Fantasy Premier League managers are facing an injury crisis, with several high-owned players ruled out or doubtful. Arsenal's Bukayo Saka is set for an extended spell on the sidelines, while Chelsea's João Pedro has been confirmed out for weeks. The Daily Star's FPL expert advises selling both and highlights Aston Villa's Nicolas Jackson as the top replacement.
João Pedro's Injury Forces Sale
João Pedro, owned by more than two-thirds of FPL managers, is facing several weeks out after picking up a thigh injury in training. Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso confirmed the news on Tuesday, saying, "He has an injury on his thigh and he is going to be out for a few weeks. Let's see how many, we don't want to predict on that." Alonso added that his side would need to find "solutions not excuses" during the striker's absence.
At £7.8m, keeping the Brazilian on the bench is a costly move. The standout replacement is Aston Villa's Nicolas Jackson (£6.8m), who scored twice against Manchester City, taking his season tally to eight. Villa have favourable fixtures ahead, including games against Fulham, Ipswich and Manchester United, making Jackson a strong pick at £1m cheaper.
Arsenal and Liverpool Concerns
Bukayo Saka (£9.5m) is a must-sell after suffering a thigh injury in Arsenal's Champions League clash with Bayern Munich. Riccardo Calafiori and Bobby Thomas remain doubts, but the advice is to keep both on the bench for now. Calafiori's clean sheet prospects are reduced by Arsenal's trip to Anfield.
Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai (£6.7m) is another to avoid while he works his way back from a hamstring problem. With his availability uncertain and Liverpool facing a tough fixture list, managers should look elsewhere for now.
Tottenham's Improvement Offers Options
Tottenham's 2-0 victory over Chelsea showed their progress, but there is no obvious FPL superstar to invest in. For those seeking Spurs representation, defenders Micky van de Ven and Jan Paul van Hecke are worth considering due to their set-piece threat and defensive contribution points.
Neither is a must-have, but they could serve as useful alternatives to more expensive defenders as Tottenham become increasingly competitive.
