Gameweek 36: Essential Transfers, Differentials & The Captain You MUST Have

Welcome back, FPL managers! Gameweek 35 delivered some massive scores and Gameweek 36 is shaping up to be a crucial week - especially with Man City's double gameweek in play. We've broken down everything you need to know: the top transfers in and out, the differentials to target, and the captain pick that should be non-negotiable. Let's get into it.

Before we get into the transfers, here's what happened in Gameweek 35 that affects your planning for Gameweek 36.

Price: £8.8m | Ownership: 12.3% | GW35 Points: 16 | Season: 14 goals, 1 assist | Total Points: 124

What more needs to be said? Gyökeres hauled 16 points in Gameweek 35 with a brace, an assist, and maximum bonus points - all in just 63 minutes. The fact he was subbed off suggests he was being managed, which means he's likely fresh and firing for Gameweek 36. Arsenal face West Ham away, a fixture difficulty rating of 4 for Arsenal, but this man has the quality to deliver anywhere on the pitch. His expected points for next gameweek sit at 6.8. Transfers in are already rolling in at nearly 32,000 and his price is only going one way.

Price: £6.5m | Ownership: 15.7% | Transfers In This GW: ~49,000 | Season: 11 assists, 4 goals | GW36 xP: 12.6

Almost 49,000 transfers in this gameweek, and it's not hard to see why. Man City have a double in Gameweek 36 - Brentford at home and then Crystal Palace - and Cherki has been one of the most creative players in the division all season with 11 assists and 4 goals. His form score is 5.8 and his projected expected points for GW36 are an enormous 12.6. With City's double and his creative output, he is the midfield priority this week without question. He's also your captain (more on that below).

If you don't have Cherki, he needs to be in your squad immediately. Check our expected points projections to see just how dominant City's double looks on paper.

Price: £5.3m | Ownership: 2.9% | Season: 11 clean sheets, 8 assists | Avg PPG: 4.8 | GW36 xP: 9.4

At just £5.3m, Matheus N. has delivered 11 clean sheets and 8 assists this season with a 4.8 points per game average - that is outstanding output for a budget defender. Man City haven't played in GW35 yet, but with their double gameweek coming in GW36, his expected points jump to 9.4. He offers two bites of the cherry at a price that frees up budget elsewhere. If you need defensive cover and want Man City exposure without breaking the bank, he is the smart pick.

Price: £4.5m | Ownership: 2.1% | GW35 Points: -1

A horror shift against Brentford in GW35, picking up -1 point after 90 minutes. West Ham conceded 3 goals and look shaky defensively. In Gameweek 36 they host Arsenal - one of the toughest fixtures you can face. His form of 7.5 is misleading given this latest blank and the Brentford hammering. There is very little upside here and significant downside.

Price: £4.8m | Ownership: 1.5% | GW35 Points: 11 | Season: 3 goals, 3 assists | Total Points: 108 | GW36 xP: 4.3

Yes, he delivered 11 points today with an assist and a clean sheet in Brentford's 3-0 win over West Ham - a brilliant result. But Gameweek 36 sees Brentford travel to Man City, a difficulty rating of 5 for Brentford. That is a brutal fixture for any defensive asset. His expected points for next week drop sharply to just 4.3. If you own him, enjoy today's haul. But do not rush to buy him now with that City fixture looming.

Price: £5.6m | Ownership: 0.7% | GW35 Points: 11 | Season: 4 goals, 4 assists | Total Points: 106 | GW36 xP: 4.3

Another Brentford player who delivered today with a goal, clean sheet, and full bonus for 11 points - but the same City problem applies. Man City away in Gameweek 36 is a nightmare fixture and his expected points drop to 4.3 next week. You've had your fun, but consider moving on before the City brick wall arrives.

These are the under-10% ownership players who could deliver serious rank gains in Gameweek 36. Want to browse more options? Check out our differential players tool for the full picture.

Price: £5.4m | Ownership: 0.6% | GW35 Points: 9 | Season: 5 goals, 1 assist | Total Points: 59 | GW36 xP: 7.0

Three goals in his last four appearances, 9 points in GW35, and Newcastle face Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 36 - a very manageable fixture. With 7 expected points projected, Osula offers serious upside at an incredibly low price. If you need a cheap forward rotation option with genuine goal threat, Osula is the name. At 0.6% ownership, getting him right is a massive rank opportunity.

Price: £5.1m | Ownership: 0.5% | GW35 Points: 7 | Season: 3 goals, 5 assists | Total Points: 78 | GW36 xP: 6.0

Scored in GW35 playing 87 minutes and has accumulated 3 goals and 5 assists across the season - very solid numbers for this price point. Brighton face Wolves at home in Gameweek 36 and while the difficulty rating is 4 for Brighton, Wolves have been poor. With 6 expected points projected and ownership of just 0.5%, a haul here would be absolutely enormous for rank. Worth a look if you want cheap Brighton midfield exposure.

Price: £4.6m | Ownership: 8.7% | GW35 Points: 11 | Season: 3 goals, 5 assists, 5 clean sheets | Avg PPG: 4.8 | Total Points: 139 | GW36 xP: 5.5

Scored himself in GW35 for 11 points and is putting together one of the best value seasons of any defender in FPL. Five clean sheets, three goals, and five assists at 4.8 points per game from a £4.6m defender is genuinely elite value. Sunderland face Man Utd in Gameweek 36 with 5.5 expected points projected. He is one of the best bargain picks in the game right now.

There is no debate here. Cherki is your captain for Gameweek 36.

With City hosting Brentford and then Crystal Palace, the opportunity for a massive doubled haul is right there. If you do not have Cherki yet, he becomes your priority transfer this week and your captain the moment he is in your squad. Back him heavily with the armband.

The Gameweek 36 deadline is Friday 9th May at 10:00am. Do not sleep on the double gameweek. You need to have your Man City assets sorted before Saturday morning. Cherki and Matheus N. are the priority picks. Get them in, give Cherki the armband, and you are set up perfectly for one of the biggest gameweeks of the season.