FPL Gameweek 7: Sell Bruno Fernandes, Prioritise De Cuyper and Consider Triple Captain Haaland
FPL managers face a decisive Gameweek 7 with Bruno Fernandes emerging as the top sell, Maxim De Cuyper the priority buy, and Erling Haaland a viable triple captain option. BBC Sport FPL expert Gianni Buttice has addressed the biggest dilemmas facing managers ahead of the weekend.
- Top sell: Bruno Fernandes (£11.9m) is owned by a third of all FPL managers and has five blanks from six.
- Priority buy: Maxim De Cuyper (£5.1m) is the standout defender despite Brighton facing Liverpool and Manchester City away.
- Triple captain: Erling Haaland has three standout home fixtures before Gameweek 19, starting with Ipswich this weekend.
- Chelsea attack: Joao Pedro (£7.8m) is a 'must have' for an attack-minded side under Xabi Alonso.
- Hold: Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) is clearly a hold rather than a buy despite Manchester United's poor form.
What was said
"They are as close to must-have status as anyone in this game but it would be fair to argue this may not be the best entry point knowing they face Liverpool and Manchester City away in their next three games."
"Admittedly Crystal Palace at home in the derby this weekend is a good match-up, but I wouldn't be ripping up my team to accommodate either. Given the choice, I would prioritise defender De Cuyper (£5.1m)."
"Bruno Fernandes (£11.9m) is owned by a third of all FPL managers and, as the game's second most expensive asset with five blanks from six, he is an easy sell this week."
"United defenders should also be shipped but there is an argument to hold Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) who doesn't break the bank and is ranked equal 10th from all midfielders with 33 points so far this season. He's clearly more of a hold than a buy however."
"With an attack-minded manager in Xabi Alonso, no European involvement and a full week on the training ground this Chelsea team look capable of scoring two or three goals every game."
"Owning striker Joao Pedro (£7.8m), who is surely now a 'must have' probably isn't enough cover for an attack with such firepower. Choosing between Palmer and Morgan Rogers (£7.9m) isn't easy and probably comes down to budget and your view on how many penalties and set-piece goals Chelsea will score - with Palmer being the main beneficiary."
"In open play, there is little to split the inside forwards and Rogers has slightly better underlying data and FPL points from the six games so far."
"If you still have the chip, it's worth noting that a double gameweek before gameweek 19, when chips reset, looks unlikely. Haaland has three standout home fixtures before the end of the year: Ipswich this weekend, Fulham in gameweek 11 and Hull in gameweek 16. There is little to separate them, but Ipswich do not usually sit deep away from home. They have already lost 5-2 at Manchester United and won 3-2 at Crystal Palace in the league this season."
"De Cuyper has been the standout option, but covering the Arsenal defence also looks sensible. Under Mikel Arteta, they should remain as the league's best defensive unit, and Riccardo Calafiori (£5.9m) currently looks the strongest route in."
The numbers
- Bruno Fernandes: £11.9m, owned by a third of all FPL managers, five blanks from six, second most expensive asset in the game.
- Bryan Mbeumo: £7.9m, 33 points so far this season, ranked equal 10th from all midfielders.
- Maxim De Cuyper: £5.1m.
- Joao Pedro: £7.8m.
- Cole Palmer: £9.7m.
- Morgan Rogers: £7.9m.
- Bukayo Saka: £9.6m.
- Riccardo Calafiori: £5.9m.
- Tarik Muharemovic: £5m.
- Luka Vuskovic: £5.1m.
- Antonio Silva: £5m.
- James Tarkowski: £6.2m.
- Ipswich league form: Lost 5-2 at Manchester United, won 3-2 at Crystal Palace.
- Haaland's home fixtures before Gameweek 19: Ipswich (GW7), Fulham (GW11), Hull (GW16).
Why De Cuyper is the priority buy and Fernandes is the easy sell
Maxim De Cuyper sits at an awkward price point and fixture run. At £5.1m he is the cheapest route into a Brighton defence that has impressed, but the next three games include away trips to Liverpool and Manchester City. Buttice still prioritises him over Pascal Gross because defensive returns are more predictable than attacking ones against top sides, and a home derby against Crystal Palace this weekend offers immediate points potential.
Bruno Fernandes is the obvious casualty. Five blanks from six is a catastrophic return for a £11.9m asset owned by a third of managers. Selling him funds moves for Bukayo Saka (£9.6m) or Cole Palmer (£9.7m), both of whom offer higher ceilings and better fixture runs. The risk is Fernandes punishing sellers with a haul, but the data says otherwise.
Erling Haaland is a fascinating captaincy call. Without a double gameweek before chips reset in Gameweek 19, managers must find the best single-week upside. Ipswich at home this weekend is the standout: they do not sit deep away from home and have already conceded five at Manchester United and three at Crystal Palace. Haaland could feast. If you still have the triple captain chip, this is the week to use it.
Talking points
- Selling Bruno Fernandes when a third of managers own him is a classic differential move — if he hauls against a weak side, the rank damage could be severe.
- De Cuyper over Gross feels right on fixture difficulty, but Brighton defending away at Liverpool and Man City is a different beast to facing Crystal Palace at home.
- Triple captaining Haaland on a single gameweek is aggressive, but with the chip resetting in Gameweek 19 there may never be a better spot.
- Chelsea's attack is a puzzle: Joao Pedro is essential, but choosing between Palmer and Rogers depends on whether you value penalties and set-pieces over open-play data.
What happens next
FPL managers must finalise their Gameweek 7 transfers before the deadline. Brighton host Crystal Palace in the derby, while Haaland's Manchester City face Ipswich at home. Manchester United assets like Fernandes and their defenders are on the chopping block. Chelsea's attacking assets face a fixture that could define their short-term value. The decisions made now will shape mini-league standings through the autumn.
Frequently asked questions
Should I sell Bruno Fernandes in FPL Gameweek 7?
Yes. According to BBC Sport's FPL expert Gianni Buttice, Fernandes is an easy sell this week after five blanks from six, and he is owned by a third of all managers.
Is Maxim De Cuyper essential for FPL Gameweek 7?
Buttice says De Cuyper is close to must-have status and prioritises him over Pascal Gross, though he warns against ripping up your team due to Brighton facing Liverpool and Manchester City away.
Should I triple captain Erling Haaland this week?
If you still have the chip, Buttice suggests it is worth considering because a double gameweek before Gameweek 19 looks unlikely, and Haaland faces Ipswich at home this weekend.
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