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. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Shift Gallagher or Gray???

    1. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Gray

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

      Gray

  2. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What to do with this team?
    1FT 0.3ITB

    Foster
    TAA Maguire Cancelo Alonso
    Gray Jota Bowen
    Antonio Ronaldo King C

    De Gea Brownhill Dawson Salah

  3. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    What are Ronaldo owners doing - Playing, Benching or Selling

    Any ideas would be welcomed

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

      Benching

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

      I was going to play but the injury has changed my mind. Probably selling for Bruno/KDB tho not sure which one

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

      Came to post the same - currently playing as might have to be a hit to get rid and not sure it's worth the risk

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

        Sell for Pedro and get money for Salah (if needed)?

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

      Playing and keeping and hoping. Gray off the bench if he doesn't feature.

      He has doubles on the horizon and his next 4 after WHU: Bur, Sou, Lee, Wat.

    5. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Just seen he is a doubt!
      Ah, not sure what to do!

      I may go Kane
      Or double up Watford with Dennis
      Or…

    6. Lord Flashheart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      playing the C-aunt

    7. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Banning him forever from my fpl team I think.

    8. james 101
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Sold

  4. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Hi All.
    Transfer help and expertise needed.
    A) Mount - Raphina
    B) Alonso - Tierney, Mount - Foden (-4)
    C) Alonso - Digne, Mount - Foden (-4)
    Cheers!

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

      B

    2. Cheers Geoff
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      B I've considered Tierney for Rece James

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I don’t like B as Arsenal blank soon

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

        Yes but Tierney gets a lot of points and they are playing Burnley...

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

    bench one

    a) antonio
    b) bernardo
    c) saka
    d) bowen

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

      A

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

        thanks

    2. Cheers Geoff
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      d I think

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

        cheers

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

      Antonio

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

        cheers

    4. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

        cheers

  6. Cheers Geoff
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Maddison (C) vs BHA absolute madness?

    Had an awful GW last week and there are so many differential captain options this week to make up for it

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

      I wouldn't

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

      Had it on him all week. Now Dennis.

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I like it

  7. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which one to get?
    A) Laporte
    B) Robbo

    Getting Robbo means that I have to sell Jota for Salah and I can't afford Gray to Raphinha later. (Gray to Salah I can't afford anyway)

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

      A

    3. XX SMICER XX
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Thx for everyone, that was my original plan, better stick to it and have flexibility.

  8. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Coufal (mun) (Emerson bench)
    B) Emerson -> Cancelo -4 (Coufal bench)

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

      I don't think it's worth a -4 for Cancelo this week, but you should definitely be trying to getting him in with frees

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

      B

    3. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      If you don't have Cancelo at this stage then I'd be tempted to take the hit

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B, easy

    5. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Thanks all!

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

    Which sexy use of a FT is better:

    (A.) Sanchez --> Sa (a few trickier fixtures coming up, but would be my keeper for the rest of the season, and solves Sanchez's blank)

    (B.) Steele --> Foster (means I have a playing 2nd keeper, has a DGW this week, and also solves Sanchez's blank)

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I brought in Sa this week myself so I'll say him, still has a couple of games to be rearranged but most importantly has good scope for getting clean sheets or save points when he concedes

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

      Sanchez potentially has two DGWs coming up so wouldn't ship him out?

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

    Bilva to?

    A) Raph
    B) Foden

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

      A

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

      B

    3. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B if you have a decent bench

  11. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Foster
    Trent Reg Keane
    Bruno Jota Bowen Gray
    Antonio Dennis DCL

    Ramsdale Livra Johnson Salah

    Roll ft or Antonio to Watkins?
    Captain Dennis Jota or trent?

    Cheers

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

    Worth it?

    Gundogan > KDB (-4)

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

      I would say so

  13. sully29
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Wildcard in 24/25?

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

    a) Ronaldo > Dennis
    b) Gray > Raphina
    c) Ronaldo & Mount > Dennis & KDB (-4)
    d) Roll FT

    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      c

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

    Captain KDB or Raph? Quick poll...

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

    Do I play Bernardo or Watkins? Can’t put Maddison or Bowen on the bench, right??

  17. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Minus 4 done.

    Kdb (c) for Salah.

    Digne in to score against the club he fell out with.

    No dgw players.

  18. bjarnia87
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Why are so many transfering Antonio out, did miss out , is he not fit?

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

      Just people going for Dennis/King

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

      Trying to fit in a Watford forward for the DGW I guess.

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

      Just well out of form tbh.

    4. bjarnia87
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah sure , thanx

  19. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Just noticed there will be a 15 day gap between Watford's 1st and 2nd fixtures. Crazy. Also there are no fixtures for 2 weekends in a row after this GW. Why is that? Normally its only one weekend when there is no premier league fixtures during an international break.

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Winter break followed by FA Cup round 4

    2. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I think it's worth the risk just this once because the first fixture is pretty much guaranteed and it's the (even) easier of the two.

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Winter break.

  20. Cheeky Onion
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Have Ronaldo in the squad with a bench of Silva, Reguilon and Coufal. Worth shipping him out or hold and use the bench? 1 FT & 1.1m ITB

  21. KeepCalm
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    any watford specialists explain why bachmann is immediately replaced? Has he not done well?

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He's been pretty awful, not that Watford otherwise are good but apart from the Spurs game he's been poor

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

      Ranieri has said Foster is his first choice keeper.

  22. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Now I confused!

    Whats better here -

    A) hope ronaldo is playing
    B) -4 for Watkins
    C) -4 for Dennis

    1. KEN YA DIG IT
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C

  23. KEN YA DIG IT
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Martinelli to Raph,good move?

  24. thepancakeman123
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    As someone who has already used their free transfer and has Dennis captain, what would you do?

    A) Guaita > Foster (-4) (I have De Gea also)
    B) Toney > King (-4)
    C) Leave it

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

      Probably not worth it for a hit tbh.

  25. Pringle
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry lost on last page so I try again. What do you prefer?

    A. Antonio
    B. Dennis (-4)

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

      B

  26. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who would you start from the below?

    a/ Alonso
    b/ Antonio
    c/ Gray

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

      C

  27. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    If you have Dennis already, would u sell Antonio for King (c) FT?

    1. Bobby_Baggio
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Nah keep ant

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

      In this position except I have King already. I am leaning towards saving FT rather than do Antonio to Dennis. Reasoning is Antonio has some tasty fixtures 24-26 and with so much chaos I'm happy to be as flexible as possible.

  28. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    ESR > Raph or Foden?

  29. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Afternoon guys. Some advice on what to do please? 4m ITB+ 1FT. Thanks.

    Foster
    Reguilon - Cancelo - TAA
    Maddison - Bruno - Jota - Mount - Bowen
    King (C) - Antonio

    (DDG) - Broja - Lamptey - Livra

    A) Mount > Foden
    B) Mount > KDB
    C) Antonio + Mount > KDB + Dennis (-4)
    D) Broja + Mount > Dennis + Foden (-4)

    1. Connor's Calling
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      i like B, then C

      1. Bobby_Baggio
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers

  30. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Removing the armband from Cancelo and putting it on Dennis. Probably won’t regret this…