Fantasy Premier League

Who are the best FPL replacements for Barnes?

By The Scout 2 Mar 2021

The Scout's panel of experts discuss the best cut-price alternatives to the injured Leicester winger

Owners of Harvey Barnes (£6.9m) in Fantasy Premier League are looking for a replacement after he was ruled out for a number of weeks.

Interest in the winger soared ahead of Leicester City’s Double Gameweek 26, with more than 1.1million managers bringing him in on the back of 25 points across his previous two appearances.

But Barnes lasted only 50 minutes against Arsenal on Sunday before being taken off on a stretcher with a knee injury.

"We’re hopeful that he’ll be going in for surgery tomorrow," Brendan Rodgers told Leicester's official website on Monday. "Part of the patella is separated in the knee... hopefully he can be back in six weeks."

Barnes is already the most-sold player ahead of Saturday’s 11:00 GMT Gameweek 27 deadline, moved on by 280,000+ former owners.

The Scout’s panel of experts suggest targets for managers in search of a new cut-price midfielder.

What the experts say

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

I'd be taking a look at Ademola Lookman (£5.0m). Fulham have improved dramatically over the last few weeks and he always looks dangerous.

With a Gameweek 29 fixture against Leeds United, he could be the perfect Barnes replacement.

Pranil Sheth (@Lateriser12)

It's a case of "wait and see" until Aston Villa's press conference on Friday for me. It’s very important to see if Jack Grealish (£7.6m) is fit, as he's the best replacement option. Dean Smith has confirmed he will miss the midweek trip to Sheffield United though.

Utkarsh Dalmia (@zophar666)

Raphinha (£5.4m) is the obvious replacement for Barnes, especially if you're not playing your Free Hit chip in Gameweek 29.

West Ham United's Jesse Lingard (£6.0m) is also a good option but keep in mind he cannot play against his parent club Manchester United in Gameweek 28.

Diogo Jota (£6.6m) could be a sneaky differential if he's declared fit.

Fixtures for top Barnes replacements

Player	GW27	GW28	GW29	GW30
El Ghazi/Grealish	WOL (H)	NEW (A)	TOT (H)	FUL (H)
Gundogan	MUN (H), SOU (H)	FUL (A)	-	LEI (A)
Lookman	LIV (A)	MCI (H)	LEE (H)	AVL (A)
Raphinha	WHU (A)	CHE (H)	FUL (A)	SHU (H)
Saka	BUR (A)	TOT (H)	WHU (A)	LIV (H)

Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

There are plenty of options in this price bracket, including Ross Barkley (£5.9m), Pedro Neto (£5.7m) and even Lucas Moura (£6.6m).

But the standout choices are Raphinha or, if fit, Grealish. Both these players play in Gameweek 29 too, so if you're looking to navigate that Gameweek without the Free Hit chip, they could be good options.

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)

Raphinha would be my No 1 choice.

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.3m) could reward managers willing to take a risk on his game time, while James Ward-Prowse (£5.9m), Stuart Armstrong (£5.5m) or Takumi Minamino (£6.0m) offer options if you're looking to attack Southampton’s Double Gameweek 27.

Ben McNair (@drbenmcnair)

If Grealish recovers in time for the weekend, he'd be the best replacement based on his superb form this season and upcoming fixtures.

Otherwise, I think it would be best to replace him with a cheap bench option, change formation and add a defender or forward in the same price range, as there are many more attractive picks in those positions.