With Gameweek 9 on the horizon, it’s time to wave goodbye to a few underperforming or risky picks, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. Whether it’s injury setbacks, poor form, or tough upcoming fixtures, offloading these five players can free up funds and open space for more promising options. Staying proactive with your sells is just as important as your buys, so check out this list to keep your squad sharp and ready to climb the rankings.
Mohamed Salah (14.3m)
Mohamed Salah no longer holds the “undroppable” tag. He was substituted in the 2-1 loss to Manchester United last weekend – a situation almost unthinkable during his peak last season – and started the midweek win at Eintracht Frankfurt on the bench as a revamped Liverpool scored five. His performances have dipped, and there are growing doubts over his place in the starting lineup, with rotation a real possibility soon. At his premium price, you want consistent returns, and Salah isn’t delivering at that level currently. With other in-form midfielders offering better value and more secure minutes, it’s wise to consider selling Salah and reinvesting the 14.3m elsewhere in your FPL squad.
Evanilson (7.0m)
Evanilson is currently sidelined with a minor calf injury that is expected to keep him out for up to three weeks. While there’s a slim chance he could return by Gameweek 9, it seems unlikely given the recovery timeframe and the cautious approach his manager is taking. In his absence, the younger Eli Junior Kroupi has stepped in impressively, making Evanilson’s place in the starting lineup less secure. With this uncertainty and the likely short-term absence, now is a sensible time to sell Evanilson and free up funds for more dependable options in your FPL squad.
Phil Foden (8.1m)
Phil Foden has had a decent showing in the last three fixtures but hasn’t been involved in enough returns to justify his price tag. With Erling Haaland dominating Manchester City’s attacking play, Foden seems a shell of the central figure we once knew. The upcoming fixtures aren’t the easiest either, which further limits his potential. Priced at 8.1m, Foden might be better off as a sell to free up funds for more in-form players who are delivering consistently. This could be a strategic moment to jump off and reassess later if needed.
Pedro Porro (5.5m)
If you’re holding onto Tottenham defenders like Micky van de Ven, Pedro Porro or Cristian Romero, now might be the time to let them go. They restricted Aston Villa to an xG of 0.32 last weekend but still conceded twice, allowing a clean sheet to slip through their fingers. Their defensive contribution record isn’t great, and they don’t offer much going forward either. With a tricky run of fixtures coming up, Spurs defenders look like a bit of a risk. Better options are available, so it’s wise to move on and find players with a better defensive contribution record and more attacking threat.
Jean-Philippe Mateta (7.6m)
This is not a sell, but an avoid… for now. Wow, what a performance! Mateta certainly turned heads with his hat-trick in the 3-3 draw with Bournemouth last Saturday. However, it’s still smart to hold off on picking him up just yet. His next test is Arsenal away – a defence that’s been rock solid this season, conceding just three goals in eight games and shutting down almost every chance. Arsenal’s defensive record is one of the best in the league right now, making it a tough place for any striker to score. Keep an eye on Mateta’s form, but waiting until after this fixture looks like the safer play.
