Are De Cuyper and Gross essential? FPL gameweek seven dilemmas
FPL expert Gianni Buttice assesses transfer and selection dilemmas ahead of gameweek seven, including whether Brighton defender De Cuyper and midfielder Gross merit priority. He advises managers not to overhaul their teams for either, given difficult away fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City in their next three games, and says De Cuyper is the stronger pick if choosing between them.
Buttice says Bruno Fernandes, who has blanked in five of six games, is an easy sell, while Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer are potential replacements. Bryan Mbeumo may be worth holding, and Chelsea’s attacking options include Palmer, Morgan Rogers and Joao Pedro. He also highlights Manchester City’s home fixtures against Ipswich, Fulham and Hull, and suggests Arsenal defender Riccardo Calafiori or defensive-contribution performers such as Tarik Muharemovic, Luka Vuskovic, Antonio Silva and James Tarkowski.
- De Cuyper is the preferred pick, but his next fixtures are difficult.
- Fernandes is a sell; Saka and Palmer are alternatives.
- Consider City’s home fixtures and reliable defensive contributors.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Managers could prioritise De Cuyper or Gross if they expect Brighton to deliver enough attacking or defensive returns to justify the move, and see the upcoming difficult fixtures as a short-term obstacle. De Cuyper is the stronger choice between the two, while transfers towards players such as Saka or Palmer and City assets could also target favourable fixtures and greater returns.
The case against
Managers may reasonably avoid making either Brighton player a priority because the difficult away fixtures against Liverpool and Manchester City could limit their immediate returns. Keeping transfers flexible, holding Mbeumo or choosing alternatives with better short-term fixtures may be preferable, especially if acquiring De Cuyper or Gross would require an overhaul.