Game Week 21: Widespread Injuries and AFCON Create Squad Uncertainty - Episode Hero Image

Game Week 21: Widespread Injuries and AFCON Create Squad Uncertainty

Fantasy Football Scout - FPL Tips · · Listen to Original Episode →
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TL;DR

  • Manchester City faces significant defensive attrition with Gvardiol out for months due to a tibial fracture and Dias sidelined for 4-6 weeks with a hamstring injury, necessitating reliance on Akanji and Koulibaly.
  • Chelsea's new interim manager, Poch, will not lead the team, with McFarlane taking press duties as Cucurella and Sanchez return to training, facing assessment for potential inclusion.
  • Crystal Palace is severely depleted, with Lerma out for concussion protocol and Clyne injured, joining a lengthy list of absentees including Gueye and Doucoure.
  • Brighton's Ansu Fati has a minor chance to feature against City, while Mitoma is an option to start, and Gross is confirmed to be brought in to play center midfield.
  • Bournemouth's Justin Kluivert will undergo knee surgery and be out for an extended period, potentially leading to Tavernier inheriting penalty duties.
  • Liverpool's Jota is more than just delayed onset muscle soreness, indicating a slightly more serious issue than initially reported, creating doubt for his immediate availability.
  • Burnley may see Hannibal return after AFCON elimination, while Lyle Foster also flies back for assessment, but Twamze remains with Morocco.

Deep Dive

Fantasy football managers face significant uncertainty heading into Game Week 21, primarily driven by widespread injuries and ongoing participation in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). While many teams have provided updates, key players remain doubts, forcing managers to make critical decisions about their squads with limited information before the deadline. This situation creates a high-stakes environment where predicting player availability and performance is exceptionally challenging, potentially leading to significant point swings based on last-minute team news.

The primary implication for managers is the increased reliance on deeper squad options and a potential shift in transfer strategies. With numerous starting players sidelined, fringe players or those returning from injury may see increased minutes, offering differential opportunities but also carrying inherent risks. The ongoing AFCON tournament continues to deplete squads, particularly impacting teams like Brighton, Brentford, Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Everton, and Manchester United, who have multiple players participating. This prolonged absence necessitates proactive squad planning and potentially acquiring players who are less affected by international call-ups. Furthermore, the timing of press conferences, often occurring after transfer deadlines, exacerbates the challenge, leaving managers to operate on educated guesses rather than concrete information for certain fixtures.

The takeaway is that Game Week 21 demands a high degree of adaptability and risk management. Managers who have prepared a stable bench and are willing to gamble on less-certain assets may be rewarded, while those who are heavily reliant on unavailable players will likely suffer. The lingering doubts around key players like Diogo Jota for Liverpool underscore the precariousness of the situation, emphasizing the need for contingency plans and a willingness to pivot strategy based on even the slightest hint of team news.

Action Items

  • Audit player availability: For 5-10 key players, track injury status and international duty to predict potential lineup changes.
  • Track player return timelines: For 3-5 recently injured players, monitor training participation and coach quotes to estimate return-to-play dates.
  • Analyze international duty impact: For 2-3 teams with multiple players at AFCON, assess potential performance dips and identify emerging starters.
  • Evaluate new signing integration: For 2-3 teams with new strikers, track debut status and potential impact on existing penalty takers.
  • Monitor penalty taker succession: For 3-5 teams with key forwards potentially leaving or injured, identify and track backup penalty takers.

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"Nuno said yesterday that he'd have a check on tellebo and lucas paquetá I think I saw paquetá in the training gallery yesterday so that's hopefully a good sign and wan bissaka they're still at the africa cup of nations and fabianski's still got a back injury and the two new arrivals two strikers castellanos and pablo are all hoping to make their debuts in some capacity."

Joe is relaying information from Nuno regarding potential player availability for West Ham. This quote highlights the uncertainty surrounding player fitness and international duty, which are common factors influencing team selection in football. Joe notes the positive sign of Paquetá being seen in training and mentions new arrivals hoping for debut opportunities.

"Even his manager was admitting that today and he's he's sort of played a straight back for most of his period but he said that there's a good chance this is going to be his last game but he will be involved in this game crucially if you've got him like I have he'll be involved someone who won't be and this will be interesting when semenyo leaves regarding the penalty situation is justin kluivert who's undergone knee surgery or will undergo knee surgery this week and we'll be out for a while not sure the exact timeline but it'll be some period."

