Fantasy Premier League: Dump Semenyo and Saka ahead of Gameweek Eight
Injuries have hit several popular midfielders, while a couple of players who have started the season well might not offer the same value over the coming weeks. Here are five players I'd consider selling or avoiding ahead of Gameweek 8.
Antoine Semenyo Price: 8.3m Ownership: 11.1% Position: Midfielder Opponent: AVL (A), BHA (H), NFO (A) Semenyo is the easiest sell on this list, and not because his form has suddenly fallen away. The Manchester City winger damaged his knee against Ipswich last weekend and Enzo Maresca expects him to miss around eight weeks, putting a return somewhere near December.
He has two goals and three assists this season, so there's no doubting what he offers when fit. The problem is leaving 8.3m tied up in a player who won't be helping your FPL side for the foreseeable future.
City's fixtures are still attractive, and Phil Foden or Rayan Cherki could offer a way back into their attack. Bukayo Saka Price: 9.6m Ownership: 16.1% Position: Midfielder Opponent: EVE (H), LIV (A), HUL (H) This one hurts, especially for anyone who brought Saka in for Arsenal's good run.
He lasted barely 10 minutes against Bayern Munich on Wednesday before going off with a quadriceps problem, and Mikel Arteta's reaction afterwards wasn't exactly reassuring. Everton at home would normally be a fixture to target, which is why I wouldn't rush into a transfer before Friday's press conference.
But 9.6m is a lot to leave on the bench if the scans confirm a significant lay-off. Arsenal also visit Liverpool in Gameweek 9, so owners have a decision to make.
Prepare a replacement now, but wait for the medical update. Dominik Szoboszlai Price: 6.8m Ownership: 18.8% Position: Midfielder Opponent: BHA (H), ARS (H), CRY (A) Szoboszlai's hamstring has become a proper headache for FPL managers.
After missing matches earlier this month, he returned against Brentford and lasted just 32 minutes before the same problem flared up again. Liverpool are being cautious and he missed training ahead of Sunday's Brighton match.
At 6.8m, there's little point keeping a midfielder if you're not confident he'll even make the squad, especially with Arsenal up next in the league. He could be back sooner than some feared, so there's no need to invent a lengthy absence, but I'd rather use the transfer on somebody with dependable minutes.