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DREAM TEAM managers who chose to captain Bukayo Saka (£6.5m) over Erling Haaland (£9.1m) in Gameweek 7 were handsomely rewarded.

Just prior to the international break, Arsenal’s ‘Star Boy’ took Southampton for 20 points while Manchester City’s No9 mustered just four against Fulham.

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Saka has outperformed Haaland over the last few Gameweeks[/caption]

This outcome meant those who opted to double Saka’s return benefited from a significant swing over those who backed Haaland.

In fact, the England international has outscored the Norwegian poacher since the start of Gameweek 4 and the latter’s lead at the top of the rankings has been cut to just nine points as a result.

It’s simply a fact that gaffers who have captained Saka over Haaland for the last month have had their actions justified.

Now the pertinent question is whether the Gunners’ No7 is the optimum skipper for Gameweek 8?

One potential blockade is that Saka is an availability doubt having been forced off with an injury while on duty for the Three Lions.

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In this morning’s press conference, Mikel Arteta offered some reassurance when he told reporters: “Not a serious injury, he’s evolving really well. We are hopeful.”

Arsenal are set to face Bournemouth and Shakhtar Donetsk in Gameweek 8 and given Saka is statistically the most in-form player in Dream Team (based on points earned across last three games) he would obviously be a strong captaincy choice if passed fit.

That being said, this may be the Gameweek to revert to the familiar safety of Haaland.

Pep Guardiola’s side travel to Molineux this weekend, where they were beaten last season, but a repeat of that upset seems unlikely with Wolves currently bottom of the table having conceded the most leagues goals this season.

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Haaland will be licking his lips at the prospect of facing Wolves’ defence[/caption]

City will then host Sparta Prague in the Champions League in midweek – another relatively favourable match-up.

Haaland may not have scored in his last two league outings (a drought by his standards) but it’s worth remembering he has 11 goals to his name in all competitions in 2024/25 – no other Dream Team asset has scored more than six.

Certainly the case for captaining Haaland is a strong one, as is usually the case.

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah (£7.6m) is always among the most-selected skippers but his fixtures aren’t as appealing on paper.

Liverpool host fourth-placed Chelsea in the standout Premier League game of the weekend before travelling to RB Leipzig on Wednesday – the German outfit are level on points with Bayern Munich at the top of the Bundesliga at present.

Bold gaffers might look to target Tottenham’s double header of West Ham and AZ Alkmaar, both to be played in North London, by captaining Dominic Solanke (£4.4m), James Maddison (£4.5m) or the in-form Brennan Johnson (£3.8m).

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Johnson’s scoring streak puts him in the captaincy conversation[/caption]

It’s a tempting punt on paper but one that will only appeal to managers who enjoy taking risks and going against grain.

With Saka seemingly not 100% fit, Haaland appears to be the safe choice for Gameweek 8.

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EDDIE HOWE is not angry about being overlooked by the FA for the England job and believes Thomas Tuchel was the “best” foreign candidate available.

SunSport revealed there was no contact with Howe, 46, as the FA spoke to 10 different managers.

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The Newcastle boss was touted as one of the favourites to take charge of the Three Lions until the FA named the German as their new boss.

The decision has been met with mixed reaction, but when asked on what his thoughts are about Tuchel, Howe revealed: “Firstly, speaking about Thomas himself, I’ve got a relationship with him and was lucky and fortunate enough to go and see him work at Chelsea when I was out of work.

“What a brilliant guy, great person, great coach. I had two days with him and thought that he was fascinating and I really enjoyed his company.

“I really wish him well and think that he’s a great appointment. I hope that he leads England to many trophies.

“I have always said, and I’ve been very clear on this going back years and years, my preference would have been for an English coach but if you are going to go foreign then go for the best and I certainly think Thomas is that.”

The FA claimed to have interviewed ten candidates, but the Toon chief says he was not one of them and there had been “no contact” from the FA.

Howe was the choice of many to lead the Three Lions into the World Cup, and when asked if he was angry that he had not even been approached for talks, Howe replied: “Absolutely not.

“The FA have to do what is right for them and only they know the processes and decisions that they have made.

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“I’m not the type of person to analyse that and my focus is on Newcastle and trying to win games.

“That’s hard enough to do being 100 per cent focused and I’ll always remain that way to my work but know if you drop your levels then your job becomes impossible. I’ve never allowed myself to do that.”

Howe is perceived by many to be a future England manager, but does he feel that too?

“I don’t visualise that,” he insisted. “I just think about Newcastle and trying to lift a trophy here would be my goal and I’m immersing myself in what I’m in currently. So no other thoughts have entered my head.

“So I don’t take on that feeling and just try to do the best I can.”

Howe has faced constant questions about the England job, despite stating from the off that he wanted to stay at St James’, and admits there is some relief that the chase for Gareth Southgate’s replacement is over.

He said: “There was no-one more pleased than me to see Thomas get the job, really, and take it because it’s just a distraction – not that it distracts me, but you can see it’s unsettling at times when certain things are said and written about.

“The more that everyone can focus on Newcastle – which has always been my only concern – the better.”

Howe focused on Newcastle

Even though it appears FA chiefs overlooked him this time, is it a job that interests him in the future?

“Who knows,” responded Howe. “I’ve always said that you can never predict what’s going to happen in management, you can never plan too far ahead. I certainly don’t.

“I’m a day-to-day planner, while certainly acknowledging that Newcastle – I’ve always said this – has a future and we have to make sure we make the right decisions long-term.

 “But the job takes so many twists and turns, you can’t look too far ahead. I think that’s negative, actually, if you do that, so in terms of my own career and what’s five, 10 years ahead, I don’t know, I’ve got no idea.

“But I’d never say that managing England isn’t something I’d like to do maybe one day if given the opportunity, but my focus is Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle.”

Howe was then asked directly if he would have spoken to the FA if they had knocked on his door, to which he replied: ‘Hypothetical questions are very dangerous to answer.

England still the pinnacle

“Listen, I will talk to anyone who knocks on my front door… but not in the respect of entering conversations about leaving Newcastle.”

Everton boss Sean Dyche has stated that the England job is perhaps no longer the pinnacle for English coaches.

But Howe feels differently, saying: “I think if you are looking to get into international football and you have got that passion for international football then absolutely yes.

“It just depends on your viewpoint. If you look domestically and you love the day-to-day aspect of the job then obviously you’ll have a different answer.

“For me, as a kid I loved World Cups, European Championships, I was obsessed with England trying to win something and I really do hope that Thomas can do that for the country.”

And Howe, whose side face Brighton on Saturday in the Premier League, refused to be drawn on the credentials of other English coaches that were overlooked, saying: “Yes, of course there were candidates. But I’m not going to critique the FA’s decision. The decision is down to them.

“They know a lot more than I do. They will have all the information. I don’t think it’s for me to judge that decision.

“But there are people out there who I think are very, very good who are English and they’re available. I’m sure the FA did their work on that and they’ve come to their decision.”

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