Arne Slot confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong will be sidelined until at least mid-September, so here’s how you should use your free transfer ahead of tonight’s 6:30pm deadline.
The stress of fantasy football is back as if it never left, and we’ve only been playing for one week.
Don’t think you are alone if you made a hasty transfer before the news broke. We all do it.
You have to look at the situation through a glass-half-full. Do you think Frimpong’s replacement can score 10+ points over two GW’s to make the -4 hit worth it?
On the flip side, if you’ve sat tight and waited for team news. Give yourself a pat on the back.
You’re in an advantageous position and get the pick of the litter with no consequences.
So here are four replacements for the hamstrung Frimpong.
Marc Cucurella – 6.0m
Similar to the Spaniard, Frimpong boasts the highest value for a defender, 6.0m, which means you can buy anyone you like.
We fancy the Chelsea man for his high point potential. He already has a 21.6% ownership, so it’s definitely not a rogue pick either.
He has favourable fixtures against West Ham and Fulham next, if you did want to pivot back to Frimpong after the international break.
But he also plays Brentford and Brighton in his next five, so sticking with Cucurella may be the better option long-term.
He’s definitely worth considering.
Pedro Porro – 5.5m
Although Porro did not return in GW1 after Tottenham Hotspur’s 3-1 win over Burnley, the wingback still has great upside taking both corners and free kicks for the team.
It’s definitely worth mentioning his role in Spurs’ Super Cup loss to PSG earlier in August.
He registered an assist and was very involved in the attack, potentially influencing his 21.9% ownership.
Last campaign, he notched six assists and is likely to improve that tally as a set-piece taker.
Although his next fixture is against Manchester City, the fixtures that follow are very promising in Bournemouth, West Ham, Brighton and Wolves.
Virgil van Dijk – 6.0m
If you want to stick with a Liverpool asset, the club’s captain is the perfect option.
Liverpool shipped two goals versus Bournemouth, yet the Dutchman picked up two points for DEFCON against the Cherries.
Even with Newcastle and Arsenal in their next two, Van Dijk can still produce a double-digit haul.
His threat on set-pieces is arguably the best in the Premier League, with no defender scoring more headers, 19, since he joined Liverpool back in 2018.
Patrick Dorgu – 4.5m
If you’re looking for a differential, Manchester United’s Dorgu at 7.7% ownership is a fun option.
He played very well against Arsenal, and even though they conceded a set-piece early, shut out the Gunners for the rest of the game.
A transfer from Frimpong to Dorgu gives you an extra 1.5m, which you can reinvest elsewhere, which is also handy.
United face Fulham, then Burnley, and you would expect them to pick up a clean sheet in one of those games.
Of course, it’s a higher risk, but that’s what FPL is all about.
