Fantasy Premier League managers faced a setback over the weekend as Bruno Fernandes left the match against Aston Villa due to a hamstring injury.
The popular FPL midfielder will be out for a while, creating a challenge for managers looking to replace him.
Fernandes leads the Premier League in assists and is among the top-scoring FPL midfielders, tied with Antoine Semenyo. Here are some alternatives to consider.
With Bruno Fernandes likely to spend some time on the sidelines 🤕#FPL managers, what’s your move? pic.twitter.com/fNVykG9pmG
— Fantasy Premier League (@OfficialFPL) December 22, 2025
Fantasy Premier League: Best Replacements for Bruno Fernandes
Matheus Cunha – Manchester United (£8m) – 6%
Upcoming fixtures: Newcastle (H), Wolves (H), Leeds (A)
Matheus Cunha could be a solid replacement for Fernandes. With him sidelined and Bryan Mbeumo at the Africa Cup of Nations, Cunha may take on a bigger role.
Although Manchester United’s attacking strength may come under scrutiny, Cunha has been in good form recently, scoring in consecutive matches against Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
Phil Foden – Manchester City (£8.9m) – 40.6%
Upcoming fixtures: Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (H)
Phil Foden’s value has surged after scoring six times in the last four Premier League games. He is currently priced at £8.9m and boasts over 40% ownership. With Manchester City in good shape, winning five matches in a row, Foden remains key to their attack.
Rayan Cherki – Manchester City (£6.6m) – 8.3%
Upcoming fixtures: Nottingham Forest (A), Sunderland (A), Chelsea (H)
Rayan Cherki has emerged as an attractive FPL choice, starting the last three games for Manchester City. He had a strong performance with a 12-point haul against Sunderland. With injuries impacting the squad, Cherki’s form should keep him in the lineup.
He leads the Premier League in assists per 90 minutes and ranks just behind Erling Haaland for overall goal contributions.
822 minutes played.
🤯 @rayan_cherki pic.twitter.com/L5ZuOzXSyY
— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 22, 2025
Anthony Gordon – Newcastle United (£7.3m) – 3.1%
Upcoming fixtures: Manchester United (A), Burnley (A), Crystal Palace (H)
Anthony Gordon has recorded two double-digit point totals in his last three games and, with just 3.1% ownership, he might be an appealing option.
With a favorable schedule and potentially taking penalties for Newcastle, Gordon could be a valuable addition, though his playing time may vary due to competition for positions.
Florian Wirtz – Liverpool (£8.1m) – 8.2%
Florian Wirtz may have underperformed since joining Liverpool for £116m, but he remains a strong talent. After earning his first league assist last weekend, he’s again a viable FPL option.
With Liverpool’s upcoming matches against Wolves and Leeds, plus a trip to Fulham, Wirtz could see increased opportunities, especially with other key players missing.
Only two players in Europe’s major leagues have scored 10 goals and provided 10 assists in 2023/24 and 2024/25: Mohamed Salah and Florian Wirtz.
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