The October international break is finally over – and attention returns firmly to Fantasy Premier League (FPL).
Without further ado, here are some key talking points from around the world over the past week.
An overview of the minutes played follows.
HAALAND GOALS + REST
Praised in recent Scout Squad and Big Numbers articles, among others, we also investigated whether this is the case Erling Haaland (£14.5m) may decline slightly after such an explosive start to this FPL season.
Naturally, he scored a hat-trick for Norway the next day, making 21 goals in 12 games for club and country.
But that win over Israel also saw Haaland miss two penalties – one a replay of the other – suggesting he might indeed be human.
Owners will be pleased to know that he was then granted an early departure from international duty as the subsequent encounter with New Zealand was merely a friendly. Just some much-needed rest ahead of a ‘tight fixture schedule’ starting at home against Everton.
FLAGGED ETC
Was also released early Enzo Fernandez (£6.7 million), due to inflammation in his right knee.
More than 1.7 million buys since Gameweek 3, managers instinctively feared an injury setback, but reports say Argentina had always planned to sit out the friendly in Puerto Rico. So it makes sense to stay on good terms with Chelsea.
He has been in excellent form for the Blues and is the leading FPL midfielder in expected goals this season (xG, 3.75).
BENCH BOOST CONCERNS
However, the news about cheap enablers Omar Alderete (£4.1 million) and Lyle Foster (£5.0m) looks less encouraging initially.
Added to almost half a million squads ahead of Gameweek 7, the Sunderland centre-back is one of the best defenders yet. He appears to be an FPL steal.
But those planning a Gameweek 8 Bench Boost are nervous as the Paraguayan is forced to leave late due to an apparent thigh strain. The full one its size is not yet knownand he will be assessed by the club’s medical team. Let’s hope Regis gives Le Bris a solid update before hosting Wolverhampton Wanderers.
In addition, 273,000 people want to know more about the status of center forward Foster. He started all seven of Burnley’s matches but was forced to withdraw between South Africa’s two crucial World Cup qualifiers.
EZE TO GET ON?
Meanwhile, reports have emerged in the past week that Arsenal Martin Odegaard (£7.9m) will miss six to eight weeks due to a knee problem which saw him taken off the field early against West Ham United.
It should increase the Fantasy credentials of in-form God bless you (£7.6m), having already started three of the Gunners’ last four league games.
That period has produced three assists and enough shots (11) to suggest a goal is imminent. He did grab one for England in Latvia, mind you.
that’s for
This was improved by Cody Agat (£7.5 million), making three wins for the Netherlands versus Malta and Finland.
After the Gameweek 7 attack at Stamford Bridge, Gakpo is playing with confidence. He has started all but one of Liverpool’s league matches Florian Wirtz (£8.1 million) was mentioned on two of the last three banks.
Arne Slot prefers Gakpo, making him a truly cheaper alternative Muhammad Salah (£14.4m)?
ISAK + GYOKER’S FLOP
What adds more to this idea are the expensive arrivals Hugo Ekitike (£8.7 million) and Alexander Isaac (£10.6m) are yet to start a match together.
The latter’s performances dipped after Newcastle United’s cup win in March and, often visibly fatigued, only two of last season’s 23 league goals came after the 60th minute (one of which was a penalty). So a summer in which he went on strike to secure Liverpool’s deadline day didn’t exactly improve his match fitness.
As a result, neither he nor his fellow star striker Viktor Gyokeres (£9.1 million) performed when Sweden needed them most.
Weak losses at home to Switzerland and Kosovo leave them bottom of Group B, making World Cup qualification virtually impossible. It cost Jon Dahl Tomasson his job.
Isak was able to collect at least seven shots, one of which hit the post. He put on a big one Lucas Bergvall (£5.4m) also missing. But Gyokeres came up with very little.
What further damages FPL assets is the uncertainty surrounding the penalty. Bukayo Saka (€9.9m) just grabbed one for Arsenal as Gyokeres watched, and we have to assume Salah will remain Liverpool’s first choice.
OTHER KNOCKS
Elsewhere, Ronald Koeman said that Ryan Gravenberch (£5.7 million) went off at half-time due to “a minor hamstring discomfort.”
Ollie Watkins (£8.7m) scored past Wales but later collided with the post. The pain forced him to miss the trip to Latvia as a precaution, although many FPL managers had already dumped the Aston Villa striker.
And congratulations go out to Chris Wood (£7.3 million), when he became New Zealand’s highest capped player in that match in Norway. Unfortunately he hurt his knee and needs an assessment.
“It was a little bit sore this week. Nothing too bad. I think when you saw him fall, he held the knee a little bit. It’s a little bit tight in his knee. So I think he’s doing well. But we knew all week that he wasn’t 100 percent fit. So he didn’t play much against Poland.” – New Zealand coach Darren Bazeley on Chris Wood
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