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. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    1FT 2.9 itb- WC12
    Foster
    Azpi Cancelo White
    Salah Raph Saka* Sarr
    CR7 Antonio Toney

    Sanchez Brownhill Shaw Williams
    A) Saka > Havertz
    B) CR7 > Vardy
    C) Shaw > Rudiger

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

      Save

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

      C

    3. Saint & Reevesy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      C

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

    I have a bad feeling Tuchel is going to mix things up and screw us all over this weekend.

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

      Same here

    2. The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      well, the game turnaround is quick, Wednesday night-Early Saturday. tho i'm worried about going without chelsea

  3. Jet5605
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Have 2 FT and 1.2 ITB. Planning to do CR7 > Vardy next week. Which option looks best this week? Is Mount risky given his recent lack of minutes or should he get some starts with Lukaku out?

    A - Doucoure & Benrahma > Mbuemo & Raph
    B - Doucoure & Benrahma > Mbuemo & Mount
    C - Other suggestion?

    Sanchez
    Cancelo - Rudiger - Livra - Duffy
    Salah (c) - Bruno - Benrahma - Doucoure
    CR7 - Antonio

    Foster - Coufal - Gilmour - Perica

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

      A

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

    I can do Pogba to Havertz with 0.0 left in bank. No hesitation?

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

      Do it

    2. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Pogba probably get two assists.

    3. Bonus magnet
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      rumour of Bruno injury, maybe pogba will be useful

  5. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    would you do -8 to get a chelsea cover?
    if yes, then who's worth it? Azpilicueta or Havertz.
    i'll be benching Marcal if its Azpilicueta, for Havertz have to sell Gallagher/Gray
    or just do a -4 & get Kane/Toney?
    current team
    Sanchez/Steele
    TAA/Dias/Marcal/3.9 def/3.9 def
    Salah/Mbeumo/Gray/Gallagher/Sissoko
    Vardy/Lukaku/Antonio

    2.2 ITB

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

      With Werner and Lukaku injured, Havertz will be playing as a striker. Good points if he scores.

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        get Havertz for -8?

    2. Kloppage Time
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I would never take a hit for a defender, plus -8 you would be looking long term and Havertz is not

      1. The Red Devil
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        so -4 for toney or kane?

        1. Kloppage Time
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I would look to add a cheaper fwd and boost the midfield, maybe Son?

          1. The Red Devil
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Son in this week? or next? i'm leaning towards toney too, even if i don't take another hit, i'll be flexible next GW

  6. KirkhamWesham
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    How does my team look for this gw?
    I still have my wc for use, for the next international break.

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Christensen
    Benrahma Sarr Raph Salah Havertz
    Antonio Vardy

    Steele Manquillo Dennis Veltman

    1.5m itb

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

    Does Saka play?! Any insights?

    Ta!

  8. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What's my priority transfer this gw, few injuries so its tough. 1 ft and 1.5m itb.

    Sanchez Foster
    TAA Rudiger Coufal Livramento Ayling
    Salah Benrahma Gray Sarr Gilmour
    Ronaldo Antonio Ings

  9. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Whats the chances of my -24 hit paying off this week.

    I can only laugh at myself really.

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

      None

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Already hit the button?

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

      Sounds like an emergency post-WC team restructuring

      What were the moves?

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

        I really hope it's a WC squad (long term moves), not a FH squad (Havertz and co)

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

      Time to play the FH surely.

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

        this

    5. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 5 months ago

        We can also laugh at you too if it helps

        Jokes aside maybe I'll work

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 5 months ago

            It'll*

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

          I have a -12. Players I brought in should eat it up.

          -24 is really bad.

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

            Anything above -8 is too steep for me.

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

              -12 GW8 resulted in green arroes for me.

              Get the picks right and -12 aggresive way to gain.

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

              Plus there will be major hits taken with Lukaku, Werner out plus the Havertx bandeagon. Ronaldo is also being abondoned at a rapid pace.

              This is a good week to be risky but no way I would go more than -12.

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

            I am with you this week Foo. I am on a -8 and it feels good. Definitely scope for some calculated aggressive moves this week.

        3. The White Pele
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          FH time

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

          Delete team

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

          Is this Dribbles? Remember him two or three years back, would take a -100 or something most weeks and claim he'd done it by accident, r when drunk etc. I thought he was quite a chuckle

        6. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          50/50, it either does or it doesn't

        7. Lanley Staurel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Is your current rank driving you to this insanity?

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

          In all honesty, part stupidity, part pent-up trigger happiness, part being unhappy.

          I was Top 3k but my team was going backwards.

          It was;

          Ramsdale
          Cancelo - White - TAA - Marcal
          Gray - Doucoure - Salah
          Antonio - Ronaldo - Lukaku

          Foster - Gilmour - Gallagher - Williams

          Gilmour, Williams, Doucoure, Lukaku are deadweight, Ronaldo I transferred him immediately for Vardy last week.

