GW6 Kneejerk Check

Each week we track how the biggest transfer swings perform in the game that follows. Last time we looked at GW5 points through the lens of GW4 transfers. This week it's GW6's turn: who managers moved for in GW5, and how those players actually scored.

Overall Picture

Looking at GW5 net transfers against GW6 points:

• Heavy inflows that worked: Haaland (+1.37M) absolutely exploded in GW6 with 16 points including a brace. Reddit's celebration thread hit 1K upvotes as triple captainers enjoyed 48-point hauls. Semenyo (+804k) broke the "most transferred IN curse" twice this season, delivering 8 solid points. Senesi (+859k), dubbed "The Baron" by the community, maintained his perfect DefCon record (6/6 gameweeks) with another 7 points.
• Heavy inflows that blanked: Bruno Fernandes (+319k) delivered a catastrophic -1 points (red card). FPL General notably captained him for this disaster. Richarlison (+496k) disappointed with just 1 point despite being discussed as a "cheeky differential." Donnarumma (+467k) managed only 2 points with almost zero Reddit discussion—a silent template trap.
• Heavy outflows that were punished: Watkins (-511k) finally delivered 8 points in GW6 after five consecutive 2-point hauls (GW1-5). The 511k sellers who "gave up too quickly" after his consistent underperformance were punished for their impatience.
• Heavy outflows that were justified: Palmer (-745k) was ruled out injured (0 points) before the deadline—Manager Maresca confirmed he'd be rested. Those who acted on the news avoided the blank. Ekitiké (-833k) also delivered 0 points to vindicate his sellers. Salah (-624k) only managed 2 points—essentially a blank for a premium asset—so sellers felt no regret despite his status.

Defenders

Defenders had spectacular highs and catastrophic lows this week. Alderete (+94k) delivered an incredible 17-point haul with almost zero hype—a true sleeper pick from Sunderland. Senesi (+859k), nicknamed "The Baron" by the community, is the only player with DefCon points in all 6 gameweeks this season—a template worth following. Gabriel (+179k) rewarded holders with 13 points thanks to his set-piece threat.

On the disaster side: Chalobah (+246k) earned the nickname "Fraudlobah" after receiving a red card for -3 points. And Estève (-145k) scored two own goals for -2 points. The 145K managers who sold him avoided catastrophe. At this rate, he's on track for a promising political career

Midfielders

Midfield was a mixed bag. Semenyo (+804k) continues to impress—one of the rare players to "break the most transferred IN curse" twice, delivering consistent returns when the community backs him. Longstaff (+129) was the ultimate differential with only 129 transfers in, but he rewarded those brave few with 15 points.

The biggest story was Bruno Fernandes (+319k), who delivered -1 points after a red card. FPL General, who publicly committed to avoiding Salah and Haaland all season, captained Bruno for this disaster—Reddit had a field day with that one (692 upvotes). Palmer (-745k) was correctly shipped out after Maresca confirmed his injury absence (0 points). Salah (-624k) only managed 2 points—essentially a blank for his premium price—validating sellers who couldn't justify the cost.

Forwards

Forward transfers were dominated by Haaland (+1.37M), who exploded with 16 points. The Reddit celebration thread was legendary—triple captainers posting 48-point hauls, with one comment joking about the "Fraudlobah" owners who captained Haaland while also owning Chalobah's red card disaster. This was the week template following paid off massively.

Watkins (-511k) punished his sellers with 8 points—a reminder not to give up on premium assets after just five consecutive 2-point hauls (GW1-5). The irony writes itself. Richarlison (+496k) disappointed with just 1 point despite pre-GW6 differential hype. Ekitiké (-833k) blanked with 0 points, vindicating the exodus. Quietly, Thiago (-17k) rewarded the few holders with 13 points, while Buendía (-760) delivered 12 points after rotation fears scared managers away.

Goalkeepers

Goalkeeper transfers showed the dangers of template following. Donnarumma (+467k) was the most popular addition but delivered only 2 points with almost zero Reddit discussion—a sign that 467K managers were following templates blindly rather than researching. Meanwhile, S.Bueno (-319) quietly delivered 12 points after being sold following a GW5 blank. The goalkeeper position remains the most unpredictable, with premium options rarely justifying their cost.

Analysis based on GW5 transfer data and GW6 performance across all Premier League players. Transfer volumes represent net transfers (transfers in minus transfers out) for each player. Community insights gathered from r/FantasyPL discussions.