Captain Sensible

Who are the best FPL captain options for Gameweek 9?

The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) captaincy debate for Gameweek 9 has been completely turned on its head by an injury to Romelu Lukaku (£11.6m) during Wednesday nights UEFA Champions League win over Malmo.

As a result, Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) again looks like the leading armband candidate, but there are other options on the radar too, including Kai Havertz (£8.1m), Son Heung-min (£10.2m), Harry Kane (£12.1m) and the in-form Jamie Vardy (£10.7m).

First, we will assess the fallout of the Gameweek 9 captain poll, before then analysing the best options, Rate My Team (RMT) and the Premier Fantasy Tools ratings ahead of Friday’s 18:30 BST deadline.

THE CAPTAIN POLL

Mohamed Salah leads the captain poll for the fifth time this season, having gained 39.47% of total votes from our users at the time of writing.

Kai Havertz currently sits in second, and is backed by 15.97% of FPL managers ahead of his appealing Stamford Bridge encounter against Norwich City, while Jamie Vardy occupies third-place with 11.98%. 

The top-five list is completed by differentials Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) and Harry Kane, with 4.7% and 2.9% respectively.

MOHAMED SALAH

HOW HAS CAPTAIN SENSIBLE PERFORMED SO FAR THIS SEASON?

Gameweek1st2nd3rd
1Salah (17)Fernandes (20)Mane (3)
2Salah (3)Fernandes (1)Mane (8)
3Son (10)Antonio (11)Fernandes (2)
4Ronaldo (13)Salah (8)Lukaku (13)
5Salah (12)Mane (8)Ronaldo (6)
6Ronaldo (2)Salah (7)Antonio (8)
7Lukaku (2)Ronaldo (1)Antonio (2)
8Salah (13)De Bruyne (11)Mane (8)
853 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Good to go?

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo - Alonso - livramento- tomiyasu
    Salah - Raphina - Saka
    Ronaldo - Antonio - Toney

    Luiz - Duffy - Brownhill

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

      Yes. GL.

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

    Who to start?

    A) Livramento (BUR)
    B) Smith-Rowe (AVL)

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Same dilemma. Leaning B only just

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

      B I’d say

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

    A) Ronaldo -> Vardy
    B) Ronaldo/Armstrong -> Vardy/Toney -4
    C) Save FT

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

      C then A

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Oof.
      I’d have done B but last night. Why did you wait?

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

        I was out clubbing 🙂

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

          Hungover today, pal?!

        2. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah, I hate seals too.

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

      C

  4. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bottomed, who to start?
    A) ESR
    B) Livramento
    C) Armstrong

  5. Mozumbus
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What are the chances KDB will start GW9?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Extremely high.

      1. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Who is?

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Tenzing Norgay.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      High

    3. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hight

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

    I have £7.1m ITB. Should I take a hit?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      What’s the correlation?

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

      Depends on the hit. You having 7.1m won't make players any better or worse.

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

      Monkey tennis?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Youth hosteling with Chris Eubank.

    4. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nah, buy a Ferrari instead.

    5. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Actually you can't pay for the hit with money.

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

      Probably many for silly posts like this.

  7. drughi
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Can I get away with this team this week ? Feels like I'm missing alot of good players that people have. 1.4 itb 0 ft left. Anything you would consider for a hit ??

    Foster
    TAA Alonso Rudiger Cancelo
    Sarr Townsend Salah(C)
    Vardy Antonio Jimenez

    sanchez benrahma livramento gilmour

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Prob G2G Ben will cover Alonso if he doesn’t play

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        just hope alonso stays on the bench which I doubt considering how many players chelsea miss

    2. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      like who?

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        mbuemo, raphinha, son etc

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          nah, you are fine

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

          None of them have exceptionally good fixtures this week.

        3. drughi
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          cheers

  8. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Really struggling..Best option?

    A. Lukaku > Vardy
    B. Lukaku & Jota > Vardy & Havertz (-4)
    C. Lukaku & Jota > Jimi & Son (-4)
    D. Lukaku & Coufal > Vardy & Chilwell (-4)

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Depends what the rest of your squad looks like, if Jota and Coufal dont play have you got a decent enough squad to cover you if you just do A?

