Team News

FPL team news: Gameweek 23 updates on Son, Ronaldo, James and more

We’ve got the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team news information in our second press conference summary ahead of Gameweek 23, which also includes a big Double Gameweek 25 hint from Ralf Rangnick.

You catch the headline updates from Thursday’s pressers – featuring Leeds United, Southampton, Watford, Brentford and Norwich City via this link here.

For much more detailed information, check out our Predicted Line-ups page and Injuries and Bans feed.

Az and Neale’s video round-up is below, meanwhile:

And for other help and advice, from our weekly Scout Picks to team reveals, head to our complete Gameweek 23 guide here.

LIVERPOOL

As well as African Cup of Nations (AFCON) trio Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Naby Keita, manager Jurgen Klopp is unsure whether Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will face Crystal Palace after being forced off against Brentford last weekend with a foot problem. He also explained Thursday night’s half-time withdrawal of Joel Matip:

“Joel [Matip’s substitution] was not tactical, we thought something was not 100% right. We had Ibou and Joe on the bench, so that’s why we changed it. The rest, as far as I know, were only knocks.”

Divock Origi (knee), Thiago (hip) and Nathaniel Phillips (cheekbone) are on the sidelines but Harvey Elliott may return from his ankle injury after the winter break.

MANCHESTER UNITED

Cristiano Ronaldo (neck) is a doubt for Manchester United’s clash with West Ham United and faces a late check to determine his availability.

“Cristiano is a question mark because he has a problem with his neck. He received treatment yesterday for two-three hours and we will have to wait to see how he feels today.” – Ralf Rangnick

Full-backs Luke Shaw (hamstring) and Aaron Wan-Bissaka (illness) won’t be available, suggesting that Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles will retain their places. With Eric Bailly at AFCON and Victor Lindelof (personal reasons) also unavailable, there should be a return for Harry Maguire (rib) at centre-back. Jadon Sancho might not be in the right frame of mind to take part, however.

“He [Lindelof] said to me that he right now needs to stay at home. He doesn’t want to leave his wife and family on their own. We agreed that he will not be training today and also not be on duty tomorrow for the game. Jadon [Sancho] didn’t train because he still asked to be able to not train. He attended the [family] funeral on Wednesday. It’s still affected him quite a lot. Right now, I’m not sure if he will be available.” – Ralf Rangnick

Paul Pogba (thigh) is getting closer to a return. Both Scott McTominay (back) and Edinson Cavani (muscle) should be declared fit.

As for the Double Gameweek 25 tease we mentioned earlier…

“”On top of my list is how can we win the game against West Ham, then after the international break, the upcoming games: in the cup against Middlesbrough, Burnley, playing Southampton at home, playing Brighton at home.” – Ralf Rangnick

ARSENAL

Alongside the suspensions of Granit Xhaka and Thomas Partey, Mikel Arteta will be without AFCON representatives Nicolas Pepe and Mohamed Elneny this weekend. He wasn’t comfortable with having to play Takehiro Tomiyasu against Liverpool on Thursday, despite a calf issue, but felt the knocks to Cedric and Calum Chambers forced his hand.

“We didn’t want to play him, we had to push him because Cedric and Calum [Chambers] were out and we didn’t have any full-backs. He didn’t have any training sessions with us, and still was willing to play.”

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was sent home from AFCON by Gabon because they found some heart lesions during a scan.

CHELSEA

Not much to say from Thomas Tuchel, who is still without Ben Chilwell (knee), Edouard Mendy (international duty) and Trevoh Chalobah (hamstring). He hopes Andreas Christensen (Covid) will be back in training next week, with good news on the progression of Reece James‘ hamstring injury.

“He is back on the pitch but is in individual training, so far away from being part of the squad in Sunday’s game. Nobody is coming back, it’s the same squad.” Thomas Tuchel on Reece James

MANCHESTER CITY

Oleksandr Zinchenko is out because of a knock but Nathan Ake should be passed fit. Although Algeria were eliminated after the AFCON group phase, Pep Guardiola is giving Riyad Mahrez a week’s holiday.

“He has holiday for a week. After African Cup (of Nations), he [has] permission for [a] week off. He’ll come back next week.”

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

As expected, Son Heung-min (muscle) will not be back for this Gameweek and, like Cristian Romero (hamstring), is aiming to return after the imminent international break. Eric Dier (muscle) is likely to start against Chelsea.

