Gameweek 22 Emergency Transfers - Bruno Essential, Cunha Crisis & Liverpool's New Weapon

Welcome back to Who Got The Points! With the Gameweek 22 deadline hitting Saturday morning at 11 AM, we're cutting through the noise to bring you the essential transfer targets, must-sell players, and differential picks that could define your mini-league battles this weekend.

The action from Gameweek 21 has given us plenty to work with heading into the weekend. Bruno Guimarães continued his sensational form with 11 points (1 goal, 1 assist) in Newcastle's thrilling 4-3 victory over Leeds. Over at Liverpool, new signing Frimpong made an impressive debut, playing the full 90 minutes in the goalless draw against Arsenal and keeping a clean sheet to announce his arrival in the Premier League.

Brentford demolished Sunderland 3-0 with Schade providing an assist, while Manchester City and Brighton shared the points in a 1-1 draw. The big talking point? Cunha's nightmare start at Manchester United – just 2 points from 73 minutes in the Burnley stalemate has left over 187,000 managers scrambling for the exit.

Ownership: 21.8% | GW21 Points: 11 | Season Total: 117 points

If you don't own Bruno Guimarães right now, you're already behind. The Newcastle midfielder has been nothing short of sensational, delivering 8 goals and 5 assists this season while averaging an impressive 5.8 points per game. His 11-point haul in Gameweek 21 (goal, assist, and bonus point) was just the latest installment in what's becoming one of the season's standout FPL assets.

Over 300,000 managers brought him in this week, and his ownership has rocketed as a result. Newcastle face Wolves at home on Sunday – a fixture that screams attacking potential for the Magpies. With 117 total points already banked and form that shows no signs of slowing, Bruno is in the conversation for captaincy this week.

VERDICT: Essential. If you don't own him, make this transfer your priority.

Ownership: <3% | GW21 Points: 6 | Season Total: 85 points

The Brentford midfielder remains one of the season's best-kept secrets. Despite picking up 6 points in Gameweek 21 with an assist and clean sheet against Sunderland (playing the full 90 minutes), his ownership sits stubbornly under 3%. With 6 goals and 4 assists this season and an impressive form rating of 6.3, Schade is offering genuine differential appeal in a Brentford attack that's clicking into gear.

The Bees travel to Chelsea on Saturday, and while it's not the easiest fixture on paper, Schade has shown he can produce in various matchups. With 85 total points at a price point of £7.1m, he represents excellent value in a midfield slot where many managers are looking to differentiate from the template.

VERDICT: Excellent differential buy for those looking to stand out from the template and gain ground in mini-leagues.

Ownership: ~10% | Season Total: 92 points | Average: 4.8 PPG

The bargain of the season continues to deliver. At just £4.4m, the Sunderland defender has accumulated an incredible 92 total points while averaging 4.8 points per game – numbers that most mid-priced defenders would be proud of. With 6 clean sheets plus 1 goal and 2 assists, Mukiele offers genuine attacking threat alongside defensive stability.

Over 100,000 managers have brought him in recently, pushing his ownership close to 10%. Sunderland host Crystal Palace this weekend in a fixture where a clean sheet is very much on the cards. At £4.4m, he's the ultimate enabler – freeing up crucial funds to upgrade elsewhere in your squad while still providing consistent returns.

VERDICT: Essential if you need a budget defender who actually delivers. The perfect enabler for your premium moves.

Ownership: Dropping fast | GW21 Points: 2 | Season: 4 goals, 1 assist

The dream move to Manchester United has turned into an FPL nightmare. Over 187,000 managers have already dumped Cunha, and the reasons are crystal clear. His debut for United yielded a miserable 2 points from 73 minutes in the goalless draw against Burnley – no goal, no assist, no joy.

With just 4 goals and 1 assist all season, the underlying numbers were never great. Now factor in the Manchester derby against City this weekend, and you're looking at a player who's offering minimal attacking threat in one of the toughest fixtures available. At £8.2m, there are simply too many better options available – starting with Bruno Guimarães at a full million pounds cheaper.

VERDICT: Sell now and reinvest elsewhere. Don't wait for things to get worse.

Ownership: Falling | GW21 Points: 2 | Season: 7 goals, 2 assists, 81 points

The Aston Villa striker blanked again in Gameweek 21, managing just 2 points despite playing the full match in the goalless draw at Crystal Palace. That's prompted 54,000 managers to ship him out, though the situation isn't quite as dire as Cunha's.

