FPL Gameweek 6: Erling Haaland Injury Update, Florian Wirtz & Reinildo Replacements
The biggest disappointment for FPL managers in Gameweek 5 may have been straight red cards to two popular players: Robert Sanchez and Reinildo. Sanchez will serve his ban in the Cup midweek, but Reinildo will be absent for multiple gameweeks.
For those who saw Florian Wirtz dropped from the starting XI in the Merseyside derby, there are further questions for him after an already slow start to his Liverpool tenure.
There weren't any major injuries over the weekend, but the early substitution of Erling Haaland (back) and comments after the game by Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola have raised some eyebrows ahead of midweek EFL Cup matches and Gameweek 6.
Latest Erling Haaland Update
According to Guardiola after Sunday's match:
"At the end, he was exhausted, a lot of pain in his back… suffering the last few days. It's so demanding and he will take a break a little bit to the last games."
From Guardiola before Wednesday's Carabao Cup game:
"[Haaland was in] recovery yesterday, he didn't train. Today I didn't see him or the rest of the players yet but hopefully he can be [back] for the next weekend."
What to do if Haaland is out for an extended period?
Option 1: Hold
If the injury is minor as expected and keeps Haaland out only one or two weeks, he could be back before the next international break. There's also the possibility that even if Haaland is a doubt for the Burnley game, he could come off the bench and still score. Then again, maybe Guardiola exagerrated and Haaland won't miss any time.
Option 2: Multiple transfers to Mohamed Salah
With the prices in FPL this season giving such a huge disparity between Haaland, Salah and the rest of the pack, it's hard to use the full budget without at least one of the premium assets. A transfer from Haaland to Viktor Gyokeres would allow for a transfer from someone like Cole Palmer to Salah.
Option 3: Wildcard and distribute the funds
Gameweek 6 is already going to be a popular time to use the first half of the season Wildcard, as managers have been struggling to find consistency. If Haaland is going to be out, it would make sense to Wildcard at this point and move for a well-balanced side.
Check the RotoWire Predicted Lineups page to get updated lineups, as well as confirmed ones 75 minutes before match start.
Florian Wirtz Replacements
Option 1: Antoine Semenyo ($7.7m)
Semenyo has scored three goals and provided two assists this season. Only Erling Haaland has scored more goals in the league, and he is joint fifth for assists, behind players like Jack Grealish and Joao Pedro. The attacker has reached double-digit FPL points in two games, and even without an attacking return in Gameweek 5, he still picked up defensive contribution points.
Option 2: Mohammed Kudus ($6.6m)
Kudus comes in as a slightly cheaper option but still offers plenty of attacking potential. Spurs have a nice run of fixtures with Wolves, Leeds and Aston Villa in the next three. The winger has created 11 chances in his five Premier League games, collecting three assists. Only Grealis has collected more assists in the early season. Kudus has also managed six shots in his last two Premier League fixtures despite both being away from home.
See where these players rank in RotoWire's Gameweek 6 FPL Rankings
Reinildo alternatives during suspension:
Option 1: Gabriel Gudmundsson ($4.0m)
The $4.0m defender market has limited options, drawing from the newly promoted teams. Gudmundsson seems like a perfect option at this price point, as he picks up good points. The left-back has got hit zero points on two occasions this season, but he's picked up 22 points between the other three positive performances.
Option 2: Daniel Ballard ($4.6m)
Ballard returned from his Gameweek 2 injury, and his style of play is important. You get the same defensive structure as Reinildo with the aerial threat that can lead to attacking returns. He took four shots in the opener and created a chance in the nine minutes before his injury in Gameweek 2. In his 53 minutes returning from injury in Gameweek 5, he took a shot and created a chance despite Sunderland playing down a man.
Final Thoughts on Haaland, Wirtz & Reinildo
Gameweek 6 brings more questions than answers for FPL managers. Between Haaland's back issue, Reinildo's suspension, and rotation concerns for Wirtz, navigating this week requires patience and flexibility. If Haaland's injury is short term, a hold may be the safest play, but if you're looking to shake things up, Salah, Semenyo and Kudus provide strong attacking pivots following a combination of moves.
As always, monitor team news closely and check confirmed lineups before making final transfers. With uncertainty around several key players, managers who remain calm and adapt smartly to late updates could gain an edge in Gameweek 6.
