As we head into the international break, we review some key FPL talking points from the weekend.
HAALAND IS DEFINITELY THE PERMA-CAPTAIN
We’re all for taking the odd punt on a differential here and there in order to gain an edge on your competitors, but when it comes to selecting your captain, there can only really be once answer right now. It looks like it’s going to be another goal-laden season for Erling Haaland (£14.1m), and with his ownership now pushing 92%, you run a huge risk of being left behind if you try and be too clever. Do yourself a favour by slapping the armband permanently on the prolific Norwegian and making some calculated risks elsewhere.
EVAN FERGUSON IS THE REAL DEAL
Of course, Haaland’s hat-trick was one of three trebles in Gameweek 4, with one of the others belonging to a striker who is starting to really make a name for himself in the Premier League. Evan Ferguson (£6.0m) certainly caught the eye for Brighton last season but the Irish striker looks like he is ready to make the next step. His three goals in the win over Newcastle has attracted the attentions of many an FPL manager, who will be considering bringing him into their squads. However, the youngster has recently pulled out of international duty with a knee injury, so it would be wise to wait until closer to the Gameweek 5 deadline before moving for him.
SON TO SHINE IN STRIKER ROLE?
Filling Harry Kane’s boots was never going to be an easy task and, judging by the first three gameweeks, those boots were too big to fill for Richarlison (£6.8m) who failed to record an attacking return in those games despite Spurs scoring six goals. Ange Postecoglou decided it was time for a change in Gameweek 4, and opted to field Heung-Min Son (£9.1m) centrally. This turned out to be a masterstroke with the South Korean helping himself to a hat-trick against Burnley. Given the success of that experiment, it would be no surprise if the Spurs boss goes for the same approach against Sheffield Utd in Gameweek 5. If that is to be the case, savvy FPL managers will be looking to capitalise before the masses catch on.
