Fantasy Premier League managers have until 18:30 BST on Friday to finalise their squads, and several decisions remain genuinely difficult. Here is a plain-numbers look at the five questions dominating debate — and where the evidence currently points.

1. Is Haaland worth £15.5m?

Erling Haaland finished last season as the top FPL scorer with 239 points, beating Bruno Fernandes into second place by four points. That 239 total was, for context, 33 points below his record-breaking 2022-23 haul — yet his price has climbed from £14m to £15.5m, making him the most expensive player in FPL history.

The case for paying up is essentially a captaincy argument. In a season with very few premium options priced above £10m, managers who skip Haaland will struggle to find a reliable armband choice week after week. Fernandes at £12m is the next obvious candidate, but the gap between them in terms of consistent ceiling is meaningful. The counter-argument is straightforward: Haaland was involved in this summer's World Cup and did not enjoy a full pre-season. He looked short of full sharpness in 53 minutes of the Community Shield. A slow start is a genuine risk at that price.

The broad consensus among experienced FPL analysts is: own him to begin with, and reassess if form or fixtures deteriorate later in the campaign.

2. Which Manchester United assets sit alongside Fernandes?

Fernandes is in roughly 50% of squads ahead of the new season, and United's opening two fixtures — Hull City away, Ipswich Town at home — offer clean-sheet potential that makes their defenders worth considering too.

In attack, Bryan Mbeumo (£8m) is the leading pick for a United attacking double-up. He completed a full pre-season and is likely to lead the line centrally. Matheus Cunha (£8m) is the alternative; both players registered 14 attacking returns last season, so the choice is tight. Cunha's positional versatility gives him a slight edge in some managers' eyes, though Mbeumo's minute security is arguably stronger early on.

In defence, Harry Maguire (£5m) and Luke Shaw (£4.5m) both have appeal. Maguire offers more goal-threat upside — aerial deliveries at set pieces included — while Shaw is the budget route into what could be a solid backline for those first two gameweeks. Goalkeeper Senne Lammens (£5m), who recorded eight clean sheets last season, is another United-adjacent option popular with managers willing to triple up on the club.

3. Rogers or Palmer at Chelsea?

Chelsea have appointed Xabi Alonso as manager and spent £117m bringing Morgan Rogers to the club. Cole Palmer, meanwhile, remains one of the most dangerous attacking players in the Premier League regardless of who is coaching around him.

The uncertainty created by a new manager and a high-profile new signing makes Chelsea assets harder to price confidently than in a settled system. Rogers is unproven at this level of expenditure and in a new environment. Palmer's output under a fresh tactical setup is similarly unknown. Both carry upside; both carry risk. Managers who want Chelsea coverage but dislike the ambiguity may prefer to wait a gameweek or two before committing.

4. Which budget defenders are worth picking?

With premium funds committed to Haaland and Fernandes, the sub-£5m defensive slots matter more than usual. Shaw at £4.5m gives access to United's favourable early fixtures at a low cost. The broader principle applies across the board: target promoted-side opponents (Hull, Ipswich) in the first two gameweeks, then rotate out before schedules tighten.

5. How much does the template matter?

More than many managers acknowledge. Rank damage in FPL comes not from picking the wrong player in isolation, but from picking differently to the majority when that majority scores heavily. With Haaland and Fernandes between them likely to feature in the majority of squads, deviating from both simultaneously is a high-variance strategy. Differentials make sense as supporting picks — not as replacements for the two most owned premium assets.

The deadline is 18:30 BST this Friday. Make your calls before then.

FAQs

Frequently asked

What is the FPL deadline for the first gameweek of 2025-26?
The deadline to submit your Fantasy Premier League squad for Gameweek 1 of the 2025-26 season is 18:30 BST on Friday.
How much does Erling Haaland cost in FPL this season?
Haaland is priced at £15.5m in FPL 2025-26, up from £14m last season, making him the most expensive player in the game's history.
Should I pick Bryan Mbeumo or Matheus Cunha in FPL?
Both are priced at £8m and both registered 14 attacking returns last season, so it is a close call. Mbeumo has the advantage of a full pre-season and looks set to start centrally, while Cunha's versatility across the front line appeals to managers who prefer positional flexibility.