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Captaincy options for GW36: Son Heung-min among alternatives to default Haaland

17 May 2024 , 11:35
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Tottenham
Tottenham's captain has the luxury of a trip to Bramall Lane to see in the summer

DREAM TEAM managers may be justifiably fixated on Manchester City players ahead of the season's climax but the captaincy conversation is a relatively open field for Gameweek 36.

With all 20 Premier League clubs kicking off at the same time on Sunday, there are several tempting options for those who want to take on default skipper, Erling Haaland (£7.2m).


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Haaland will be eyeing up the 40-goal mark with two fixtures remaining eidqirrikqprw
Haaland will be eyeing up the 40-goal mark with two fixtures remainingCredit: PA

Manchester City's No9 is the obvious choice for a reason of course.

He's the outright top performer in the game having amassed 381 points via 38 goals and his points-per-game average of 9.3 is the best among all assets.

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Pep Guardiola's side host West Ham knowing that victory will secure a fourth consecutive league title no matter what Arsenal do against Everton.

Haaland heads into the game having scored seven goals in his last four outings and is understandably the most-popular captain in the game, as he always is when fit.

He'll certainly be the overwhelming choice in Gameweek 37 for the FA Cup final.

Based on match-ups alone, Son Heung-min (£4.7m) has to considered a viable alternative to the Norwegian poacher.

Son has scored 17 league goals this season
Son has scored 17 league goals this seasonCredit: Dream Team

Tottenham's form has fallen away at the back end of the campaign but they travel to Bramall Lane on Sunday to take on a demoralised Sheffield United.

The Blades are bottom of the actual table, form table and home table - their fans just want this season to be over.

Only Haaland and Mohamed Salah (£6.4m) average more points-per-game than Spurs' captain among Dream Team forwards this season and the South Korean superstar will be motivated to respond to his critics after his much-discussed one-on-one miss against Man City last time out.

Speaking of Liverpool's No11, he is customarily in the captaincy conversation and, despite a downturn in form since returning from injury, his tally of 40 goal involvements in 2023/24 is difficult to ignore.

The Reds host a Wolves side that haven't kept a clean sheet since February in a game that will be dominated, narrative-wise, by Jurgen Klopp.

Anfield will be desperate to give its long-serving gaffer a proper send-off and it would be fitting if Salah were among the goals.

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Some Liverpool fans will be tempted to captain Salah for sentimental reasons
Some Liverpool fans will be tempted to captain Salah for sentimental reasonsCredit: Getty

Dream Team bosses should also think about captaining Cole Palmer (£5.5m) at the end of the 22-year-old's incredible breakout season.

Chelsea are finishing the campaign in fine style and their undisputed Player of the Year has racked up 363 points at an average of 8.1 per appearance.

Such has been Palmer's rise to the upper echelons of Premier League talent, it would almost be a surprise if he didn't add to his haul of 25 goals and 17 assists when Bournemouth visit Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Gaffers keen on a true wildcard captain should consider Michael Olise (£4.3m).

The 0.7%-owned midfielder has notched 160 points via ten goals and five assists in just 18 outings this term.

Only Man City are above Crystal Palace in the form table and it wouldn't be a surprise if the Eagles swept aside Aston Villa on Sunday given Unai Emery's troops have already qualified for the Champions League.

The Villains have won just three of their last ten league games and if they're feeling relaxed after securing a top-four finish (who could blame them?) Olise could take advantage.

Lock in your captain before Sunday's 3pm deadline!


Nick Elliott

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