Fantasy Premier League: 5 must have players for Gameweek 3

2 Gameweeks have progressed in the Premier League, and as teams and players battle for dominance in the pitches, fans battle it off the arena in the world of the Fantasy Premier League, a game as addicting as they come.

While some of you have already firmly started to believe that this is finally going to be your year, where you one-up everyone else in your friend's league, some of you have also begun cursing your fortunes for never letting you have anything good in life.

Remember, this is a marathon and not a sprint. Whatever margins you are down by after 2 weeks, you can make up more than for in the next 36 weeks. As Bob Dylan so eloquently put it, "The loser now, will be later to win."

That being said, here are 5 players who you can't go without on Gameweek 3, on the long road to redemption:

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#5 Benjamin Mendy

A case of crosses, assists

and

points

He might have missed out on almost the entire last season, but Benjamin Mendy is back again and has lived up to the promise he came with - points and assists.

4 assists so far in the 180 minutes he has featured in, the Frenchman has made the left wing his very own. The lack of game time from the WC has also meant that he is far fresher and fitter than everyone in the squad, and is therefore allowed the freedom to get into positions most defenders aren't.

The problem with Mendy is that he is a part of Manchester City, and most of you already have 3 players from the team. Here is the case for Mendy: He isn't as prone to rotation as the rest of the team in midfield, and is as likely to get the same points as them over the season, plus defensive bonuses. I mean, why is this even a question?

Opponent next week: Wolves

#4 Richarlison

A cheap option in midfield

If you played the last season, this is a name that you can remember with nostalgia. After a brilliant first half of the season where he was even made captain by several players, Richarlison fizzled out in the second, as Watford always do. This time, with Everton, he is back with his first-half heroics.

3 goals in 2 games is enough to make even the strongest of knees jerk, and it won't hurt too much. At present, the Brazilian is owned by 35.3% of FPL players and has risen in value thrice already -up to 6.8 from 6.5.

What this means is that once his form drops in the future, you can always sell him for the profits and upgrade some other position in your squad. Maybe you want to get in Kane after his August spell?

Opponent next week: AFC Bournemouth

#3 Eden Hazard

The focal point of Chelsea's attack

This is a little biased coming off a Chelsea fan, but you cannot argue that the Blues look like a completely different squad with Hazard in their ranks. Surely after 2 weeks of rest and training, Sarri will now turn to his talisman to take over familiar duties.

The Belgian has featured in only 45 minutes so far (15 minutes against Huddersfield and 30 minutes against Arsenal) and already has 2 assists to his name, and should have arguably had more.

Under Sarri, Chelsea are a much more attacking side and when utilized to his strengths, Hazard is a force to be reckoned with - as was explicit during the WC games. At 10.5 million, he is expensive and a gamble at this point, but the rewards are more likely than not. Besides, what are you going to do with Mahrez now?

Opponent next week: Newcastle United

#2 Sergio Aguero

As good a time as any to jerk your knees

A no-brainer after his last week hat-trick against Huddersfield, but Aguero is still present only in 42.9% of the teams playing. The most likely option is that the others have opted for the services of Pierre Emerick Aubameyang instead, a choice that would have claimed many a curse last week.

Aguero looked very rusty in the first game where he scored only 2 points, but a hat-trick is a hat-trick, and you cannot afford to miss out on a player especially after Pep comes out with statements like this:

Since I've been here, I've never seen him like this," he told Sky Sports. "The spirit since he came back from the holidays after the World Cup... he is in incredible condition.

If Auba starts to perform and you are afraid of Pep rotating Aguero with Jesus in the near future, you can always go back. But if that doesn't happen, it would be several miserable weeks before your mate from work who had Aguero from week 1 by luck would shut up.

Opponent next week: Wolves

#1 Mohamed Salah

Mo' Salah, Mo' points

I can hear some people saying "Wait. Some people do not have Salah in their teams?" The answer is: Yes. 13 million is a lot to spend on one player, and some have opted to go in for Mane and Firmino instead of dishing it all out on Salah.

I am one of those as well, but after last week, my strategy is in serious jeopardy. Firmino is playing as a false nine and Mane might have gotten the goals and the points, but it is still Salah who is running things out there.

The problem is the cost - 3.5 million more than Mane,money you can spend on upgrading your defense or having effective subs who will never come on, but if you are going to stick with Salah the entire season as a set-and-forget captain choice, the money is worth it.

If you could somehow find a way to accommodate all 3 of the Liverpool forwards, even better. Please tell me how though.

Next opponent: Brighton and Hove Albion