FPL 2025/26: Time to dump Declan while Timber also falls – the five players you should sell ahead of Gameweek 29

FPL gameweek 28 dropped a pile of injury flags, surprise benchings and a few reality checks. With blank Gameweek 31 getting closer, it’s not the time to cling onto risky minutes or suspended assets. The focus now should be on trimming the dead weight, avoiding unnecessary gambles, and setting up a strong XI for GW29 and beyond. Here are five players I’d be comfortable moving on this week.

Maxence Lacroix (5.1m)

Lacroix went from dream start to nightmare outcome in a matter of minutes. Scoring inside four minutes against Manchester United was a bonus for owners, but the red card that followed completely killed his appeal. Palace’s season is spiralling, confidence is low, and now you’ve got a suspended defender who also blanks soon. There’s no real upside in holding through his ban when there are plenty of defenders with good fixtures, solid DEFCON potential and active Gameweek 31 fixtures. Take the profit from that goal, move him on, and use the slot on a more stable asset.

Matty Cash (4.9m)

Aston Villa’s 2-0 defeat to Wolves was a bit of a reality check, and from an FPL point of view, Cash now looks expendable. Villa still have plenty to play for, but Chelsea at home followed by a trip to Old Trafford doesn’t scream clean‑sheet potential. Cash has always been more about attacking upside than defensive reliability, but that threat has been patchy recently and rotation at full‑back is never far away. With stronger defensive options emerging from Liverpool, Brentford and Bournemouth, it makes sense to cash out (no pun intended) and move your funds into a backline with better fixtures and more consistent returns.

Declan Rice (7.5m)

This one hurts, because Rice has been such a steady pick. But Mikel Arteta’s post‑match comments – saying Rice “asked to be substituted and he is going to have to be checked” – are a real red flag for a tight midweek turnaround. Even if he’s passed fit, there’s a real chance his minutes are managed, especially with Arsenal juggling a title race and upcoming fixtures. With blank GW31 on the horizon and so many attractive midfield options with full minutes and friendly runs, he becomes an unfortunate but logical sell. If downgrading Rice lets you jump onto a hotter fixture run, it’s probably the right call.

Florian Wirtz (8.3m)

Wirtz has been a lovely mid‑priced option, but once an injury comes into the picture, the equation changes. He won’t feature in midweek against Wolves and only likely back in Gameweek 30, you’re effectively agreeing to carry a red or yellow flag into a period where every transfer counts. Yes, you could bench him if your squad is deep, but given how many lively midfielders are fit and firing right now, it feels unnecessary. Moving Wirtz to someone like Harry Wilson, Dango Ouattara or another in‑form mid with strong fixtures is a much more aggressive way to attack the next couple of weeks.

Jurriën Timber (6.3m)

Timber finally delivered an attacking return, but the wider picture still isn’t ideal. Arsenal’s defence doesn’t look as rock‑solid as earlier on in the season, and the Chelsea game showed again that they can be got at. Brighton away and Everton at home in the next two are both fixtures where their backline could easily be tested, especially with the pressure of the title race building. Add in the looming blank in Gameweek 31 and Timber starts to feel like a luxury pick. At his price, you can easily step across to a more secure and in‑form defensive option who plays 31 and offers similar or better upside.