Maxim De Cuyper of Brighton & Hove Albion and Jack Hinshelwood celebrate. Photo: Getty Images
SuperCoach EPL expert Daniel Garb won’t be picking Bruno Fernandes while Michael Carrick is calling the shots at Old Trafford, but he isn’t rushing to sell the Manchester United skipper either.
Fernandes’ expected return against Chelsea gives that SuperCoach EPL dilemma a fresh twist: Carrick remains in charge, but the United skipper is no longer expected to be watching from the bench.
Fernandes is still in 28.9% of sides after Carrick benched him for the 3-0 home defeat to Bournemouth. His price had already fallen to £9,050,000 from a £14,230,000 starting fee before that game – he’s not been in good form, and for anyone that built their team around him, he’s taking up a massive part of their salary cap.
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But, do you give him another chance still?
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The Fernandes dilemma
Since Garb’s assessment was recorded earlier this week, Fernandes and Carrick have held clear-the-air talks, with the Guardian reporting that the midfielder is expected to start at Chelsea. Carrick then confirmed on Thursday that Fernandes will remain captain and reiterated his commitment to the club. That eases the immediate selection concern, although an expected recall is not a confirmed starting spot and United are still eight games without a win.
Garb’s original advice was to wait until the end of the game week before deciding whether to sell, rather than rush to buy Fernandes while Carrick remains in charge.
“As long as Carrick’s there, I wouldn’t have him. But Carrick could go anytime,” Garb said on Football 360 Today.
Erling Haaland raises both fists while celebrating in a Manchester City shirt
Erling Haaland raises both fists while celebrating in a Manchester City shirt
“So that’s what you have to weigh up because I think if that does happen and he comes back in, he’s still a very dangerous player and his price has dropped.
“Do you really want to sell now after what you paid for him? So I think that’s what you have to weigh up. I’d probably wait till the end of the game week and then make that call.
“But then Carrick could go the week after and Fernandes could be reinvigorated after that. So it’s a pretty tricky one.”
Palmer stays
Cole Palmer is in 46.6% of squads, behind only Erling Haaland and Luka Vuskovic. He was sent off in Chelsea’s 2-0 home loss to Tottenham but served the suspension in the midweek EFL Cup loss to Liverpool, so he is available against United.
“So, I’m sticking with Cole Palmer for now,” Garb said.
Watch the full discussion here.
“But yes, you’re a little bit worried about some of those Chelsea players. They started well and now they’ve plateaued a fair bit, haven’t they?”
He backed Chelsea to beat United comfortably if Carrick stayed in the dugout, and expected Palmer to collect plenty of points if they did.
Liverpool’s attack comes good
Florian Wirtz created nine chances against Brentford and scored in the 2-0 win over Brighton.
“I was so close to getting rid of Florian Wirtz and he’s coming good. I was right on the brink and I gave him one more week,” he said.
He also kept Alexander Isak, who has scored in consecutive league wins over Brentford and Brighton, and he suspects plenty of managers who sold the Swede are regretting it.
“He’s banging them in for fun now. My god he looks good,” he beamed.
His best buy is living up to his initial prediction
Garb’s favourite transfer is Aston Villa’s Johan Manzambi. He first noticed him playing for Switzerland against the Socceroos before the World Cup and gambled that he would adapt to the Premier League.
“The player that I brought in that I’m happiest with didn’t do well last week but has done overall is Johan Manzambi of Aston Villa,” Garb said.
“You’re not sure how they’re going to go in the Premier League, but took the punts and that one’s paying off.”
Image source: Getty Images
Ins, outs and holds
Leeds’ Dominic Calvert-Lewin hasn’t delivered for Garb, so he has sold him for Everton’s Thierno Barry. Barry is starting every week, and Garb expects his returns to improve after a couple of quieter games and a minor injury.
Like Wirtz, Myles Lewis-Skelly was another Garb was close to selling, before he picked up form.
“Josh King from Fulham is one that I kept and he’s going pretty well. He plays an attacking midfield for them. Their draw was pretty soft. It’s a little bit trickier now, but I’m going to keep Josh King,” Garb said.
Haaland has been inconsistent, but Garb is keeping him.
“You kind of got to stick with him, don’t you? Because, you know, the minute you take him out, he’ll go and bang a hat trick,” he mused.
Brighton can wait
Pascal Gross is now the most expensive player in the game. Brighton players have filled plenty of spots in the top 10 for much of the season, but Garb doesn’t want to buy in straight after the loss at Anfield with a trip to City next.
“So, it’s probably not the time to get on if they’ve just lost to Liverpool and they got City coming up. So, I think I’ll keep my powder dry for a week or two,” he suggested.
READ MORE: Shopping at the surprise packets: The stars driving overachieving clubs you need in your SuperCoach EPL squad
Three fresh signings to consider this weekend
Evanilson has scored in Bournemouth’s past two league wins, against Sunderland and United, making him an attacking option for the home game against Leeds.
Adrien Truffert offers another route into the Cherries: his Old Trafford clean sheet was backed by key passes, clearances and successful dribbles, although his inconsistent SuperCoach hauls make him a riskier buy.
Meanwhile, Newcastle right-back Dedic is the budget differential for Everton’s visit, having collected 18 points at Palace and 23 against Spurs earlier this season.
Truffert is priced at £7,340,000 and Dedic at £4,990,000, with Dedic in just 2.9% of squads.
Value elsewhere
Nicolas Jackson scored both goals in Villa’s 2-1 win over City and has four league goals in seven appearances. He is still priced at £8,540,000 after adding about £4m this season, and Villa host Fulham on Saturday.
Fulham’s Oscar Bobb is £7,650,000 after his 80th-minute winner at Coventry, but he faces a trip to Villa Park. Marcus Tavernier scored 19 points in Bournemouth’s rout at Old Trafford, and the Cherries host Leeds.
Ultimately, the safest points in the bank are with Arsenal’s defence, although they have a tasty trip to Liverpool this weekend. Gabriel Magalhaes, Ben White and Ezri Konsa took the top three spots last round with 28, 23 and 22 points in the 2-0 win over Everton, and Konsa is the cheapest of them at £7,410,000.
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