FPL Dilemmas: Is It Time to Move on from Ezri Konsa?

As we approach gameweek 10, FPL managers are grappling with some tough decisions. One player drawing attention is Ezri Konsa, who, despite impressive performances that helped Arsenal secure three clean sheets, might not be the wisest addition to your squad this week. Konsa's recent knee issues, highlighted by Mikel Arteta after the midweek Champions League clash, resulted in an early substitution. With William Saliba now back in contention, bringing Konsa into your team could lead to a quick sell-off as early as gameweek 11. Yet, if you already own him, don’t be too hasty. There’s still a chance he could start against Hull at home, and as a current owner, I’m hoping he’s fit enough to play. If he does, I plan to reassess my options and possibly pivot to defenders like Brighton's Luka Vuskovic, Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet, or Leeds' Tarik Muharemovic in the coming weeks. For now, holding onto Konsa seems wise, but buying him is off the table. The current trend in FPL leans towards a stronger defensive lineup, where defenders are stepping up with goal contributions and solid performances. Gone are the days where five midfielders dominated; we’re now looking at a setup of four defenders, three or four midfielders, and a couple of strikers. If your midfielders aren’t performing, consider benching them for tougher fixtures instead of rushing to sell. For instance, Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White is still a valid choice; he’s on penalties and consistently plays the full 90 minutes despite Forest's struggles. Bryan Mbeumo is another name to watch, generating plenty of chances for a Manchester United side that’s trying to find its footing. Kevin Schade also deserves a mention, as he’s part of a Brentford team that’s gaining momentum. Just because they’ve had a few quiet weeks doesn’t mean it’s time to let them go. In midfield, there aren’t any must-haves outside of those like Brighton’s Pascal Gross or Chelsea’s Morgan Rogers. If you’re set with your options, it might be best to hold tight and see how the landscape shifts. As we enter a busier schedule, some previously reliable defenders like Konsa, Brighton’s Maxim de Cuyper, and Arsenal's Riccardo Calafiori might see their places come under scrutiny. I’m not suggesting a mass sell-off, but it’s worth evaluating your defensive strategy moving forward. Antonio Silva and James Hill at Bournemouth are both exciting options with solid underlying stats, making them attractive picks as they face Ipswich. Meanwhile, Muharemovic at Leeds is worth considering, especially since Leeds have been impressive at home, despite a challenging fixture against Spurs. Don’t overlook Liverpool defenders either—Crystal Palace has shown vulnerabilities, particularly at set-pieces. Both Virgil van Dijk and Jacquet could be astute picks. If you haven’t snagged De Cuyper yet, or if Gabriel is within your budget, they remain strong choices as well. This period marks the start of a favorable run for several teams, but each option carries its risks. Defenders like Jacquet and Van Dijk look promising, while the midfield remains trickier to navigate. Bradley Barcola is getting game time, but his stats might not inspire confidence. Cody Gakpo has had decent minutes, yet early substitutions raise eyebrows. Dominik Szoboszlai has been underperforming and lacks clarity in his role. Alexander Isak stands out as a quality choice, but at over £9 million, he competes with some attractive alternatives. As we weigh our options, it’s a bit of a tricky week ahead. Haaland’s away at Nottingham Forest, who, despite their struggles, have shown some resilience. If you’re contemplating taking a risk against Haaland, this might be the week to do so, though the alternative options are limited. Gabriel or Calafiori could be your best bets—Gabriel for clean sheets and potential goal contributions, and Calafiori, who should start after a midweek rest, could thrive against Hull’s defense. Defenders are emerging as genuine captaincy choices this season, given their impressive double-digit hauls. While I’m leaning towards the safer Haaland pick, Calafiori is certainly tempting. If you're looking for a different angle, an Arsenal defender could be your ticket.