FixturesWatchShort
Brighton players are poor picks if they must be started every week across the first five gameweeks, but their appeal improves if they can be rotated around the Chelsea and Arsenal fixtures.
Reasoning: The creator dislikes Brighton's opening run for permanent starters but likes a rotation plan involving Gameweeks 1, 3 and 4.
Players/teams: Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context), Arsenal (Opponent), Chelsea (Opponent)
If you're picking a Brighton player and you have to play them every single week for the first five, it's probably not great. But if you can get away with starting them in one, benching them in two, and then starting them in three and four, all of a sudden it looks a lot better
Play from 2:57 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Value marketBuySeasonal
Bart Verbruggen is still a strong Brighton goalkeeper pick at £4.5m because the creator expects him to make plenty of saves.
Reasoning: The creator directly calls Verbruggen a fantastic pick and links his appeal to his price and save potential.
Players/teams: Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context), Bart Verbruggen (Subject)
Verrugan for me is still a fantastic pick from Brighton. I think he's 4.5 million is a great price for him. I think he'll make lots of saves.
Play from 4:24 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Minutes availabilityBuyShort
The creator prefers Kadioglu to Brighton's attacking left-back option because Kadioglu's minutes should be safer, despite having less upside.
Reasoning: He explicitly says the attacking option's Premier League minutes will not be perfect and describes Kadioglu as first-choice at left-back.
Players/teams: D Kyper (Alternative), Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context), Ferdi Kadioglu (Subject)
I'd probably go Kadoglu. I just think Diper's minutes won't be perfect in the Premier League as an attacker. I think Kyoglu is very firmly first choice left back. So whilst Kyoglu might not have the same upside, I think at 4.5 his minutes will be slightly safer.
Play from 4:33 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Form underlyingHoldSeasonal
Jan Paul van Hecke is a long-term Brighton asset, but his defensive-contribution output should be treated with caution after his reclassification as a defender.
Reasoning: The creator says his previous defensive-contribution numbers benefited from midfielder recoveries and expects him not to regularly reach the threshold now listed as a defender.
Players/teams: Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context), Van Heck (Subject)
Once you remove those five recoveries, what you're essentially getting is like seven or eight defensive contributions per 90 on average. So basically, I don't think we will regularly hit defcon now that he's listed as a defender.
Play from 7:44 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Minutes availabilityWatchShort
Vuskovic carries a significant Gameweek 1 and early-season minutes risk, although the creator still views him as a potentially excellent long-term FPL asset.
Reasoning: The creator estimates uncertainty over his involvement in the next matches, especially with Brighton's European playoff rotation, while retaining a positive long-term view.
Players/teams: Luka Vušković (Subject), Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context)
I do think there is a good chance that Vushkovic doesn't start all of the next couple of games. ... I do believe it'll be such a brilliant FPL asset that maybe you can choose to do so.
Play from 5:20 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Role team contextBuySeasonal
Pascal Groß remains a decent £5.5m midfielder because he takes penalties and set pieces and is expected to play most minutes.
Reasoning: The creator highlights his set-piece and penalty responsibilities, regular minutes and ability to score through multiple routes.
Players/teams: Pascal Groß (Subject), Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context)
He's on penalties. A 5.5 million player that largely plays every minutes on penalties and set pieces is never going to be bad. So, I still think Pascal Gross is decent in this game.
Play from 5:46 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Minutes availabilityWatchShort
Brighton's £5.0m Gomez offers high upside but has an injury and early-substitution risk, making him a more aggressive pick than a minutes-first option.
Reasoning: The creator expects Gomez to start Gameweek 1 and values his attacking threat, but notes recurring injury issues and a pattern of being substituted early.
Players/teams: Simon Adingra (Subject), Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context)
I probably expect Gomez to start in gameweek one, but I think you will see that pattern time and time again, especially as he's coming back from injury where he is the one that probably gets subbed off early, but I think both Gomez and Gross are really good value.
Play from 6:17 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Value marketStartShort
Joe Rodon is a strong £4.5m starter for an early-wildcard strategy while Leeds use a back five, because the creator expects him to be secure and attack-minded.