“We are trying to manage a couple of situations, fresh injuries. Eric Dier had a good training session for us and is available. Sonny [Heung-min] not yet. We have to wait. He’s recovering very well but I’m sure we have to wait until after the international break.” – Antonio Conte

LEICESTER CITY

James Justin returned from a long-term injury to play his first competitive minutes of the season in Gameweek 22. The squad crisis that Brendan Rodgers recently faced is starting to ease up, aided by the return of Daniel Amartey from international duty. Still out there are Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi, with the likes of Jamie Vardy (hamstring), Wesley Fofana (leg), Ricardo Pereira (leg) and Jonny Evans (hamstring) not able to play.

“It’s a clean bill of health. [James Justin] came through it really well so that was great news for us. Thus far, everyone is okay. [Daniel Amartey] has come back. He’s worked today and he’ll be available for the weekend.” – Brendan Rodgers

Ryan Bertrand (knee) and Timothy Castagne (thigh) also remain injured.

ASTON VILLA

Centre-back Ezri Konsa (hip) may not be available for Villa’s trip to Everton but – apart from known injuries to Leon Bailey (muscle) and Marvelous Nakamba (knee) – there is very little to report.

“There’s nothing in terms of illness, assuming everyone comes through the testing process this morning. We’ve got a doubt with Ezri Konsa, which you’ll know from the previous game. He left the pitch with a severe whack on his hip, so we’ll make a late decision on that. Besides that, we’re in good health.” – Steven Gerrard

Trezeguet and Bertrand Traore are away on international duty, whilst John McGinn‘s suspension has ended.

NEWCASTLE

Frustrated by not securing any new signings this week, Eddie Howe has confirmed that Callum Wilson (calf), Federico Fernandez (thigh) and Isaac Hayden (knee) remain injured. Left-back Matt Ritchie is a doubt.

“We’ve had Dwight Gayle and Jeff Hendrick return to training this week. Matt Ritchie has a knee problem so we’ll have to assess him. We’re still missing the long term injuries in Callum Wilson, Federico Fernández and Isaac Hayden.”

Javier Manquillo returns from a one-match suspension.

CRYSTAL PALACE

Jordan Ayew is back early from the African Cup of Nations after Ghana’s early elimination, so he could take part for the Eagles this weekend. Wilfried Zaha and Cheikhou Kouyate are still at the tournament, with James McArthur (hamstring) and James Tomkins (knock) still injured.

EVERTON

Anwar El-Ghazi is ineligible to debut for Everton against parent club Aston Villa but caretaker manager Duncan Ferguson doesn’t have much to worry about. Only Tom Davies (knee), Alex Iwobi (international duty) and Fabian Delph (illness) are absent, with a probability that Allan (illness) and Jarrad Branthwaite (hamstring) will be passed fit.

“We’ve got a more or less fully fit squad. They’re all on the training pitch. Fabian Delph [is out] and just the long-term injuries.”

WEST HAM UNITED

As with Mahrez, the Algerian elimination means an early return for Said Benrahma, although David Moyes hasn’t said if he’ll go straight into his matchday squad. Elsewhere, Angelo Ogbonna and Mark Noble have knee injuries, Kurt Zouma (hamstring) isn’t yet ready to return and there’s also uncertainty over Tomas Soucek (Covid).

“We’ve had Covid and we have Covid like everybody else. We have injuries as well, which all has an effect on the players you have available. Tomáš [Soucek] has come back from Covid – we’re not quite sure yet if he’s ready.” – David Moyes

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Assistant manager Billy Reid – filling in for the Covid-stricken Graham Potter – confirmed that Shane Duffy (ankle) and Adam Lallana (hamstring) won’t make the trip to Leicester, although Lewis Dunk (knee) has a chance.

Enock Mwepu (hamstring), Yves Bissouma (AFCON), Jeremy Sarmiento (hamstring) and Jason Steele (back) also will not play.

“Shane Duffy won’t make Sunday, and Adam Lallana will be the same. If Lewis Dunk comes through the final session on Saturday. “He could be in the squad.” – assistant manager Billy Reid

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Ruben Neves missed the win over Southampton because of Covid but will return to the side this weekend. Hwang Hee-chan (hamstring), Willy Boly (calf), Romain Saiss (AFCON) and Yerson Mosquera (thigh) are still absent but Marcal (knock) has an outside chance.

