Captaincy options for Gameweek 37: Cole Palmer to roll back the months for Chelsea’s double header?

DREAM TEAM managers have until 2:30pm on Sunday to select their captain for the final Gameweek of the 2024/25 season.

Given that Chelsea are the only team set to play twice, Cole Palmer (£4.9m) has to be considered a strong candidate for the armband.

Dream Team

An extra fixture at his disposal[/caption]

The Blues will take on Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Sunday to complete their Premier League campaign before facing Real Betis in the Conference League final on Wednesday night.

With Champions League qualification hanging in the balance, Enzo Maresca will not have the luxury of naming a second-string XI against Forest, meaning Palmer is likely to start both fixtures.

The England international started the season in superb form but his returns have dwindled in recent months.

He’s scored 15 goals in all competitions this campaign but just one since the start of February.

Palmer’s reduced effectiveness is certainly a concern but many Dream Team bosses will feel his additional fixture is the overriding factor.

His overall record of 322 points at an average of 7.7 per game remains highly impressive.

And the fact he is Chelsea’s first-choice penalty-taker is also a significant plus point.

EPA

Salah has a good record against Crystal Palace[/caption]

Elsewhere, Mohamed Salah (£6.6m) is due to face Crystal Palace at Anfield.

Like most Liverpool players, the Egyptian all but checked out the moment the league title was secured but on Sunday the Reds might meet an opponent even more hungover than themselves in the form of Oliver Glasner’s FA Cup winners.

With both sides having achieved their goals, this meeting could be an open contest, which might play into Salah’s hands.

The 32-year-old has registered 13 goal involvements in 13 league games against Palace as a Liverpool player.

Gaffers with Bukayo Saka (£5.8m) in their ranks will be tempted to captain him ahead of Arsenal’s trip to Southampton.

EPA

Saka will finish his campaign with a trip to Southampton[/caption]

St Mary’s will play host to the biggest mismatch of the final weekend in terms of league positions: 20th versus 2nd.

The Gunners’ No7 has scored 12 goals and provided 17 assists this season – an incredible record given he missed three months with a hamstring injury.

Saka scored against Saints in the reverse fixture and will fancy his chances of exploiting the top flight’s worst defence again.

Elsewhere, Jarrod Bowen (£5.6m) is well placed to finish the season in style against Ipswich having scored four goals in his last five outings.

Shutterstock Editorial

A wildcard option[/caption]

And if the Europa League final is any indicator, Ollie Watkins (£4.6m) and/or Morgan Rogers (£4.4m) could have their wicked way with Manchester United.

One suspects Palmer will be the popular captain among the most engaged managers but there are viable alternatives for those who want to go against the grain.

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