Are De Cuyper and Gross essential? FPL gameweek seven dilemmas
Retold by Oddsrama · 16 October 2026
Fantasy Premier League managers heading into gameweek seven face some tough roster decisions, and two key players are drawing serious debate about whether now is the right time to invest. Brighton's Moisés Caicedo and Fulham's João Palhinha have elite credentials, but their upcoming run—featuring away trips to Liverpool and Manchester City—makes them tricky pickups right now. While Crystal Palace at home this weekend offers decent value, most experts suggest holding fire rather than overhauling your entire squad. If you must choose between them, Brighton's attacking defender De Cuyper at £5.1m edges ahead as the more appealing entry point for those willing to take the plunge.
Manchester United's problems continue to weigh on FPL portfolios. Bruno Fernandes, owned by roughly one-third of all managers, has blanked five times in six gameweeks and screams "sell." Better alternatives include Arsenal's Bukayo Saka and Chelsea's Cole Palmer—both stronger options for your midfield slots right now. Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo remains a hold rather than a buy; the Brentford midfielder sits at 33 points and won't drain your budget, but he's not urgent business either. United's defenders should go without hesitation.
Chelsea's attacking prowess under Xabi Alonso, combined with no European fixtures and a full week to train, makes their forwards tempting targets. Joao Pedro is nearing must-have status, but you'll want additional cover given the goalscoring depth available. Choosing between Palmer and Morgan Rogers comes down to budget and your read on how many set-piece opportunities Chelsea will convert—Palmer scores penalties, but Rogers edges slightly ahead on underlying metrics through six matches.
Defensively, Brighton's De Cuyper remains the standout, though Arsenal's backline under Mikel Arteta looks like the league's most reliable unit. Riccardo Calafiori offers the cleanest entry point. Elsewhere, target defensive contribution magnets: Leeds' Tarik Muharemovic, Brighton's Luka Vuskovic, Bournemouth's Antonio Silva, and Everton's James Tarkowski all combine solid defensive form with teams that don't concede heavily. These options offer better value than chasing premium defensive assets into tough fixtures.
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