Gameweek 4 is the perfect opportunity to reassess your Fantasy Premier League squad and cut ties with players who might be holding you back, writes FPL expert Blake Hurst. Whether due to tricky fixtures, injuries, or lack of form, these five players are showing signs that it might be time to sell or avoid them for now. Making strategic moves now can free up funds and ward off potential point losses as the season accelerates. Here’s a closer look at the key players to consider dropping or steering clear of in GW4.
Nikola Milenković (5.5m)
Nottingham Forest defenders in general look like a no-go this season following the arrival of Ange Postecoglou. With Nuno Espirito Santo sacked and Postecoglou taking charge, the defensive outlook shifts dramatically. Postecoglou favours an attacking, high-tempo, high-line style rather than the cautious, defensive set-ups Forest used previously. This approach often leads to more defensive frailties and fewer clean sheet chances. As a result, Forest’s defenders are unlikely to deliver consistent FPL returns from clean sheets as we saw last year. For managers holding onto them, it might be time to rethink and free up funds for options offering better stability and upside elsewhere.
Chris Wood (7.7m)
Wood’s role under Postecoglou feels uncertain right now. While Wood might be the leading forward in Forest’s new attacking setup, it’s really a wait and see situation for FPL managers. Adding to the doubt, Wood has recently been in New Zealand over the international break and faced a brutal 24-30 hour flight back to the UK. That leaves him with barely enough time to recover and train properly before the next match. Given that, it’s probably wise to give him a miss this week and hold off until next week to reassess whether he’s settled enough to deliver in this new attacking Forest outfit. Patience will be key here.
Iliman Ndiaye (6.5m)
Ndiaye, along with Jack Grealish, deserves a second look as the fixture list turns against Everton. While the team has made a decent start, the coming run of matches looks tough. Excluding West Ham in Gameweek 6 – when many will be using free hits – Everton face Aston Villa, Liverpool, Crystal Palace, Manchester City and Tottenham. These fixtures aren’t the easiest for returns, with strong defensive sides and tighter games expected. The outlook for Everton assets is less promising, especially for those counting on attacking returns. It might be wise for managers to reconsider holding onto Ndiaye and Grealish and look elsewhere for more consistent point returns.
Ismaïla Sarr (6.5m)
Sarr was one of the standout buy options, but an unfortunate injury has changed things. Reports suggest he will be sidelined for 4-6 weeks, though it’s best to wait for official press updates. Given his expected absence and the crowded price bracket, selling him now makes sense. If you still want exposure to Palace but crave a riskier, ultra-differential pick, Yeremy Pino could fit the bill. The 22-year-old Spaniard impressed on his debut in GW3 and faces Sunderland and West Ham next – two fixtures that could yield returns. At 0.0% ownership, Pino offers a low-cost punt for those chasing breakthrough points with a player that none of your mini league rivals will own.
Matheus Cunha (8.1m)
Matheus Cunha has shown flashes as Manchester United’s brightest attacking threat, but his recent injury reduces his appeal. Reports suggest he may be sidelined for a few weeks, though it’s wise to wait for official updates from Ruben Amorim’s press conference. Beyond the injury, United face a tough fixture run with Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool looming in three of their next five gameweeks. These challenging matches reduce the chances of attacking returns and increase risk. Given the injury and fixture difficulty, Cunha doesn’t look like a player worth holding on to right now. Managers should consider freeing up budget for options with clearer short-term potential.
