Team News

FPL Gameweek 1 team news: Live updates from Pep, Klopp, Tuchel and more

We’ve got the live updates from all 12 Premier League pre-match press conferences that take place on Friday as Gameweek 1 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) draws ever nearer.

For ease of access, this article will remain live in the ‘featured’ box on the home page even when it is no longer at the top of the site.


KEY UPDATES SO FAR

We heard from eight managers yesterday, with the following dozen up today:

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


LIVERPOOL

Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Alisson is “fine” ahead of the trip to Fulham, although Curtis Jones, Kostas Tsimikas, Ibrahima Konate, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Diogo Jota and Caoimhin Kelleher all remain on the injury list.

Naby Keita has been ill but returns to training today.

 “Ali [is] fine.

“We hope with Curtis we caught it in the right moment, that’s just how it is with young players. They have some kind of stress reactions sometimes and then if they go over it because it’s not massive pain, it could lead to something serious. We caught it early but we still have to be careful. That’s it with him, so he is not in.

“Naby is ill, but I think he will be back today the first day. I underestimated it a little bit when I said he will definitely be fine. He came in yesterday and still showed some little symptoms, no COVID but it is not right. I guess he will be back today.

“Then Kostas [was] unlucky in a training situation. I saw him now, he was out on the pitch and he might be – in his opinion, anyway – ready to train next week, which is helpful. Ibou, in a challenge in the game against Strasbourg, what happened there we have to see how long it will take but he is out for a while. Oxlade [is also out], of course.

“[Kelleher] is still a few weeks away. We have too many injuries, that’s true, but in the moment nothing changed. There were a lot of unlucky situations; started with Caoimhin, started with Diogo pretty much. One was injured, the other one got a re-injury, it was not 100 per cent clear.” – Jurgen Klopp

Asked about Darwin Nunez, Klopp said:

“Darwin is ready, that doesn’t mean he has to start. We have obviously still different options and that’s what we’ll use and Darwin needs time to get used to lots of things but he is already a real help.” – Jurgen Klopp

MANCHESTER CITY

There were precisely zero questions asked about the Manchester City team news in the broadcast section of Pep Guardiola’s press conference.

With Gameweek 1 getting underway tonight, we won’t hear any embargoed quotes until well after the deadline has passed.

We do know that Aymeric Laporte (knee) will miss out, at least, with the Spaniard set to be sidelined until September at the earliest.

“I like to work with not many players and have everyone involved.” – Pep Guardiola on having a small squad for 2022/23

Guardiola was asked about the penalty-taking pecking order at City and Erling Haaland‘s potential position within it but effectively told us that there isn’t one.

“Last season we improve. We rise a lot the quality of our penalties in terms of goals, in the past we missed a lot. Last season Riyad [Mahrez] was exceptional under incredible pressure to do it, of course he missed the last one but in general the penalties he took were really good.

“They will decide. As much the taker when you walk up to the penalty, look at the goalkeeper, in your mind: ‘One decision, I’m going to score.’ So much as they think like that, the rest is not important.” – Pep Guardiola

CHELSEA

Thomas Tuchel confirmed on Friday that Marc Cucurella‘s arrival was imminent and discussed the Spaniard’s impact on Ben Chilwell, who is still building up match fitness after a lengthy lay-off.

“It helps Ben [Chilwell] escape the pressure of ‘I have to deliver’ and ‘we absolutely need you now’. We have also in this position Marcos Alonso, Kenedy and Emerson. But, hopefully when things go through, Marc is the option in this position and he can play, I think, very well in the back three. He gives us many options.

“[Chilwell] looks better and better, but at the same time, he needs a little bit more time to adapt to the rhythm and physicality of the match itself, which is absolutely normal.

“It’s a very, very demanding league and we have to take care of him, it’s our responsibilty. We can’t just throw him in.” – Thomas Tuchel

MANCHESTER UNITED

New signings Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez could make their full United debuts this weekend but Anthony Martial will miss out with a minor hamstring injury.

“I think they are fit enough to start” – Erik ten Hag on Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez

“It is always difficult to say with these injuries, but hopefully not too long.” – Erik ten Hag on Anthony Martial

LEICESTER CITY

Brendan Rodgers has said that Ricardo Pereira could be out of action for up to six months after rupturing his Achilles in pre-season.

Harvey Barnes will also be out for a fortnight or so with a knee injury, while Ryan Bertrand (knee) is sidelined for a few more weeks.

WEST HAM UNITED

David Moyes says that he is “not expecting” new striker Gianluca Scamacca to be involved against Manchester City on Sunday due to a lack of pre-season minutes.

