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. lewis274
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Foster DDG*
    Keane Taa cancelo lamptey* livramento*
    jota bowen benardo gray son*
    ronaldo antonio dennis

    keane -> digne
    Benardo -> KDB
    ronaldo -> watkins

    thoughts ?

    1. lewis274
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      for a -8

  2. EL tridente
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    James to
    A) Digne
    B) Cash
    C) Cucarella (looks like Brighton Will get DGW both in 25 and 26)
    D) Watford defender - probably Kamara

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      A

  3. H Dog
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play Kilman or Cash?

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

      Cash

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      C

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

    Need your advice, mates

    1 FT
    Best move?
    Antonio to Dennis(C) and bench Keane?

    Fab
    TAA Rudiger Keane Cancelo
    Mount Bernardo Gray Bowen Saka
    Ronaldo

    Steer Antonio, Livra, Scarlett

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      CR7 to Dennis

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

        This

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

      Good move

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

    Joao Pedro. Yes or no??

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

      What position did he play?

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

        Front 3

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

      Worth a punt.

  6. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Cap?

    A) Jota
    B) Foden
    C) TAA

    Thanks for suggestions.

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

      B

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

      A

  7. Corona is not good 4 U
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is this team good to go?

    Foster
    Alexander-Arnold, Cancelo, White
    De Bruyne, Jota, Martinelli, Bowen, Bernardo
    Dennis (C), Ronaldo

    de Gea, Antonio, Coufal, Davies

    Or Antonio -> King for - 4?

    Thank you!

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

      Yep

  8. 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 is the best?
    A. Ronaldo to Dennis
    B. Ronaldo and Trossard to KDB and Dennis for -4.
    C. Save

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

      Am doing B

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

        Even if I then have to sell KDB to afford Salah in the next GW? Or I maybe have to do a -4?

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

    Good to go?

    Foster
    Trent Cancelo Reguilón
    Jota Silva Bowen Raphinha (V)
    Ronaldo Antonio King (C)

    Bench: Sánchez, Mount, Coufal, Livramento

    Transfer: Brownhill to Raphinha, 0.8 ITB remaining

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

    Play one
    A. Lamptey
    B. Keane
    C. Darlot

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

      A

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

      A

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

      A

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

    Good luck everyone.
    Who can solve my conundrum
    A) mount to raphinia
    B) mount to foden, alonso to Tierney (-4)
    Cheers

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

      A

  12. Redranger
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Play 2:

    A) Gallagher (Liv)
    B) Coufal (Mun)
    C) Reguillon (Che)
    D) Dalot (Whu)

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

      A and D

  13. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Transfer out DCL or Ronaldo for King?

    Thanks

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

      Ronaldo

  14. Powers106
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else considering TAA captain even if they have Dennis?

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

      Probably not

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

    So just ship Ronaldo and be done with it?

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

      think i am

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

      I am

  16. 1justlookin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Really annoyed at myself. Just brought in Foster for Guaita and now i cant bring in Dennis for Ronaldo as I also have Bachmann and King.

    This is what you get for rushing things before the deadline

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

      Yeah, the late DGW news scrambled my decision-making last week too. I think a lot of us are making “schoolboy errors” this season we haven’t made since we started playing FPL

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

        V.true mate. Saying that, gong forward, do we really want 2 Watford attackers

  17. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bench DCL or Antonio?

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

      Ant

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

    Gray> Coutinho to bench DCL for a hit worth it?

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

      To Raphinha rather.

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

    Rangnick apparently hinted/leaked a DGW25 for MUN at his presser (SOU + BHA)
    Crellin's latest tables seeming to suggest no Villa DGW soon (+ "very unlikely" for GW24)
    Planning headaches!

  20. Wensink
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    60 minutes to deadline and my brain is filled with foggy oatmeal (I know).

    a. bank my FT
    b. ESR to KDB on a free

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      B! Unless you need to bank a transfer for future Salah plans etc, but B seems a no brainer otherwise.

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

      I just did b. for free.

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

        Thanks, all. Welcome back to my team, KDB. It's been ages.

  21. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    XXX
    Cancelo TAA Rudiger
    KDB Jota Bruno Martinelli Ramsey
    Dennis DCL
    (XXX Maupay Davies Livramento)

    First off, who plays in goals? De Dea (WHU) or Sanchez (lei)?

    A) Rudi > Digne
    B) DCL > Watkins
    C) Start Maupay, bench DCL, roll transfer
    D) Keep as is, roll transfer

  22. Tomerick
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Bilva > Coutinho or Raphinha (-4)

  23. lewis274
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    keane -> digne
    benardo -> KDB
    ronaldo -> watkins

    for a -8?

  24. tabby98
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Broja —> Dennis worth a -4? (Have King already)

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

      Probably yeah. I still like Broja but this is a good double

  25. naipdx
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    On WC:

    Sa
    TAA-Cancelo-Laporte
    KDB(c)- Bruno-Coutinho-Bowen-Saka
    Watkins-Dennis

    Foster-JRod-Digne-Ait Nouri
    0.8 ITB

    Slightly tempted to start Foster over Sa.

    Any suggestions?

  26. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    DDG to Pope worth a -4?

    4 extra games

  27. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    I've captained Dennis in all of my Fanteam teams.

    Wise move?? I suspect most will do this

    1. The class of 92
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I've gone for King for the minutes but seems fairly sensible

  28. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    -4 for Ronaldo to King?

    Have Dennis and Foster with DGW

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

      no

  29. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Who to C?

    A) Dennis
    B) Raphina
    C) Foden
    D) Jota

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

      i am on D now (dont have B)

  30. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Is Ron definitely out?
    Cant see any good options to replace him with this week!!
    Already have Dennis and Watkins.