FPL 2025/26: Guehi and Cunha among five players you should dump ahead of GW23

FPL gameweek 23 sits in that awkward middle ground – do you make your move now or roll the transfer ahead of the big fixture swings arriving in GW24, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. For some players, patience has run out, while others are simply victims of injury or poor form. Now’s the ideal moment to tidy up your squad, move early on problem picks, and free up funds before the landscape shifts next week. Whether you’re eyeing short-term punts or building for the long game, these are five players it might be time to sell before the weekend deadline.

Jarrod Bowen (7.6m)

West Ham’s form has done no favours for Bowen owners. After weeks of looking dangerous earlier in the season, he’s now stuck out wide rather than playing centrally, and his underlying numbers have taken a big hit. With West Ham’s upcoming fixtures looking mixed, this feels like the moment to jump off if you own him. Where you go next depends on your structure – a straight pivot to another mid-priced forward or a downgrade to a cheaper enabler like Eli Kroupi Jr or Mateus Manè of Wolves? Bowen’s ceiling just isn’t matching his price tag right now, and with form fading fast, there’s little reason to keep holding out for that next haul.

Phil Foden (8.6m)

Here’s where things get tricky. Foden’s drop-off has been painful for managers who kept faith – just 13 points from his last six games is simply not enough from a player priced at 8.6m. While Manchester City’s fixture against Wolves this week feels tempting, it’s very much a “don’t buy, but you can sell” scenario. Yes, he might nick a return if he gets into the right positions, but form and confidence clearly aren’t on his side. If you’ve got depth in midfield and a plan for the upcoming fixture swing, this is probably your exit point. Otherwise, one final roll of the dice this week before cutting ties makes sense.

Marcus Tavernier (5.5m)

Tavernier was climbing up everyone’s watchlist until the injury bug struck again. A recent hamstring issue means he’s now set for a spell on the sidelines, killing what could’ve been a great budget option. With Bournemouth’s attack showing promise, it’s a shame – but in FPL, you can’t afford to wait weeks for players to get fit again. There are plenty of strong replacements in his price range, from Enzo Fernández to James Garner, Harry Wilson, or Elliot Anderson. All offer decent minutes, creative upside, and the potential for steady returns. Tavernier feels like an easy, pain-free transfer out that clears a path to more consistent points.

Marc Guehi (5.3m)

On paper, Guehi’s move to Manchester City should be exciting – Wolves at home, a nailed centre-back slot, and the backing of Pep Guardiola. But for FPL purposes, it’s worth pumping the brakes. City defenders have struggled badly for DEFCON output this season, and Guehi isn’t exactly a bonus magnet himself. Combine that with City’s continued habit of conceding cheap goals, and there’s a real argument to just steer clear for now. If you already own him, fine, hold him for this week. But for new buyers, it’s a firm avoid. Until City tighten up and start collecting clean sheets again, investing in their defence looks like chasing ghosts.

Matheus Cunha (8.0m)

Arsenal away is not the fixture you want to be banking on for attacking returns – and Cunha’s minutes aren’t as secure as they once were. Under Michael Carrick’s revamped United setup, Patrick Dorgu has often been preferred in the wide areas, leaving Cunha vulnerable to rotation in tougher games. Combine that with United’s improving fixtures after Gameweek 23, and it might make sense to sell him now and revisit later. Move him on before Arsenal, then look at bringing in assets like Bruno Fernandes or even Bryan Mbeumo once United’s schedule turns. It’s about timing your transfers, and this feels like the right moment to reset.