Fantasy Premier League managers are preparing their squads ahead of the new Premier League campaign, which begins on Friday as defending champions Arsenal host Championship winners Coventry City. With a fixed budget of £100m, the challenge remains the same: blend premium performers with value picks capable of delivering points across the 38-game season.
In attack, Erling Haaland (£15.5m) is once again the standout premium option, and the only forward in that top bracket. The Manchester City striker is owned by close to 75 per cent of FPL managers and remains the most popular captaincy choice, despite limited pre-season minutes following his involvement in a major international tournament.
Among midfielders, Bruno Fernandes (£12.0m) finished last season with the second-highest points total in FPL and continues to contribute goals, assists and set-piece deliveries for Manchester United, who face favourable opening fixtures against newly promoted Hull and Ipswich. However, his price and United's added Champions League commitments raise questions, with alternatives such as Bukayo Saka and Cole Palmer (both £9.5m) available at a similar level, plus cheaper options like Antoine Semenyo (£8.5m), Morgan Gibbs-White (£8.0m), Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m) and Matheus Cunha (£8.0m).
In defence, Gabriel Magalhaes (£8.0m) enters the season as the most expensive defender since Trent Alexander-Arnold, having recorded the third-highest points total ever for a defender last term. Arsenal's set-piece threat and defensive solidity underpin his appeal, though the club's injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber add uncertainty. Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) remains a reliable alternative following Liverpool's improved defensive record, while Nico O'Reilly (£6.5m) has risen in price due to his advanced role for Manchester City, albeit with competition from Josko Gvardiol (£5.5m).
Goalkeeping options are led by Arsenal's David Raya (£6.0m), who has recorded the most Premier League clean sheets for three consecutive seasons and has missed just one match in two years. Everton's Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) offers a higher-volume alternative for those seeking shot-stopping returns rather than clean sheets.
In the mid-price bracket, Chelsea's Joao Pedro (£7.5m) has emerged as a popular forward pick, boasting over 50 per cent ownership after scoring eight goals in seven pre-season appearances as the club's first-choice striker without European football to manage. Elsewhere, Phil Foden (£7.0m) and Florian Wirtz (£7.5m) are seen as potential bargains if they can rediscover top form, while Declan Rice (£7.5m) remains valued for his blend of goals, assists and defensive contributions.
For budget-conscious managers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) stands out among forwards due to his penalty-taking duties and status as Leeds United's first-choice striker, while Brighton's Pascal Gross (£5.5m) is highlighted as a strong option in midfield thanks to his set-piece and penalty responsibilities. In defence, Luke Shaw (£4.5m) and Tyrick Mitchell (£4.5m) offer value, and rotating budget goalkeepers such as Antonin Kinsky (£4.5m) and Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m) is presented as a viable long-term strategy.
With so many permutations available across all four price tiers, FPL managers face no shortage of decisions before their squads are locked in for the opening gameweek.
Based on reporting from The Independent.