Some of the world's best Fantasy Premier League managers assess whether the most popular players are actually the best picks for Gameweek 1 and provide their verdict.
Erling Haaland (Man City) £15.5m
Utkarsh Dalmia (@Zopharfpl): Haaland had a stormer at the FIFA World Cup and is known for starting the season strongly. However, this campaign there are a few question marks. With Enzo Maresca taking charge, replacing Pep Guardiola, we will have to see whether a new system favours Haaland and if he can score at the same rate. Also, Haaland is joining the squad late following the World Cup, which poses questions around his sharpness. But Manchester City's first three home fixtures provide optimism, with AFC Bournemouth, Coventry City and Sunderland visiting the Etihad Stadium, so it makes sense to pick Haaland at the start. It's easier to downgrade the forward and spread the funds than try to squeeze him in if he starts on fire.
Verdict: Yes
Joao Pedro (Chelsea) £7.5m
Az Phillips (@FPLBlackbox_Az): I was expecting a price rise for Joao Pedro given his outstanding first season at Chelsea when he netted 15 times, with nine assists to boot. The fact he comes in at a cool £7.5m, has no European fixtures, an exciting new manager and increased talent around him only boosts his appeal. Not only that, but he wasn't selected by Brazil for the World Cup, so he has had a full summer off. Furthermore, he bagged seven goals in pre-season. He's an absolute lock in my Gameweek 1 team.
Verdict: Yes
Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd) £12.0m
Andy North (@FPLMode): Fernandes collected 235 points last season, more than any other midfielder. He has also accumulated over 160 points in each of his last four seasons. Accomplishing this while also beating the Premier League assist record means he was due a major price hike. Equally adept at creating and scoring goals, Fernandes is the standout premium midfielder this season. He amassed over 23.0 Expected Goal Involvement (xGI) last year and makes for a great captain, especially in home games. It absolutely makes sense for him to be one of the most-owned players in the game.
Verdict: Yes
Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool) £7.0m
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily): Szoboszlai was becoming more and more talismanic for Liverpool last season, pulling the strings in midfield and taking many of the free-kick duties from Mohamed Salah. With the Egyptian gone, I expect him to be Andoni Iraola's main set-piece taker (including corners) this season. Penalties will likely belong to Alexander Isak (£9.0m), but the Hungarian will be next in line. And with the summer off and a full pre-season, he'll be looking to hit the ground running this season.
Verdict: Yes
David Raya (Arsenal) £6.0m
Pras (@Pras_FPL): Raya is an odd one. While he is a good long-term option from the excellent Arsenal backline, Raya is also £0.5m-£1.5m more expensive than the other good goalkeeper options. To start the season, I prefer cheaper 'keepers like Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m), and then bring Raya in as part of the first Wildcard squad. That should also align with William Saliba's (£6.0m) return from back surgery, which will only make the Gunners' defence stronger.
Verdict: No
Bryan Mbeumo (Man Utd) £8.0m
Tom Johnson (@FFScout_Tom): Mbeumo looks like a great selection with Hull and Ipswich up first, and he notched four attacking returns during the summer. With Benjamin Sesko (£7.0m) not featuring at all in pre-season, the Cameroonian could play up front in the opening few matches. His price point is brilliant it allows you to move on to a Man City, Liverpool or Chelsea midfielder around Gameweek 3 or 4.
Verdict: Yes
Gabriel (Arsenal) £8.0m
Pranil Sheth (@Lateriser12): Gabriel was by far the best defender in the game last season and is now correctly priced at £8.0m. In addition, Arsenal are the most reliable defence in the league right now, given so many new managers elsewhere. This makes Gabriel reliable at his price. But with William Saliba £6.0m) out injured, there is value in finding cheaper Arsenal defenders, so the likes of Cristhian Mosquera and Riccardo Calafiori (both £5.5m) interest me if it looks like their minutes might be secure at the start of the season.
Verdict: No
Antoine Semenyo (Man City) £8.5m
Josh Scott (@FPLgraduates): Semenyo was the second highest-scoring midfielder last season, delivering 202 points. The Ghanaian enters the new campaign under his third manager in the space of a year, with Enzo Maresca taking charge. Despite the change, Semenyo has been on fire in pre-season, operating as the touchline winger we’ve often seen in Maresca’s systems and registering five assists. Pairing him with Haaland could give you one of the most explosive attacking double-ups in FPL.
Verdict: Yes
Morgan Rogers (Chelsea) £7.5m
Harry Daniels (@FPL_Harry): Rogers has returned quickly from his World Cup break, going straight into the starting line-up for Chelsea's final friendly and scoring the opening goal. I think he is a good long-term pick, although in Gameweek 1 depends if you want a double-up with Joao Pedro, who is the best Blues' offensive option.
Verdict: Yes
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Leeds) £6.0m
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily): Calvert-Lewin had an excellent season last time out with 14 goals, so I can see why he is popular with managers this time round, especially at £6.0m. The Englishman has been in fine form during pre-season, adding to the hype. Leeds' first five matches all rank three or under on the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), enhancing his Fantasy prospects in the early weeks of the season.
Verdict: Yes