Captaincy options for Gameweek 5: Time for gaffers to bet against Erling Haaland

THE weekly captaincy debate has been a short one for most Dream Team managers this season.

Erling Haaland (£9.1m) has exploded out the blocks with nine goals in his first four outings for a humongous return of 77 points.

Opting to double his points with the captain’s armband has been a no-brainer… until now.

Gameweek 5 has a dramatically different outlook as Manchester City are due to face Arsenal on Sunday before hosting Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.

The Norwegian striker is close to fixture-proof but the Gunners’ immense defensive record in recent times has to be respected.

Mikel Arteta’s side kept clean sheets against Man City both home and away last season and have conceded the joint-fewest league goals so far in 2024/25.

If any team can subdue a rampant Haaland, it’s Arsenal.

The prolific poacher would probably tear the Hornets apart given the chance but it seems unlikely he’ll play in the cup barely two days after a top-of-the-table clash, especially with extra European games to negotiate this season.

Many gaffers will captain Haaland regardless and in current form perhaps he will get the better of William Saliba (£5.4m) and Gabriel (£5.3m); but it’s seemingly the right time to bet against the game’s top scorer.

Let’s evaluate the leading alternatives.

Son Heung-min (£5.2m)

Tottenham have struggled to convert their possession and chances into goals across the first four Gameweeks but their skipper remains a strong option for the time being.

Ange Postecoglou’s side have the luxury of two home fixtures in Gameweek 5: Brentford and Qarabag.

The Bees are actually above Spurs in the table as it stands but the underlying numbers suggest attacking players should enjoy themselves when up against Thomas Frank’s mob.

Only West Ham have faced more shots than Brentford in the top flight this term.

This match-up coupled with a game against Azerbaijani opposition in the Europa League is a double header ripe with potential and Son is seemingly best placed to take advantage.

Pedro Porro (£4.4m), James Maddison (£4.3m) and Dominic Solanke (£4m) could also feast.

Of course, all this assumes Spurs will be motivated to up their game after defeat in the North London derby.

Bruno Fernandes (£5.7m)

Manchester United are the only other team with midweek European commitments in Gameweek 5, giving them a juicy double header.

The Red Devils travel to Selhurst Park at the weekend before welcoming FC Twente to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.

Many Dream Team bosses remain unconvinced by Erik ten Hag’s side but TEN unanswered goals in Gameweek 4 (against Southampton and Barnsley) has boosted the viability of their assets considerably.

Fernandes is the tried-and-tested selection with a long history of plentiful Dream Team points.

The Portugal international started the campaign slowly but a 16-point haul via three assists in Gameweek 4 has reversed some of the damage.

Bold gaffers might want to consider either Marcus Rashford (£3.8m) or Alejandro Garnacho (£3.6m) for the armband – both banked 32 points in Gameweek 4!

Although be warned, the Argentine winger averages just 35 minutes of playing time per league fixture in 2024/25.

Mohamed Salah (£7.6m)

Liverpool have the benefit of two home games in Gameweek 5 but the second of those is a Carabao Cup meeting with West Ham.

It remains to be seen how Arne Slot views the match-up with the Hammers but if he’s going to rest his 32-year-old Egyptian superstar in any competition it’ll surely be the secondary domestic cup.

Even so, Salah is a captaincy candidate as the Reds will be heavy favourites at home to Bournemouth on Saturday.

The Cherries are no mugs but they’ll be up against it at Anfield and the hosts’ No11 is usually the man who cashes in.

Salah has six goal involvements to his name already this season and, at the time of writing, only Haaland has registered more shots on target while only surprise package Dwight McNeil (£3.5m) has created more big chances.

Elsewhere, there’s certainly a tempting captain lurking in Chelsea’s squad in Gameweek 5 but it’s difficult to pick him out.

The Blues face West Ham at the weekend before an immensely favourable Carabao Cup match-up against League Two’s Barrow.

If Cole Palmer (£6.3m) was guaranteed to start in midweek he would be a fantastic skipper for Dream Team bosses but Chelsea have already taken measures to manage the England international’s workload by leaving him out the club’s Conference League squad.

If a European competition is deemed too low of a priority to risk Palmer then what are the chances of him getting significant minutes against Barrow at Stamford Bridge on a Tuesday night?

Remember to confirm your captain (and vice-captain) for Gameweek 5 before Saturday’s 11am deadline.

Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk