Midfield is packed with high-upside options in Fantasy Premier League this season, from proven premium performers to players thriving in new attacking roles. The right selection can offer goals, assists, set-piece involvement and, in some cases, an additional DEFCON floor.
This list includes five midfielders worth targeting for different reasons. Some are safe, established picks with strong captaincy potential, while others are lower-owned options who could benefit from tactical changes, encouraging pre-season form or improved minutes. Whether you are looking for reliability or a fast start from a differential, these are the midfielders catching the eye ahead of Gameweek 1.
Antoine Semenyo
Price: 8.5m
Ownership: 27.0%
Position: Midfielder
Fixtures: BOU (H), CRY (A), COV (H)
Antoine Semenyo has quickly changed my mind during pre-season. I initially viewed the Manchester City midfielder as one to avoid, but he has looked electric under Enzo Maresca and is emerging as a major early-season creator.
City have repeatedly targeted their wingers in wide areas before cutting the ball back across goal, and Semenyo has been central to that pattern. He has supplied five assists in four pre-season starts, including two for Omar Marmoush against Atletico Madrid. Just as importantly, Semenyo has the pace and movement to attack the far post himself from the opposite flank.
Bryan Mbeumo
Price: 8.0m
Ownership: 25.7%
Position: Midfielder
Fixtures: HUL (A), IPS (H), EVE (A)
Bryan Mbeumo’s role as a striker has been crucial under Michael Carrick, and he looks set to continue there while Benjamin Sesko remains absent from the first team. He delivered five goals and two assists with only three blanks under Carrick last season, before carrying that form into pre-season with three goals and one assist in five appearances – an average of one goal involvement every 86 minutes. His finish against European champions PSG was a particular highlight.
Mbeumo’s versatility gives United plenty of flexibility. With Matheus Cunha and Marcus Rashford competing for places, expect a fluid front three, while Bruno Fernandes should continue creating chances from behind. If Mbeumo keeps the central role, he has the movement and finishing to become one of FPL’s best midfield options.
Florian Wirtz
Price: 7.5m
Ownership: 14.5%
Position: Midfielder
Fixtures: NEW (A), NFO (H), IPS (A)
Florian Wirtz looks ready to thrive in Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool set-up. Operating as a refined number 10, he has a premium version of the Eli Kroupi role: constantly receiving between the lines, creating for Alexander Isak and arriving in the box himself.
He has scored in both of his pre-season appearances, including against Monaco, and registered four shots in only 60 minutes in that game. Wirtz has also shared corner duties and is playing noticeably higher than the popular Dominik Szoboszlai. That is the key FPL appeal. If he can reproduce the form that made him one of the Bundesliga’s elite creators, he has the potential to become one of the best premium midfielders in the game
Bruno Fernandes
Price: 12.0m
Ownership: 48.1%
Position: Midfielder
Fixtures: HUL (A), IPS (H), EVE (A)
Bruno Fernandes’ outstanding campaign has pushed him up to 12.0m, which is a major premium over Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha at 8.0m. Expecting another 24-assist season may be unrealistic, but the core FPL appeal remains clear: Fernandes plays 90 minutes, creates chances relentlessly and remains Manchester United’s first-choice penalty taker.
United begin with promoted Hull City away and Ipswich Town at home, giving him an ideal short-term platform to deliver. At that price, Fernandes does not have to be a season-long commitment either. Managers can target those opening fixtures, then downgrade to a cheaper midfielder if the value is not there
Phil Foden
Price: 7.0m
Ownership: 6.4%
Position: Midfielder
Fixtures: BOU (H), CRY (A), COV (H)
A confident Phil Foden is a dangerous FPL asset, and there are encouraging signs that Enzo Maresca is ready to trust him in a key creative role. He has not produced major pre-season returns, but he has looked sharp between the lines, creating chances, attempting shots and taking corners from the right.
If Manchester City continue to attack through wide cutbacks, Erling Haaland’s presence could create space for Foden to arrive late around the edge of the box or at the far post. The minutes risk is obvious, but that is also what keeps his ownership low. For managers looking for an early differential with genuine upside, Foden could be the pick – especially if he starts centrally
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