Fantasy Premier League is almost back after the international break, during which time a lot of FPL managers have activated their first wildcard ahead of gameweek five.
For those who have endured a rocky start to the new season, this is the perfect moment to rejig or completely overhaul your squad, casting out the no-hopers and transferring in the players who have impressed in the opening month.
That’s why The Football Faithful is here to help pick out some key transfers you should consider making before Saturday’s FPL deadline. We’ve selected five players that should be in every wildcard this week – featuring no players from Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United!
There’s also no representation from Man City, because, let’s face it, almost everyone already has Erling Haaland, and fantasy wise it’s a lucky dip when it comes to the rest of that team.
FPL Deadline: Saturday, September 16, 11.00am BST.
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Son Heung-min (£9.1m)
If there was one player I would be looking to take a chance on in the coming gameweeks, it would be Son Heung-min. It might feel like a bit of a knee-jerk reaction to transfer in the Korean following his hat-trick against a struggling Burnley side, but there’s a good chance he will continue to pop off in the near future.
Importantly, Son was moved from wide left to a central role up front against the Clarets, getting as many opportunities in front of goal that day as he did in the previous three games. He’s also on penalties, which is a huge bonus.
The next four fixtures are a mixed bag, with Arsenal and Liverpool sandwiched in between Sheffield United and Luton Town, but there’s goals to be had against all of those defences.
Next fixture: Sheffield Utd (A)
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Mo Salah (£12.5m)
FPL managers have largely overlooked Mo Salah so far this term, with just a quarter owning the Egyptian – he’s usually closer to the 40-60 percent range – and it’s completely understandable why.
The Liverpool forward is expensive and he hasn’t been racking up points like he has done so often in the past. Indeed, 16 players have so far scored more points that him, with only Haaland (£14m) costing more.
But now could be the time to jump on Salah if you are on a wildcard, as the Reds’ fixtures look excellent from an attacking point of view for the next couple of months.
Only Haaland has more expected goal involvements (xGI) than the 31-year-old, who has been a tad unlucky not to come away with more returns up to now.
Next fixture: Wolves (A)
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Moussa Diaby (£6.6m)
Aston Villa have had a mixed start to the new Premier League season, but their fans have every right to be excited about the signing of Moussa Diaby, who has looked really good in the opening weeks.
The French attacker has already become the side’s biggest attacking threat – his 2.7 xGI are the most of any player in the squad – and has been involved in four big chances so far.
Your Player of the Month for August…
⭐ @MoussaDiaby_19 ⭐ pic.twitter.com/6f5pO9fzel
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) September 8, 2023
Villa’s fixtures up until December look great on paper, making Diaby an optimal downgrade from some of the more costly midfielders in FPL.
Next fixture: Crystal Palace (H)
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Destiny Udogie (£4.7m)
When it comes to attacking defenders in FPL this season, Pervis Estupinan is way out in front, then there’s a relatively small group of pretty good ones that should be in your team, and then the rest who aren’t worth considering. But the best value player in the market right now has to be Destiny Udogie.
The Italian left-back has slotted right into Ange Postecoglou’s new look Tottenham side, rampaging forward to assist a well-oiled attack that has scored 11 goals in four games. There are players with better underlying statistics, but that price is irresistible.
Many of us still have an overpriced Arsenal, Man City or Man United defender taking up space in our FPL squads – Udogie could be the ideal replacement.
Next fixture: Sheffield Utd (A)
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Bryan Mbeumo (£6.8m)
After four gameweeks Bryan Mbeumo is the highest-scoring midfielder in FPL – who saw that coming? Certainly not this writer, who overlooked the Brentford attacker in pre-season. But he has stepped up in the absence of Ivan Toney to help the Bees enjoy an unbeaten start to the campaign.
The Cameroon international is playing as a forward, but designated as a midfielder in the game, which means an extra point for every goal than he would’ve gotten last year. So far he’s scored four times, although two of them have been penalties. They’re very unlikely to win a spot kick one in every two games, but it doesn’t hurt that he’s on them.
Remarkably, Mbeumo has had the most big chances of any midfielder, including the likes of Mo Salah, Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford. All nine of his shots have come from inside the box, so he is getting chances in really good areas, and he’s also created another five for his teammates. No wonder he has the best xGI among midfielders.
I wouldn’t use my one free transfer on him, but on a wildcard I would probably have him over Phil Foden.
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See Also – The most overpriced Premier League transfers this summer