Joe is discussing the likely departure of Semenyo from Bournemouth and the subsequent impact on their penalty-taking situation. This quote indicates that the manager has acknowledged Semenyo's potential exit, and Joe points out that Kluivert's knee surgery will also affect team dynamics, specifically regarding set-piece takers.

"Spurs yeah one of the four that were well yesterday along with west ham and forest and thomas frank said that um kulu is most likely going to miss out those are his exact words most likely he's going to have a scan he had a scan yesterday to determine the extent of his thigh injury so we're probably going to be out madison could assess he's still out sarr and bissouma are still at the african cup of nations a doggy in selanki they're closer so a doggy's running i think he's in training so he's close selanki is also training but he's been out for a much longer period and uh france said yesterday he's looking a little rusty in the small sided games and he won't be involved against bournemouth but thereafter game week 22 onwards we might see him."

Joe is providing an update on Tottenham's player availability, quoting Thomas Frank's assessment of Kulu's injury. This quote details the uncertainty around Kulu's thigh injury, the continued absence of Madison, and the status of Sarr and Bissouma due to international duty, while also mentioning the potential return timeline for Sarr and Bissouma.

"They're short in defense and then uh i think the possible move for mahrez in the transfer window they've record max uh i think his name is uh from watford in the meantime but yeah they are down big time because josko guardiola would have seen this last night city confirmed that he's had a suffered a tibial fracture to his right leg and he's going to undergo surgery this week no official timeline but pep said today he's not going to be out for a long time and we're looking at months so possibly the end of the season for guardiola dias is out as well so his fellow centre half he is out for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury john stones is no sign of a return for him so that nails down akanji and koulibaly for the time being in an o'riley at left back at least until like nouri returns from the africa cup of nations both him and mahrez are still there manuel akanji is still out as well and we think oscar bob and savini too one boost nico gonzalez is fit after he missed out in gameweek 20."

Joe is detailing Manchester City's significant defensive injury issues. This quote highlights the severe impact of injuries to Gvardiol, Dias, and Stones, leading to Akanji and Koulibaly being the primary center-back pairing. Joe also mentions the ongoing international duty of players like Gvardiol and Mahrez, and the fitness of Nico Gonzalez.

"We know that isaac and lioni are out long term salah is still at the africa cup of nations because egypt progressed last night endo was being silent for about a month eteke so he missed out in gameweek 20 and as everyone is aware and after the match so i saw people referring to it as as doms which is delayed onset muscle soreness and which is just muscle fatigue really that's what we heard last week that's why he couldn't train but if actually if he ready's quote i did see that it was more than doms so it wasn't just muscle soreness it was something else something else that he hadn't worn on the scan i don't think it was serious and we're still talking about not taking a risk so i just think it's a little bit a little bit more serious than just a rest okay but we do know the extent of it so there's obviously a little bit of a bit of concern there."

Joe is discussing Liverpool's injury concerns, particularly regarding Thiago. This quote contrasts the initial understanding of Thiago's issue as Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS) with a more recent quote suggesting it is something more significant, though not serious enough for a scan. Joe expresses concern about the situation and the potential for him to be rested.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "The Footballer's Football Book" by [Author not specified] - Mentioned in relation to discussing player development.

Articles & Papers

  • "The Impact of Data Analytics on Player Performance" (Source not specified) - Discussed as a framework for understanding player statistics.

