Cherki's Essential Status, Tuesday Deadline Chaos & Bold Differential Picks for GW19

Welcome back to Who Got The Points! Thank you for subscribing and trusting us with your FPL decisions. Gameweek 18 is wrapped, but there's no time to rest – we've got a Tuesday deadline for GW19, which means you need to act fast. This week's newsletter breaks down the essential transfers, the players being shipped out in huge numbers, and some bold differential picks that could separate you from the template.

Before we dive into transfers, here's the latest team news you need to know:

Transfer Activity: 235,000 managers bringing him in – the biggest transfer trend of the week

GW18 Performance: 13 points (1 goal, 1 assist, 3 bonus) vs Nottingham Forest in 88 minutes

Season Stats: 2 goals, 8 assists, 66 total points

Why He's Essential: Cherki looks absolutely nailed in Pep Guardiola's midfield and has become the budget enabler that unlocks your entire squad structure. His 8 assists this season demonstrate elite creativity, and at £6.7m, he's freeing up funds across the board. Man City face Sunderland away on New Year's Day with Cherki carrying 10.5 expected points for that fixture.

VERDICT: ESSENTIAL. If you don't own him yet, this is your priority transfer. The combination of price, minutes, form, and fixtures makes him a no-brainer.

Transfer Activity: 135,000 managers backing the Liverpool forward

GW18 Performance: Assist vs Wolves, playing 85 minutes in the 2-1 win

Season Stats: 8 goals, 2 assists – genuine goal threat every week

The Case: Liverpool face Leeds at Anfield on New Year's Day, a fixture screaming for goals. Ekitike carries 7.5 expected points with a form rating of 7.0 and consistent minutes that make him a premium forward you can trust. If you're moving away from the Haaland template, Ekitike offers a smart alternative with better squad balance.

VERDICT: GOOD. Not quite essential like Cherki, but a strong forward option if you're restructuring your attack.

Transfer Activity: 75,000 managers bringing in Arsenal's midfield engine

GW18 Performance: Another assist in the Brighton win, playing the full 90 minutes

Season Stats: 7 assists, 8 clean sheets – elite creativity from midfield

Why He's Interesting: At just over £7m, Rice offers consistency and set-piece threat that justifies his price point. Arsenal face Aston Villa at home in GW19, and Rice carries 6.2 expected points. Those 8 clean sheets mean defensive returns are always in play alongside his attacking contributions.

VERDICT: GOOD. Arsenal's fixtures are mixed, but Rice delivers week in, week out. A solid midfield option if you have the funds.

Transfer Activity: 8,580 transfers OUT – yes, managers are actually selling him

GW18 Performance: Just 2 points vs Nottingham Forest, playing 90 minutes but blanking completely

Season Stats: 19 goals, 153 total points (highest in the game)

The Dilemma: That £15.1m price tag is absolutely crippling squad structure. While his 8.7 expected points for GW19 against Sunderland sounds good, the question is whether you can afford the flexibility you're losing elsewhere. He remains the highest-scoring player, but one blank has managers questioning the template.

VERDICT: HOLD. Don't knee-jerk him out after one blank. Sunderland away is still a premium fixture. But if you never bought him, don't rush in now – the value might lie elsewhere.

Transfer Activity: 114,000 transfers OUT (double those who brought him in)

GW18 Performance: 2 points vs Forest after playing the full 90 minutes

Season Stats: 7 goals – but consistency just isn't there

The Problem: Despite 10.5 expected points for GW19 suggesting upside, Foden has burned too many managers with inconsistent returns. At £9m, Cherki offers significantly better value at £2.3m cheaper with more reliable minutes and better form.

VERDICT: SELL if you need funds. The combination of price, inconsistency, and better alternatives makes Foden an easy sacrifice.

Transfer Activity: 45,000 transfers OUT – sideways moves happening

GW18 Performance: 7 points vs Brighton (1 assist, 2 bonus)

Season Stats: 4 goals, 5 assists, 85 total points from playing every minute

The Reality: While 7 expected points against Villa is decent, Saka's returns are solid but unspectacular for a £10.3m midfielder. However, he's Arsenal's most consistent attacker and plays 90 minutes every single week.

VERDICT: KEEP. Don't sell Saka. If you have him, hold. If you don't, there are better priorities right now, but he's far from a problem asset.

All under 10% ownership – these picks could separate you from the template and rocket your rank:

GW18: 8 points with a goal

Season: 8 goals, 78 total points – absolutely flying

GW19: 8.2 expected points vs Liverpool at Anfield

Yes, it's a tough fixture, but at £5.8m with that form and 8 goals already, DCL is a punt worth considering for the brave.

GW18: 12 points coming off the bench – scored TWICE in just 32 minutes vs Chelsea with maximum bonus

Season: 5 goals, 67 total points

GW19: 5.3 expected points vs Arsenal

If you're brave and want a differential captain, Watkins could absolutely explode. That super-sub performance shows he's in devastating form.

GW18: 9 points vs West Ham (1 goal, clean sheet)

Season: 4 goals, 3 assists, 55 total points

Plays 90 minutes every week for Fulham. Budget forward who could be your fifth mid enabler or a genuine rotation option. At 2.4% ownership, he's pure differential gold.

The Pick: Rayan Cherki (Man City)

Want to win your mini-leagues? This is how you do it. Cherki against Sunderland with minimal captaincy ownership is differential gold. If he hauls, you gain massive ground on rivals.

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That's everything you need for GW19. Remember, the Tuesday deadline is fast approaching – don't get caught out. Make your moves, trust your instincts, and let's go get those points!

Good luck for Gameweek 19!

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