With Gameweek 9 approaching, several popular Fantasy Premier League picks are giving managers reasons to reconsider.

Injuries have disrupted a few squads, while some players who looked promising earlier in the season are struggling to deliver.

Here are five players I’d consider selling or avoiding before Saturday’s deadline. Want more Fantasy tips? You can also read our guide to the FPL players to sign in GW9.

1. Joao Pedro (Chelsea) – out of FPL through injury

Price: 7.8m

Ownership: 63.3%

Position: Forward

Opponents: MUN (H), SUN (A), LEE (H)

Joao Pedro is the obvious one this week, although it’s frustrating given Chelsea’s next few fixtures.

The Brazilian has five goals and three assists this season, but Xabi Alonso confirmed on Tuesday that a thigh injury will keep him out for a few weeks.

Manchester United, Sunderland and Leeds are exactly the games owners would have been hoping to target. Instead, more than a million managers have already moved him on, and you can see why.

There’s no confirmed return date, so keeping 7.8m on the bench is a gamble. Jackson and Evanilson both look decent replacements with kinder fixture runs.

2. Rayan Cherki (Man City) – a Fantasy Premier League enigma

Price: 8m

Ownership: 38.1%

Position: Midfielder

Opponents: BHA (H), NFO (A), FUL (H)

Cherki can win you a Gameweek but it’s becoming difficult to know when he’ll actually get the minutes to do it.

The City midfielder has four goals and two assists, yet he was left on the bench throughout against Ipswich Town before being taken off at half-time against Aston Villa.

Phil Foden’s return to form only makes the competition for those attacking positions tougher.

Brighton & Hove Albion at home is an attractive fixture, which makes selling feel risky. But 8.0m is a lot for someone who might play 45 minutes.

I’d avoid bringing Cherki in until his place looks more secure.

3. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds United) – better FPL options

Price: 6.1m

Ownership: 21%

Position: Forward

Opponents: BOU (A), TOT (H), CHE (A)

Calvert-Lewin looked a decent budget option a couple of weeks ago, but the points haven’t followed the chances.

The Leeds striker has blanked in five of eight Gameweeks, leaving him on 35 points despite being one of the most-owned forwards in FPL.

Bournemouth away isn’t impossible, especially given their defensive record, but Spurs at home and Chelsea away follow, so there’s no obvious reason to rush into the transfer.

Calvert-Lewin has had good opportunities in the box and could easily score this weekend. Still, at 6.1m I’d rather put the money towards Evanilson or Jackson, or use a cheaper bench striker.

4. Gonzalo Garcia (Fulham) – Fantasy returns fall short

Price: 6m

Ownership: 5.5%

Position: Forward

Opponents: AVL (A), NEW (H), MCI (A)

Gonzalo is a frustrating one because the underlying numbers are better than his returns.

The Fulham forward has just one goal and no assists from eight starts, despite accumulating around 3.6 expected goals.

The new signing also blanked against Ipswich, Hull City and Coventry City – the three fixtures owners were banking on when they bought him.

Fulham did win their last two matches, but the schedule now changes sharply with Aston Villa away, Newcastle at home and Manchester City away.

At 6.0m, Garcia isn’t a disaster if he’s your bench striker. But I’d be looking at moving him on if you’re relying on him to start every week.

5. Riccardo Calafiori (Arsenal) – Fantasy Premier League injury doubt

Price: 6m

Ownership: 41%

Position: Defender

Opponents: LIV (A), HUL (H), NEW (A)

Calafiori is more of an avoid than an automatic sell. The Arsenal defender has been a great pick, with a goal, two assists and 45 points, but a hip issue restricted him to an appearance from the bench against Everton.

The Italy international is currently flagged at 75 per cent ahead of Liverpool away, which is hardly the fixture you’d choose for an expensive defender carrying a fitness doubt.

There is a reason not to panic, though: Hull at home follows in Gameweek 10. If you’ve got decent cover, I’d wait for Arteta’s press conference rather than sell immediately.

Anyone buying fresh should probably look elsewhere until Calafiori’s fully fit.