Gameweek 3 is where the picture begins to clear.
We have now seen two matches from every Premier League side, so it is easier to separate one-week noise from players with genuine roles, strong underlying numbers and fixtures worth targeting.
These five stand out for different reasons, from Florian Wirtz’s unlucky Gameweek 2 to Lewis Hall’s increasingly reliable DEFCON output. There’s an option for everyone.
1. Lewis Hall (Newcastle United)
Price: 5.1m
Ownership: 8.7%
Position: Defender
Opponents: BOU (H), LEE (A), HUL (H)
Lewis Hall is quickly becoming one of the most appealing defenders in FPL. His attacking profile has always been encouraging, but his early DEFCON output has added a valuable extra route to points. Hall has reached the DEFCON threshold in both opening Gameweeks, averaging 12 DEFCON/90’.
That matters because it raises his floor. Newcastle do not need to keep a clean sheet for Hall to offer value, and his attacking involvement means he can also deliver assists, bonus points and occasional goals. He is averaging 0.35 expected goal involvements per 90 minutes so far, which is exceptional for a defender.
Newcastle are not an elite defensive side, but clean sheets will come across their upcoming run. When one arrives alongside Hall’s DEFCON potential and attacking threat, a double-digit haul feels very possible.
2. Thierno Barry (Everton)
Price: 5.5m
Ownership: 4.4%
Position: Forward
Opponents: MUN (H), TOT (A), IPS (H)
Thierno Barry is becoming far more interesting after Everton failed to add another striker before the transfer deadline. That should make him close to a nailed-on starter, and he could also move onto penalties now Iliman Ndiaye has left the club.
The immediate fixtures look difficult on paper, with Manchester United and Tottenham next. But neither defence has looked convincing so far, which makes the match-ups less intimidating than they first appear. After that, Everton face Ipswich and Hull in Gameweeks 5 and 6 – fixtures that could make Barry a very useful medium-term hold.
He is not a player to buy solely for this week, but he has the minutes and potential set-piece responsibility that make him worth targeting before the fixture swing. If Everton improve their attacking output, Barry could quickly become an important budget-forward option.
3. Gonzalo Garcia (Fulham)
Price: 6.0m
Ownership: 4.6%
Position: Forward
Opponents: CRY (H), LIV (A), MUN (H)
Gonzalo Garcia is not a player I would recommend as a routine Gameweek 3 transfer, but he is an exciting Free Hit option. Fulham have made an excellent signing, and at 6.0m he has the talent to become a very useful FPL forward once his role and minutes are fully established.
The fixtures do not immediately jump off the page, which is why he is not an automatic long-term buy. However, Fulham are a capable side, and Garcia is the type of forward who can still produce attacking returns against difficult opponents. If you are using a Free Hit and looking for a lower-owned striker who could make a difference, he is worth considering.
For everyone else, he belongs firmly on the watchlist. Monitor his minutes, goal involvement and link-up with Fulham’s attacking players. If those signs are positive, 6.0m could become excellent value.
4. Yoane Wissa (Newcastle)
Price: 6.1m
Ownership: 11.7%
Position: Forward
Opponents: BOU (H), LEE (A), HUL (H)
Yoane Wissa has started the season well and looks increasingly underpriced. He is averaging three shots per match, the underlying numbers are encouraging and he has clearly earned the trust of his new manager. Wissa is playing with confidence, getting into good positions and looks capable of becoming one of the standout value forwards of the campaign.
The fixtures are also appealing, which makes this a transfer with more than one-week potential. There is also an additional upside case if he inherits penalty duties with Will Osula sidelined and Nick Woltemade sent out on loan.
At just 6.1m, Wissa offers a cheap route into Newcastle’s attack while retaining a strong floor through minutes and shot volume. He may not be the most glamorous name, but the price, role and early evidence are all moving in the right direction.
5. Florian Wirtz (Liverpool)
Price: 7.5m
Ownership: 10.1%
Position: Forward
Opponents: IPS (A), FUL (H), BOU (A)
Florian Wirtz was incredibly unlucky not to deliver a return in Gameweek 2. He had a goal ruled out and saw another big chance saved, so on another day he could easily have come away with a significant haul. The performance mattered more than the blank: Wirtz looked involved, found dangerous areas and remained one of Liverpool’s most threatening attacking players.
Ipswich are up next, and that fixture makes him a serious target. Bruno Fernandes showed how effective late runs beyond the striker can be against them, particularly when Matheus Cunha’s movement created space through the middle. Wirtz has the quality to make similar runs around Alexander Isak and exploit gaps between the lines. At 7.5m, he is a great buy for managers wanting to invest in the Liverpool attack without committing to the highest-priced options.
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