We’re just two game-weeks away from the Premier League season pausing for the World Cup. Here are five players you need in your team (if you already own them, great!).
Kieran Trippier
Trippier is a must have in your defence, whether you’re playing a three, four or five at the back. He’s valued at £5.9m and is owned by a whopping 62.4% of FPL managers, which is no surprise. He runs into Southampton away & Chelsea at home before the international break.
The Newcastle right-back has already racked up 77 points, including 12 bonus points. The Toon have kept six clean sheets so far this season and Trippier always has the potential for attacking returns, already boasting one goal and three assists to add to his already impressive defensive returns.
Leandro Trossard
Brighton midfielder Trossard is someone you also need in your team. He’s been transferred in and out by a lot of FPL managers this season, notably after his blank against Nottingham Forest at home but has repaid owners who kept faith with him with goals against Man City and Chelsea.
At £6.9m, there are other options in that price bracket, with Bernardo Silva, Gabriel Martinelli & Marcus Rashford all relatively popular picks around that price range.
However, Trossard has accumulated the third most points out of midfielders in FPL (73) thanks to his seven goals and one assist this season. Brighton are up against Wolves (A) and Aston Villa (H) before the World Cup.
Gabriel Martinelli
Chelsea away and Wolves away doesn’t sound like the most favourable fixtures here but hear me out.
Martinelli has been one of the best value players in FPL this season. He’s been in my team from the start and has rewarded myself and 49.3% of FPL managers with 68 points this season. His value was £6.5m at the start of the season and has now risen to £6.8m.
Another player in the Trossard bracket but one who is a guaranteed started on the left flank, especially with Emile Smith Rowe out injured. Owners will be hoping he can add to his five goals and three assists in the next two weeks.
Erling Haaland
Despite being ruled out of Man City’s previous fixture against Leicester, Haaland is still owned by 80.4% of managers. He’s still currently flagged as an injury doubt with a 75% chance of playing but he is owned by too many managers for you not to have him.
Haaland has already smashed 17 (yes, SEVENTEEN) goals this season in the Premier League, racking up 117 points in the process. City’s next two fixtures are Fulham and Brentford (both home). If you’re Fulham and Brentford defender owners and Haaland is back fit, sell or bench right now!
Joao Cancelo
A pretty boring pick but an essential one. Cancelo faces Fulham and Brenford in City’s next two games (as mentioned above) and looks pretty set for two clean sheets as well as some potential attacking returns.
The Portuguese international has 71 points this season, thanks to six clean sheets, two goals and two assists. He is a costly £7.4m but considering his attacking output since being at City, he is someone you can’t pass on an opportunity owning. Especially when you have Cancelo & Trippier in the same defence!
JG Writes 