Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 5

Welcome to Fantasy Football Captain Picks Gameweek 5. We are going back in time a little bit to how we used to do this article with one lone writer giving you a list of players they would consider for the armband. I have taken it upon myself to be that man for this week and I have a few options to choose from, thankfully. There is one obvious option and really, he is the one the vast majority of people will end up going with anyway so I might be wasting my time writing about any other players. I have plenty of time on my hands though so why not use it trying to get water from a stone.

I’ll start with the obvious pick… Erling Haaland… there that’s it. I’m not saying anymore as it doesn’t really matter who he is playing against because he’s likely going to get a goal or an assist. You don’t need to know his stats or what he’s like because he’s a robotic cheat code that has pretty much taken the large decisions out of FPL. I am going to move on to some players with a bit more bite and actually some better fixtures this weekend. Why not go for something different, for the craic?!

Salah vs Wolves (A)

(Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Salah is still here… for now! There were a lot of rumours and talks flying around, particularly as we got closer to the transfer deadline, that our Egyptian Pharaoh was going to be heading towards the Anfield exit and to the sands of Saudi Arabia. There was talk of astronomical numbers, nearly £200 million for a 31 year old! Will the Arabs come back for him in January? Probably, and I’ll be honest I wouldn’t be surprised to see FSG accept.

He is still an option for us to pick at the moment and Liverpool are in form. Undefeated so far this season, a new midfield that looks young, fresh and full of energy and an abundance of options in attack. The options at Klopp’s disposal for the front three slots are, amazing and he has made full use of two of those slots. The one main stay that hasn’t moved in four gameweeks is Mo Salah. He has started in each game, and better yet he has returned in each game with 2 goals and 2 assists. Not mindblowing figures, but consistency is what helps you win marathons, and that is what the FPL season is! Consistent is what Salah has become as he has only failed to return once in the last 14 PL games!

He has had 14 shots in total. with 9 of those coming in the box and 7 of them hitting the target. Some pretty decent shooting and with Liverpool’s fixtures taking a positive turn in the coming weeks, Salah should only improve on his numbers. There is one massive caveat to sticking the armband on Salah and that is the Gandhi rule = NEVER CAPTAIN THE EARLY KICK OFF! Do you listen or do you roll the dice on the Liverpool winger?

Son/Maddy vs Sheffield United (H)

(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

I’ve combined the two Spurs players here as they are both mids but one of them was used as a striker in the last game. That was the new captain, Heung-Min Son, who is leading the team and probably now leading the line for Ange’s men. Big Ange started the season putting faith in the big chicken, no, not Init, the other chicken known as Richarlison. That has not gone well as his minutes have dropped every week since GW1. The useless Brazilian repaid the Aussie’s faith with no goals or assists, an xG of 0.18 and xA of 0.02 over the opening four. No wonder Son was played up top against Burnley and boy did he show Richarlison how it should be done! In 71 minutes he grabbed his 5th hat-trick for Spurs notching his owners an amazing 20 points! He has had over 400k of managers bring him in for this weekend against Sheffield United who are still searching for their first PL win of the season after 3 losses and a draw. They have failed to keep a clean sheet so coming up against a free-scoring Spurs side that have scored 11 goals in 4 games is not what Heckingbottom will want to see. Hopefully Son will stay up top and if he does he might get back to his 200+ point seasons from years gone by. Spurs need a new talisman and maybe it will be Son.

If Son is not to be the new Spurs talisman, maybe it will be the new Englishman to the side, James Maddison. Relegated last year with Leicester we all knew it would not be long before he returned to the top-flight and he has immediately settled into his new side and has had a brilliant influence, almost to the point where Spurs probably haven’t felt the loss of Harry Kane. Maddison is the top points scorer for Tottenham with his 2 goals and 2 assists but really he could have a lot more. He has had 13 shots with 9 coming in the box and all 9 of those hit the target. He is leading all the stats for his team when it comes to those I’ve just stated and playing in that number 10 role that allows him to attack is just fantastic for his chances. If you are looking for an alternative to Haaland this week, I would seriously consider going to White Hart Lane in your search.

Saka/Jesus vs Everton (A)

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

Arsenal are firing again this season with 3 wins and a draw. They have picked up where they left off from last season but it hasn’t perhaps all been plain sailing and in the 90th minute last weekend they were 2-1 down against Man United but fought hard to win the game 3-1. Explain that to your old grandad who is easily confused! Do you want me to explain it to you, Elle?

Arsenal have been getting points from a variety of places this year so I will give you my two options but maybe I’ll try tempt you with a third. First up is the obvious pick of Saka. The young right winger is one of the best in the world. The top points scorer for the Gooners so far, 2 goals and 1 assist is slightly less than some other midfielders I’ve mentioned in this article already but I wouldn’t be too worried. He comes up against a terrible, terrible, terrible Everton side. They have lost 3 games and drawn one, same as Sheffield United. Oh, the two of them drew to each other. They are both rubbish but Everton should be better than they are. I think Arsenal should get the win this weekend and it’s a matter of how many goals they score. Will Saka be the one to get those goals or will he assist them? He has had 10 shots in the box and had 14 key passes so he is heavily involved in the attacks. Again, if you want something different Saka offers a nice difference to Haaland.

Someone who is more of a risk but has plenty of talent is Gabriel Jesus. Returning over the last 2 games but he only has 15 minutes in those two games suggests he might not start. He has had the international weeks to add to his fitness so could he come straight into the lineup? It did only take him 14 minutes to get a goal against Man United so maybe he has done enough to show he is ready. He’s a cheeky punt but if you are looking to replace a striker and getting Jesus into your team now might get you ahead of the game.

Someone else I just want to bring to your attention, and is less of a risk than Jesus is Odegaard. He is nailed for starts and minutes. Arteta has been rotating players this season but he isn’t going to rotate the captain! Especially when the captain is also scoring goals. 2 goals in 4 games is decent for Ode so if you have him and don’t have Saka then maybe he’s worth a captaincy against the defence of Everton. 14 shots, 5 of those coming inside the box and 6 overall on target is decent numbers so one to maybe give some thought to.

There’s your lot. Go forth with this information and do what you please. Captain the robot or add a bit of spice to your life!

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