With AFCON 2025 set to impact the Premier League from Gameweeks 16–23, Fantasy Premier League managers face a crucial period of planning.
Several popular assets, including Mohamed Salah (£14.2m), Bryan Mbeumo (£8.6m), Iliman Ndiaye (£6.6m), and Ismaila Sarr (£6.7m), will depart, removing key attacking options from FPL teams and creating opportunities elsewhere.
Following on from our previous AFCON article, where we covered tournament dates and which players were leaving, we will now go on to more specific matters to break down the best replacements and the players who might benefit the most once AFCON absences kick in.
I would advise referring to the FPL Fixture Ticker throughout the article and also when planning for your own team.
The standout swap for Sarr and Ndiaye? Enter, Minteh
Two big AFCON losses from two clubs in good form are Crystal Palace’s Sarr and Everton’s Ndiaye. Both have been influential wide attackers, and their departures open a major gap in their teams’ forward structures.
The obvious replacement is Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh (£6.1m). He is nailed in the starting XI and the main playmaker for his side this season, with one goal and seven assists.
Brighton have one of the strongest fixture runs over the AFCON period. From Gameweek 15 to 22, they play West Ham (H), Sunderland (H), West Ham (A), Burnley (H) and Bournemouth (H).
Palace play Fulham (A) in Gameweek 15 when Brighton host West Ham at home, so this looks like a good time to make the Sarr to Minteh switch.
If you own Ndiaye, then Gameweek 16 might be a better time to move to Minteh. Everton have a nice home game against Nottingham Forest in Gameweek 15, while Brighton play Liverpool (A) in Gameweek 16. It’s not the best entry point, but a lot of their fixtures thereafter are great.
And the fact that Minteh is cheaper than Sarr and Ndiaye makes him the standout pick.
How to replace Salah and Mbeumo?
With Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo leaving huge holes in FPL managers’ teams, their replacements will have big boots to fill.
With Mbeumo (and Amad, £6.3m) gone, Matheus Cunha (£7.9m) instantly becomes a nailed starter with increased expected minutes for Manchester United. Ruben Amorim’s system will rely on him heavily either as a central creator, second striker, or wide forward.
Cunha is especially appealing for managers selling Salah, as the Egyptian’s £14.2m price allows the redistribution of funds across the team. Upgrading two or three positions, including moving for Cunha, can significantly strengthen squad depth.
For Mbeumo sellers, Cunha is an even neater fit: a similar price point, strong fixtures, and suddenly no rotation threat.
Bruno Fernandes (£8.9m) is also an option if you do not already own. You will need money in the bank if you have Mbeumo, but it’s an easy move for Salah owners. A nailed-on, 90-minute penalty-taking player during the festive period is worth its weight in gold.
Newcastle United’s Anthony Gordon (£7.3m) has fantastic fixtures over the AFCON period, his minutes are strong and he’s also the first-choice penalty-taker. It’s a potent mix that makes him a great option and a big differential.
From Gameweek 15, Eddie Howe’s team play Burnley (H), Sunderland (A), Burnley (A), Leeds (H) and Wolves (A).
Anthony Gordon, left, might prove an FPL coup during AFCON (Daniel Chesterton/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
The player who could benefit from AFCON absences…
Schade and Thiago to thrive without Ouattara at Brentford?
With Dango Ouattara (£6.0m) leaving for AFCON, Brentford’s attack becomes significantly more predictable. Igor Thiago (£6.5m) already looks essential, but the key beneficiary is Kevin Schade (£7.0m).
When Brentford don’t have Ouattara, their system typically shifts to a 5-3-2, with Schade partnering Thiago up front. That makes Schade an out-of-position midfielder who might get striker minutes.
Brentford’s fixture run over the AFCON period doesn’t get much better either. From Gameweek 15 to 23, their fixtures include Leeds (H), Wolves (A), Bournemouth (H), Spurs (H), Sunderland (H) and Nottingham Forest (H).
It means Schade becomes a serious option for managers who need a mid-priced midfielder with high upside. And his minutes have already been great: he’s started every game since Gameweek 2 while playing 90 minutes eight times.
Why Salah’s absence might unlock new Liverpool assets
With Liverpool’s star player set to be missing for a period of time, there are a few players who could benefit from this.
Jeremie Frimpong (£5.7m) is currently injured, but if he’s back in time, then he may well get the right-wing spot.
Arne Slot has mentioned this previously, so like Schade we could see another out-of-position player if he recovers in time. Frimpong is also no stranger to playing in a more advanced role on the right, having played as a right wing-back at his previous club Bayer Leverkusen.
Could Jeremie Frimpong deputise for Mohamed Salah on Liverpool’s right wing? (Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Salah’s departure might also enforce a tactical shift, which means Florian Wirtz (£8.0m), Cody Gakpo (£7.5m), Alexander Isak (£10.4m) and Hugo Ekitike (£8.5m) play together.
Liverpool assets may not seem too appealing now, but four gameweeks is a long time in FPL. They may well have hit form by then.
O’Reilly set for increased minutes at City?
Omar Marmoush (£8.3m) and Rayan Ait-Nouri (£5.7m) will be missed by Pep Guardiola over the festive period. Marmoush’s absence won’t be felt as much as City have an array of attackers to choose from.
However, Ait-Nouri’s absence further increases Nico O’Reilly’s (£5.0m) minutes, who has already impressed at left-back. He has started eight games this season, picking up a goal and two assists.
Ait-Nouri is only recently back from injury, so it will be interesting to see how his return affects O’Reilly’s minutes before the Algerian sets off for AFCON.
Proactivity (ahead of reactivity) remains key
Minteh, Cunha, and Gordon offer great fixtures and secure minutes at crucial price points. Meanwhile, emerging beneficiaries such as Schade, O’Reilly, and potentially Frimpong provide high-upside opportunities.
But the key to navigating this period successfully is proactive planning, not reactive transfers.
Keeping an eye on fixture swings, monitoring player roles, and identifying early trends will allow you to maximise the value of their squads while others are scrambling.