Team selection round up
Starting with GK, which is easily the weakest position in the team at this moment. I will start Turner, although there is a very strong chance Vlachodimos starts over him now. This is extremely harsh considering Turner’s been solid so far. It looks likely I’ll be stuck with Pickford again so that will be another 1 pointer incoming!
In terms of defence, the only debate is starting Saliba vs Estupinan. Arsenal notoriously have a terrible record away at Everton but on paper it is a much better fixture. Estupinan offers much more of an attacking threat however, Brighton are yet to pick up a clean sheet this season and whilst United have been poor, I can bet on them scoring. I’m on Saliba, but that might change.
Midfield sets up itself this week. Need both Bruno and Rashford to return against Brighton to prove that I shouldn’t have got Son in. Maddison at home to Sheffield United is my best bet for haul. Mbeumo has been a gem of a pick so far; however I have a feeling he blanks against Newcastle.
Again, strikers pick themselves. I will be captaining Mr Inevitable Haaland. Need to see a Jackson return as his data is excellent, his end product not so much. Last chance for him, if he blanks again then I will seriously consider selling him.
Transfer plans
I’ve got two free transfers and looking at the team there are no obvious transfers to make. I’ll discuss the five options I currently have.
Pickford > Pope/Kaminski/Flekken/Leno
Firstly, I’m very tempted to get rid of Pickford this week. Luton and Bournemouth at home are two good fixtures that are fast approaching, but I’ve got zero confidence in Everton’s ability to keep a clean sheet. I will need a new keeper if the Pickford, Turner rotation is no more.
There are no obvious replacements and GKs in general have been horrid so far this season for points. The smartest and most obvious option is to go for Nick Pope with the Newcastle fixture swing, but I don’t feel comfortable paying 5.5 million for a keeper who has three clean sheets in 20.
Three other 4.5 million GKs could provide a decent option:
• Flekken who was previously ruled our for his poor pre-season form has started the season well and Brentford defence still looks solid enough.
• Leno could be a nice short term option with good fixtures and save point potential, but Fulham have been dreadful defensively so far.
• The rouge and fun pick is Kaminski. Luton have four cracking upcoming fixtures and a double game week. However it is Luton!
Kabore > Giles
Easily the worst option, but hear me out. Kabore found himself on the bench vs West Ham. Giles has over 30 crosses in just three games so far and with two back-to-back, double-figure assist tallies in the championship, it is only a matter of time before he gets an assist. It’s a high-risk, high-reward move to attack the upcoming double-game week.
Saliba > Trippier/Cash/Schar
This feels like the perfect time to get rid of Saliba. Arsenal haven’t been great defensively and with a tough run of fixtures incoming he’d need to offer some attacking threat to justify it.
Trippier makes the most sense. Incredible asset last season and has started this season well. However, his understandably steep 6.5 million price tag will price me out of future planned transfers next game week and potential Livermento rotation. The cheaper and more nailed Schar is my likely choice with Botman out injured.
Matty Cash is an interesting one: his attacking potential is incredible and he rotates well with Estupinan. Villa have a lovely run of fixtures coming up so I could get ahead of the curve with Cash.
I’m tempted to put the defensive transfer on hold for a week and wait and see if Botman recovers from injury because, at 4.5 million, he provides incredible value.
Saka/Rashford/Bruno > Son
Son as an asset upfront for an Ange team excites me a lot. Transferring him in and captaining him against Sheffield United at home is so very tempting.
Sadly my midfield is so well set up that there is no obvious option within the five to replace for Son. United’s nice run of fixtures means it is hard to get rid of Rashford, who looks electric back on the left, and Bruno whose data is fantastic.
Saka is also a hard sell on pens and nailed to play 90 every week and has started the season relatively well.
I’ll likely avoid Son this week. If Bruno is moved to the right and looks ineffective then I’ll revaluate. I mainly want Son for this game against Sheffield United.
I also plan on getting Diaby in once the Villa fixtures become nicer so I don’t need to change my midfield with an aggressive move.
Mubama > Morris
I had a howler picking Mubama instead of Archer. Moyes sold me a dream in pre-season and I will get rid of him the first chance I get.
I want Morris for the upcoming double game week. Luton’s talisman and on pens. However, I want to see how Luton play against a more winnable team in Fulham before jumping in on him. I could save myself a transfer and potential price rise by getting him in early to set up for the double game week so it’s a tough call.
In conclusion
I’m going to be honest, there isn’t a conclusion right now and I could easily see myself doing any one of these five moves.
The one that stands out for me at the moment is Mubama to Morris to beat the price rises and potential second price fall of Mubama. I’ve ruled out the Son transfer and put the defensive transfer on hold for next week so I can hopefully get Botman. I’d love to do the keeper transfer but none of the options stand out for me.