          It's now;

          Ramsdlae
          Cancelo - Chilwell - Livramento
          Gallagher - Mbueno - Salah - Son
          Toney - Antonio - Vardy

          Foster - TAA - Gray - Jansson

          I'm considering triggering the FH now to be honest, I think you all are correct that it's too steep. I just wonder how many of the former players I'd want to keep if I was to use it.

      • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Good to go? No FTs, Lukaku on bench.

        Sanchez
        Cancelo Rudiger Christensen Livra
        Salah Raph Gallagher Mbeumo
        Ronaldo Antonio

        Steele White Lukaku Gilmour

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

          sell Lukaku
          Even for -4

        2. George James
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          GTG

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

        Now that Lukaku is injured, this article could have been one word long and most of us wouldn't have complained.

        "Salah".

        Enough said.

      • Kingy109
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Play 1:
        1) Livra
        2) Mbeumo
        3) Toney

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

        My TV has shot up to 102.6m after the last price changes.

        Hoping more value ganied on the next set!

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

          I would prefer points now!

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

            It is still early in the season and still plenty time to recover.

            Building TV early on much easier than trying to ramp it up much later on.

        2. Joey Tribbiani
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          sameskis

      • DagheMunegu
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Guys

        A Kane Mbeumo
        B Toney Havertz

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

        Don't like the idea of benching TAA but who would you bench in his place in this team?

        Sanchez
        Cancelo, Rudiger, Chilwell
        Salah, Foden, Sarr, Gray
        Toney, Vardy, Antonio

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

          gray

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

          Sarr

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

          Foden

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

            or even Toney

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

          Clearly a benching headache and a half haha. May just close my eyes and point at a player

      • MGD
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Start 1:
        A) Livramento
        B) A.Armstrong
        C) Mbuemo

        Benchorder.

        Currently on starting Mbuemo and Livra first on bench...

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

          You have it right!

      • Steve McCroskey
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Would you start Jota or Greenwood this week?

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

          Difficult one! Probably Greenwood as he's likely to get more minutes IMO

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

        Play Armstrong (BUR) or White (AVL)

        1. jaywills
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Armstrong, better fixture and may not come on an white plays anyway

        2. ElliotJHP
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          White I think

          I am going to hit Armstrong out though with the same dilemma

      • Pringle
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Who do you prefer?

        A. Azpi
        B. Chilwell

        1. jaywills
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          A

      • jackruet
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Anyone except arteta captaining Aubameyang here?

      • jaywills
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        A) Ronaldo to Vardy
        B) Jota to Havertz
        C) Ronaldo to Vardy + Jota to Havertz (-4)

        Cheers!

        1. Sting in the Tail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

        2. Home Late From Age
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

      • Sting in the Tail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I’m stuck with no bench (well Luke Shaw), Jota and Armstrong who may not start (as well as the usual Az and Cancelo in defence stress).

        Would you take a hit for

        A) Jota to Mbeumo
        B) Armstrong to Toney
        C) Both for -8

        1. jaywills
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B

        2. Home Late From Age
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          B also good option for the next GWs

      • StevenW
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Bench 2:
        A) White - AVH (H)
        B) Gallagher - NEW (H)
        C) Livramento - BUR (H)
        D) Gray - WAT (H)
        E) Antonio - TOT (H)

        1. jaywills
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          A an C

      • Home Late From Age
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Who to buy? I already have Rudiger and cannot afford Azpilicueta

        A. James
        B. Chilwell
        C. Christensen

        1. Sting in the Tail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          This week James as I think he’s the most likely to start but long term Chilwell.

      • DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Guiata
        Christensen Rudi Coady
        Salah Sarr Gallagher Greenwood
        Vardy Ronaldo Antonio

        Duffy Williams Bissouma
        1.2 in the bank
        One free transfer.

        Bench is awful .
        What to do?

      • Gazzpfc
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        20 point hit

        Marcal - Cancelo
        Alonso - Chillwell
        Sarr - Havertz
        Benrahma - Son
        Lukaku - Hwang
        Ronaldo - Vardy

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          And I be worried about a minus 4.

      • 03farmboy
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Haverts and TAA
        Or
        James and Kane/ Vardy

        1. Home Late From Age
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Probably B if James starts this GW with Vardy as second option

      • Francescoli
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        A) Lukaku to Vardy/Kane
        B) The move above plus Saka to Havertz (-4)

        1. Bubbles1985
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I'm thinking.

          1. Bubbles1985
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            B

        2. diofateen24
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          b

      • Fuddled FC
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        So Lukaku > Vardy with a FH seems like the obvious move or perhaps even Lukaku > Aub

        However, other options are tempting me

        a) Lukaku & Gray > Toney & Son (-4)
        b) Lukaku & Foden > Kane & Raphina (-4)

        Am I overthinking it?

        1. Home Late From Age
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I would prefer Lukaku & Gray > Toney & Raphinha

      • Bubbles1985
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Really wanted to ditch Alonso this week but Lukaku has ruined that...

        Sarr and Lukaku to Havertz and Vardy for -4 is worth it right?

        Then gamble on Alonso!

        Sanchez
        Alonso Dias White
        Havertz Salah Raph Benrahma
        Toney Antonio Vardy

        Thanks!