Angelo Ogbonna also won’t be called upon as he builds up match sharpness with the under-23s instead.

Aside from that, Moyes added that the Hammers had “quite a lot of concerns” heading into the City game but, true to form, refused to name names.

ASTON VILLA

Emiliano Buendia (quad) and Tyrone Mings (unspecified) had “niggles” ahead of Aston Villa’s Gameweek 1 clash tomorrow but have trained and should be available.

“It’s really positive, we’ve had a positive pre-season. We’ve had a couple of niggles within the last seven days – Tyrone Mings, Emi Buendía to name a couple – but we had a full squad available who trained yesterday. If they get through today’s session, we should have a full squad to pick from. Kortney Hause is still not back with the team, Keinan Davis is back with the team and the plan is for him to get some minutes in the U21 game later on. Outside of those two, we’re fully fit and ready to go.” – Steven Gerrard

NEWCASTLE UNITED

Assessment is continuing on Jonjo Shelvey‘s hamstring injury, with the midfielder heading to London tonight for another opinion.

Jamal Lewis, Federico Fernandez and Javier Manquillo are all nearing a return, with the latter back in training, although all three are peripheral figures in the Newcastle squad now anyway.

“Jonjo is in London tonight for another assessment so we don’t have a clear, defined timeframe for you on his injury. He’s probably the big one to have come out of pre-season.

“We’ve got Jamal Lewis and Fede Fernández who are working their way back to fitness who shouldn’t be too long. (Javier) Manquillo’s back in training with us and looking good, so we’re not too bad, apart from Jonjo.” – Eddie Howe on injuries

“I think he’s ready to play. I’ve seen him during pre-season, as probably you all have, and what a talent he is. I think he’s going to be everything we hoped he would be.

“He’s technically very good, very, very strong physically, very good defensively. But we look at every player individually and try to make the right call for them and the team. What I’ll do with Sven, you’ll find out. But I’ve been so pleased with the signing.” – Eddie Howe on Sven Botman

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION

Bar long-term absentee Jakub Moder (knee), the whole of Brighton’s squad are fit for Sunday.

Manager Graham Potter confirmed that Alexis Mac Allister has shaken off groin tightness to feature.

WOLVERHAMPTON WANDERERS

Raul Jimenez (knee) and Adama Traore (hamstring) were the two players confirmed as being absent by Bruno Lage this afternoon, although Chiquinho (knee) is also a long-term absentee.

FULHAM

As we expected, Marco Silva has confirmed that Nathaniel Chalobah and Harry Wilson have been ruled out of tomorrow’s match against Liverpool due to injury.

BRENTFORD

Thomas Frank is hopeful that Kristoffer Ajer will return from a hamstring injury towards the end of August. Sergi Canos (hamstring) – who is suspended anyway – is on a similar timeframe but Ethan Pinnock (knee) will be out for longer.

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,961 Comments Post a Comment
  1. R.C
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Best Perisic replacement?

    1. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trips

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Trippier for two weeks

  2. Jimrod™
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    With so many cookie-cutter teams exactly the same as my own I'm now seriously considering going all out premium mid on:

    Ward (Iverson)
    James, Robertson, Perisic, Aké (Neco)
    Salah, De Bruyne, Son, Neto, Bailey
    Jesus (Archer, Greenwood)

    Seems silly but then I look at it and think, hmm, actually...

    Just may need a wildcard for that front line should anything go wrong - but then it'll be an early wildcard season anyway!

  3. ThunderKlopp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    A Little bit of an unusual approach

    Ramsdale (Turner)
    TAA/James/TrippierDigne (Williams)
    Salah/Son/Rashford/Mount/Bailey
    Jesus (Edouard/Surridge)

    There are just not many worthwhile strikers in my view. Al in the midfield.

    Thoughts

    1. Third Eye Vision
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Decent

  4. Supersonic
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Would love some advice - pretty template I suppose - digne to perisic maybe?

    Mendy
    Taa-cancelo-digne
    Salah-Diaz-martinelli-rashford-Bailey
    Kane-Jesus

    Bench: Ward-dalot-neco-dervisoglu

    0.5m in the bank

    Thanks

    1. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      I don’t see many now with Diaz/Salah although I’m sticking

      1. Supersonic
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Appreciated thanks

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Keep Digne

    3. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Perisic might not start and has a tough gw2 fixture. Deffo one to go for from gw3 onwards if fit, but he's not one for right now

      1. Supersonic
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Thanks mate

  5. Devos
    • 2 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Pick two:
    a) Walker
    b) Trippier
    c) Zinchenko

    1. Bring back Rafa
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      AB

    2. House Frey Wedding Planner
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      AB

  6. Fero1905
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 7 months ago

    Is curcurella a Option for gw1?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        1 year, 7 months ago

        2% apparently

      • Boz
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Nah

      • dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Surely too soon

      • Bring back Rafa
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Great option if LWB, not so much if LCB.

