FPL GAMEWEEK 23 TRANSFER TIPS
Gameweek 23 is here, and it's time to fine-tune your Fantasy Premier League squad. This week brings some intriguing fixtures and player form trends, so making the right transfers is key.
NOTE
Below we've highlighted top transfer targets to bring in, players you might consider shipping out, a few low-owned differential picks, and general tips to navigate GW23. All prices and ownership percentages as of Gameweek 23 deadline.
PLAYERS TO BUY (GW23 TRANSFER TARGETS)
ENZO FERNÁNDEZ (CHELSEA, £6.6M MID)
Chelsea's playmaker has quietly become an FPL asset, notching 3 attacking returns in the last 4 Gameweeks. With a kind fixture run on the horizon (CRY, WHU, WOL, LEE, BUR in the next five), Enzo offers steady points potential. He's getting further forward lately, arriving in the box more often, so expect a consistent stream of 6-9 point returns rather than explosive hauls.
TREVOH CHALOBAH (CHELSEA, £5.6M DEF)
A standout in defence this season, Chalobah is actually the 2nd-highest scoring defender in FPL with 110 points so far. He's scored a couple of goals already and racks up bonus points thanks to solid all-round stats. Chelsea have kept 9 clean sheets (only Arsenal have more) and their next five matches all rate 3 or below in the Fixture Difficulty Ratings.
PRO TIP
At £5.6m, Chalobah offers premium defender output at a mid-price bracket. A great nailed starter with attacking threat.
ANTOINE SEMENYO (MAN CITY, £7.7M MID/FWD)
Manchester City's new winger has hit the ground running. Pep Guardiola has started Semenyo in all three league matches since his January move, and he even scored in two cup ties before that. Crucially, he isn't eligible for City's remaining Champions League group games, meaning less risk of rotation in the next couple of Gameweeks.
KEVIN SCHADE (BRENTFORD, £7.1M MID)
Schade boasts the highest expected goal involvement (xGI) of any player in the league over the last six Gameweeks, yet remains under 3% owned. His underlying stats are superb – 37 shots in the box and 13 big chances so far, leading all midfielders. In GW23 Brentford host Nottingham Forest, who rank among the worst for shots on target and big chances conceded away.
BRIAN BROBBEY (SUNDERLAND, £5.5M FWD)
A budget striker in good form with 2 goals in his last 3 Premier League appearances. Sunderland's upcoming fixtures are very enticing: West Ham and Burnley, both with poor defensive records. These generous matchups make Brobbey a smart short-term buy.
PLAYERS TO SELL (WHO TO TRANSFER OUT)
PHIL FODEN (MAN CITY, £8.6M MID)
Foden has blanked in 6 straight league matches and is seeing reduced minutes. At the time of writing, roughly 475,000 managers have already sold him. It's time to move on and reinvest elsewhere.
WARNING
Check the price change predictions before the deadline – Foden may be due another price drop.
NICK WOLTEMADE (NEWCASTLE, £7.2M FWD)
Just 2 goal involvements in his last 8 matches, and one of Newcastle's other strikers is back from injury. His minutes are no longer secure, and many managers are cashing out.
BRUNO GUIMARÃES (NEWCASTLE, £6.XM MID)
Picked up an ankle injury recently. Even if short-term, you can do better for similar budget. Newcastle's fixtures also turn slightly harder, so it may be the right time to sell.
DIFFERENTIAL PICKS (LOW-OWNED GEMS FOR GW23)
Looking for a way to climb the ranks? These under-the-radar options could deliver big returns.
| PLAYER | TEAM | PRICE | OWNERSHIP | WHY CONSIDER |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daniel Ballard | Sunderland | £4.6m DEF | 3% | Aerial threat, leads defenders in big chances. Faces West Ham who struggle defending set-pieces. |
| Iliman Ndiaye | Everton | £6.2m MID | 3% | On penalties and back from AFCON. Faces a leaky Leeds defence. |
| Thierno Barry | Everton | £5.7m FWD | 0.7% | Three goals in his last four league games. Likely to start against Leeds. |
PRO TIP
Differentials are most effective in mini-league battles. If you're chasing a rival, targeting low-owned players can help you make up ground quickly.
STRATEGIC TRANSFER TIPS FOR GW23
CHECK TEAM NEWS
Injuries and rotations often strike late in the week. Friday press conferences are your best friend – wait until after them before confirming transfers if possible.
CONSIDER ROLLING A TRANSFER
If your team is in good shape, rolling a transfer gives you flexibility next week without taking a hit. Having two free transfers can be powerful heading into Double Gameweeks.
PLAN FOR THE SCHEDULE AHEAD
Look beyond GW23. Target players with strong fixtures in GW24–26 as well. Use the fixture difficulty tracker to identify teams with favourable runs.
BEWARE OF ROTATION
The likes of Man City and Liverpool are always subject to unexpected changes. Avoid players who may miss out, especially after midweek fixtures.
MONITOR RETURNING STARS AND TRANSFERS
With AFCON winding down and the January window closed, new roles and minutes are emerging. Keep your eye on players returning to full fitness.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Buy: Enzo Fernández, Chalobah, Semenyo, Schade, Brobbey
- Sell: Foden, Woltemade, Bruno Guimarães
- Differentials: Ballard, Ndiaye, Barry
CONCLUSION
Make smart, calm moves this week. Don't chase last week's points – focus on fixtures and form going forward. Use FPLWatch's price predictions and fixture analysis to inform your decisions, and may the green arrows follow you into February!
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