Is it finally time to sell Haaland in FPL?

Some Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers had already previously decided to sell Erling Haaland (£15.2m) and have been rewarded handsomely for it. For those with continued faith in the Norwegian, is it time to accept defeat? Or, looking forward, will the new trend be to keep him?

Here are a few reasons for both viewpoints.

KEEP: LEADING STATS SAY A HAUL IS COMING

Boosted to an initial £15.0m price tag, in some ways Haaland is justifying the eye-watering amount. Saturday’s goal at Brighton was his 12th of the season when nobody else exceeds eight. It means he’s the fastest player to reach 75 Premier League strikes, doing so in 77 games.

Beyond this, he’s currently the top player for attempts, big chances, shots on target, expected goals (xG) and expected goal involvement (xGI). Haaland’s latest three outings have included 20 shots, nine big chances and a huge 4.59 xG. Surely this underachievement can’t go on much longer.

SELL: OFF-FORM PLAYER + TEAM

Despite this, he’s only delivered two goals from the last half-dozen. A whopping 76 players have contributed more points than his awful 19. It’s unsustainable to hold onto such poor form when priced like Haaland.

Furthermore, for the first time in his managerial career, Pep Guardiola is on a run of four successive defeats. Man City are struggling without Rodri and a few more, playing poorly too.

KEEP: GOOD FIXTURES

On Fantasy Football Scout’s Season Ticker, these four-in-a-row champions have the second-best run of matches between Gameweek 14 and 22.

Five points behind Liverpool and with no Julian Alvarez around anymore, Guardiola can’t afford to rotate Haaland or manage his minutes.

SELL: SALAH IS DOING BETTER

However, it’s hard to ignore the outstanding form of only slightly cheaper Mohamed Salah (£12.9m). Liverpool’s star midfielder has outdone Haaland for six consecutive Gameweeks, grabbing four double-digit hauls in that time. He has 58 points in the spell of Haaland’s 19.

For owners that have a few of Cole Palmer (£10.9m), Bukayo Saka (£10.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.0m) and Gabriel (£6.1m), it’s a straight decision of Salah or Haaland.

KEEP: FIND A WAY TO HAVE BOTH

Of course, it’s possible to own both. It’d just require most of the above names to be sacrificed. But Saka is hurt and on successive blanks, premium Arsenal defenders keep conceding and Alexander-Arnold isn’t contributing attacking returns, so it’s not such a scary prospect anymore.

There’s even a thought that jumping onto Salah now is too late. A commitment to Haaland has already taken place, so embrace it rather than chase already-lost points.

SELL: LACK OF CAPTAINCY FAITH

Fixtures are indeed appealing for Man City but – for those repeatedly burned by captaining Haaland – are there better armband options elsewhere?

Gameweek 12 has Salah and Palmer standing out, with the duo looking good from Gameweek 14 onwards. As for the weekend in-between, that’s when Man City travel to Liverpool.

CONCLUSION

Managers planning life without Haaland will just have to accept that the 24-year-old will score goals and occasionally haul. But, as such a future unlocks lots of money for squads, there’s certainly a way to cushion these blows.

The cash can do wonderful things. A heavy midfield, multiple premium defenders and some squad depth for the busy festive period. Meanwhile, in-form cheaper strikers like Alexander Isak (£8.4m), Chris Wood (£6.6m), Matheus Cunha (£6.7m), Yoane Wissa (£6.1m) and Danny Welbeck (£5.9m) can chip in at a steady pace.

Though it’s very much possible to afford both him and Salah, so make sure you look into that before deciding.

Yet, if you can’t own them all, at least make sure your Haaland-less side contains absolutely everyone else. Well done to those FPL managers who’ve previously ditched Haaland and good luck to those about to sell.