Transfer recommendations ahead of Gameweek 7 – Diogo Dalot and James Ward-Prowse on gaffers’ radars

SOME of Dream Team’s most-popular players are on the chopping block this week.

With Rodri (£4.4m) suspended domestically and Bukayo Saka (£6.3m), James Maddison (£4.4m) and Declan Rice (£3.7m) among the injury doubts, gaffers should think carefully about their transfers ahead of Gameweek 7.

Here are some potential recruits who are seemingly well placed to deliver plentiful returns in the coming days.

PLAY SCORE PREDICTOR AHEAD OF THIS WEEKEND’S PREMIER LEAGUE ACTION!

Dream TeamGameweek 6’s top performer![/caption]

Diogo Dalot (£2.9m)

The Portuguese full-back made an impactful statement in Gameweek 6 by taking Burnley and Crystal Palace for 21 points.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s (£2.8m) injury sent Dalot’s viability through the roof as the latter is virtually guaranteed a full allotment of minutes for the foreseeable future.

The 24-year-old is an avid tackler, a handy attribute in the realm of Dream Team this season, and only four defenders have created more big chances after six Gameweeks.

Looking forward, Manchester United take on the Eagles at Old Trafford again this weekend before welcoming Galatasaray in the Champions League on Tuesday night – a relatively favourable double header.

Things move quickly in the world of Dream Team; it feels like only yesterday the Red Devils were a mess but consecutive clean sheets have changed the outlook dramatically.

James Ward-Prowse (£4m)

Hammer timePA

Last week, we recommended Kieran Trippier (£5.4m) as a worthy recruit ahead of his meeting with Sheffield United because of the Blades’ defensive frailty at set-pieces.

The Newcastle right-back delivered in spades with three assists (two from set-pieces) as part of a 17-point haul.

How about a serving of the same meal this coming Saturday?

Paul Heckingbottom is unlikely to have sorted out his side’s main vulnerability in the last few days and so the thought of West Ham’s in-form midfielder standing over a series of dead-ball situations should fill him with dread.

It’s a simple theory: Ward-Prowse is one of the world’s best set-piece takers and he’s about to play at home against the team with the worst defensive record in the league at set-pieces this season.

Plus, the Hammers travel to Freiburg for a Europa League group game on Thursday night – Southampton’s ex-captain earned ten points in his first continental outing back in Gameweek 5.

Martin Odegaard (£5.1m)

Arsenal’ skipper is a popular recruit this weekGetty

A straightforward solution to the Saka dilemma here.

Dream Team bosses who don’t want to stress about the England winger’s availability could simply replace him with Arsenal’s captain.

This would ensure suitable representation in the Gunners’ favourable double header – a visit to winless Bournemouth followed by a trip to a Lens side currently 16th in Ligue 1.

Gaffers won’t want to be without Saka for too long, only Erling Haaland (£8.3m) has more points at the time of writing, but Odegaard is an excellent asset in his own right.

Mikel Arteta’s side face Manchester City in Gameweek 8 so those who ditch Saka could always wait until after the international break to bring him back in.

Anthony Gordon (£2.9m)

GettyAn enticingly affordable option[/caption]

Newcastle’s No10 has arguably been his side’s best attacking player so far this season and Harvey Barnes’ (£3.2m) unfortunate injury means the former will get even more minutes in the coming weeks.

No midfielder has created more big chances in 2023/24 than Gordon and his average of one goal involvement every 112 minutes has to be admired.

The ex-Everton youngster came off the bench to have his wicked way with a beleaguered Sheffield United last weekend to the tune of 17 points and while he’s unlikely to have the luxury of such a favourable opponent again this term, this Saturday’s home meeting against Burnley has to be considered another favourable match-up.

PSG will prove a sterner test in midweek but it’s still an additional fixture at Gordon’s disposal.

More generally, the Magpies have bounced back from three consecutive defeats with three wins, a draw, and four consecutive clean sheets.