Calafiori's goal against Leeds makes him worth checking, but the more interesting decision is what you would be buying next. Brighton's Luka Vuskovic has a testing run after Crystal Palace, Evanilson offers Bournemouth a route to creation as well as finishing, and Belloumi needs his starting place back.
This GW7 pickup shortlist follows GW6 of 2026/27. Ownership figures come from a TFF sample, not your league: check locally before planning a move. Role and minutes expectations are forecasts from recent use. In a strong 4–6-manager league, passing on these options can be sensible.
Riccardo Calafiori: Priority claim
An Arsenal defender getting on the scoresheet is an obvious Classic talking point. Calafiori's goal against Leeds supplies the football reason to look, but it isn't a reason to expect another goal immediately. Nottingham Forest away and Everton at home come before the Liverpool trip, so this is a decision about the sequence rather than a one-match purchase.
His recent use points towards a starting defensive role, with substitutions still possible: he has played 500 minutes across six appearances. A 6.5 Classic average gives that involvement some fantasy substance. He leads this shortlist when you need a defender, provided the outgoing player offers less than dependable minutes and occasional attacking involvement.
- Fixtures: Nottingham Forest (A), Everton (H), Liverpool (A). Two away trips require usable alternatives.
- League size: Priority consideration in 8–12; compare with stronger incumbents in 4–6.
- Claim tier: Top priority here for a clear defensive upgrade.
- Drop: An unused rotation defender, while retaining positional cover.
- Risk: A recent goal can inflate expectations; neither another attacking return nor a full match is assured.
Luka Vuskovic: Solid claim
The Crystal Palace home game makes Vuskovic tempting, but Brighton then visit Liverpool and Manchester City. Taking him requires a plan for those matches. Don't let the first fixture turn a player you only want briefly into a claim you regret when the schedule changes.
His six starts and 528 minutes make another start and substantial involvement a reasonable forecast. The Classic record is useful too, with a last-three average of 7.3 against 6.8 overall. That makes him a credible deeper-league option, not a promise of improving returns through the next run. He suits a manager who can choose when to use him rather than someone needing one defender to solve every lineup decision.
- Fixtures: Crystal Palace (H), Liverpool (A), Manchester City (A). Assess both away games before claiming.
- League size: Most useful in 10–12; selective in 8, and readily passed over in 4–6.
- Claim tier: Medium priority; avoid using your strongest claim for one home fixture.
- Drop: A peripheral defender with little practical lineup use.
- Risk: The away sequence may leave him less useful than his recent points suggest.
Evanilson: Forward fallback
Evanilson's Bournemouth contribution has involved providing for others as well as finishing. One goal and three assists across 515 minutes make that distinction useful: this is a forward with repeated involvement, not evidence that a run of goals is about to arrive. Two home matches offer a reason to investigate, while the Manchester United trip sits between them.
Recent usage suggests he is likely to start and receive substantial minutes, although neither is guaranteed. His Classic average of 4.2 keeps the recommendation measured. He becomes interesting when the alternative is a forward who barely plays; he is much less compelling when your bench already contains a useful attacker.
- Fixtures: Sunderland (H), Manchester United (A), Leeds United (H). Consider both home opportunities.
- League size: More relevant in 10–12; compare alternatives in 8. Smaller leagues may pass.
- Claim tier: Medium in a thin deep-league pool; otherwise wait for free agency.
- Drop: A seldom-used bench forward with uncertain involvement.
- Risk: Creation and starts do not guarantee goals or a better return than your current options.
Mohamed Belloumi: Conditional deep-league watch
An equaliser against Everton earns attention, but Belloumi scored it from the bench. That is the central decision. A player who can influence a match in a short appearance can still be difficult to use in a fantasy lineup.
After five prior starts, his GW6 involvement lasted 26 minutes. Another short outing remains possible, so a return to starting must stay a condition rather than an assumption. His last-three Classic average of 7.3 explains the interest, but the role uncertainty keeps him behind the other options. The two upcoming home fixtures only become persuasive if he gets enough time to use them.
- Fixtures: Fulham (A), Brentford (H), Ipswich Town (H). Minutes come before fixture appeal.
- League size: Conditional watch in 10–12 only; usually pass in 8 and smaller leagues.
- Claim tier: Wait for free agency; never a priority claim on this evidence.
- Drop: Only a genuinely expendable final bench option, preserving cover.
- Risk: The substitute role could persist despite his recent scoring contribution.
The decision
Calafiori is the strongest claim for a defensive need. Evanilson is the best free-agency fallback if still available and your forward cover is weak. Belloumi remains a conditional deep-league watch. Review how waivers and free agents work, compare the player you would release, then check your league's player pool.
