Why you should not captain Erling Haaland in FPL this week – and captain this player instead
If you were planning on captaining Erling Haaland in FPL (Fantasy Premier League) this week, then you may need to think again.
Haaland has got off to a terrific start in the Premier League for Manchester City this season, with the striker scoring back-to-back hat-tricks, taking his goal tally to seven goals in just three games. For all the FPL players, Haaland has already proven to be a must-have – even at his eye-watering £15.2m price tag – but despite his incredible form, it may be worth captaining someone else for FPL gameweek four.
A family friend of the City striker, Ivar Eggja tragically passed away recently, with Haaland posting a heartfelt tribute to the man he referred to as 'uncle' on social media. Following Eggja's passing, Haaland has been allowed compassionate leave by City if he wants it, meaning the 24-year-old could miss his side's clash with Brentford at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow.
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So, if Haaland doesn't play this weekend, who are some other captaincy options for FPL players to choose this weekend?
Mohamed Salah vs Nottingham Forest (H)
The most obvious pick for an alternative caption option in GW4, Mohamed Salah has grabbed three goals and three assists in the first three games of the season, and with a favourable home fixture against Nottingham Forest this weekend, the Egyptian could easily be among the goals once again.
Three double-digit hauls already, Salah has 41 points so far in FPL, the same as Haaland has managed. Even if Haaland was guaranteed to play, Salah would also be a fantastic captain option.
Cole Palmer vs Bournemouth (A)
With four assists and one goal in his first three games of the season, Cole Palmer is another great captaincy option in GW4. In Chelsea's last away game, the Englishman grabbed three assists and a goal against Wolves, so if you opt to captain Palmer this week, you'll be hoping for a similar return.
Trent Alexander-Arnold vs Nottingham Forest (H)
Picking a defender as a captain is usually a risky choice in FPL, but if there's one defender who you can rely on for getting attacking returns, it's usually Trent Alexander-Arnold. The Liverpool defender has more points than any other defender in FPL so far, and with the Reds having managed three clean sheets already, the Englishman could be a viable option.
Phil Foden vs Brentford (H)
With Haaland potentially set to miss out and Phil Foden returning to training, the Englishman is the obvious choice to take Haaland's place in City's line-up. Foden has only played 45 minutes so far this season, but after grabbing 19 goals in the last campaign, you know you can rely on the 24-year-old if he features.
Alexander Isak vs Wolves (A)
More of a differential pick, but Alexander Isak could be a great captaincy option in GW4. Having grabbed one goal and one assist so far this season, Isak's current returns may not look amazing, but coming up against a shaky Wolves defence who have already conceded nine goals this season, this could be the game that Isak finally gets his first double-digit haul of the 2024/25 campaign.