Ekitike and Calvert-Lewin among four players you should drop before GW21

Gameweek 21 arrives at a delicate moment in the FPL 2025/26 calendar, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. With matchup changes coming up and a few injury clouds hanging over key assets, it might be time to trim your team’s weight a little — or in some cases, just take a step back and keep your cool. Here are four “sales” to guide your transfer plans this week.

Hugo Ekitike (9.1m)

It’s frustrating for owners. that of Liverpool Hugo Ekitike had all the signs of a cheap gem of a striker – ready to play when fit, lively and with big matches coming up. But after missing the Gameweek 20 match against Fulham due to fitness concerns, uncertainty over his availability makes him a tough obstacle to joining Arsenal. The following fixtures (including Burnley) are tempting, but the lack of reliable fitness news means he is currently more of a headache than a hero. Selling now is justifiable, especially if it funds a midfield upgrade. With options like Mateus Mane, Eli Kroupi Jr and Beto all emerging as playable tools, there’s no reason to tie up money in doubt. One to watch.

Josko Guardiol (6.1m)

Gvardiol’s injury against Chelsea looked worrying, and Pep Guardiola’s post-match comments – “it doesn’t look good” – told managers all they needed to know. With That of Manchester City the back line is constantly rotating even when fully fit, there is no point in holding back an injured Gvardiol during this stretch. Match congestion at City means minutes will continue to be juggled and those precious defensive slots will be better spent elsewhere. Cut your losses and reinvest that 6.1 million into a nailed starter with better near-term prospects. Whether you pick another City defender like Matheus Nunes or move to an asset from Newcastle, Everton or Aston Villa, there is a route for everyone.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (5.9m)

If you came on board during Leeds’ offensive surge, it might be time to come down. Calvert-Lewin was useful but not spectacular – and the next four matches are far from good for a striker (Newcastle, Fulham, Everton and Arsenal). They’re not disastrous, but they’re certainly uninspiring. While DCL may score a target in any given week, his ceiling appears capped at a time when others around his price range have juicier runs. If you need funds to splash out on in-form strikers or upgrade midfielders, this is an easy choice. Strong, but now consumable.

Phil Foden (8.9 million)

Phil Foden’s talent is undeniable, but from an FPL perspective he is testing his patience. Four straight blanks at 8.9m just aren’t durable, even for loyal owners. City’s upcoming matches (Brighton, Manchester United, Wolves) aren’t great, but with the likes of Bruno Fernandes set to go on a stellar run starting in Gameweek 24, this could be the perfect pivot. Foden’s minutes have at least been steady, making him a decent placeholder at the moment – but if you lack consistency or want to free up money for upgrades elsewhere, he’s a sell. But if you can wait until GW22/24, that’s ideal.

Start your transfer

Often the smartest FPL move is to do nothing at all. Starting your transfer in Gameweek 21 might be the most strategic play on the board. The match changes came in rapid succession: Manchester United’s schedule deteriorated significantly from Gameweek 22 onwards, Bournemouth’s matches only improved from Gameweek 24 onwards, and Chelsea’s dream run also began at that time. By saving now, you’ll have more free transfers to play with when those match changes open up. Even Spurs have an attractive short run (West Ham and Burnley in GW22/23), meaning a short punt before a wild card reset might be the best approach. Holding on this week might just give you the upper hand when chaos strikes later.