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Gameweek 9 of FPL is upon us, with Premier League action returning to our screens after the international break. FPL managers have a lot of decisions to make considering the turn of fixtures for Spurs and Manchester City. Plenty of injuries and COVID-19 related absences might influence FPL managers' transfer decisions.
However, the most important decision in FPL has always been on who to give the captain's armband to. With Mohamed Salah (LIV) (MID) (£12.2 m) ruled out of this Gameweek, and Spurs facing Manchester City, FPL managers might have to turn to other FPL options to captain.
So without further ado, let's take a look at the:
5 best FPL captaincy choices for Gameweek 9
Honorable Mentions: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (ARS) (MID) (£11.7 m), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (EVE) (FWD) (£7.8 m)
#5 Jack Grealish (AVL) (MID)- £7.5 m (vs) BHA(H)
Jack Grealish is a great FPL captaincy choice for Gameweek 9. Villa takes on Brighton at home, and they'll look to continue their dream start to the season. Grealish has done very well in his side's home games this season. He has three goals and five assists in four home matches, aggregating 43 FPL points.
Grealish has the second-highest threat among FPL midfielders, second only to Salah. With striker Watkins in good form as well, Grealish has the chance to register goals as well as assists in this game. He performed well for the England national team and will look to carry on the form for his club.
#4 Jamie Vardy (LEI) (FWD)- £10.1 m (vs) LIV(A)
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy will be a top FPL captaincy option for the next few Gameweeks. Brendan Rogers' side takes on Liverpool, who have been plagued by injuries.
Vardy, who won the Golden Boot last season, is joint-top for goals scored this season as well. While five of those goals have been from the penalty spot, his FPL owners can take heart from the fact that Liverpool has conceded three penalties this season.
His non-penalty xG stats aren't great, but Vardy has been someone who has consistently outperformed these stats. He can trouble the Liverpool high-line with his runs in behind, and given their injury concerns, Vardy could be in for a bumper haul and is a great FPL captaincy option.
#3 Sadio Mane (LIV) (MID) - £12.0 m (vs) LEI(H)
Sadio Mane will be a great FPL captaincy choice in the absence of Salah. An injury-ridden Liverpool takes on Leicester City in Gameweek 9, and a lot will rest on Mane's shoulders. He always delivers in crunch situations and did well when Salah was injured last season.
Mane is a real FPL differential and is owned by just over 10% of FPL managers, owing to teammate Salah's popularity. Mane has done well, however, and has amassed 46 FPL points, with four goals and three assists so far. He also has a great record against his opponents. Mane has recorded either a goal or an assist in all five of Liverpool's meetings with Leicester.
The Champions' attacking output hasn't dwindled despite their injury troubles, and Mane has what it takes to deliver a huge FPL haul in Gameweek 9.
#2 Timo Werner (CHE) (FWD) - (£9.4 m) (vs) NEW(A)
In-form Chelsea striker Timo Werner is a good FPL option to consider giving your captain's armband to. He was on target for the Germany National Team and found the net twice in their win over Ukraine. He has also slowly started to find his feet as a Chelsea player and has amassed 48 FPL points thus far.
Werner has benefited from Hakim Ziyech's return to the team and has had plenty of chances created for him. He has four goals and one assist in the last four games and has netted in consecutive games for Chelsea. He is also on penalties, and that further adds to his FPL credentials.
Chelsea seems to have gelled well as a team and have been playing some free-flowing, attacking football. They should score more goals against Newcastle, and Werner is likely to get another good FPL haul.
#1 Bruno Fernandes (MUN) (MID) - (£10.6 m) (vs) WBA(H)
Bruno Fernandes is undoubtedly the top FPL captaincy option for Gameweek 9. Manchester United's talisman is the second-most transferred in FPL player ahead of Gameweek 9. He recorded a 17-point FPL haul in Gameweek 8 away to Everton as United got back to form.
With Anthony Martial returning to the side, United seems to be fully fit and firing ahead of this fixture. With United 14th in the points table, they will look to be ruthless against West Brom. Fernandes hasn't been as prolific in home games as he has been in away fixtures but has still returned points pretty consistently.
With not many other viable options available, Fernandes looks like the most dependable FPL captaincy option for Gameweek 9.
