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. fricky_
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Start Digne or Reguilon?
    Play DCL or sell him?

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Digne, easily.

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

      Start Digne, and hard to say with DCL - if no other pressing issues though I'd maybe sell.

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

    Roll the FT? Not loving my team atm but can't see any obvious changes - open to suggestions though. Probably need to WC soon but not this week.
    Also; play De Gea or Sanchez?

    Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Royal
    Jota Foden Maddison Saka
    Kane Antonio King

    De Gea JWP Livramento Johnson

  3. southernrocker1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any help or advice really appreciated.

    If you could lose ONE of these midfielders from this GW onwards who would you get rid of?
    A KDB
    B Jota
    C Raphinha
    D Saka
    E Couthino
    F Bowen

    1. PScholes18
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Saka

    2. AC Yew
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      E then D

  4. Bubbles1985
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Mount and Ronaldo
    To
    KDB and Laca is tempting for -4

    Worth it this week with Burnley risk?

    1. @ocprodigy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Laca is the one thing that puts me off - his output isn't the best?

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

        Well i have 9.2m for the striker if i go KDB in Mid

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

    Help please - I've got myself in a bit of a mess lately, so looking to recover as best as I can.

    My current team:
    Ramsdale Guaita
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger Keane Duffy
    Jota Mount Bowen Trossard Sissoko
    Ronaldo Antonio Dennis

    My WC team:

    Sa Sanchez
    TAA Cancelo Laporte Digne Ait-Nouri
    KDB Jota Raphinha Bowen Ramsey
    Antonio Watkins Dennis
    2.8itb.

    Would you hit the WC button, if so is there anything you'd change from the WC team? Only thoughts are potentially dropping Antonio, Raphinha > Broja, Fernandes which leaves me benching Broja for the foreseeable, but gives multiple captaincy options / points sources given the form of Antonio.

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

    Thoughts on Greenwood?

    Started the last four (though subbed early each time; 70, 88, 59, 80)

    Seems like he's back in favor and he's awesome value when firing - like the start of the season.

    Fun punt on a WC - leaving enough money to get either him or Jota to Salah depending on form in gw25.

  7. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who's your VC this week?

    Currently stuck it on Jota, but have flipped it to TAA and back again.. (dont' have KDB)

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

      Mixing between KDB and Dennis until I decide whom to captain

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

    This Ron news has stitched my bench boost plans for the second week running. Hate this chip.

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

      You keeping him?

      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Could sell for Dennis but I was hoping to save my second FT...?

    2. Junglist95
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Used week 1

    3. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Ron news??

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

      Same here. Was all set this week. As I was in the last.

  9. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Seems Salah will drop in price tonight. Need it to get him back easy.

  10. Alli
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Mount, Ronaldo > KDB, Watkins / King / ASM for a hit?

    DDG - Foster
    Rudiger - TAA - Cancelo - Livramento - Manquillo
    Jota - Bowen - Raph - Mount - Foden
    Dennis - Antonio - Ronaldo

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

    For GW 23, would you play Mount or Antonio (other is 1st on bench!)??

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

      Im going Antonio

  12. Jimjam
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA, Cancelo, Tierney (Davies, Williams)
    Jota, Foden, Bowen, Raphinha (Salah)
    Antonio, Watkins, King

    1FT, 1.9 in bank

    (A) Sanchez -> Sa
    (B) Steele -> Foster
    (C) Save FT

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

    Stuck on below advice please.

    A. King
    B. Pedro

    Thanks

  14. Junglist95
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Maddison to KDB for -4?

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

      No for me

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

      No

    3. Junglist95
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks guys

  15. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Seems like next week is a good time to WC, long break to catch and price changes early and get possible DGW updates

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

      Good time is when you need to play it.

    2. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Best time is usually with a big DGW coming up. Or if you team is s***!

  16. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed on last page ...

    Is there a good reason why Leeds vs Villa wouldn't be played on 5th February, the same as Burnley vs Watford?

    Obviously it hasn't been announced and sounds like it won't but is there a good reason not to do so?

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

      I wonder if it will be announced after the deadline but put into GW24

      Would be a bizarre scenario where the deadline would be before the final game in GW23 had been played

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Probably no reason to? They just have 2 matches in hand and didn't they get permission that the matches could be played on Champions League nights?

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

      They don't play in Europe, can arrange in any available game week. Burnley has many games to play.

  17. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play Reguilon or james > Dias -4? Probably a long term move

    1. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Reguilon - too much rotation and James is returning soon. If you have held for this long a couple might as well wait.

  18. Mane Mane Mane
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    My team is
    Foster
    Cash, Cancelo, TAA
    Bowen, Jota, Maddison, Gund, ESR
    King Dennis (c)

    Is it worth taking a -4 to move Gund or ESR to another midfielder, KDB maybe?

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

      Im debating KDB for a hit (see below). City really have some good fixtures coming up.

  19. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here?

    a) Antonio + BSilva => King + KDB (-4pts)
    b) Bilva => Sterling
    c) Other?

    Foster
    AA, Rudiger, Cancelo
    Bruno, BSilva, Maddison, Bowen
    Antonio, Dennis, Watkins

    DDG, Gallagher, Reguillon, Manquillo

    1. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Sterling or Foden?

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

        Im siding with Sterling merely because he seems to get slightly more minutes.

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

    EO predictions for Dennis and King this GW? 120 / 80?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      136 & 84

  21. Catalan Rangers
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone triple Watford forwards King - Dennis - Pedro?

    Thinking of CR and Antonio to Dennis and Pedro for -4, already got King

    1. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Don't do it unless you're planning a wildcard next week!

  22. Pompey5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Mount and Bilva to Foden and Saka for -4 worth the hit?

    Know about Arsenal blanks but think he is going to get lots vs Burnley lacking match fitness.

  23. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you bench:
    1. Digne
    2. Ramsey
    3. Bowen

    1. Pompey5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Ramsey

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

      Ramsey

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      1

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

    Don't want to take a hit this week, which transfer is more of a priority?

    1. Rudiger > Digne
    2. Ronaldo > Watkins

  25. Fpl_Ludwig
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Dennis or Kdb as captain?

    Dennis has the armband atm

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

      Dennis

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

    Who would you rather have this week??

    Kane (CHE a)
    Ronaldo (WHU H)

    1. Dee Lixon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Kane

  27. Newms
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Captain King or Dennis? First to 5

    1. Meme2011
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      den

    2. Scots Gooner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Dennis

  28. Meme2011
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Antonio > King or Ronaldo > King.... it leaves me with £8.7m in bank!!

  29. COLLIN QUANER
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Ronnie Pickering

  30. Ludde
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    TAA Cancelo Alonso
    Bowen Jota Gray Trossard
    Ronaldo Antonio King

    Lloris Livramento Dawson Son

    Which one of these options?
    A. Ronaldo to Dennis
    B. Ronaldo and Trossard to KDB and Dennis for -4.
    C. Save