FPL: Top 5 Players To Watch For Gameweek 22

As we head into the first of two consecutive double gameweeks, we take a look at the top 5 players FPL managers could look to bring in for gameweek 22 in this week’s edition of FPL players to watch out for.

5. Nathan Ake (£5.0m)

With the late and surprising drama of Joao Cancelo leaving Man City on deadline day in the January transfer window, this leaves around 31% of all FPL teams still stuck with the now Bayern player. So this is an enforced transfer, and with City having a double in gameweek 23, this leaves room for both FPL managers as well as Pep himself to fill the void.

In comes Nathan Ake. The Dutchman has started 7 of the last 8 PL games for the Citizens. With City keeping cleansheets again, 2 in their last 2 domestic games, Ake might just be the perfect option to replace Cancelo, giving managers £2m in the bank in the process along with a City defender.

4. Bukayo Saka (£8.2m)

Just one of many Arsenal players in tremendous form at the moment, Saka is well and truly back amongst the FPL points. With 3 goals and an assist in 5 games since the restart, the talented England international has racked up 33 points in the process, averaging 6.6 per game. Taking on a manager-less Everton sitting at 19th, Saka and Arsenal could run riot at Goodison Park.

Although with the arrival of Jorginho, Saka might now not be nailed on penalties. However, given that he will start more games than Italian, owners can expect points hauls to continue for the 21-year-old. With Arsenal having a double in gameweek 23 as well, along with no other domestic commitments, FPL managers can hope to keep Saka for the long run until gameweek 32 at least.

3. Eddie Nketiah (£6.7m)

Nketiah is a man reborn under Arteta. Despite only being 23, questions were being raised as to whether the Hale End graduate would ever make his mark in the first team. But with the absence of Jesus due to injury, Nketiah has grabbed the chance given by Arteta by the scruff of its neck to become almost undroppable now for the Gunners.

0.81 – Eddie Nketiah has the best non-penalty expected goals rate of any player in Europe's big five leagues to have played 500+ minutes this season (0.81 non-pen xG per 90 minutes):

0.81 – Nketiah
0.80 – Lewandowski
0.80 – Haaland
0.74 – Núñez
0.65 – Osimhen

Blueprint. pic.twitter.com/lR4kqjYCWJ

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) February 3, 2023

He bagged a brace in Arsenal’s thrilling victory against Man United, taking his goal tally to 4 in 5 consecutive starts. Since the restart, Nketiah has a non penalty xGi per 90 of 0.97, even higher than that of Haaland. His goal involvement is also the highest amongst his Arsenal compatriots with him having 7 big chances, 18 shots in the box, and an overall xGi of 4.9. Owned by just 7.5%, he is a fantastic option at his price point.

2. Bruno Fernandes (£9.9m)

The Portuguese midfielder is finally back amongst the goals, helping United perform really well in the league. Channeling his form from 2 seasons ago, Fernandes is in great form again, scoring 2 goals and bagging 3 assists since the restart. He now has more responsibility to produce the end product for United in the absence of Ronaldo, enabling him to take up advanced positions.

Since the restart, Man United are only behind Man City in terms of non penalty xG and chances created. With an extremely enticing double gameweek involving out-of-form Palace and Leeds, the former of which has the worst xG conceded from set plays this season, Fernandes is a must have in your FPL teams.

1. Marcus Rashford (£7.2m)

Rashford once again features on our weekly list, and takes the top spot this time as well. In form with 29 goals in 18 games this season for club and country, a double gameweek against struggling Palace and Leeds, it’s the perfect recipe for an FPL points haul. 5 goals, 1 assist, and 47 points since the restart, need we say more?

He is the standout captaincy option, and could even be a viable triple captaincy choice. There will be further double gameweeks that could present themselves, but with possible UCL rotation, and the possible use of other FPL chips in those gameweeks, this seems like the perfect time to unleash the ‘Triple Captain’ chip.

Also read: Manchester United Reborn: Ten Hag’s Surgery Gives Red Devils New Life