With 81 total points from 7 goals and 2 assists, Watkins has been decent rather than spectacular. The problem? His form has dipped noticeably, and Villa face Everton away on Sunday – not a fixture that screams goals. At £8.8m, you're paying premium prices for inconsistent returns, and in a week where Bruno is essential and other premiums are firing, that price point feels uncomfortable.

VERDICT: Hold for now if you already own him, but don't bring him in. There are better uses of £8.8m in your squad.

Ownership: Dropping | GW21 Points: 2 | Season: 5 goals, 2 assists

The Manchester City midfielder has lost three ticks in price and nearly 30,000 managers after delivering just 2 points in the Brighton draw. While 5 goals and 2 assists isn't terrible output for the season, the issue is Pep Guardiola has started deploying him in a deeper role, limiting his attacking threat significantly.

City face United in the derby this weekend – a fixture where rotation is always a concern, and attacking returns are never guaranteed even for the more advanced City players. At £5.2m, there are better enabler options available (hello, Mukiele at £4.4m), and if you're looking to free up funds for Bruno or other premium moves, Reijnders is an easy sell.

VERDICT: Sell if you need to free up funds for premium moves. Better options exist at similar price points.

Ownership: <1% | GW21 Points: 7 | Season: 3 assists, 7 clean sheets

This Everton midfielder is basically unowned but delivered 7 points in Gameweek 21 with an assist and bonus point, playing the full 90 minutes against Wolves. With 3 assists and 7 clean sheets this season, he's showing involvement at both ends of the pitch – rare for a £4.8m enabler.

Everton face Villa away this weekend, which isn't the easiest fixture, but at that price point, Iroegbunam represents a cheeky enabler option that could free up funds for your premium moves while still offering sporadic returns. The clean sheet potential with Everton's improving defence is an added bonus.

DIFFERENTIAL RATING: Perfect enabler for those needing to free up funds while maintaining playing assets.

Ownership: 0.2% | GW21 Points: 7 | Season: 4 assists

Another week, another Brentford midfielder flying under the radar. Janelt picked up 7 points last week with an assist and clean sheet against Sunderland. With 4 assists this season, he's showing he can contribute to a Brentford attack that's clicking nicely under their current system.

The trip to Chelsea on Saturday is tough, but at 0.2% ownership and £4.9m, Janelt offers incredible differential appeal. If Brentford can nick a goal at Stamford Bridge, there's a decent chance Janelt will be involved. The price point makes him an interesting punt for those looking to zig where others zag.

DIFFERENTIAL RATING: High-risk, high-reward punt with excellent differential appeal in a firing Brentford side.

Ownership: <6% | GW21 Points: Clean sheet on debut | Season: 4 assists

Liverpool's new signing made an immediate impact, keeping a clean sheet on his debut while playing the full 90 minutes against Arsenal. Already boasting 4 assists this season, Frimpong brings attacking threat from full-back – exactly what you want in FPL defenders.

Liverpool face Burnley at home this weekend in what should be a comfortable fixture for clean sheet potential. At under 6% ownership and £5.7m, Frimpong offers a route into the Liverpool defence while providing differential appeal. His attacking numbers from earlier in the season suggest he could add goals and assists alongside clean sheets – the holy grail for FPL defenders.

DIFFERENTIAL RATING: Differential gold. Liverpool defence + attacking threat + low ownership = perfect differential recipe.

CAPTAINCY PICK: Bruno Guimarães vs Wolves (H)

It's got to be Bruno Guimarães. The Newcastle midfielder delivered 11 points last week, has 8 goals and 5 assists this season, and faces Wolves at home – a fixture where Newcastle are strong favourites. With the Magpies flying and Bruno central to everything they create, this is a straightforward captaincy call for Gameweek 22.

Want to dominate your mini-leagues this season?

With the Gameweek 22 deadline hitting Saturday morning at 11 AM, you've got limited time to make these crucial moves. Bruno Guimarães is the priority – his form is unsustainable only in the sense that it's too good to ignore. Getting him in now before his price rises further is essential.

The Cunha situation at Manchester United shows how quickly big-money moves can backfire in FPL. Don't be afraid to cut your losses and move to better options. With fixtures, form, and fundamentals all pointing in certain directions this week, the template is clear for good reason.

That said, the differential options outlined above – particularly Frimpong and Schade – offer routes to gain ground if you're chasing in mini-leagues. Just make sure Bruno is in your team first before getting creative.

Good luck for Gameweek 22, and remember: Bruno Guimarães is non-negotiable this week!