The early-season fixture swings are starting to separate the players worth holding from those taking up valuable budget without offering enough in return.
Injuries, suspensions and difficult fixture runs can quickly turn a promising pick into a transfer problem, particularly when there are clear alternatives available.
These five players are the ones I would be looking to sell or avoid ahead of Gameweek 5. Some may become good options later, but their current combination of price, minutes, fixtures and uncertainty makes them difficult to justify right now.
1. Igor Thiago
Price : 7.9m
Ownership : 9.3%
Position : Forward
Opponent : CHE (H), AVL (A), LIV (H)
Igor Thiago owners can feel slightly unlucky after his early penalty consistency came to an end, but I think this may be the right time to move on. Even against Chelsea‘s leaky defence, Thiago has limited appeal at his price given his struggles so far this term.
This is not a judgement on his quality or penalty role. He remains a capable striker and should continue receiving chances, but FPL forwards need a combination of fixtures, minutes and attacking volume to justify their price. With other forwards offering better short-term match-ups and more attractive routes to points, Thiago is no longer a priority hold. If you can move to a cheaper option and improve another position, this is a sensible week to do it.
2. Florian Wirtz
Price : 7.4m
Ownership : 6.7m
Position : Midfielder
Opponent : BOU (A), MCI (H), BRE (A)
Wirtz has not quite connected with Liverpool’s midfield yet. The talent is obvious, and I still expect him to become a viable FPL option at some stage of the season, but the current output is not matching the investment required to own him.
The upcoming fixtures also provide little reason to be patient. Liverpool face several organised defences, while there are more reliable options available across the same price range. Wirtz may eventually click in this attack, but managers should not keep paying for potential indefinitely. If he is not producing enough shots, final-third involvements or attacking returns, the money can be used more effectively elsewhere.
3. Phil Foden
Price : 7.0m
Ownership : 2.8%
Position : Midfielder
Opponent : SUN (H), LIV (A), IPS (H)
Phil Foden is an immediate sell after his red card in the Manchester derby. He was dismissed for violent conduct after kicking out at Bruno Fernandes, with the decision confirmed by VAR. That offence carries a three-match domestic suspension.
The suspension is only part of the problem. Rayan Cherki now has an opportunity to establish himself, while new signings Enzo Fernandez and Iliman Ndiaye are also pushing for minutes in Manchester City’s attack. Foden may return as an important player, but he is no longer guaranteed to walk straight back into the starting XI after his ban. There is no reason to keep a suspended midfielder taking up valuable budget when there are active options available.
4. Kristoffer Ajer
Price : 4.5m
Ownership : 4.2%
Position : Defender
Opponent : CHE (H), AVL (A), LIV (H)
The same warning applies to most Brentford defenders. Ajer may not be a bad player, but the upcoming fixtures against Chelsea, Aston Villa and Liverpool are extremely difficult from a defensive perspective. I would be surprised if Brentford kept more than one clean sheet across that run.
That does not mean Brentford defenders should be permanently written off. They can still offer value when the fixtures improve, and Ajer may have some defensive-contribution or attacking potential. But at this stage, there are defenders with better schedules, stronger clean-sheet odds and more appealing attacking roles. If you own Ajer, this is a reasonable time to move on rather than carry him through a difficult fixture spell.
5. Luke Shaw
Price : 4.4m
Ownership : 9.9%
Position : Defender
Opponent : FUL (A), TOT (H), LEE (A)
The Manchester United defence continues to be an area of huge concern. The team appears capable of conceding whenever the opposition attacks, which makes United defenders difficult to trust even when the fixture looks reasonable. Luke Shaw is an especially concerning hold because he is also carrying a minor injury that could keep him out for a period.
The FPL profile is not strong enough to justify that uncertainty. Shaw offers limited attacking threat, his DEFCON potential is poor and United are not providing enough clean-sheet security. Even if he returns quickly, there are more reliable defenders available at similar prices. He is a straightforward sell for owners looking to remove risk from their squad.
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