FOR many years, Casemiro (£3.1m) had a Fernandinho-esque talent for avoiding red cards.
Much like his compatriot, the five-time Champions League winner has always picked up more than his fair share of yellows through enforcing challenges but somehow stayed on the tightrope when it seemed for all the world he would be dismissed.
Real Madrid fans became happily accustomed to the sight of the midfielder grinning apologetically as the referee gave him a warning instead of marching orders.
However, that magical power seems to have deserted Casemiro in recent weeks.
The 31-year-old saw red for the second time this season at the weekend when a VAR review resulted in an early bath during Southampton’s visit to Old Trafford.
He now faces a four-game suspension in domestic football, something Dream Team managers can’t afford to stomach.
Manchester United will miss their midfield general in the coming weeksCredit: GETTY
All things considered, Casemiro has excelled in his debut Dream Team campaign, he’s one of just eleven players in his position on 100+ points at this stage – a superb effort for a defensive anchor.
As a result, he’s among the top ten most-popular midfielders but his ownership will now nosedive as gaffers seek a replacement.
Here we’ve identified three potential candidates in the same price range.
Alexis Mac Allister (£3.2m) is 13 points shy of a century after his goal at Elland Road.
The World Cup winner has been playing as a No10 in recent weeks, hence an increase in attacking contributions.
Most importantly, the Argentina international is currently Brighton’s penalty taker, something Dream Team bosses should always note.
Brighton midfielders have performed very well in Dream Team this season
The Seagulls are one of the better teams in the Premier League going forward, only Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool have scored more goals and Roberto De Zerbi’s side have games in hand over those four teams.
Mac Allister and company also have the luxury of a favourable FA Cup match-up against Grimsby this coming weekend.
Kaoru Mitoma (£3.9m) and Solly March (£3.5m) are similarly strong options though they’ll require some extra budget.
Alternatively, Miguel Almiron (£3.3m) may fit the bill for those in need of a Casemiro replacement.
The Paraguayan winger is enjoying the best season of his Newcastle career, emphasised by his winner against Wolves on Sunday.
That strike was his 11th league goal of the season, only five players have more to their name at the time of writing.
Almiron is having the season of his lifeCredit: GETTY
The 29-year-old is one of those midfielders into triple figures for Dream Team points in 2022/23.
One possible blockade here is that Almiron was benched at the weekend but Eddie Howe has every reason to reinstate him into the starting line-up following his match-winning exploits.
Our third recommendation is Brenann Johnson (£2.8m) who is generously categorised as a midfielder.
In reality, the Welshman leads the line for Nottingham Forest and his performances since the World Cup have given Steve Cooper’s side every chance of staying up.
Johnson has scored seven goals and provided two assists since the restart, not to mention three Star Man awards.
