The 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season is officially underway, with over 1.8 million managers already locked in and ready to compete. Picking the right players early on can set the tone for your entire campaign, so here’s a quick breakdown of the four essential must-have picks that The Scout says you can’t afford to ignore ahead of Gameweek 1.
Mohamed Salah (Liverpool Midfielder) – £14.5m
No surprise here — Mohamed Salah remains the undisputed king of Fantasy Premier League. After an absolutely phenomenal 2024/25 season, Salah put up jaw-dropping numbers: 28 goals, 19 assists, and a massive 344 points. To put that into perspective, he finished over 100 points clear of his nearest rival.
Despite a hefty price tag of £14.5 million, making him the most expensive player in the game this season, Salah’s value is unquestionable. Over 57% of teams have already snapped him up, making him the second most-owned player since the game’s launch. By contrast, Erling Haaland, priced slightly cheaper at £14.0 million, is in just 18% of squads, highlighting how much faith managers have in Salah’s consistency and output.
One of Salah’s biggest strengths is his reliability as a captain pick. He delivered 18 double-figure point returns last season—at least twice as many as any other player—which made him a go-to captain for many managers. Expect him to continue dominating the armband conversation in the early weeks of the campaign.
Cole Palmer (Chelsea Midfielder) – £10.5m
Chelsea may not be everyone’s first choice for Fantasy assets this season, but Cole Palmer is proving to be a hot pick. The Chelsea youngster has garnered nearly 50% ownership so far, driven by his impressive performances and Chelsea’s favorable fixture list at the start of the season.
Chelsea’s first six games all have Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDRs) of 3 or less, meaning manageable opposition for a team looking to bounce back strongly. Palmer is Chelsea’s primary attacking outlet and penalty taker, making him a key source of points.
What sets Palmer apart is his proven pedigree in FPL. Over the past two seasons, he’s amassed 244 and 214 points respectively — impressive totals that show he can consistently deliver. Managers can rely on Palmer as a strong attacking option with high haul potential, particularly in the opening weeks.
Jarrod Bowen (West Ham Forward) – £8.0m
A breakout star in the second half of last season, Jarrod Bowen took West Ham by storm after Graham Potter’s appointment as head coach in Gameweek 20. Playing as part of a 3-5-2 formation, Bowen became the fourth top-scoring player in Fantasy from that point on, racking up 103 points with eight goals and five assists.
Bowen only blanked in four of his 15 appearances under Potter and was involved in 72% of West Ham’s goals during that period—a remarkable influence for a single player.
This season Bowen has been reclassified from midfielder to forward, which boosts his Fantasy appeal given forwards generally score more points. His ownership is climbing fast thanks to his consistent attacking returns and West Ham’s kind fixture list, which features only one match rated above an FDR of 3 in their first 12 games.
If you’re looking for a mid-priced forward with proven recent form and a steady run of fixtures, Bowen is a must-have.
Rayan Aït-Nouri (Manchester City Defender) – £6.0m
For defenders, Rayan Aït-Nouri stands out as one of the best attacking full-backs available. His move from Wolverhampton Wanderers to Manchester City ahead of the new season could take his Fantasy potential to the next level.
Last season, Aït-Nouri was the top-scoring defender for attacking returns, delivering 11 combined goals and assists (4 goals, 7 assists). His underlying stats reinforce his attacking threat—he took 31 shots in the box and created 46 chances, ranking him among the top defenders for offensive contributions.
Now at Manchester City, with the team’s strong defensive record and clean sheet potential, Aït-Nouri offers multiple avenues for points: through assists, goals, and clean sheets. At £6.0 million, he represents great value for a defender capable of explosive returns.
Why These Picks Matter Early On
These four players—Salah, Palmer, Bowen, and Aït-Nouri—are highly owned and backed by data and form, making them foundational assets for your Fantasy Premier League team.
- Salah brings unmatched consistency and captaincy potential.
- Palmer offers a reliable attacking threat in a team with a soft opening schedule.
- Bowen is a proven goal contributor with a new position boost and good fixtures.
- Aït-Nouri combines attacking threat with defensive solidity at a budget-friendly price.
Securing these players early allows you to build a balanced team around them, giving you a strong core while retaining flexibility for future transfers.
Final Tips
- Keep an eye on fixture difficulty when picking players, especially at the start of the season.
- Look for players in form and those with roles that boost their Fantasy potential, like penalty duties or set-piece responsibilities.
- Consider positional changes (like Bowen’s switch to forward) as they can dramatically affect points output.
- Don’t be afraid to invest in premium assets if they have proven returns and captaincy potential.
By locking in these key players and combining them with smart picks across your squad, you’ll be well-placed to start the 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League season on the right foot.
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