Rate My Team: FPL GW-7

With a solid GW-6 to boost my spirits and rank, I look forward to the last week before another international break with a solid squad, but not without injuries and concerns. Here’s how GW-6 shook out:

61 points being a pleasant return, especially considering Joël Veltman on the bench and a defense in shambles. Here’s the breakdown:

The good:

Raphinha - 1 goal + 2 bonus points

Diogo Jota - 1 goal

Mohamed Salah - 1 goal

Demarai Gray - 1 assist + clean sheet

Ismaïla Sarr - 1 goal + 2 bonus points

Michail Antonio - 1 goal + 3 bonus points

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The bad:

Ben Foster - Conceded a goal, but made five saves. The least disappointing of the bad.

Joël Veltman - Seven points left on the bench.

Trent Alexander-Arnold - Awful defensive display + now injured.

Luke Shaw - 33 minutes + yellow card + off due to illness.

Ben White - Conceded a goal despite dominant win.

Romelu Lukaku - Second blank in a row.

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GW-7 Strategy

There are a lot of FPL managers wildcarding this week, and not without good reasons, including good fixture runs for Chelsea (and after Liverpool) Man City. There’s money to be saved in beating price rises. Last season I rarely made early transfers, but with the uncertainty of my own strategy during the last few days, I bought Antonio Rüdiger with the thinking I’d add him whether or not I deploy my first wildcard, and I didn’t want to absorb a potential price hike for him.

With the caveat that the Friday press-conferences could alter my thinking, I’m taking the risk this week to hold the line and stick with the team you see above. For me, any trepidation about using my wildcard chip means it’s a solid decision to wait and see. With an international break approaching, there’s bound to be more injuries, illness, and news that will affect my philosophy going forward.

With two key players sure to be out, my bench is shallow, but Jota feels like adequate bench cover for the starting XI, Rüdiger being my only real rotation concern. Placing Jota on the bench feels wrong at his quality and price, but with Roberto Firmino back in action and form, he’ll serve as a safety net this week. Lukaku is my captain for now, but I’m tempted by Antonio at home. For now, this is the play. Fingers-crossed for a long-awaited Pukki Party. Hope you all get those green arrows.

Photo by Stephen Pond/Getty Images

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Who among you are wildcarding and why? Do you think this team holds up for one more week? What’s your chip strategy? Let’s talk! Please comment below!

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Statistics and information in this article attributed to: premierleague.com, fbref.com

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