The 5 Popular FPL Picks You'll Regret Rostering in Gameweek 1
Every Fantasy Premier League season has a few players who start with massive rostership but fail to deliver on the early hype. This season, there's a mix of overpricing, uncertain minutes and unfavorable fixtures that could mean some of the most popular names are far from must-haves ahead of Gameweek 1.
These are five players I believe you should think twice about before locking them into your FPL squad.
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Joao Pedro (£7.5m)
Joao Pedro is on over half of all FPL squads, yet his inclusion feels more like a bandwagon than a well-thought-out pick. Yes, he's talented and capable of big hauls, but the warning signs are clear. His starting spot over the long-term is far from secure with fellow new signing Liam Delap also there, and even when he does make the XI, there's always a risk of being subbed off early.
Losing penalty duties to Cole Palmer is another blow to his appeal, especially when you consider how much they contributed to his points tally at Brighton. Add in a £2.0m price rise and that he's no longer the focal point of the attack, and the case for starting with him looks weak. He might become a great option later in the season, but right now, he's best left on the watchlist.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m)
It's surprising to see Wan-Bissaka as the most-popular defender in FPL. Looking at his numbers from last season, there's little to justify it. He averaged just 3.3 points per start and played in a defense that ranked among the bottom five for expected goals conceded. In terms of the new defensive contribution scoring, he didn't even make the top 30 defenders last season, meaning he's unlikely to benefit much from the changes.
West Ham's fixtures also take a turn for the worse after Gameweek 1, so there's no clear reason to keep him in your squad long term. His popularity feels more about name recognition than genuine value.
Viktor Gyokeres (£9.0m)
Gyokeres' arrival at Arsenal has created excitement, but for FPL managers, patience might be the smarter approach. His fitness and match sharpness are still in question, and there's a strong chance Kai Havertz will share center-forward duties in the early weeks. The fixtures are also tough, with Liverpool, Manchester City and Newcastle all in the first six matches. By Gameweek 7, there will be a clearer picture of his role, and that feels like the more sensible time to buy.
Bukayo Saka (£10.0m)
Saka remains one of the best players in the league, but that doesn't necessarily mean he's the best pick for your Gameweek 1 team. Arsenal's difficult early fixtures reduce his short-term appeal, and Gyokeres' arrival casts doubt over whether Saka will remain on penalties. That uncertainty takes away a big chunk of his FPL value.
At a similar price, Palmer offers friendlier fixtures and remains the central figure in Chelsea's attack, making him the more appealing pick for now.
Bryan Mbeumo (£8.0m)
Mbeumo was one of the most reliable mid-priced assets last season at Brentford thanks to guaranteed minutes, set-piece duties and penalties. His move to Manchester United changes everything. Competition for places will be far higher, and it's unlikely he'll take penalties or dominate set pieces with Bruno Fernandes (and Matheus Cunha, and Amad Diallo) in the squad. While his versatility could earn him minutes, starting with him in Gameweek 1 feels like a gamble. He's worth monitoring to see how he's used, but he's no longer the consistent FPL asset he once was.
These five players might have the rostership and popularity, but that doesn't mean they have the value. Sometimes the best move is resisting the crowd and backing players who truly have the right mix of fixtures, minutes and role from the very start.
