Captaincy options for Gameweek 9: Dare you back Phil Foden over Erling Haaland?

IT’S that time of the week again.

Ahead of a rare Friday deadline (6:30pm today!) Dream Team managers are once again mulling over captaincy options for the Gameweek ahead.

Immediately, Manchester City’s home game against Southampton leaps out of the schedule.

A trip to Pep Guardiola’s lair is an unenviable task for any side let alone one that has lost seven of their eight league games since promotion.

Naturally, Erling Haaland (£8.9m) is the first name that comes to mind as Dream Team’s leading point scorer (132) and top goalscorer (13 in all competitions).

It would be remiss not to mention that the Norwegian poacher has failed to score in his last three league outings but an impressive brace against Sparta Prague in midweek meant he reclaimed top spot in the rankings.

Haaland is the most logical captain for Gameweek 9 but some gaffers may be tempted to go against the grain and back Phil Foden (£5.9m) instead.

Saturday’s fixture at the Etihad is such a mismatch on paper it’s likely several City assets will take advantage of the visitors’ fragile defence.

Haaland is the primary goal threat, which obviously counts for a lot, but a player of Foden’s profile is more likely to run the game, opening up other avenues to points.

The England international was among the most prolific bonus point collectors last season, which was a key reason he ended the campaign atop the rankings.

The 24-year-old has been eased in this season but is seemingly up to speed after a 17-point haul in Gameweek 8.

With Kevin De Bruyne (£6.3m), Jeremy Doku (£4.3m) and Jack Grealish (£3.5m) all said to be sidelined with injury for the upcoming Gameweek, Foden should get plenty of minutes – City will also face Tottenham in the Carabao Cup in midweek.

Mohamed Salah (£7.4m) is always worth a mention in the captaincy conversation.

Liverpool travel to Arsenal on Sunday before an away day to Brighton in the cup on Wednesday night.

That’s a relatively tricky double header all things considered but the Reds’ Egyptian superstar is one of those rare talents who is essentially immune to the schedule, as evidenced by his 21-point haul in Gameweek 8 at the expense of Chelsea and RB Leipzig.

Elsewhere, Cole Palmer (£6.5m) is among the most-popular captains ahead of the Gameweek 9 deadline.

Chelsea are due to play Newcastle twice in the space of four days and given the Magpies are without a win in their last four outings, it may well be the case that the reigning PFA Young Player of the Year cashes in.

However, it wouldn’t be a surprise if Enzo Maresca rotated his sizeable squad in midweek, as he has done in the Conference League this season.

Dream Team bosses keen on a genuine left-field skipper might be tempted by Bryan Mbeumo (£4.4m).

Brentford’s double header of Ipswich and Sheffield Wednesday is hugely appealing on paper.

Again, the Cameroon international isn’t guaranteed substantial minutes in midweek but as the joint-top goalscorer among midfield assets, his backers will be hopeful of a prosperous Gameweek even if he’s limited to just one fixture.

Mbeumo averages 8.7 points-per-game in 2024/25.

Don’t get caught out by Friday’s 6:30pm deadline – make sure you select your captain in time!