Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 8: Caoimhin Kelleher – cheat code or trapdoor?

THAT’S quite enough Thomas Tuchel discourse for now, it’s time to refocus on Dream Team.

Gameweek 8 features a full round of Premier League games followed by seven European fixtures in midweek and it’s imperative you tailor your XI to the schedule if you want to pocket plentiful points.

Allow us to propose some transfer recommendations for your consideration – as usual we won’t insult your intelligence by listing obvious names such as Erling Haaland (£9.1m), Mohamed Salah (£7.6m), etc.

Caoimhin Kelleher (£2.3m)

Liverpool’s second-choice goalkeeper has suddenly become a main character in the world of Dream Team.

With Alisson (£5m) expected to be sidelined with injury until the next international break in November, Kelleher is in line to start between the sticks for the league leaders.

The Reds have seven fixtures to fulfil across the next four Gameweeks and so the Irishman may be among the busiest players in the game, with ample opportunities to notch points.

Kelleher would be an absolute no-brainer if the schedule was on his side but his run in the team is set to coincide with a tricky run of games.

Gameweek 8 brings a double header against Chelsea and RB Leipzig with Arsenal, Brighton (x2), Bayer Leverkusen and Aston Villa to follow.

Given the standard of his upcoming opponents, Kelleher may struggle to keep clean sheets but at the bargain price of £2.3m he might be worth a punt.

It’s a difficult one to judge but it’s not often a starter for a top-tier team is available at such a cheap price.

Brennan Johnson (£3.8m)

We mentioned the Tottenham winger among our transfer recommendations for Gameweek 7 but it’s worth repeating after he extended his scoring streak to six consecutive games (seven if you include international football).

Johnson is by far and away the most transferred-in player ahead of Gameweek 8 – he’s been the subject of over three times as many transfers as the next most-popular recruit to this point.

The Welshman is currently ranked fourth among Dream Team midfielders, just one point shy of third-placed Eberechi Eze (£4.9m).

Spurs have the luxury of back-to-back home games in Gameweek 8 in the form of West Ham and AZ Alkmaar.

It should be noted that Ange Postecoglou has rotated his squad in the Europa League so far and Johnson only got 25 minutes against Ferencvaros last time out – such is his hot streak he still managed a goal in that time.

James Maddison (£4.5m) and Dominic Solanke (£4.4) remain good options.

Phil Foden (£5.9m)

Manchester City’s double header in Gameweek 8 looks hugely appealing on paper.

The defending champions travel to Molineux this weekend and while they did suffer defeat there last season, Wolves are currently bottom of the table having conceded 21 goals in seven league outings.

Pep Guardiola’s side will then host Sparta Prague in the Champions League on Wednesday night – the Czech outfit have conceded their fair share of goals this season too.

Dream Team bosses will obviously be expecting big things from Haaland but the Norwegian poacher’s returns tend to have relatively little impact on Mini Leagues and overall ranks because he’s so widely owned – he’s also the most-selected captain every Gameweek.

Perhaps Foden will offer an secondary route into City’s point this coming Gameweek?

The reigning Player of the Year has seemingly regained his place in the starting XI and a return of 19 points from his last two outings served as a reminder of his pedigree.

Bernardo Silva (£4.2m) and Jeremy Doku (£4.1m) are viable options in a more affordable price range – the latter looked lively for Belgium during the break.

Lock in your transfers for Gameweek 8 before Saturday’s 11am deadline.