Pedro Neto (knee) is a “couple of weeks away” from his first training session back, a milestone that full-back Jonny has finally accomplished after missing almost a year with his own knee issue.

“The next step is for him to win confidence and be comfortable. For now, we go day-by-day, then we can push for more. Yesterday, for the first time he did the whole session. I’m very happy.” – Bruno Lage on Jonny

BURNLEY

Having only played twice over the last six Gameweeks, Sean Dyche is confident that Sunday’s match with Arsenal will go ahead.

“We’ve got a few who are beginning to come back, we’re looking a bit healthier. It has been a long list but we have different people returning. We had 16 out there today, we should be fine.”

Maxwel Cornet is away on international duty but names like Erik Pieters, Matej Vydra, Johann Berg Gudmundsson, Nathan Collins and Dwight McNeil are all likely to feature after recovering from Covid. Ashley Barnes (thigh) remains out and there is a doubt over left-back Charlie Taylor (knock).

“Barnesy is still getting over his injury but he’s beginning to get on the grass with us now. Charlie Taylor is touch and go, got a knock on his foot last weekend. Maxwel [Cornet] is still away until at least Wednesday.”

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

3,448 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HD7
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Captain Saka or Dennis?

    1. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dennis, easy. Saka looks tired

    2. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Why is Saka an option?

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Burnley. Had nice hauls in his last leagur matches

  2. Saintjack01
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts on playing demarai gray?

    1. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Benching

  3. x.jim.x
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronaldo + Moura --> King + De Bruyne worth it? Go mental and chuck in Alonso --> Laporte for a -4?

    1. Harvey_27
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I like this very much

      1. x.jim.x
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers mate, can stick a fiver on Ronaldo scoring too if he starts.

  4. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any help please:

    Is either of these worth a -4 after Ralf's comments about Ronaldo?

    1. Ronaldo > Kane
    2. Ronaldo > Watkins

    1. DavvaMC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      What did he say? You don't think Ronaldo starts?

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        He's apparently now a doubt.

  5. JY84
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who should i start between Mount & Antonio.... Bowen is in my starting lineup! Personally prefer to start Antonio but not sure wat u all think!

  6. bitars
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    The options on midfields are so good and to many?
    Salah will be nailed in my team when he is back.

    Then there is:
    De Bruyne
    Raphina
    Jota
    Bowen
    Foden
    Maddison
    Martinelli
    Coutinho

    Ramsey is also a very good option to save some cash.

    Which 4 is the best choices together with Salah?

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Son, Raph, Jota, Bowen.

  7. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Cancelo, James
    Gray, Raphinha (C), Jota, Bowen, Foden
    CR7, King

    De Gea, Antonio, Livramento, Duffy

    1ft 2.3m ITB

    Any ideas on what to do here?

    1. LC1
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Ronaldo to Watkins

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Would you make this move for a -4?

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

        Think I'm going to keep him. I have Antonio if he's ruled out.

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

      My priority this week was to love James on. Antonio can come in if Ronaldo doesn't play.

      I'm hoping Egypt make it to the semis so I don't have to take a -4 to bring Salah back.

  8. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Best captain choice from these?

    a) KDB
    b) King
    c) Dennis

    1. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Coin... Flip... Dennis

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

      I’ve gone A with B vice captain. Late change to Cancelo C is on the cards though

    3. OptimusBlack
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C

  9. ilikewud
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Ronaldo to Watkins/Ings -4
    B) Play Alt Nouri

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

  10. Max City
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Antonio >> King
    B) Moura >> Raphinha
    C) Maddison >> KDB
    D) 2 moves for (-4)
    E) ABC for (-8)

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      I’d go B myself, B & C together would tempt me but I presume the extra funds are Salah funds which if it was me I’d keep for when he returns

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

    Sorry if asked and answered a million times but would you start Ramsdale or Foster?

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Rams

    2. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Coin toss

    3. ilikewud
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I don't trust Watfords at all but I'd still play the DGW player me thinks.

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

      I have the same dilemma I think I’m benching ramsdale

  12. TKC07
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Pick 1 MID & DEF each to start.

    MID
    A) Lucas (che A)
    B) Gallagher (LIV H)

    DEF
    C) Dalot (WHU H)
    D) Ait Nouri -4

    1. Max City
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    2. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B
      D - as long as you plan to hold for a few weeks

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

        This

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

    Play Pickford or Sanchez?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Playing Pickford myself

  14. 03farmboy
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Saka or Antonio??

