Big Man Bakar’s Key Transfer Decisions for FPL Gameweek 26 Including Whether to Sell Cody Gakpo

Big Man Bakar breaks down the key FPL Gameweek 26 decisions, including assistant manager swaps, midfield replacements, and strategy for Blank Gameweek 29.

As we approach Gameweek 26, FPL managers are faced with several crucial decisions that could define their season. With fixture swings, injury concerns, and upcoming blank gameweeks, every transfer matters more than ever.

Whether you’re looking for the best Assistant Manager, midfield replacements, or deciding whether to Free Hit in Gameweek 29, we’ve got you covered.

Let’s dive into this week’s pressing questions and analyse the best moves to make for long-term gains and short-term differentials.

FPL Gameweek 26 Tips: Big Man Bakar Tackles The Biggest Questions

Q) Should a new Assistant Manager be bought this week? If yes, which one?

I presume a lot of FPL managers won’t have the flexibility to use their transfers on their Assistant Manager this week.

Keeping Slot or Emery isn’t the worst strategy, by any means, since both have a good chance of getting returns. For those who have the flexibility to get a new Assistant Manager, there are still points to be gained.

For risk-averse managers, buying Arteta is probably the safest, albeit boring, move. For those willing to take more risks, Glasner/McKenna could well be worth a roll of the dice with table bonus at their disposal. You’d have to get lucky, though.

Q) Best Amad replacement? Which Arsenal MID or Bournemouth MID is best to buy this week?

I’d probably lean towards a Bournemouth MID as their medium-term fixtures appear to be better. I’m finding it really hard to split between Dango and Semenyo.

Both are excellent options – Dango has the added advantage of playing closer to goal as the striker and is cheaper, but Semenyo is more of a robust, long-term pick. I think I would lean towards Dango – just.

Kluivert is nice as well, but he tends to get subbed earlier than the other two, which puts me off, especially when the decision is so close.

Q) Should Rogers be sold this week?

I don’t think Rogers is a high-priority sell, but there are better midfielders to own at this point. If you have the free transfers to move him on for an Arsenal/Bournemouth mid, I would.

Q) Nkunku worth considering this week?

I’d wait and assess Nkunku’s minutes before committing to him this week. Maresca does have the flexibility of other attacking options at his disposal, which makes me wary of the punt.

Realistically, you need him until at least the second time you Wildcard, and at the moment, I have concerns over his long-term minutes even though the short-term fixtures are appealing.

Q) What should Gakpo owners do?

Gakpo is a sell with concerns over his minutes.

Q) What should Ndiaye/Joao Pedro owners do?

Ndiaye is a definite sell – when you do it depends on the number of free transfers at your disposal. Joao Pedro’s minutes are tough to predict as well.

For now, it’s probably sensible to assume he wouldn’t start, given how well Brighton performed in his absence. He’s a borderline sell as well at this point. I’d look to bench him in your team if you have the luxury of eight playable attackers.

Since free transfers are precious, selling Ndiaye should be more of a priority for people who own both.

Q) Who is the best forward to buy this week? Best Gakpo/Ndiaye/Pedro replacements?

Cunha is probably the best forward to buy if you’re in the market for one this week. Wolves have a good run of fixtures, including a guaranteed fixture in Gameweek 29, and there are no concerns over his minutes.

If you can’t afford to buy him, I’d reluctantly look at Beto as a cheap alternative.

Q) Should we buy Welbeck?

With a short turnaround till midweek, I don’t trust him enough to play back-to-back fixtures, although my guess would be that he’d start both.

Q) Should we Free Hit in 29?

The answer to this question is team-dependent.

If you have saved transfers in recent weeks and are not heavily loaded up on Newcastle, Palace, or Villa, you’ve given yourself an easier route through Blank Gameweek 29 without needing to burn a chip. I think that is an ideal scenario, as it allows you to save the Free Hit chip for the bigger blank in Gameweek 34.

If you don’t have enough free transfers stacked and have heavily loaded up on Newcastle, Palace, and Villa, then Free Hitting in 29 might be the way for you.

Q) Bruno Fernandes – keep or sell?

I think we’ve gotten to the point where it’s probably better to sell. The uncertainty over his positioning isn’t ideal, as he has been playing much deeper than usual in recent weeks.