      If not you could do B and just hope Havertz bangs

    3. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A unless your bench is atrocious.

  9. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    On WC, is it silly to drop TAA and have a defence of Dias, Cancelo, Chilwell, Rudiger for the next few GWs?

    Will get back TAA later

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Name checks out.

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

      Which defender would start instead of Trent?

    3. Jonesy5
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’m on WC & thinking of doing the same if that helps

    4. space mercenary
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      The double ups could pay off but I just think that TAA is a season keeper. You never know when he might fire in a double digit haul.

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

      Depends on your team balance. What does the rest of your team look like if you're spending that much on defence?

    6. Ian J
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’d play all 5.

  10. lets talk about 6
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Start two of the following:
    A)jota
    B)livremneto
    C)sarr
    D)white

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

      BC

    2. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Tough one but I'd say B and C. I don't like the thought of benching Jota though.

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

      BC

  11. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jota to Havertz for a minus four?

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’m contemplating it at the minute..will he def start up front? If so against Norwich you would imagine it should be worth a -4

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I think it’s likely while Lukaku and Werner are out, and this upcoming run of fixtures are great.

  12. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I bought Havertz and Aubameyang yesterday because I honestly think they will explode in next 3 gameweeks. Perhaps I got myself the best punts and differentials for that run ... or maybe not. If they fail, so be it. I'm still looking forward to what's coming next!!

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

      We’ll they’re the first 2 games so it won’t take long to find out! If it goes south youre going to have a really long shite week haha

    2. Kabayan
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That's the spirit. Good luck

  13. tibollom
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    so Salah Captain from my team?

    Sanchez
    Taa Rudi Dias
    Salah raph benny saka
    antonio vardy ings

    foster livra marcal brownhill

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

      It’s probably the safest captain choice

  14. Red Devil Swede
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Last chance for Alonso or is he definitely out of the team for now?

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

      Looks like Chilwell is 1st choice.

    2. tokara
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      out

    3. space mercenary
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I am going Alonso to Chilwell tonight.

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I can’t imagine why he’d start.

    5. Arteta
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Chilwell is probably ahead of him now in the pecking order.

    6. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'll be getting Chilwell in so most likely Alonso will start

    7. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Wouldn't be surprised of a Alonso start with Norwich being a technically easy match and Chilwell starting 3 in a row.

  15. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Shaw and Greenwood to White and Havertz (-4)?

    Sanchez
    Trent Cancelo Livra (Shaw* Marcal)
    Salah Raphina Benrahma Greenwood* (Gilmour)
    Ronaldo Toney Antonio

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

      Would rather downgrade Greenwood to a cheaper mid and upgrade White to Rudiger. Not sure i'd take a -4 for it though.

      Don't see Havertz for -4 working out myself.

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

      Just Shaw out for me

      1. J to the T
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        For Christensen? Will he start? Can’t afford Rudi....

  16. Bakule-ski
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale

    Cancelo Rudi Dias Tierney Christensen

    Salah Raph Son Saka Elyounoussi

    Toney Jimenez Antonio

    Dont know who to bench. Any help is appreciated

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’d bench Chris, Elyonussi, Tierney

  17. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench 1

    A) Townsend
    B) Livramento
    C) Antonio
    D) Mbeumo
    E) Hwang

    1. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Out of these, has to be Livra

      Quite the headache though

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

      E

    4. Root
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      E

  18. FantasyClub
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or Firmino?

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

      I feel like Firmino can be a premium player at a medium price point and with the ownership of Salah so high I need another Liverpool asset to capitalise on their attack

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

        I'd rather just have Mané and a cheaper forward if you want triple Pool.

    2. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Firmino's never really justified his price since he was reclassified IMO. However, the extra funds it gives you to invest elsewhere makes me want to say Bobby.

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

      I went Kane but Pool are so hot that Firmino is suddenly a good option I think

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

      Don’t over think it. Kane.

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

        You sure? Ronaldo hauled against NEW too. Did Newcastle make Kane look good?

