A Replacement For Rooney

Rooneys early injury has drilled a major hole in the plans of many FF managers. The papers are expecting him to be out for anything up to 6-8 weeks, but even an absence of 3 weeks would mean you are better off transferring him out, spending the money elsewhere, and picking him up again once he returns. Rooneys value is sure to fall, and in the meantime if you replace him with an active player your team may well profit nicely; especially if you then pick Rooney up again for a few hundred thousand pounds cheaper.

One good replacement option for Rooney is Benjani of Man City. He is cheap; less than half the price of Rooney at £6.0m. He played all 90 minutes for City, and he scored a nice goal to earn 6 points. He is a likely starter again next week as well against Man Utd, who might be weaker after suffering this loss of Rooney. Then City have Bolton and Charlton; two easier fixtures.

Even if he doesnt score hundreds of points, Benjani will make a fine temporary replacement for Rooney. After scoring a goal on the opening weekend he is unlikely to lose value immediately; meanwhile Rooneys price will plummet as people dump him from their squads. And unless his injury heals in 3 weeks or under (which at this stage is looking unlikely!), many managers will be freeing up the money they have tied up in their star striker - a downward Rooney price spiral is imminent.

Its time to change out Rooney, and Benjani looks like a suitable replacement in the short term.