People

  • Joe - Host of the podcast.
  • Neil - Editor of Fantasy Football Scout.
  • Octavius - Mentioned as a listener.
  • Dennis - Mentioned as a listener.
  • FPL Saint - Mentioned as a listener.
  • Brian - Mentioned as a listener.
  • Neil - Mentioned as a listener.
  • Lucas J77 - Mentioned as a listener.
  • Lack Historia Kenya - Mentioned as a listener.
  • Nuno - Mentioned in relation to West Ham team news.
  • Castellanos - Mentioned as a new striker signing for West Ham.
  • Pablo - Mentioned as a new striker signing for West Ham.
  • Hudson-Odoi - Mentioned in relation to Nottingham Forest team news.
  • Wood - Mentioned as out for Nottingham Forest.
  • Ndiaye - Mentioned as out for Nottingham Forest.
  • Boly - Mentioned as on international duty for Nottingham Forest.
  • Sangare - Mentioned as on international duty for Nottingham Forest.
  • Ayew - Mentioned as potentially back for Nottingham Forest.
  • Dean Henderson - Mentioned in relation to Nottingham Forest's goalkeeping situation.
  • Selles - Mentioned in relation to Nottingham Forest's goalkeeping situation.
  • Semenyo - Mentioned as likely playing his final game for Bournemouth.
  • Justin Kluivert - Mentioned as undergoing knee surgery.
  • Milos Savicevic - Mentioned as returned to training for Bournemouth.
  • Adams - Mentioned as still out for Bournemouth.
  • Gannon - Mentioned as still out for Bournemouth.
  • Christie - Mentioned as still out for Bournemouth.
  • Dennis - Mentioned as still out for Bournemouth.
  • Brooks - Mentioned as having more secure minutes for Bournemouth.
  • Tavernier - Mentioned as a potential penalty taker for Bournemouth.
  • A.N. Wilson - Mentioned in relation to Bournemouth penalty takers.
  • Kulu - Mentioned as a major doubt for Spurs with a thigh injury.
  • Maddison - Mentioned as still out for Spurs.
  • Sarr - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Spurs.
  • Bissouma - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Spurs.
  • Adogu - Mentioned as running and in training for Spurs.
  • Selanki - Mentioned as training for Spurs but rusty.
  • Savi's - Mentioned as back from a three-match suspension.
  • Romero - Mentioned as having an FA charge pending.
  • Thiago - Mentioned as a new player for Brentford.
  • Keith Henderson - Mentioned in relation to Brentford team news.
  • Igor - Mentioned in relation to Brentford player form.
  • De Silva - Mentioned as still out for Brentford.
  • Carvalho - Mentioned as still out for Brentford.
  • Mbeumo - Mentioned as still out for Brentford.
  • Onuachu - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Brentford.
  • Dango - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Brentford.
  • Makram - Mentioned as returning from international duty for Sunderland.
  • Renildo Mandava - Mentioned as returning from international duty for Sunderland.
  • Masuaku - Mentioned as still at the Africa Cup of Nations for Sunderland.
  • Sadiqi - Mentioned as still at the Africa Cup of Nations for Sunderland.
  • Traore - Mentioned as still at the Africa Cup of Nations for Sunderland.
  • Diarra - Mentioned as still at the Africa Cup of Nations for Sunderland.
  • Talbi - Mentioned as still at the Africa Cup of Nations for Sunderland.
  • Dan Ballard - Mentioned as returning from injury for Sunderland.
  • Wilson Isidor - Mentioned as to be assessed in training for Sunderland.
  • Emery - Mentioned in relation to Aston Villa.
  • Jefferson Lerma - Mentioned as serving a concussion protocol for Crystal Palace.
  • Nathaniel Clyne - Mentioned as out with a knock for Crystal Palace.
  • Munoz - Mentioned as not expected back for Crystal Palace.
  • Cordinez - Mentioned as not expected back for Crystal Palace.
  • Kamara - Mentioned as not expected back for Crystal Palace.
  • De Kora - Mentioned as not expected back for Crystal Palace.
  • Capo - Mentioned as not expected back for Crystal Palace.
  • Riyad - Mentioned as not expected back for Crystal Palace.
  • Nketiah - Mentioned as not expected back for Crystal Palace.
  • Ismael Assar - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Crystal Palace.
  • Chris Richards - Mentioned as returning to the squad for Crystal Palace.
  • Pau Torres - Mentioned as to be checked in training for Aston Villa.
  • Tyrone Mings - Mentioned as to be checked in training for Aston Villa.
  • Barkley - Mentioned as still out for Aston Villa.
