GW7 Kneejerk Check

Each week we track how the biggest transfer swings perform in the game that follows. Last time we looked at GW6 points through the lens of GW5 transfers. This week it's GW7's turn: who managers moved for in GW6, and how those players actually scored.

Overall Picture

Looking at GW6 net transfers against GW7 points:

• Heavy inflows that worked: Semenyo (+522k) delivered a spectacular 18-point GW7 haul (2 goals, 1 assist, 3 bonus). The Reddit celebration thread exploded with 3.5K upvotes as he proved doubters wrong—attacking returns in 5 of 7 gameweeks solidified him as Bournemouth's star. Haaland (+982k) maintained his template status with 8 solid points (1 goal, clean sheet, 2 bonus) despite Rodri's injury, as the community agreed "Haaland will go from scoring goals to scoring goals" regardless of midfield setup. Gabriel (+498k) rewarded template followers with 9 points (clean sheet + 1 bonus) continuing his improved DefCon form.
• Heavy inflows that blanked: Senesi (+663k), "The Baron," had his perfect DefCon streak (6/6 gameweeks) end with substitution at 77 minutes for just 2 points—despite the massive inflows based on his established reliability. Alderete (+405k) exemplified classic knee-jerk behavior—massive inflows chasing his 17-point GW6 heroics (goal + CS), followed immediately by exactly 0 points in GW7 (yellow card, conceded 2). Anthony (+395k) was featured in differential picks analysis but managed only 1 point, though his underlying stats (xGI, consistent minutes) suggest patience. He's currently doubtful with a knock (75% chance to play).
• Heavy outflows that were punished: Malen (-5k) delivered 15 points (2 goals, 3 bonus) in 83 minutes despite Emery's "bald fraud" benching decisions—the community's "just sell atp" advice proved premature when he finally got minutes. Kudus (-103k) rewarded holders with 12 points (1 goal, 1 assist, 3 bonus, minus yellow card) after many planned to sell him before GW7. Gakpo (-337k) scored 7 points (1 goal) despite pre-GW7 outflows driven by Isak's Liverpool signing creating minutes uncertainty—sellers left points on the table.
• Heavy outflows that were justified: Salah (-663k) blanked with just 2 points for the second consecutive gameweek. Reddit's "Salah Replacement Thread" (443 votes) captured the exodus: "What the fuck has happened to him" dominated discussion, with age (32), loss of Trent, and AFCON concerns driving massive selling. João Pedro (-588k) earned multiple "fraud" posts after taking his first shot in 5 matches—off-target with 0.03 xG. Community called him "statistically the worst forward in the league." Wood (-496k) saw outflows after limited minutes, delivering just 2 points with a 63-minute substitution.

Defenders

Defenders showed the classic template trap this week. Alderete (+405k) was the poster child for knee-jerk regret—after his stunning 17-point GW6 (goal + CS), 405K managers piled in only to watch him deliver exactly 0 points in GW7: 90 minutes played, yellow card, and conceded 2 goals (2 - 1 - 1 = 0). Part of the early-season "defenders dominating" narrative (GW1: Ballard 17pts, GW2: Timber 24pts, GW3: Guéhi 15pts, GW6: Alderete 17pts), but the volatility bit back immediately.

Senesi (+663k), "The Baron," had his perfect DefCon streak (6/6 gameweeks) end in GW7 with a 77-minute substitution for just 2 points. Despite the disappointment, the 663K inflows showed community faith in his season-long reliability—one poor gameweek doesn't undermine established consistency. Gabriel (+498k) rewarded template followers with 9 points (clean sheet + 1 bonus), his dramatically improved DefCon output this season (averaging almost 10 defensive contribution points vs only +4 last season) driven by Arsenal's tactical changes.

On the outflow side: Cucurella (-355k) delivered a respectable 7 points (assist + 2 bonus) despite outflows, though the historical "Salah vs Cucurella" matchup discussion (203 votes, 9 days before GW7) may have influenced selling decisions ahead of the Chelsea fixture.

Midfielders

Midfield was dominated by two massive storylines. Semenyo (+522k) delivered the week's best performance with 18 points (2 goals, 1 assist, 3 bonus). His Reddit celebration thread hit 3.5K upvotes with the community noting he's delivered attacking returns in 5 of 7 gameweeks—one of the rare players to "break the most transferred IN curse" this season. The earlier "Semenyo is a fraud" thread (716 upvotes) looks foolish now.

The exodus stories were equally dramatic. Salah (-663k) experienced the highest net transfers out after his second consecutive 2-point blank. The "Salah Replacement Thread" (443 votes, 211 comments) captured the community's frustration: "What the fuck has happened to him" and "If you still own Salah it's over for you" dominated discussion. Age concerns (32), loss of Trent Alexander-Arnold, poor finishing vs Chelsea, and approaching AFCON all contributed to the massive selling pressure. Top replacements mentioned: Saka, Semenyo, Isak, Wirtz, Estevão.

Bruno G. (-9k) quietly delivered 14 points (1 goal, 1 assist, clean sheet, 3 bonus) with minimal transfer activity. He was highlighted in the "90 Minute Men" analysis (150 votes, 1 month ago) as a consistent performer, and those who held were rewarded. Kudus (-103k) punished sellers with 12 points (1 goal, 1 assist, 3 bonus, minus 1 for yellow card) after the community was planning to sell him before GW7. His post-performance thread asked "are you now holding?" as his first goal/assist for Tottenham changed minds.

Anthony (+395k) managed only 1 point in 58 minutes despite being featured in differential picks analysis ("High xGI, Good minutes, Wolves concede a lot"). Now doubtful with a knock (75% chance to play), making the 395K inflows look premature despite strong underlying metrics.

Forwards

Forward transfers revealed fascinating behavioral patterns. Haaland (+982k) maintained his template status with 8 solid points (1 goal, clean sheet, 2 bonus) despite Rodri's injury. The "What impact does Rodri's injury have on Haaland?" thread (325 votes) produced the definitive answer: "Haaland will go from scoring goals to scoring goals" (520 upvotes). Community consensus: Rodri has been "a shadow of his former self" this season, and midfield concerns don't impact Haaland's scoring ability.

The disaster story was João Pedro (-588k), who earned multiple "fraud" posts (325 votes, 93 comments). His first shot in 5 matches came in GW7—off-target with 0.03 xG for 2 points total. The community was brutal: "This is my third post calling out this donkey" and "Statistically Pedro is the worst FWD in the league." The 588K outflows were rational given his poor statistical profile.

Wood (-496k) saw massive outflows after his 63-minute substitution in GW7 (2 points). The "Chris Wood is subbed off before 60 minutes" post (466 votes) captured community concern about his limited playing time at Nottingham Forest—minutes are the main worry, not ability.

Two players punished their sellers: Malen (-5k) delivered 15 points (2 goals, 3 bonus) in 83 minutes despite the "Malen - Bald Fraud?" thread questioning whether Emery would ever start him. Comments like "just sell atp, emery seems stubborn" and "Emery is actively sabotaging his own attack" reflected frustration with his benching. When finally given minutes, he proved his quality. Gakpo (-337k) scored 7 points (1 goal) despite pre-GW7 selling driven by Isak's Liverpool signing. The "Gakpo's Minutes after Isak signs" post (649 votes, 1 month ago) created minutes uncertainty that drove transfers out before his solid return.

Analysis based on GW6 transfer data and GW7 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 during the GW6-GW7 transfer window.