    2. Sausage™️
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Doubling up on pool defenders seems the logical way to treble up on Liverpool players..

      Ramsdale, (Ward)
      Robbo, TAA, Trippier, Cancelo (N Williams)
      Mount, Salah, Neto, Bailey
      Haaland, Jesus, (Archer)

      Thats it, I'm done..

      1. Tcheco
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Agreed re double up because you have Cancelo as well. See below

      2. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Prefer Diaz over robby for the start.

      3. WVA
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        James over Mount

    3. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      A. Cancelo

      B. Robbo (double up with TAA + no city def)

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        A

    4. aardvark22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Any suggestions here? mad to punt on Darwin from GW1?

      Ramsdale, Ward
      TAA, Cancelo, James, Walker, Nico
      Salah, Mahrez, Mount, Martinelli, Bailey
      Jesus, Darwin, Greenwood

      1. Third Eye Vision
        • 11 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        Mate, the science pages I follow are filled with religious nuts and flat Earthers, so punting on a 9.0 forward in one of the most attacking teams in the Premier League era does not seem mad to me.

    5. gooner_112233445566
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Opinions on this please,

      Ramsdale (ward)
      Taa, robbo, James, cancelo, r dias
      Martinelli, salah, Bailey, (a perreira), (dasilva)
      Jesus, haaland, (greenwood)

      Keep as it is or downgrade r dias to improve dasilva/get saka instead of martinelli

    6. thebizzle
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Hi, any suggestions on improving? Feel quite settled with this now

      Ward (Ramsdale)

      Trent (vc) Robbo Cancelo Perisic James
      Salah (c) Bailey Martinelli (Neto, Andreas)
      Jesus Haaland (Dervisoglu)

      1. Hazardous1983
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        exact same as me but im starting ramsdale

      2. jose1234
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        I landed on the same, with only Emerson in goal. Why save the 0.5?

        1. thebizzle
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I haven’t got 0.5 in the bank

    7. Lignja
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Would you risk it woth Doherty or go Neto/Aaronson?

    8. Manani
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      is having Bailey + Neto + Andreas too weak of a mid? (will be playing 2 of them every week)

    9. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 7 months ago

      Most people seem to be choosing two out Martinelli, Bailey & Neto. You just know the one that you don't pick will get returns and the two you pick will blank, not forgetting the subsequent price rise too

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          1 year, 7 months ago

          That's the beauty of fpl, we'll all be in the mud but we'll be there together

      2. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        1 year, 7 months ago

        It's hours until deadline and my defense is:

        TAA Walker Digne Trippier Neco

        Good lord... I have 0.5m ITB. How would you improve it? I'm not putting more money into it than what I've allotted because I'm very happy with the rest of the team.

        1. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Save it for an upgrade to Perisic in GW3 if he proves to be less brittle then expected?

        2. Manani
          • 12 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          i am saving .5m to upgrade one of my 5m defender to Perisic

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            That was my thinking.

            Digne and Trippier are perfect for two weeks and then they probably get removed.

        3. @persecuted_by_mods
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Depends what formation you're playing

          • House Frey Wedding Planner
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            If you're fixed with your budget there's not much more you can do with that defence. Maybe Neco to a 4.5 defender but don't think that's really necessary at this stage

          • The Mentaculus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Think its fine. Mine also looks a bit less satisfying on paper with Digne but I have 1m itb & a free choice of Perisic/Doherty/James/Chilwell/Cucurella in GW3 & I'm quite happy with that

          • Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            TAA, James, Digne, Botman, Neco

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              1 year, 7 months ago

              Not a bad suggestion! Thanks. I'll mull it over.

          • Coolbean
            • 4 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Assuming for first 8 GWs and to play 4?

            James Dias Walker 5.0 4.0

            I personally don’t like any other 5.0s not named Doherty, and would prefer to rotate 2x 4.5s instead

            The point per added million on TAA is really bad (e.g. TAA + 4.0 vs James + 5.5), but that point per added million concept is even worse in midfield and attack, which makes TAA a generally good pick. But with your fixed budget in defence, the above is what I would go for

            1. Camzy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              1 year, 7 months ago

              Thanks for the comment but this doesn't make much sense.