Reasoning: The creator describes Rodon as effectively nailed in the back five, with advanced movement and attacking involvement, while acknowledging a formation-related risk.
Players/teams: Joe Rodon (Subject), Leeds United (Team context)
As long as they play that back five, I do believe he's nailed. ... So I think especially considering a lot of people are planning an early wild card Rodon is almost definitely fine for you to start the season.
Play from 8:52 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Transfer decisionBuyShort
Ballard and Maguire are attractive aggressive short-term £5.0m defenders, but the creator would avoid them as season-long set-and-forget picks.
Reasoning: He likes their opening fixtures, attacking threat and expected early security, but cites Ballard's fitness and Sunderland's defensive outlook alongside Manchester United's future centre-back competition.
Players/teams: Dan Ballard (Subject), Manchester United (Team context), Sunderland (Team context), Harry Maguire (Subject)
I do think there are two standouts if you want to play aggressive early on, and that's Ballard Maguire. ... If you were asking me to rank the best 5 million defenders across the season ... I wouldn't go near Ballard Magguire.
Play from 11:07 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Value marketBuySeasonal
Milenković and Van Hecke are the creator's preferred long-term £5.0m defender pair because he expects secure minutes, defensive returns and favourable opening fixtures.
Reasoning: He explicitly selects the pair for the rest of the season and expects both to start every match for teams he expects to defend well.
Players/teams: Tottenham Hotspur (Team context), Nikola Milenković (Subject), Nottingham Forest (Team context), Van Heck (Subject)
If you said, put in two five million defenders for the rest of the season. Muovic and Van Hka. I think they'll both be fitness monsters. I think they'll start every single game for their teams. And again, two teams that I expect to defend well this season.
Play from 12:21 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Value marketAvoidShort
The creator recommends avoiding a £5.0m midfielder unless budget structure requires one; Gomez is the upside choice, while Sangaré is the safer defensive-contribution option.
Reasoning: He says there are no great £5.0m midfielders, but contrasts Gomez's attacking ceiling with Sangaré's expected regular starts and defensive-contribution floor.
Players/teams: Simon Adingra (Upside alternative), Brighton & Hove Albion (Team context), Ibrahim Sangaré (Safer alternative), Nottingham Forest (Team context)
In terms of 5 million mids, only put a 5 million mid in if you really need to. There are no great 5 million midfielders. ... it's Gomez if you want attacking threat or you go for Sangare schlag or Andre Santos if you want someone that's more likely to get defcon
Play from 13:24 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Minutes availabilityWatchShort
Andre Santos is an under-the-radar short-term punt who the creator expects to start at least Gameweek 1 and probably Gameweek 2.
Reasoning: The creator says Santos should start before a potential new signing is integrated, while acknowledging that the prediction is not guaranteed.
Players/teams: Manchester United (Team context), André Santos (Subject)
I would be extremely surprised if Andre Santos doesn't at least start game one and probably start game two. ... So I reckon you probably get a couple of games from Andre Santos. I can't make any promises of course
Play from 15:09 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗CaptaincyCaptainImmediate
Bruno Fernandes is the creator's marginally preferred Gameweek 1 captain over Erling Haaland.
Reasoning: He cites Fernandes' penalties, set pieces, creativity, possible advanced role, defensive-contribution points and the opponent's weak defence, then gives Fernandes the final edge.
Players/teams: Bruno Fernandes (Subject), Manchester United (Team context), Erling Haaland (Alternative)
So putting it all together, I think Bruno Fernandez is the standout captain ... He is marginally a better captain than than Erling Harland. ... I think I am going to probably captain Bruno Fernandez.
Play from 28:25 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗CaptaincyCaptainImmediate
Erling Haaland remains an excellent captain and ownership option for Gameweek 1 because the creator expects him to get a big chance against Bournemouth if he plays more than 60 minutes.
Reasoning: The creator downplays concerns over Haaland's preseason minutes, highlights his penalties and finishing, and expects Bournemouth to be a weak defensive opponent.