    5. Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      New role for Klopp's strikers so far this season, I think. He adapted after the success of his Jota punt

      It's now a fierce trident of Full Back - AM - Winger on either side of a tap-in striker. This is a huge leap from the days of two inside forwards with Firmino false 9, with two CMs + a DM

      This is how he played with Jota. He's now playing Firmino as a proper striker too

      The only problem is that Jota is still good, so he's a permanent risk for Firmino's starts

      Or maybe it all changes with opponents, and Klopp is just being flexible

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

        Yeah that shadow of Jota would be stressful each time waiting for the line up…firmino played 90 in Europe, you think that means Jota starts?

    6. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Considering Firmino myself

  19. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    G2G? Trying to stop a major slide…..1.2 ITB

    Ramsdale
    Cancelo Dias Alonso James
    Salah(c) Raphinha Mbeumo
    Kane Antonio Jimenez

    ESarramento

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

      ESarramento has me clapping

      You might need two subs. I'd order them as L - S - E this week only

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

        Cheers, if I need two subs Livra will come on anyways

  20. AppleDunk
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one pls?

    A) Livramento
    B) Benrahma
    C) TAA??

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

      Benhrama

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

        Thanks. Currently on him as well.

    2. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  21. StevenW
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Should I take a -4 to swap Sanchez given tough fixtures and likely to need my FT’s over next few weeks. Can afford any GK- thinking Mendy / Lloris.

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

      Help plz

  22. Super John McGinn-
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anything worth a hit and bench right?

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Cancelo, Azpi, James
    Salah (C), Foden, Raphinia
    Vardy, Antonio, Toney

    Foster, Mbeumo, Livramento, Brownhill

    0 FT 1.0 ITB

    A) Foden > Havertz (-4)
    B) Something else
    C) Nothing

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

      A - take the punt.

  23. John Colby (Capt)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mbuemo for the armband anyone?

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

      His xWoodwork numbers are through the roof.

      1. John Colby (Capt)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        - true lol. But Leicester are SO leaky at the back.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          ManU conceded 4 vs Leic
          Talk about leaky

    2. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Now that is crazy talk.

    3. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      First learn to spell his name

      1. space mercenary
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        ?

      2. space mercenary
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        First learn punctuation.

    4. space mercenary
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I like him as a pick. The Brentford NPXG stats are up there. I don't think the Mbeueno Toney double up is too much either. Not sure I would have the kahoonas to captain though. Even against Norwich.

  24. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which one to bench?

    A. Jota (mun)
    B. Benrahma (TOT)
    C. Livramento (BUR)

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Probably A, definitely start C

    2. StevenW
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B for me

  25. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bench one

    A) White
    B) Livra
    C) TAA
    D) Cancelo

    1. Super John McGinn-
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A out of those

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

      A

    4. _Gunner
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

  26. Christina.
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So Mark bought Kane.

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

      Here come the phantom goals!

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

      was that his only move as did he take hit?

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        no idea...video states he was doing it

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

          link?

          1. Christina.
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            hot topics

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

      Do you still own Ronaldo and Lukaku.

      What a disaster lol. Got rid of both before GW8 deadline.

      1. Christina.
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        No sold both this week.
        GW 4 has been a nightmare thanks to Lukaku

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          GW4 wildcard
          Only positive is TV of 102.7m

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

            Yeah, I am on 102.6m

      2. space mercenary
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I did.

  27. dbeck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jota to Kai, is that worth a hit?

  28. Podorsky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What i he take on Mahrez starting. He has played 2 game sin a row but needs consistency and is finding his form and sel confidence. What are peoples guesses on Ciyy's line up this weekend?

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

      sorry for the horrible spelling

    2. rainy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Mahrez is a crystal ball too far

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

    Would you start Benny or ESR?

    1. Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      ESR

  30. Bucket Man
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Good wildcard. Made a late call. Can’t fit Vardy in without removing Chilwell to a Manquillo and Emerson to Raya so prefer them and Antonio.

    Ederson
    TAA, Chilwell, Rudiger
    Salah, Son, Havertz, Rapha, Mbuemo
    Antonio, Toney
    Foster, Broja, Livramento, White

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

      Would prefer a City defender and Mendy to the other way around but yeah. like it.

      1. Bucket Man
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Couldn’t afford that and AFCON later on I suppose. Would have loved to squeeze Vardy in but such low team value. Thanks