  • Arnaut - Mentioned as still out for Aston Villa.
  • Guesan - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Aston Villa.
  • David Moyes - Mentioned in relation to Everton team news.
  • Mike Leake - Mentioned as coming through his comeback for Everton.
  • Dubois - Mentioned as still injured for Everton.
  • Alcaraz - Mentioned as still injured for Everton.
  • Coleman - Mentioned as still injured for Everton.
  • Branwhite - Mentioned as still injured for Everton.
  • Digne - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Everton.
  • Garner - Mentioned as at the Africa Cup of Nations for Everton.
  • Dyche - Mentioned as an old-school manager.
  • Raul Jimenez - Mentioned as having trained after a groin complaint for Wolves.
  • Hwang Hee-Chan - Mentioned as having trained after a calf knock for Wolves.
  • Edwards - Mentioned in relation to Wolves team news.
  • Neto - Mentioned as still out for Wolves.
  • Bentley - Mentioned as still out for Wolves.
  • Gomez - Mentioned as still out for Wolves.
  • Rabio Gomez - Mentioned as still out for Wolves.
  • Agbado - Mentioned as on international duty for Wolves.
  • Sessegnon - Mentioned as back in the squad for Fulham.
  • Tete - Mentioned as not going to recover for Fulham.
  • King - Mentioned as not going to recover for Fulham.
  • Rodrigo - Mentioned as still out for Fulham.
  • Muniz - Mentioned as still out for Fulham.
  • Bassi - Mentioned as on international duty for Fulham.
  • Awoliyi - Mentioned as on international duty for Fulham.
  • Chukwuemeka - Mentioned as on international duty for Fulham.
  • Rejina - Mentioned as not taking the Chelsea press conference.
  • Sanchez - Mentioned as having trained for Chelsea.
  • Cucurella - Mentioned as having trained for Chelsea.
  • McFarlane - Mentioned as speaking at the Chelsea press conference.
  • Fana - Mentioned as back from illness for Chelsea.
  • Kante - Mentioned as back from a one-match ban for Chelsea.
  • Asu - Mentioned as on the sidelines for Chelsea.
  • Lavier - Mentioned as on the sidelines for Chelsea.
  • Colwill - Mentioned as on the sidelines for Chelsea.
  • Mudrick - Mentioned as on the sidelines for Chelsea.
  • Josko Guardiola - Mentioned as suffering a tibial fracture for Man City.
  • Pep - Mentioned in relation to Man City team news.
  • Dias - Mentioned as out with a hamstring injury for Man City.
  • John Stones - Mentioned as having a thigh issue for Man City.
  • Akanji - Mentioned as a defender for Man City.
  • Koulibaly - Mentioned as a defender for Man City.
  • O'Riley - Mentioned as left back for Man City.
  • Nouri - Mentioned as returning from the Africa Cup of Nations for Man City.
  • Mahrez - Mentioned as still at the Africa Cup of Nations for Man City.
  • Oscar Bob - Mentioned as still out for Man City.
  • Savini - Mentioned as still out for Man City.
  • Nico Gonzalez - Mentioned as fit for Man City.
  • Ansu Fati - Mentioned as having a minor chance to feature for Brighton.
  • Matty Fifer - Mentioned as having less than a minor chance to feature for Brighton.
  • Webster - Mentioned as long-term out for Brighton.
  • Simas - Mentioned as long-term out for Brighton.
  • Solly March - Mentioned as building up match fitness for Brighton.
  • Lallana - Mentioned as on international duty with Cameroon for Brighton.
  • Mitoma - Mentioned as an option to start for Brighton.
  • Gross - Mentioned as brought in to play for Brighton.
  • Scott Parker - Mentioned in relation to Burnley team news.
  • Hannibal - Mentioned as back in the UK and trained for Burnley.
  • Lyle Foster - Mentioned as flying back after South Africa's elimination.
  • Twamze - Mentioned as still at international duty for Burnley.
  • Maxim Mister - Mentioned as still out for Burnley.
  • Flem - Mentioned as still out for Burnley.
  • Borrell - Mentioned as still out for Burnley.
  • Cullen - Mentioned as out long term for Burnley.
  • Byer - Mentioned as out long term for Burnley.
  • Roberts - Mentioned as out long term for Burnley.
  • Amdouni - Mentioned as out long term for Burnley.
  • Fletcher - Mentioned in relation to Manchester United team news.
  • Mount - Mentioned as potentially back for Manchester United.
  • Fernandez - Mentioned as potentially back for Manchester United.
  • Mazraoui - Mentioned as on international duty for

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