Players/teams: Bournemouth (Opponent), Manchester City (Team context), Erling Haaland (Subject)
I can almost guarantee you as long as he plays more than 60 minutes, he'll get a big chance against Bournemouth at least. And so I never think he's a bad captain option. ... he's on penalties and he's just an exceptional finisher.
Play from 30:22 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Chips wildcardWatchShort
A no-Haaland strategy should plan for a Gameweek 3 chip, with the creator preferring a Wildcard to a Free Hit.
Reasoning: He argues that pivoting from Bruno to Haaland over Gameweeks 2 and 3 consumes both free transfers, so a no-Haaland team should accept an early chip strategy.
Players/teams: Bruno Fernandes (Team structure), Erling Haaland (Excluded player), Chelsea (Bench context)
If you are going for a no Harland team, I think you need to free hit a wild card in three. And I think I actually prefer a game three wild card than a game three free hit. ... you're using both of your only free transfers ... I just don't think it's worth it. I think you basically have to play a chip.
Play from 22:00 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Squad structureSellImmediate
The creator would rather drop Haaland than Bruno in a two-player decision because removing Haaland releases £3.5m more and avoids forcing an early chip.
Reasoning: He compares his no-Haaland and no-Bruno drafts and explicitly selects the no-Haaland team as stronger, while noting that removing Bruno can preserve the Wildcard.
Players/teams: Bruno Fernandes (Player to retain), Erling Haaland (Player to drop)
If I was to say what I think is stronger out of the two, it probably is the No Harland team. So, I think if I were to drop one of them, I think I would drop Harland instead of Bruno. ... you get an extra 3.5 million dropping Earling Harland versus dropping Bruno. The one thing that I like in favor of getting rid of Bruno is it doesn't force you into an early chip.
Play from 24:20 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Squad structureHoldShort
Thiago is a better individual asset than Calvert-Lewin, but the creator considers Calvert-Lewin a viable £6.0m structural compromise when building around Haaland, Bruno and J. Pedro.
Reasoning: He prefers Thiago's fixtures, penalties and minutes, but says the £2.0m saving is significant and can make the overall squad structure work.
Players/teams: Igor Thiago (Premium alternative), João Pedro (Squad context), Bruno Fernandes (Squad context), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Budget alternative), Erling Haaland (Squad context)
Fixtures are arguably better. He's on penalties. His minutes will be better. ... I don't think Calbertt Lewin gets close to Thiago. Thiago is a much better asset than Calbertt Lewen but 2 million is huge when we're talking about the start of the season.
Play from 33:33 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Transfer decisionNeutralShort
There is no standout £6.0m midfielder, so the creator recommends choosing based on penalties, upside, ownership and rotation with the rest of the squad.
Reasoning: He explicitly rejects a single best option and encourages managers to match the midfielder to their preferred risk profile and fixture rotation.
Players/teams: Pascal Groß (Rotation option), Jack Hinshelwood (Upside option), Ibrahim Sangaré (Rotation option), Emiliano Buendía Stati (Differential option)
The six million mids for me there is not a standout. There is not one. ... Think about what you want to do as a manager. Do you like penalties? ... Maybe Hinchwood's your guy ... Maybe you're actually interested in a player that is really lowly owned ... Emmy Buendia is there for the taking.
Play from 34:14 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗Chips wildcardBuyMedium
David Raya is the preferred Arsenal defensive asset for managers planning to hold their Wildcard, while shorter-term managers should chase the upside of Ben White or Calafiori.
Reasoning: The creator links Raya's appeal to longer-term security and recommends higher-upside defenders for managers willing to transfer or Wildcard early.
Players/teams: Riccardo Calafiori (Short term alternative), Arsenal (Team context), Ben White (Short term alternative), David Raya Martín (Long term option)
If you are telling me that you don't plan to wild card anytime soon ... yes, Ryer is the best Arsenal asset owner. ... If you are going shorter term, just chase the upside with White or Cal Fury. ... unless you are planning more long-term ... I'd still go for Cal Fury. I think he's better than David Ryer.
Play from 36:16 · 5 seconds before evidence ↗