FPL GW18 stats: Isak shines as Saka becomes second most-sold player EVER

More than 2.81million Fantasy Premier League managers transferred out Bukayo Saka (£10.4m) ahead of Gameweek 18, making him the second most-sold player in a Gameweek ever.

Expected to be ruled out for "many weeks" according to Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta, Fantasy managers wasted no time in parting company with the Gunners' talisman.

The only player to be sold in larger numbers is Mohamed Salah (£13.5m), who was ditched by 2.82m managers for Gameweek 21 last season, coinciding with his departure to the Africa Cup of Nations.

Most-sold players of all-time

Managers who shifted funds up front to get Alexander Isak (£9.1m) were rewarded with a goal and a share of the bonus as the Swede continued his impressive form in Newcastle United's 3-0 win at home to Aston Villa.

Since his return from injury in Gameweek 8, Isak has totalled 86 points, second only to Salah's 124 points among all players.

Curse breaker

Recruited by 1.2m Fantasy bosses, it's the second time in three Gameweeks that Isak has been the No 1 transfer target - and once again he didn't disappoint. 

Indeed, over the last nine Gameweeks, he's the only most-bought player of the round to provide immediate returns, notching 11 points on the previous occasion in Gameweek 16. The other seven top-recruits in that time all blanked.

GW18 most-bought players

It was a largely forgettable afternoon for Saka's direct midfield replacements, with the exception of Salah.

Luis Diaz (£7.5m) remained an unused substitute as Liverpool came from behind to beat Leicester City 3-1. 

And James Maddison (£7.7m) did no better, registering zero points after appearing in the second half of Tottenham Hotspur's 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest and picking up a yellow card.

Salah, as ever, could be relied upon.

The Egyptian scored and claimed a share of the bonus to delight his 376,000+ new owners. The question is, what took them so long to buy him?

His nine-point return was the 10th consecutive match in which he's produced at least a goal or an assist.

GW18 most-captained active players

Salah also received his biggest captaincy backing EVER in Fantasy, with 5.40m managers handing him the armband.

He surpassed his previous high set over three years ago in Gameweek 17 of the 2021/22 campaign, when 5.14m captained him for an eight-point return at home to Newcastle United.

Salah moves up to 186 points as he stays on track to beat his total of 303 points from 2017/18 Fantasy, the most points any player has ever recorded in a season. He had 145 points after Gameweek 19 that season, having played a game more.

In contrast, it was another torrid afternoon for Erling Haaland (£14.8m), who missed a penalty as Manchester City drew 1-1 with Everton.

Haaland as now blanked in half of his 18 starts this season. He blanked in just 10 of his 29 starts in 2023/24 Fantasy.

Cole Palmer (£11.3m) scored and claimed maximum bonus for a 10-point haul as Chelsea lost 2-1 to London neighbours Fulham, recording his sixth double-figure score of the season.

Meanwhile, Ollie Watkins (£8.8m) was omitted from Aston Villa's starting line-up for the fourth successive match. He came on at half-time but could only muster a single point. 

The good news for his owners is that his positional rival Jhon Duran (£5.9m) was sent off and is set to miss the next two Premier League matches due to suspension.

GW18 most-sold players

Among the most-sold players of the round, only Matheus Cunha (£7.1m) made his sellers regret their decision. 

The Brazilian scored and assisted in Wolverhampton Wanderers' 2-0 win over Manchester United to pick up 12 points. He remains the subject of an FA misconduct charge, however, following an incident at the end of the Gameweek 16 match against Ipswich Town.