FPL Heisenberg answers gameweek five dilemmas including Cherki decision
BBC Sport's Fantasy Premier League expert FPL Heisenberg answered managers' selection questions on BBC Sport on 18 September 2026, offering guidance ahead of gameweek five and beyond. His responses covered whether to keep Rayan Cherki, which Newcastle assets to consider, and several other transfer and captaincy dilemmas.
Heisenberg began some replies with a plain "Yes, absolutely." He noted one side face Coventry in gameweek five and have generally favourable fixtures thereafter, aside from an Arsenal meeting on 18 October. Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m) was identified as that club's talisman: He plays 90 minutes regularly, takes their penalties and is heavily involved in their attacking play. New signing Daniel Munoz (£5.4m) missed a chance to register at least one assist last game, while Neco Williams (£5.0m) carries notable attacking threat.
On forwards, Heisenberg described Liam Delap (£5.5m) as promising after his display against Aston Villa but expressed concern over his minutes because Igor Jesus (£5.8m) and Chris Wood (£5.8m) could reduce his playing time. That competition for minutes is the primary reservation about Delap as an FPL option despite a positive recent outing.
He recommended three Newcastle picks by name: Lewis Hall (£5.2m), Yoane Wissa (£6.2m) and Harvey Barnes (£6.0m). As a left-back, Hall offers assist potential plus defensive returns and typically performs well on the bonus system. Wissa is the club's designated penalty-taker and should be fairly nailed, though Heisenberg warned his recent form has been below par. Barnes was singled out as a differential: he has the quality to both score and create but can be inconsistent.
Rayan Cherki (£7.8m) has underwhelmed of late, yet with Phil Foden (£7.0m) suspended Heisenberg expects Cherki to be more likely to start the next two Premier League matches. Cherki produced two assists and two goals across gameweeks one and two in 108 minutes of football, and with Sunderland at home in gameweek five Heisenberg said he is holding the player in hope of a strong return.
For gameweek five Heisenberg advised holding Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) or Bryan Mbeumo (£7.9m) because Fulham represents a favourable fixture for goals, while cautioning that Fernandes may be a longer-term sell. "Not because he's a bad FPL asset - he will score points of course. However, he is probably overpriced at £12.0m and you may be better off spreading the funds around the rest of your team instead," he said.
Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m) was described as actually being in decent form despite three low-scoring FPL gameweeks in succession. He has scored two goals in Liverpool's past three matches in all competitions — including versus Atletico Madrid in the Champions League and a long-range strike in the Carabao Cup win over Spurs — and Heisenberg noted Szoboszlai is on penalties, takes corners, poses a threat from distance and can contribute defensively, making him an "easy hold".
Heisenberg recommended patience on several assets until gameweek seven, when fixtures improve for that group beginning with Sunderland at home. He said he will reassess recent form at that point and specifically consider Antonio Silva (£5.0m), Alex Scott (£6.1m), Marcus Tavernier (£6.1m) and Evanilson (£6.0m) before making transfer decisions.