August 14 – With just two days to go before the Premier League kicks off, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) excitement is at fever pitch. As the first transfer deadline looms, the most sought-after stars are taking shape – we’ve compiled a list of must-haves for your team for the coming season. Thank us later.
It’s crucial to get off on the right foot as the game incurs a two-point deduction for extra transfers once the season begins. Until the lineups are released for the first Premier League game of the season, Manchester United versus Fulham on Friday night, managers can fine-tune as much as they like.
For those not yet fully immersed in the FPL fever each season, Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is a virtual football management game where participants build and manage their own team of real-life Premier League players.
Each week, players earn points based on their actual performance in Premier League matches—such as goals, assists, clean sheets, and saves. Participants are given a budget to select 15 players, including a starting XI and four substitutes, but can make transfers each week to optimise their team’s performance.
The goal is to accumulate the most points over the course of the Premier League season, competing in mini-leagues against friends or globally against millions of other players.
The big hitters:
Thanks to a remarkable end to the season that saw him net 11 goals in the last ten games, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak is an absolute shoe-in up front. For a fee of £8.5 million, the Swede is excellent value compared to his fellow strikers, paired with a favourable opening set of fixtures which should see him score goals.
On the flip side, Manchester City striker Erling Haaland has become a real talking point in the FPL community. Priced at £15 million, making him the most expensive asset in FPL history, the Norwegian comes at a heavy cost but also has a goal guarantee. His huge price tag makes it difficult to fit him into a competitive squad, but it is doable at the expense of dropping stars like Mo Salah (£12.5 million), Cole Palmer (£10.5 million) and Bukayo Saka (£10 million) for more budget-friendly options.
Chelsea star man Cole Palmer was the top points scorer last year, helped by Haaland’s stint on the injury table, which has earned him a price rise to £10.5 million this season. He’s still good value, though, as he remains Chelsea’s key source of goals and is also chief penalty taker.
In defence, Trent Alexander-Arnold is once again the most expensive player at £7 million, but fans can expect him to put up good assist numbers whilst benefitting from clean sheet bonus points thanks to his game status as a defender. Also amongst the top picks are Arsenal’s William Saliba (£6m) and Manchester City’s Josko Gvardiol.
The budget options:
Crystal Palace’s Joachim Andersen looks to be good value at just £4.5 million. The player picked up 121 points last season, just one less than £7 million-rated Trent Alexander-Arnold, and has a guaranteed place in a solid-looking Palace back line. Glasner’s side have a favourable opening to the season, too, which two winnable fixtures against Brentford and West Ham on the agenda.
Spurs new record signing Dominic Solanke is priced at a very reasonable £7.5 million. The Englishman scored 19 league goals last season for Bournemouth and is more than capable of replicating that figure with a top team like Spurs. As the club’s record signing, Solanke will likely play the majority of minutes and could even take over penalty duty from Son Heung-Min.
As one of the cheapest players in the game at £4 million, Brighton fullback Valentin Barco is a sensible pick for squad depth. Whilst he might not tally the same points as a Trent or Saliba, the Argentine represents guaranteed minutes in the absence of Pervis Estupinan, who has been ruled out for the start of the season with injury. As a result, you get some guaranteed points at a low cost which frees up some budget to land a top player like Haaland or Salah.
With just two days until the Premier League roars back to life, whether you’re stacking your squad with heavy hitters like Haaland or scouting out budget gems like Barco, the time to tinker is now.
Contact the writer of this story, Harry Ewing, at moc.l1735107809labto1735107809ofdlr1735107809owedi1735107809sni@g1735107809niwe.1735107809yrrah1735107809