Three Gameweeks in to Fantasy Premier League 2026/27 and it is a good time to reassess the players who were useful early picks but no longer fit the fixture schedule, budget or squad structure.
An FPL transfer does not need to be forced after every blank, but it makes sense to move on when a player has poor underlying numbers, doubtful fitness, limited clean-sheet potential or a tough run ahead.
Here are five players I would be looking to sell or avoid before the Gameweek 4 deadline.
You can also read our guide to the best GW4 FPL attackers to buy.
Antoine Semenyo
Price: 8.4m
Ownership: 17.7%
Position: Midfielder
Opponents: MUN (A), SUN (H), LIV (A)
Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo is starting to look expensive for what he is currently offering. At 8.4m, you want a midfielder with a clear route to regular goals, but most of Semenyo’s work has come through creativity rather than genuine penalty-box threat.
Semenyo has been involved in build-up play and chance creation, but that does not always translate into reliable FPL returns.
The Ghana international’s 0.06 non-penalty xG per start is a major concern at this price. There are midfielders available for less who are getting into better scoring positions, while several similarly priced options have kinder fixtures and stronger attacking roles.
Semenyo is not a bad player, but he does not currently look like good value. I would use the money elsewhere.
Harry Maguire
Price: 4.9m
Ownership: 12.1%
Position: Defender
Opponents: MCI (H), FUL (A), TOT (H)
Harry Maguire remains a reasonable budget defender because of his set-piece threat, but Manchester United’s upcoming fixtures make the defender difficult to trust.
Maguire could still pick up the odd attacking return – particularly against teams that struggle at dead balls – but relying on a centre-back goal is not a sustainable FPL plan.
The more important issue is clean sheets. United have not looked secure enough defensively to make their defenders attractive through this next run, and Maguire does not offer the consistent attacking involvement or DEFCON floor needed to offset that risk.
Maguire is fine as emergency bench cover if you have more pressing problems elsewhere. But if you have a free transfer and want a defender with a better fixture run, more reliable minutes or stronger upside, he is one to move on.
Nico O’Reilly
Price: 6.5m
Ownership: 14.6%
Position: Defender
Opponents: MUN (A), SUN (H), LIV (A)
Nico O’Reilly is a sell because the fitness doubts have arrived at the worst possible time.
O’Reilly withdrew in the warm-up before Manchester City’s Gameweek 3 match and missed the Champions League trip to Porto.
That creates too much uncertainty for a player who may already face competition for minutes.
O’Reilly’s versatility remains attractive. He can play at left-back, as a number six or in a more advanced midfield role, giving him potential FPL value when he is fully fit and starting regularly.
But difficult fixtures are coming up and FPL managers cannot afford to hold an injured player without a clear return date.
Until O’Reilly’s fitness and role are confirmed, he is a straightforward transfer out.
Dan Ballard
Price: 4.9m
Ownership: 3.5%
Position: Defender
Opponents: ARS (H), MCI (A), BHA (H)
Dan Ballard’s price and DEFCON potential made him a useful early season budget defender, but the fixture list has turned against him.
Sunderland now face Arsenal, Manchester City, Brighton and Bournemouth, which is an extremely difficult run for any defence – especially one likely to spend long spells without possession.
Ballard could still collect the occasional DEFCON points or threaten from a set piece, but clean sheets look unlikely across this run.
That makes him difficult to start and leaves little benefit in holding him. If you own Ballard – or another Sunderland defender – this is a sensible time to sell and target a budget option with better fixtures.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Price: 6.0m
Ownership: 23.6%
Position: Forward
Opponents: NEW (H), CRY (H), ARS (A)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains a big-chance magnet, and Leeds have shown enough attacking intent to keep him relevant.
Calvert-Lewin should continue to start and get opportunities, so this is not a sell based on poor form or a lack of involvement.
The issue is the fixture run. Newcastle and Crystal Palace are next, before Arsenal make the schedule even tougher.
With several low-priced forwards offering better fixtures and more immediate upside, this feels like the right time to move him on.
Yoane Wissa, Thierno Barry or a step up to a higher-priced forward all look more appealing.
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