Salah and Saka Lead the Way in Dream Team Gameweek 1
The opening weekend of the new season did not disappoint for Dream Team managers, with some top performers ticking all the boxes. Erling Haaland, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and the top three teams from last season all impressed, keeping clean sheets and making their mark on the scoresheet. However, it is Mohamed Salah and Bukayo Saka who currently sit at the top of the rankings after Gameweek 1.
Salah, Liverpool’s talisman, showed his class once again as he scored and assisted in Liverpool’s 2-0 victory over Ipswich. Despite the Tractor Boys putting up a strong resistance for the majority of the game, Salah’s attacking prowess shone through in the final half-hour. In his 350th game for the club, he set up Diogo Jota for a goal before finding the back of the net himself just five minutes later. Salah’s performance was unmatched over the weekend, registering the most shots on target with three. As a result, he earned a whopping 15 points, which doubled to 30 for those who chose him as their captain.
Meanwhile, Arsenal’s young star, Bukayo Saka, also made a statement with a goal and an assist in Arsenal’s 2-0 win. Saka provided a delightful cross for Kai Havertz to convert in the first half and then showcased his trademark left-footed power with a goal of his own in the second half. Saka’s performance was almost flawless, with three shots on target. Unfortunately, a booking cost him a point, bringing his total to 15 points for the game.
The early joint-leadership of Salah and Saka serves as a reminder to Dream Team managers about the importance of premium options. While finding value-for-money players is crucial, it is equally important to recognize which expensive stars are worth the investment. Salah, for example, has consistently finished among the top point-scorers in Dream Team for the past seven seasons. He has averaged an impressive 30 goals per season across all competitions during that time. With Liverpool’s favorable fixtures until October, it is surprising that approximately three-quarters of managers decided to go without him from the start.
Salah’s form may have dipped towards the end of last season, but his historical pedigree and fast start should not be overlooked. It will be interesting to see how his ownership rises leading up to Brentford’s visit to Anfield in Gameweek 2. The combination of Salah and Saka, along with Haaland, comes at a cost of £21.5 million, which amounts to 43% of a manager’s starting budget. However, their impressive return of 39 points in Gameweek 1 speaks for itself.
In conclusion, while it’s essential to find value-for-money players in Dream Team, investing in premium options like Salah and Saka can pay off handsomely. Their early success is a testament to the importance of recognizing the potential of expensive stars and making the necessary sacrifices elsewhere in the team. With their strong performances in Gameweek 1, Salah and Saka have set the bar high for the rest of the season.