      yes for me

    3. MountainBeach
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      no way...it's like Havertz is a reliable scorer lol

      1. MountainBeach
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        not*

  8. Snake Juice
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Exact cash for Lukaku to Kane.

    Screw it, he can have the armband too.

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Debating myself the exact same move

  9. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    If Lukaku and Werner were being blankmasters, what makes people think Harvertz going to turn into Superman?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The curl in his hair

    2. banskt
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      NOR and new?

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Lukaku is a big boy and many defences have dealt with him plus he was not being accomodated.

        I just do not see Havertz showing up. He hardly has.

        1. Pariße
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Missed the CL final, haven’t you?

    3. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      True. Also, I prefer Havertz if he were playing WITH Lukaku.

    4. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      8.1m OOP midfielder playing up top for one of the best teams in the league against three of the worst defences in the league. I'll have some of that.

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Mbeumo is cheaper.

        1. I Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Can easily have them both.

  10. mr messi
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudiger is the safe pick for a Che defender isn't he?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

    2. WenzelK
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Azpi?

  11. WenzelK
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed.. which combo?

    A) KDB and A. Armstrong
    B) Havertz and Jesus

  12. abaalan
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2 FT , 1.1 ITB

    A) Lukaku -> Kane
    B) Saka -> Mbeumo
    C) Lukaku + Saka -> Vardy + Havertz
    D) Lukaku + Saka -> Toney + Son (leaves 2.5 ITB to get TAA next week)
    E) Other?

    1. Predator
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      b

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lukaku to Vardy. Save 1

      1. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        C

    3. Firmino
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      D

  13. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A or B?

    A. Gw 9: Lukaku > Toney
    Gw 10: Mahrez > Son

    B. Gw 9: Lukaku > Vardy
    Gw 11: Mahrez > Son at the earliest

    1. banskt
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Both are solid plans. Personally, I would go for B (Vardy and Mahrez both are in form).

  14. Manani
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A. Kane + Havertz + Muembo (-4)

    B. Vardy + Havertz + Benrahm/Sarr

    C. Toney + Son

    1. Snake Juice
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

  15. Tribecca
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed

    Which one:
    A- De Bryne + Toney + Raphinha
    Or
    B - De Bryne + Hwang + Havertz

    1. Azurri
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  16. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Already got Vardy and Antonio, best Lukaku replacement??

    A - Kane
    B - Jesus
    C - Toney
    D - Other?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A if you can afford - if not C

    2. Oneman
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I went with Wilson in same predicament

  17. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you upgrade Kovacic to Havertz?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure you will be keeping Havertz for long.

    2. Brehmeren
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If you have to play Kova, then yes.

  18. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On a wc

    A. Kdb & brownhill
    B. Havertz & foden

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Who did you play instead of Brownhill?

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        White

  19. Tinfoil Deathstar
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best move here?:

    A) Ronaldo > Kane with FT
    B) Ronaldo + Sarr/Benrahma > Vardy + Havertz (-4)
    C) Keep Ronaldo (roll FT)

  20. hjc13
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Replace lukaku with Auba or ings ?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Auba

  21. Matt42
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    No Lukaku, but do I ship CR7 for:

    a) Vardy
    b) Vardy + Havertz (lose Sarr - 4)
    c) Hold

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  22. DagheMunegu
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku Saka to Havertz Jesus -4?

    Still have WC in case it doesn't go well

    1. WenzelK
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Thinking about the ezct same move… but… i’ve Got Cancelo, azpi and foden… is that maybe too Many risky players to own? Is kdb and Armstrong a better Pick?

  23. kenzo.
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Very tempted to get in havertz (c) this week fully knowing Sonny is the better long term pick.... Surely the upside outweighs the downside? Will shift to Sonny in 12

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That's my plan. Will move to Son in GW12.

      1. kenzo.
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Let's hope it works out for us

  24. WenzelK
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Havertz + Jesus

    or

    B) KDB + Armstrong

  25. FPL Doctor
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo TAA James
    Salah Foden Saka* Mbeumo Raph
    Antonio Lukaku*

    Foster Livra Armstrong Duffy

    A) Lukaku —> Vardy (free)
    B) Lukaku + Saka —> Jiminez + Havertz (c)

    1. The Mighty Whites
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  26. aidmata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench Toney, Mbeumo or ESR this week?

    1. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      ESR

  27. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best 4.5 keeper out of McCarthy or Guaita folks????

  28. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez
    Cancelo, Rudgier, White, Liva
    Salah (c), Raph, Mbeumo
    Kaku, Vardy, Antonio

    1 FT, 2.1m ITB

    Steele, Sarr, Coady, Brownhill

    I've already done Vardy in for Ronaldo (which with hindsight should have been Kaku). What should I do now ?

    A) Save and play Sarr
    B) Sarr and Kaku to Havertz and Jimenez leaving MITB for Coady to TAA next week.
    C) Other, what ?

  29. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mourinho's Roma schooled 6-1 by Norwegian champs Bodø/Glimt!

    https://youtu.be/YHgWlFMuntY

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

    Anyone think Townsend over Mbuemo on a WC is viable? Not sure I want to put 2 eggs in the Brentford basket with Toney up top, despite their fixtures.