Well then, what have we learned from the first international break? Don’t bank on your South American assets? Don’t forget about Harry Kane (£12.3m)? Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) is actually a midfielder? To be honest, none of this really matters because, at a staggering £12.5 million, CR7 is back.
Upcoming Fixtures
It won’t be to anyone’s surprise that all eyes will be fixed on Man United this weekend as they face Newcastle at Old Trafford. In a dramatic final few days of the transfer window, it looked like Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m) was on his way to the other, bluer side of Manchester. Yet, in what seemed to be a spontaneous U-turn, he has returned to the Theatre of Dreams where he essentially kick-started his star-studded career. Ole has confirmed in his press conference that he will be starting – we’d expect nothing less. It was a hattrick for Ronaldo last time he faced Newcastle in the Premier League over a decade ago, but is he worth switching with one (or two!) of your premium players?
Another interesting game on the managerial front is Arsenal versus Norwich. Mikel Arteta is under immense pressure to deliver for fear that he might well be axed next week. For those with underperforming Arsenal players in your squad, will you give them one final chance to pull through? Our predictions are that Pépé (£7.2m) or Saka (£6.3m) could enjoy running at the fragile Norwich defence.
Transfer Deadlines: Ones to Watch
After perhaps the most ridiculous transfer window of all time, many premium players have landed in the Prem. That said, there are plenty of differential picks that may have slipped under the transfer deadline day radar.
Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m). This transfer speaks for itself. One of the world’s best will back and playing in FPL! This could get very exciting.
Saúl Ñíguez (£5.5m). The loan acquisition of Saul was a shrewd piece of business from the blues in the final moments of the window. The Spanish international is an established midfielder who brings creativity and grit to his game. He does also bring the odd goal and assist which might make him a solid lower-end midfield choice. But, with a plethora of great midfielders in Tuchel’s armory, will Saul establish himself as a first choice starter?
Salomón Rondón (£6.0m). Benitez has brought back the Big Venezuelan to the Premier League after working with him at Newcastle and more recently in China. He has picked up goals in his previous stints in the league but failed to become prolific. As a no-nonsense Number 9, Rondón is good alternative to Richarlison (£7.5m) and Calvert-Lwein (£8.2), who is a doubt this weekend with a muscle strain.
ETC Starting XI
Formation: 3-4-3
Goalkeeper: Sánchez (£4.5m)
Defenders: Tsimikas (£4.1m), Shaw (£5.5), Duffy (£4.2m)
Midfielders: Jota (£7.6m), Greenwood (£7.7m), Salah (£12.5m), Benrahma (£6.4m)
Forwards: Ronaldo (£12.5m), Antonio (£7.7m), Toney (£6.4m)
Armband Picks
Cristiano Ronaldo (£12.5m). Yeah that’s right, CR7 features in every section of this article. Can he live up to our expectations? Newcastle have been known to ship goals against the better teams, so this gamble could make big returns.
Michail Antonio (£7.7m). Don’t fix it if it is broken. Overtaking Paolo Di Canio, Antonio has recently become West Ham’s all time Premier League record goal scorer and has hit a fine run of form. He has been the best player in the league so far and has driven the Hammers to second place. In Micky we trust!
Saïd Benrahma (£6.3m). Alongside Antonio, the Algerian international has made a fantastic start to the season. David Moyes has got him playing in an attacking wide role which has suited Saïd’s style to a tee. Chipping in with a few goals and assists, Benrahma could be the underdog pick of the weekend if you’re wanting to make up some points on those going for the safer options.
Once again, FPL managers, good-luck for the upcoming gameweeks.
Don’t forget to join our East Terrace Club mini league: v2n6jf.
