There are several high-profile footballers who ought to be excluded from your FPL squad this week.
FPL Gameweek 28 brought forth a flurry of injury alerts, unexpected benchings, and a few reality checks. With Blank Gameweek 31 drawing nearer, it’s an inopportune moment to hold onto precarious minutes or unavailable assets. The current objective should be to eliminate redundant elements, avoid needless risks, and construct a robust starting eleven for GW29 and subsequent weeks. Below are five players I would feel comfortable offloading this week.
Maxence Lacroix (5.1m)
Lacroix experienced a swift transition from an ideal beginning to a disastrous conclusion within moments. His goal within four minutes against Manchester United was an added benefit for his managers, but the subsequent red card entirely nullified his appeal. Palace’s season is deteriorating, morale is low, and now you possess a suspended defender who also has an upcoming blank fixture. There’s no tangible benefit in retaining him throughout his suspension when numerous defenders offer favorable fixtures, strong defensive potential, and participation in Gameweek 31. Capitalize on the points from his goal, transfer him out, and utilize that roster spot for a more dependable asset.
Matty Cash (4.9m)
Aston Villa’s 2-0 loss to Wolves served as a bit of a rude awakening, and from an FPL perspective, Cash now appears disposable. Villa still have much to strive for, but a home match against Chelsea followed by an away trip to Old Trafford does not suggest significant clean-sheet opportunities. Cash has historically been valued more for his offensive contributions than his defensive consistency, but that attacking threat has been inconsistent lately, and full-back rotation is a constant possibility. With stronger defensive choices emerging from Liverpool, Brentford, and Bournemouth, it’s judicious to liquidate your investment (no pun intended) and reallocate your funds to a defensive line with more favorable matchups and more consistent returns.
Declan Rice (7.5m)
This particular recommendation stings, as Rice has been such a reliable selection. However, Mikel Arteta’s remarks following the match – stating Rice “requested to be substituted and will need to undergo checks” – present a significant warning sign for a rapid mid-week recovery. Even if he is deemed fit, there’s a strong likelihood his playing time will be managed, especially with Arsenal navigating a title challenge and forthcoming fixtures. With Blank GW31 looming and an abundance of appealing midfield options enjoying full minutes and favorable schedules, he regrettably becomes a logical transfer out. If downgrading Rice enables you to acquire a player with a more promising fixture run, it is likely the correct decision.
Florian Wirtz (8.3m)
Wirtz has been a commendable mid-priced choice, but once an injury emerges, the circumstances shift. He will not participate in the mid-week fixture against Wolves and is only anticipated to return in Gameweek 30, meaning you are effectively agreeing to carry an injury concern into a period where every transfer is crucial. Indeed, you could bench him if your squad possesses sufficient depth, but given the number of energetic midfielders currently fit and performing well, it seems unnecessary. Transferring Wirtz for someone like Harry Wilson, Dango Ouattara, or another in-form midfielder with strong fixtures represents a far more proactive strategy for approaching the upcoming weeks.
Jurriën Timber (6.3m)
Timber finally registered an offensive contribution, yet the broader outlook remains less than ideal. Arsenal’s defensive unit does not appear as impenetrable as it did earlier in the season, and the Chelsea match once again demonstrated their vulnerability. Upcoming away games against Brighton and home against Everton are both fixtures where their backline could easily face scrutiny, particularly with the escalating pressure of the title race. Coupled with the impending blank in Gameweek 31, Timber begins to feel like a luxury acquisition. At his cost, you can readily transition to a more dependable and in-form defensive option who plays in GW31 and offers comparable or superior upside.