Is triple Chelsea attack worth it? FPL gameweek four dilemmas

Cole Palmer celebrates a goal with his Chelsea team-matesImage source, BBC Sport
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The Fantasy Premier League season is entering week four and plenty of managers will be getting itching fingers, with so many chips at our disposal.

Is it time to play a Free Hit or a Wildcard?

BBC Sport FPL expert Holly Shand looks at some of the biggest dilemmas facing FPL managers heading into gameweek four.

Figure caption,

Why no Haaland might be way to go this week on FPL

Who is the best Chelsea player to buy?

Chelsea striker Joao Pedro (£7.7m) is the most-owned player in the game, in 72.5% of sides. Given that Chelsea have scored eight goals already this season, and face promoted Hull City at home next, it feels like the right time to be moving towards a double up on their assets.

Cole Palmer (£9.6m) and Morgan Rogers (£7.6m) came on as half-time substitutes in the Carabao Cup against Leeds United on Wednesday, with Palmer scoring a double including a penalty, and Rogers chalking up three assists.

Palmer has the edge, if you can afford him, given his greater goal threat and penalties.

If you are wildcarding this week, you could also consider a triple-up, but having three attacking players from the same team means they need to score two-plus goals every game to make it worth it.

Should you buy Isak or Gakpo from Liverpool?

Liverpool's Alexander IsakImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,

Alexander Isak has 23 points this season, one behind top-scoring striker Erling Haaland

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo (£7.3m) is the most-bought player for gameweek four, with more than 500,000 new owners for the home game against Fulham. However, he failed to make their Champions League squad against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night with an adductor issue and is now a doubt for this game.

Alternatively, Alexander Isak sits as the second-highest scoring forward in the game, with three goals in the past two gameweeks. When he hits a purple patch he is a formidable threat.

The issue is his £9.1m price tag, making him tough to get to, plus Gakpo has assisted all of his goals, making him the best pick.

Hold or sell Man Utd players?

I'm a Manchester United fan so I'm perhaps a little biased on this one, but I am hopeful of them getting a result against Manchester City at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon. In Michael Carrick's first league game in charge in January, his side came out the 2-0 victors, with seven wins in eight home league games.

Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) was on the scoresheet on that day, with Bruno Fernandes (£12m) chalking up an assist for a 10-point return.

Fernandes is top for shots among all players with 15, while Mbeumo's four big chances is the most of any midfielder in the game. Don't sell them lightly, they are long-term holds.

Who are the key players to buy on wildcard?

BBC Sports FPL leagueImage source, Fantasy Premier League

I think we've seen enough from the Arsenal defence to invest for the season, with two clean sheets and just one goal conceded. They have conceded just one big chance on their goal, with Ezri Konsa (£4.4m) looking to be a bargain. Double up with David Raya (£6m), Gabriel (£8m) or Riccardo Calafiori (£5.7m).

I'd look to at least double up on Chelsea attackers, with Joao Pedro (£7.7m) in the forward line template and Erling Haaland (£15.5m) perhaps enough from Manchester City right now.

In terms of budget picks, Pascal Gross (£5.6m) could be one of the best to back in the midfield.

Who is the best captain for gameweek four?

If you own Chelsea's Palmer, then he looks to be the best pick given his routes to points, especially with confirmation in midweek that he remains first choice on penalties.

He leads the way among midfielders for shots in the box with nine.

Chelsea's home game against Hull City is the standout one to target, so those without Palmer would be advised to look at Rogers or Joao Pedro as viable alternatives.

However, Haaland - away at Manchester United - has five goals in his past three competitive matches and should never be far away from the debate.

Should you replace Calvert-Lewin?

Leeds striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6m) has been a frustrating hold in FPL, with just one goal from the opening three gameweeks, despite having had three big chances.

It's fair to say that he has under-performed, but he has the potential to improve with upcoming home games against Newcastle United and Crystal Palace.

He scored from the bench in the Carabao Cup in midweek so I'll be holding, but there is momentum in the transfer market for other budget picks such as Yoanne Wissa (£6.2m) and Thierno Barry (£5.6m).

I personally don't think there is much to pick between them so would not use a free transfer to swap.

Is De Cuyper a cheat code?

When it comes to budget defenders, Brighton's Maxime de Cuyper (£4.8m) remains a key pick. He has started the season playing out of position as a winger, where he has racked up one goal and two assists in the opening three gameweeks.

The Seagulls attacking line-up might change, which could see De Cuyper pushed back to full-back, especially when Kaoru Mitoma returns from a hamstring injury.

I think De Cuyper was the one to own in gameweek one, but I'd prefer to buy Arsenal's Konsa at this price point now.