FPL GW19 Q&A: Raya to Gabriel, best cheap mids + sell Keane?

You can read his Gameweek 20 team reveal and transfers here.

Q: I would like your input on the team structure, i.e. moving from a 3-5-2 to perhaps 4-4-2 or 4-5-1.

(via IAWC (It’s a great Cruyff))

A: I switched to a 4-4-2 structure on my Gameweek 9 Wildcard and haven’t looked back since. Having three strikers has never really been a consideration as we struggle to find even a consistent second striker alongside us Erling Haaland (£15.1 million), let alone two more.

The addition of Defensive Contribution Points (DefCon) this season, along with teams focusing more on set pieces and dead balls, has just increased the appeal of defensive assets. They offer excellent value for their price and ensure you get more high-quality midfield choices without having to search for bargains in the £6.0m and below price range.

However, the injuries to Daniel Munoz (£5.8 million), Michael Keane (£4.8 million), and Nico O’Reilly‘s (£5.3m) early withdrawal means the stock of explosive defensive assets is drying up a bit. For the 4-4-2 to work, your defenders must be capable of a 15-pointer. Other than Arsenal, I’m struggling to identify those at the moment.

Question: Is it worth trading David Raya for Gabriel Magalhaes for a hit or is Jurrien Timber for Gabriel Magalhaes the wise choice? I would choose Gabriel over Timber in the long run, but I prefer Timber over Raya.

(via @FplFaiz)

A: This is a question many FPL managers, who have already tripled Arsenal, are asking this week: which of the three will make way for Gabriel Magalhaes (£6.4m)?

I still think Jurriën Hout (£6.4m) is one of the best defensive assets in the game, so as I said in the previous article, I would only get Gabriel alongside Timber, not instead.

So now the question is: assumption Bukayo Saka (£10.3m) is a given, how do you get Gabriel when you already have it David Raya (£6.0 million) and/or Declan Rice (£7.2m)?

Personally, I’ve never been a fan of the Raya choice. Yes, Arsenal have the most clean sheets in the league and are the best defense. But the fact is that all of their back four have a significantly higher ceiling and points-scoring potential than the Spanish shot-stopper. DefCon, goals and assists are all on the menu thanks to Arsenal’s skill at set pieces.

So I would take the hit of moving Raya to Gabriel without hesitation. It’s a move that may backfire in the short term, but I think you’ll make up the points in the long run. Gabriel is the second best FPL signing in the game and is capable of a 15-17 pointer regardless of the match.

It’s a little trickier with Rice because so few midfielders perform consistently. However, I think the injury gives you the opportunity to take the England international further. The points are currently more in Arsenal’s defense than in attack.

Q: Best midfielder under £6.0m to replace Yankuba Minteh?

(via @FPLTransferTips)

A: There’s honestly not much in that price range that you would enjoy playing every week. Someone at Bournemouth could become a better option after that Antoine Semenyo‘s (£7.7m) departure – maybe Marcus Tavernier (£5.6m) – but it’s a shot in the dark.

Harry Wilson (£5.8m) is still good value. Any player who takes all the free-kicks and corners from both sides of the pitch and has less than £6.0m is good value.

Lucas Paqueta (£5.9m) has a great run of games under his belt but can be such a frustrating player to own. Given West Ham United’s upcoming series, he would probably be my pick.

James Garner‘s (£5.0m) goal and assist against Forest also put him on the radar, but that’s mainly if you need the money. I don’t trust Everton’s attack when two of their first choice strikers… Kieran Dewsbury Hall (£5.0 million) and Indian education (£6.2 million), are out.

Q: What would you recommend doing with Michael Keane? I went to Gabriel Magalhaes early.

(via @aurom1986)

A: When asked about the nature of Keane’s injury, David Moyes declined to provide specific details or a timeline for his return to play. This is quite frustrating and an alarming trend we are seeing with many Premier League managers this season, who may be following in Mikel Arteta’s footsteps.

Given the super short turnaround time, unless it was illness or Keane was very close to being selected, I don’t think he will be back for the Brentford game.

At the time of writing there is no further update from Moyes, but if he rules Keane out for the next two games there is a case for him to be moved.

Q: Declan Rice or Joachim Andersen out, or roll out a transfer?

(via @siddas_10)

A: At the time of writing, not much is known about Rice’s return window, but it’s safe to assume he won’t be at risk for the Bournemouth game, with the Liverpool game after that a more likely target.

As mentioned in the previous question, if you want to clear a spot for Arsenal, a move for the England international makes sense. If that’s not a priority, I’d try to keep him because I don’t think he’ll miss more than one game.

Question: Is it okay to play a Wildcard in Gameweek 20 if your team isn’t swamped with injuries but don’t like your choice? I only have one free transfer available.

(via @CassaNovella_)

A: We are in an unpredictable part of the season with so many games in quick succession. What we see now is a large amount of football that is largely devoid of quality. I would strongly advocate holding on to the Wildcard for later in the season unless your team is really, really ravaged by injuries.

Question: Riccardo Caalaariori vs. Gabriel Magalhas for a hit?

(via @RikFPLfan)

A: With Riccardo Calafiori‘s (£5.7m) ongoing injury problems, I can see him missing more games in the near future, even if he is fit after the Bournemouth game (he has been ruled out of that match). Unlike Timber, I don’t like Calafiori as a long-term choice, so I would take the hit of moving the Italy international for Gabriel.