Salah and Kudus Could Be Back For FPL Gameweek 22 But Son Set To Remain Absent

The month of January in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is relatively calm, with Gameweek 21 spanning two weekends due to the winter break. This allows for an extended period before the next Fantasy deadline. 

Despite the quieter atmosphere, there are several factors to contemplate in the interim between Gameweeks 21 and 22, as we will explore below. As Managers Plan for the upcoming Gameweek 22, let’s have a look at key players like Mohamed Salah and Mohammed Kudus who could be back for the next Gameweek. 

As the Gameweek 22 deadline approaches at the end of the month, the group stages of the AFCON and Asian Cup will have concluded, and we will be progressing through the last 16 matches. This progression will provide more clarity on the potential return dates for key players like Mohamed Salah (£13.1m) and Son Heung-min (£9.7m).

Mohamed Salah And Mohammed Kudus’ Route For FPL GW 22 Return:

The clash between Egypt and Ghana in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Thursday at 20:00 GMT carried significant implications for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers, particularly those who want Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah (£13.1m) and West Ham United’s Mohammed Kudus (£6.8m) back in their squads. This match held the key to the fate of both players as their respective nations aimed to secure passage through the AFCON group stage.

In the initial encounters, Egypt, led by the prolific Mohamed Salah, faced Mozambique, resulting in a hard-fought 2-2 draw. Despite Salah’s contributions, including an assist and a late penalty goal, Egypt fell short of a victory. On the other side, Ghana, with Kudus absent, suffered a 2-1 defeat to Cape Verde in their opening match.

For FPL managers, the ideal scenario was a victory for Ghana against Egypt. Such an outcome would have placed Egypt in a challenging position for group-stage qualification, potentially hastening Salah’s return to domestic action. Salah, currently the top-scoring player in Fantasy, has seen his ownership dip to 28 percent.

A win for Ghana would have not only complicated Egypt’s path to advancement but also increased the likelihood of Salah’s availability for Liverpool’s Gameweek 22 clash against Chelsea. However, the Egyptian forward faced a hamstring injury in his last game but he’ll be on the way to recovering soon. Similarly, a second consecutive defeat for Ghana could have meant an early exit, with Kudus potentially rejoining West Ham in time for their Gameweek 22 home fixture against AFC Bournemouth.

Also Read: Fantasy Premier League: Predicted Lineups | Team News | Injury Updates | FPL Gameweek 21

However, the game between Egypt and Ghana concluded in a 2-2 draw. Despite Salah’s noteworthy performance, he suffered a knock and was subsequently substituted. Egypt’s manager, Rui Vitoria, reassured that the injury is not severe, expressing optimism about Salah’s return for the upcoming game against Cape Verde.

In the unlikely event of Egypt failing to progress beyond the group stage, Salah would become immediately available for Gameweek 22. Likewise, if Ghana faces another defeat against Mozambique on Monday night, an early exit could be on the horizon, potentially resulting in Kudus returning for Gameweek 22 with West Ham.

As FPL managers navigate the complexities of player availability amidst international competitions, the outcomes of these AFCON matches will undoubtedly shape strategic decisions and player selections in the coming Gameweeks.

Son To Remain Out Of Contention For FPL GW 22

Tottenham Hotspur’s Son Heung-min (£9.7m) may face a prolonged absence from the Premier League as his return timeline depends on South Korea’s progress in the Asian Cup. Despite not finding the back of the net, Son played the full 90 minutes in a crucial match where South Korea secured a 3-1 victory over Bahrain on Monday, edging closer to the knockout stages.

However, it’s not all positive news for Fantasy managers, as Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Hwang Hee-chan (£5.6m), a key midfielder who ranked fifth in Fantasy points before the start of the Asian Cup, missed the game due to injury.

The situation hinges on South Korea’s upcoming match against Jordan on Saturday. If South Korea emerges victorious and secures a place in the last 16, both Son and Hwang would be unavailable for Gameweek 22 in the Premier League. This potential scenario poses a challenge for FPL managers who have these players in their squads, requiring strategic planning to navigate their absence.

As the Asian Cup unfolds, the outcomes of key matches will continue to influence the availability of players like Son Heung-min and Hwang Hee-chan for Premier League action, adding an extra layer of complexity to FPL team management during this period.

Also Read: Mohamed Salah Injury: What does it mean for FPL Managers