    1. FISSH
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Ant

  15. Aeu96197
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    For free, would you swap Ronaldo for:

    A) King
    B) Watkins

    I have Dennis. If King, I'll move one of him or Dennis for Broja in two or three GW

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  16. Ëð
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed out last page, Who to bench?

    A) Bowen
    B) Martinelli

    Happy with my other 6 of Jota, Maddison, Foden, Dennis, King, Ronaldo (who may not play anyway)

    1. 03farmboy
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. Aeu96197
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B - but it's a really tough call

  17. FISSH
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Antonio or smith Rowe?

    Captain Dennis or King?

    1. Ëð
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A and A

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Would you get rid of Ronaldo before Kane now? Kane probably going to be going for Mo next game week anyway. Thanks all

  19. Vlad Tepes
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Get in Robertson instead of Dias/Laporte?
    This means that Jota will have to go when Salah is back.

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Rather have Laporte and Jota.

  20. GE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    1) Brownhill -> Foden (-8) (bench Antonio/Ronaldo)
    2) Antonio/Ronaldo -> King (-4) (have Dennis)
    3) Not worth it, play Ronaldo and Antonio

    1. GE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A for -4 🙂

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

      If anything, Ronaldo to King

  21. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Really difficult to decide what to do this week.

    Feels like fixing Livramento and Rudiger should be my priority. What do you reckon?

    A) Livramento to Digne (or anyone, for free)
    B) Bruno to KDB
    C) Both for -4
    D) Antonio/Edouard to Dennis (free)
    E) Something else?

    1FT 4.9ITB
    DDG
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger
    Bruno Jota Gundogan Bowen Maddison
    King (c) Antonio

    Steele Edouard Johnson Livramento**

    Cheers!

    1. GE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      D

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

        Cheers

  22. The Wizard of Ozil
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Salah & Livra -> KDB & Cancelo
    B) Son & Livro -> KDB & Dinge

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

      A

    2. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B, surely you want Salah back soon?

  23. Kaptenen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play one,
    A) Cash (eve)
    B) Gray (AVL)

    Cheers & good luck!

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  24. Big Ronnie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Rudiger to Laporte
    B) Bilva to Foden
    C) Bilva to Raphina
    D) A and B/C for -4
    E) Save

    Ramsdale
    TAA, Cancelo, Rudiger,
    Fernandes, Saka, Jota, Bilva, Bowen
    Antonio, Dennis (C)

    DDG, Reguilon, Coufal, Archer

    1. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C

      1. Big Ronnie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

        1. Kaptenen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          No problem mate, please help out above?

  25. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play
    1. Brownhill (DGW)
    2. Gray

    a. Alonso
    b. reguilon

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      2A

  26. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    A) Ramsdale -> Foster (already own Sanchez)
    B) Antonio -> Dennis (already own and captaining King)
    C) Save FT

    Would be playing Dennis over Bowen if I got him. What would people lean towards?

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Both moves give me money itb to do Bruno -> Salah next week

    2. Kaptenen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C

    3. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Save.

  27. mr_vega
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi all. I rarely post but I'm tempted by so many options this week.

    Foster
    TAA - Tomiyasu - Cancelo
    Bilva - Jota - Bowen - Maddison - KDB(c)
    Watkins - Dennis
    (DDG / Cucu - Toney - Rudi)

    £0.7 ITB / 1 FT

    Any ideas? Tempted by:

    a.) Bilva > Raph
    b.) Toney > King (bench Bilva)
    c.) Rudi > Tierney (bench Bilva)
    d.) Roll FT

    Appreciate any advice 🙂

  28. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anything worth a hit?

    A: Antonio > Watkins (-4)
    B: No hit unless Villa double announced then the above?
    C: No hit GTG

    DDG
    TAA Cancelo White
    KDB Bowen Jota Gray
    (c)Dennis Antonio Ron

    Bachmann Lamptey Reg McArthur

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C. Villa not doubling this week

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

      C

  29. Steager
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    oh man:

    A) King
    or
    B) Dennis

    can't decide..
    King on penalties and cheaper, Dennis more threatening ...

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. mr_vega
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        a true coin-toss decision, i reckon. personally prefer Dennis

  30. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Either of these worth a hit this week?

    a) Mount > KDB (potentially KDB captain)
    b) Gray > Raphina

    1. mr_vega
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A