World Cup/GW 17 - Transfer Thread

Already gone for KDB, Jesus, Alexander-Arnold and Solanke out for Odegaard, Darwin, Robertson and Kane.

Honestly if Man United were playing anyone other than Forest, I’d have Rashford gone, but I’m kinda obliged to keep him for that

Was there any update on Ben White?

So just 4 teams remain in the WC and with 15 days to the next set of EPL games you'd expect everyone from the eliminated teams to back with their teams in plenty of time for the resumption.

As for the 4 teams remaining, I expect the official EPL/FA/clubs plan is that they fly from Qatar to London next Monday, have a medical check and likely be available for Boxing/Stephens Day games, or at least the second game.

Unofficially though, that won't happen. e.g., An Argentinian victory and I suspect the English based players will be on the plane to Buenos Aries on Monday afternoon, followed by 2/3 days of receptions and celebrations. At which stage it's near enough to Christmas and the calls to 'let the players stay on and enjoy themselves' may be quite vocal. Croatia possibly the same to a certain extent, also Morocco but without the risk of 72 hours of drinking. France, maybe not so much and even if the players stay in France for a while it's an easy journey to England.

So the players then.

Argentina - Martinez (Villa GK), Martinez (MUFC defender), Romero (Spurs defender), Alvarez (City forward), Mac Allister (Brighton forward). Some big names (in FPL terms) in that list. Not just a case of looking at the players in question, but who they are up against. e.g., Does Martinez missing a couple of Villa games make it easier for the teams they will be up against.

Croatia - Perisic (Spurs defender), Kovacic (Chelsea MF). Perisic has been a bit of a mixed bag in FPL, arguably been unlucky not to get more points. This deep run probably makes him unlikely to be a factor short-term for Spurs even if Croatia don't go on to win.

Morocco - Aguerd (irrelevant West Ham defender), Ziyech (mainly irrelevant Chelsea midfielder)

France - Lloris (Spurs GK), Areola (irrelevant West Ham goalkeeper), Varane (MUFC defender), Saliba (Arsenal defender and key FPL asset, has only played 90 minutes in dead rubber game), Konate (Liverpool defender)

So I think from an FPL pov an Argentinian victory looks the most disruptive/interesting.

Anyone finding that they want the majority of the team they finished the last gameweek with? No WC injuries, no breakout stars, big players getting knocked out early (bar Peresic)

He might be banned yet.

What do people think about the likes of Wilson and Trippier who were in Qatar but didn't really play much?

They should be ready for action, right (?)

Toney has been charged now, so you'd think that a ban would be looming.

Mitro it is so!!

This will go two ways for me:

1) If I buy him, he'll get booked after 13 mins and then hobble off after an hour

2) If I don't bring him in he'll haul big time and won't get booked again for the rest of his career

Salah may have scored tonight but de bruyne assisting is awesome, strongly debating changing them around with the caveat of the dgw also

Liverpool have Villa next - will Martinez be available? Olesen is flagged, so who is their 3rd choice keeper? I didn't see the game, but by all account Nunez have a few shots.

Think I’ve locked in 8 of my starters…

GK, Trippier, James, Salah, Martinelli, Almiron , Haaland and Nunez.

Options for final 3 spots are…

A: Cancelo / Rodrigo/ Bruno (with a strong sub in Shaw)

B: Shaw / Rashford / KDB

C: Cancelo/ Bruno / Mitrovic

My last decisions:

Cancelo & Mitro OR Walker and Darwin. I keep saying Cancelo isn't worth the money, and he certainly isn't when I own him! He always seems to kill my rank when I don't have him though. Mitro is one booking away from a suspension and I can't see him keeping his cool for 3 games.

Salah or KDB. I spent 16 weeks looking to get rid of Salah, he was too wide again the other night, but now I'm reluctant to get rid! KDB definitely playing better there, but he is more of an assister than a goalscorer, and he could be Pepped at any stage!

Team will likely be:

Kepa/Ward

Trippier, James, White, Patterson, Cancelo/Walker

Salah/KDB, Martinelli, Rashford, Almiron, Andreas

Haaland, Kane, Mitro/Darwin.

All views welcome.

The season hasn’t even started back and we have doubts over some players -

Why wasn’t nunez in the Xmas eve photo?

Will Kane play following contes comments about resting those who played at the WC?

ah the joys

site crashed of course

Forgot to do Wildcard but was reasonably happy with my team from before WC.

Jesus in my starting team today…..hoping for a big performance!😉