For those chasing Fantasy Premier League glory this season, few sources of advice carry more weight than the reigning world champion himself. Erik Ibsen, a 23-year-old Danish medical student and Everton supporter, stunned the FPL community last season by finishing first overall among 11 million participants despite having never played the game before.
Speaking to the BBC during a break from his summer exams, Ibsen revealed that his lack of experience was actually central to his success. He avoided paid tipster services and social media influencers, relying instead on his own research and instincts to craft a title-winning squad.
The Dane's first piece of advice centers on patience. Ibsen admitted he languished around eight millionth in the global rankings after the opening gameweek, while his eventual title rival sat in the top 100. Rather than panicking, he stuck to his process across the campaign's 38 gameweeks, arguing that many managers sabotage their season by overreacting to a single poor week instead of planning several fixtures ahead.
Budget management was another cornerstone of his approach. Rather than pouring resources into a handful of elite names, Ibsen prioritized value throughout his entire 15-man squad. He pointed to Brighton's Pascal Gross as an ideal budget option — a set-piece taker at just £5.5m — and stressed the importance of targeting players likely to accumulate defensive contribution points, a strategy he says shielded him from disastrous gameweeks throughout the season.
Despite his allegiance to Everton, Ibsen was careful not to let fandom cloud his judgment. He explained that while he personally admires Toffees forward Thierno Barry, the player's shared minutes with Beto make him a risky FPL pick. Ibsen noted that blending personal loyalty with tactical decision-making is possible, but requires extra diligence — quipping that supporters of bigger clubs like Manchester City have it easier than those following teams further down the table.
Unsurprisingly, Erling Haaland featured prominently in his strategy. The Manchester City striker, the most expensive player in FPL history at £15.5m, was a near-constant fixture in Ibsen's team last season. He argued that Haaland's efficiency allows managers to build strong squads around him without major sacrifices elsewhere, highlighting a hypothetical lineup including Florian Wirtz, Dominik Szoboszlai and Joao Pedro alongside the Norwegian as both affordable and effective.
Ibsen's final tip involves transfer management, encouraging players to bank moves rather than using them immediately. By saving up to five transfers, managers can execute what he calls a