Fantasy Premier League managers are still finalising squads ahead of the new campaign, and with the obvious premiums — Erling Haaland, Bruno Fernandes — already in millions of teams, the edge tends to come from the less-trodden paths. Here are eight players worth considering, along with the numbers that make the case for each.

Florian Wirtz, Liverpool — MID, £7.5m

Around 14% ownership makes Wirtz one of the more useful differentials at this price tier. New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has been open about wanting him in a central number-10 role behind Alexander Isak, and pre-season friendlies have reflected that intent. Playing higher up the pitch should increase his touches in the final third. Last season Wirtz showed quality without fully converting it into FPL returns; a second Premier League campaign under a manager who appears to have a clear plan for him improves that outlook considerably. Fewer than half the managers who own Dominik Szoboszlai have also backed Wirtz — so if he delivers, the rank upside is real.

Pascal Gross, Brighton — MID, £5.5m

Under 11% ownership, yet the case for Gross is straightforward. Danny Welbeck's departure to Chelsea should hand him penalty duties — he converted a spot-kick in Brighton's pre-season win over Strasbourg — and he also chipped in with a free-kick assist in the same match. Layer on his existing corner and set-piece responsibilities and you have multiple routes to returns that most £5.5m midfielders simply do not offer. Brighton continue to generate chances under Fabian Hurzeler, and Gross is central to how they build and attack dead balls. At this price, he functions as a practical budget enabler: he quietly accumulates points while freeing up funds for the big hitters.

Antonin Kinsky, Tottenham — GKP, £4.5m

Kinsky looks like one of the standout budget goalkeeper options. He claimed the Spurs starting spot towards the end of last season under Roberto de Zerbi — and crucially, De Zerbi stuck with him even after Guglielmo Vicario returned from injury. That vote of confidence matters. There is still some competition for the gloves at Spurs, so it's worth monitoring pre-season, but if Kinsky holds the shirt, the combination of clean-sheet potential, save points and a £4.5m price tag makes him excellent value. He does not need to produce huge hauls to justify his selection.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Liverpool — MID, £7m

Szoboszlai finished last season as Liverpool's second-highest FPL scorer with 160 points — only Virgil van Dijk (175) topped him at the club. He scored 13 goals across all competitions, including four direct free-kicks, and contributed defensive contribution (defcon) points through his pressing work. Liverpool's opening five gameweeks — Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Ipswich, Fulham, Bournemouth — look genuinely appealing. There are legitimate questions about exactly where he fits under Iraola if Wirtz takes the number-10 slot, but the Hungarian's versatility means he could operate in several positions without losing minutes. At £7m, that points return history is hard to ignore.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin — FWD

The source names Calvert-Lewin as one of the eight recommended picks. His price and club are not confirmed in the excerpt available, but the experts' inclusion of him suggests he offers value in a forward slot — likely at a mid-range price point. One to watch as squads are confirmed.

João Pedro — FWD/MID

Similarly highlighted by the FPL experts panel, João Pedro's inclusion points to expectation of a productive campaign. As with Calvert-Lewin, full details from the source are partial, so treat his selection as a flag to investigate further once team news firms up.

Why Differentials Matter This Season

The common thread across these picks is ownership. When a player like Wirtz sits at 14% while a comparable Liverpool asset sits closer to 50%, the potential rank movement from a single strong gameweek is significantly larger. That asymmetry is where FPL titles are often decided — not by the obvious calls everyone makes, but by the less-owned options who deliver.

  • Wirtz — £7.5m, ~14% owned, central role under Iraola
  • Gross — £5.5m, under 11% owned, penalty and set-piece duties
  • Kinsky — £4.5m, budget goalkeeper with starting credentials
  • Szoboszlai — £7m, 160 FPL points last season, favourable early fixtures

Prices and ownership figures are based on data available ahead of the 2025-26 season opener and will shift as Gameweek 1 approaches. Always check the latest team news before finalising your squad.

Frequently asked

Is Florian Wirtz worth picking for FPL this season?
At £7.5m and around 14% ownership, Wirtz looks like a useful differential. Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola has indicated he wants Wirtz in a central number-10 role close to Alexander Isak, which should increase his involvement in goals. If he delivers, the low ownership means significant rank gains compared to higher-owned Liverpool midfielders.
Who is the best budget FPL goalkeeper for 2025-26?
Antonin Kinsky at £4.5m is a strong contender. The Czech goalkeeper started every Tottenham game under Roberto de Zerbi towards the end of last season, keeping his place even after Guglielmo Vicario returned from injury. At that price, he offers clean-sheet potential and save points without breaking the bank.
How many FPL points did Szoboszlai score last season?
Dominik Szoboszlai scored 160 FPL points in 2024-25, making him Liverpool's second-highest scorer in the game behind Virgil van Dijk (175). He scored 13 goals across all competitions, including four direct free-kicks, and also contributed defensive contribution points through his pressing work.