Final Word Week 23 | Supercoach EPL trades, captains, PODs

83 in a tough week was far from a disaster as you’ve heard on the podcast unless you’re on of those in the top 1%.

The telling stat was that none of the Top 4 won, and only Liverpool managed to score in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest.

The peaks and troughs of a Premier League season.

The other telling stat is that the game’s highest owned player – Erling Haaland has only scored once in his last 5 matches…

An improved Wolves side visits the Etihad this weekend & the Norwegian has a ridiculous record of 10 goals and 2 hat-tricks in his career against them.

An explosion should be incoming.

His midfield teammates are more of a worry – the Bolywood Bhoys jumped on Phil Foden at his peak value, and he’s done nothing but bleed cash since – he and Cherki should be close to last chance saloon for owners this weekend.

Conservatism is the name of the game in the 2nd Half of the season.

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Trade Plans

Several issues I’d like to immediately address – I’ll give you the reasons I’m not acting on each and every one of them.

The Bolywood Bhoys’ biggest concern is still up front, where Jean-Phillipe Mateta is struggling to find consistent scoring opportunities, and Nick Woltemade is spending too much time on the pine.

Any gain from Mateta or Woltemade (granted… Unlikely) will give us the chance to make the move to Bryan Mbeumo with close to 2 mil in the bank and a fixture against the stingy Arsenal defence meeting the Cameroon international this weekend.

Back up – Bowen goes in a double trade next week and allows the upgrade to Mbeumo with a weaker 5th option in midfield.

The more immediate worry is Victor Lindelof, who, as my 5th defender, didn’t add as much value as I’d hoped, but with Marc Cucurella‘s price sinking like a stone.

He’s a great option to slot in there with Chelsea’s run making their assets extremely attractive over the next run.

Trevor Chalobah is also a good option, but I’m investing every cent I have further upfield – I think that’s going to make the difference on the way home.

I’d love to move in Palmer as well, but the fact is, with trades at a premium, I can’t trust him long term with such consistent injury and form issues across the season.

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Captaincy Plans

I’ve given you the Haaland pitch already – he’s due, it’s Wolves VC.

Declan Rice takes the C on Monday Morning against United with the hope that Haaland has already done the business on Sunday morning.

I’ll disclose I think Arsenal are anything but sure things against United after their performance against City last weekend – that victory was one of a team full of confidence and looking as though they’re just getting started.

As such, I’m only starting one of my three Arsenal defenders and goalkeeper Raya this week.

Tread with caution.

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Trades

Cucurella IN Lindelof OUT

Captaincy

VC: Haaland

C: Rice