              I can afford TAA instead of Dias while being just 0.5m under budget.

              1. Coolbean
                • 4 Years
                1 year, 7 months ago

                Ah the budget is flexi? Yeah then get TAA ofc lol

          • Bring back Rafa
            • 4 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            I’m 100% the same but just with Cash instead of Digne and Patterson instead of Neco. You must be on the Threeium as well?

        4. SILENTWAR
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Why go with Sanchez/Ward instead of Ward/Iversen? I thought rotating goalkeepers rarely works out as people say?

          1. Biggsy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Because if Leicester buy a GK before the end of the window, you're left with two duds and need transfers to put it right

          2. Third Eye Vision
            • 11 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            I’ve been on Ward/Iversen this week and just swapped back to include Sanchez again.

            Brighton’s defence is better than Leicester’s. Simple.

        5. Biggsy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Stop tinkering and stick with A or go Threemium with B?

          a. Mahrez, Martinelli, Cancelo, James
          b. Son, Bailey, Trippier Walker

          1. Camzy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Easy B for me.

        6. PLANT_POWER
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          repost:

          Thoughts on swapping Iverson/Trippier/Saka to Sanchez/Perisic/Marinelli? Would also leave some in the bank.

          Ward (Iverson)
          Trent, Cancelo, James, Trippier (N.Will)
          Salah, Mount, Saka, Bailey (Andreas)
          Haaland, Jesus (Greenwood)

        7. Pedram
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Who will start for Leicester City, Ward or Iversen?

          1. OptimusBlack
            • 10 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Same question

          2. The Mighty Hippo
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Iversen will probably start gw1, Ward might take over at some point and get the role in the longer term (unless they sign someone else)

        8. Amartey Partey
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Who scores more points in GW1?

          1. Ramsdale
          2. Martinez

        9. KKluigi
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Predicted City lineup?

        10. OptimusBlack
          • 10 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Who are ur 2 GKS ?

        11. jackruet
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          The pabuc....

          1. jackruet
            • 2 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Panic*

        12. The Head-Ake
          • 7 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Playing 4.5-5.0 midfielders?

        13. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Ok I'm done

          Ward (Iversen)
          TAA James Trippier (Dunk Neco)
          Salah Martinelli Neto Bailey (Andreas)
          Kane Haaland Jesus

          James, Trippier and Dunk will become Cucurella, Perisic/Doherty, 4.5 Arsenal defender once theres clarity with those positions.
          For now dunk will cover Bailey if he does indeed flop. Hopefully i get 2 to 3 weeks out of Bailey before said floppage occurs.
          One of Haaland or Kane can be downgraded to the best cheap striker that stands out after a few weeks which would enable me to upgrade my midfield if needed and Neto/Martinelli fail too.
          Good luck to all..cheers.

          1. The Head-Ake
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            We have the opportunity exact same team

          2. The Head-Ake
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Why'd you go Trippier over Walker?

          3. Snevitz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Good team considering you have 3 premiums - Bamford week 5 could be the transfer for you.
            I've also had to sacrifice Cancelo but think James has similar points potential and you save £1m.
            I had Tripper in most of my drafts but have decided to risk Doherty from the start.

        14. space mercenary
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Curucella confirmed at Chelsea. Guardian reports the deal was done in time for him to play against Everton. Numerous reports saying Alonso now very close to moving to Barca. Curucella definitely a tempting prospect now with Chilwell still short of fitness.

          1. Andy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Very little chance he's chucked straight in with zero training. Bench maybe.
            But a £5m Chelsea defender is always interesting in the longer term.

        15. Meechoo115
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          How can I shave £0.5m from this team to get an £8m mid in the XXX spot? or just go for Sancho/Rashford/Grealish?

          Ward. Iverson
          James. Neco. Trent. Robbo. Cancelo
          Neto. Andreas. Salah. Martinelli. xxxx
          Jesus. Haaland. Archer

          1. Lingard’s Shin Guards
            • 5 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            neto to bailey is an easy one

          2. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            1 year, 7 months ago

            Neto to Bailey

        16. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          With a defence of Trent - Walker - neco - trippier can I afford to risk cucurella?

        17. Gross Expectations
          • 5 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          I think it comes down to this
          A Barnes and bailey
          B Rashford Neto ?
          Cheers

        18. Happyhiccup
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 7 months ago

          Appreciate gw1 a tough ask but why isn’t Bowen featuring in teams given his haul last season? 8.5 mil doesn’t seem a lot for possible 200points