There appears to be no stopping Manchester Metropolis striker Erling Haaland.
He gained the Premier League Golden Boot in 2022-23 and 2023-24 and is on track to take action once more this season as he has 14 targets, six greater than another participant.
Commercial
He scored 4 within the current worldwide break in Norway’s wins over Estonia and Italy to safe their spot on the 2026 World Cup.
Haaland is the highest factors scorer in Fantasy Premier League with 102 – 21 away from Arsenal defender Gabriel, the following highest, and 42 forward of the second-best ahead, Brentford’s Igor Thiago.
Haaland has an unimaginable 99 targets in 108 Premier League appearances – and has an opportunity to get to his century at Newcastle on Saturday.
So we’re asking: Is Haaland now a set-and-forget captain selection or do we have to take a look at various choices every week?
This week’s FPL professional and the blokes from The FPL Podcast by BBC Sport debate the newest speaking level.
Commercial
‘Haaland’s numbers are finest by a mile’
“My technique this season is simply to again Erling Haaland – simply to maintain with him,” mentioned Premier League title-winning striker Chris Sutton.
Statman Dave mentioned: “I do not suppose you must transfer away from Haaland proper now. He scored eight targets in his final 5 video games. He is flying – (his) numbers are the most effective within the league by a mile. It is not the time proper to do it.
“There doubtlessly may very well be a time whenever you take a look at Haaland versus a workforce that is going to sit down deep and play 5 on the again.
“Newcastle have induced Metropolis some issues at residence lately. However Haaland in the intervening time and Manchester Metropolis are trying rather a lot higher. They have been incredible towards Liverpool.”
Commercial
Unsurprisingly, Haaland is essentially the most chosen participant in FPL, showing in 71% of groups.
However who do you go for when you have not obtained Haaland or need to attempt one thing completely different?
“[Manchester United midfielder] Bryan Mbeumo,” mentioned Statman Dave. “He is the one man to captain this week should you’re not going for Haaland.
“They’ve Everton at residence and United have seemed very, excellent at residence in comparison with their away performances, which have been just a little bit inconsistent. They’ve created a number of probabilities.”
‘I am not courageous sufficient this week’
For a lot of, the prolific Haaland has been a locked-in captain selection prior to now few weeks, however I used to be prepared to wager towards him and take into account alternate options in gameweek 12 with a visit to Newcastle.
Commercial
That was till I noticed how good Metropolis – and Haaland – have been towards Liverpool. Haaland continued his electrical scoring type within the worldwide break and it feels far too dangerous to again towards him this time spherical.
It’s price noting that Haaland has performed Newcastle on six events in league and cup and scored just one purpose.
A visit to St James’ Park is extensively thought to be one of many hardest fixtures within the calendar, so in every week when Arsenal (Spurs at residence), Manchester United (Everton at residence) and Crystal Palace (Wolves away) have engaging fixtures, Bukayo Saka, Mbeumo or Jean-Philippe Mateta may very well be thought of for these with an urge for food for danger.
As we glance forward on the festive schedule, there are weeks once I may be courageous sufficient to again towards Haaland – journeys to Fulham in gameweek 14 and Crystal Palace in gameweek 16.
Commercial
Midfielders Saka and Mbeumo seemed nice final day trip and, if their type continues, they provide a substitute for Haaland. Within the two gameweeks talked about, Mbeumo performs West Ham at residence and Saka takes on Wolves at residence.
Traditionally, now we have relied on Mohamed Salah as our go-to captain when backing towards Haaland, and Liverpool’s fixtures present some hope for these backing the out-of-form Egyptian.
Most engaged managers have offered Salah however, with a number of Free Hit chips in play within the subsequent few weeks, Salah is once more a authentic choice with the armband for a lot of.
The under chart exhibits two alternate options to Haaland for the following six weeks. In daring is who I’ll probably choose as captain.
Commercial
GW12: Haaland v Newcastle (a), Salah v Forest (h), Mbeumo v Everton (h).
GW13: Haaland v Leeds (h), Salah v West Ham (a), Igor Thiago v Burnley (h).
GW14: Haaland v Fulham (a), Saka v Brentford (h), Mbeumo v West Ham (h).
GW15: Haaland v Sunderland (h), Salah v Leeds (a), Mbeumo v Wolves (a).
GW16: Haaland v Crystal Palace (a), Salah v Brighton (h), Saka v Wolves (h).
GW17: Haaland v West Ham (h), Semenyo v Burnley (h), Saka v Everton (a).