FPL 2025/26: Five players to sell ahead of double gameweek 26

The first double gameweek of the FPL 2025/26 season has finally arrived – and as exciting as it is for managers loading up on Arsenal and Wolves players, it also means it’s time to trim the dead weight, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. Injuries, suspensions, rotation, or players simply out of form – these transfers out can be just as important as the ones you bring in. Clearing space for the key double‑gameweek assets could make all the difference. Here are five players you should be looking to move on before the Gameweek 26 deadline.  

Jean‑Philippe Mateta (8.5m)

For the 8% still clinging to Mateta, it’s time to accept defeat. His injury rules him out of the next few fixtures, and even though Burnley and Wolves look like plum ties for Crystal Palace, there’s no point holding a 7.5m forward who’s unlikely to feature. That’s way too much money sitting idle at this stage of the season. The striker market is rich with options: drop down to Eli Kroupi Jr or Mateus Mané for budget flexibility, or pivot to João Pedro, Jorgen Strand Larsen, or Viktor Gyökeres if you want high ceiling potential. Plenty of routes to upgrade just don’t waste one on hoping Mateta returns soon.

Bukayo Saka (9.9m)

With Saka still sidelined, this is about opportunity cost. Arsenal’s double is golden, but using one of your three slots on an injured asset at nearly 10m makes little sense. Even if he returns in time, there’s no guarantee of two full starts. Managers jumping to Bruno Fernandes are already reaping steady returns, while Cole Palmer offers massive ceiling and Declan Rice serves as a reliable double‑gameweek pick. Selling Saka frees funds and opens doors to in‑form midfielders. It’s a tough call, but the right one – at that price, uncertainty just isn’t worth it when every point matters in a double.

Nathan Collins (5.0m)

Nathan Collins’ fairytale run feels like a distant memory now. Between Gameweeks 17 and 21, he rewarded owners with three clean sheets, a goal, two assists, and DEFCON returns. But since then, his grip on the starting line-up has slipped – Sepp van den Berg has started Brentford’s last two matches, leaving Collins on the outside looking in. At 5.0m, he’s still valuable enough to shift upward to an Arsenal defender like Gabriel or even sideways to Daniel Muñoz, the under‑the‑radar Palace full‑back offering genuine attacking potential. Don’t sit on inactive defenders during a double; use his price tag to reinvest wisely.

THIS WEEK’S MUST-BUYS…

Phil Foden (8.2m)

Still owned by more than 11% of managers, Phil Foden continues to be one of the most frustrating players in FPL. The quality is undeniable, but the minutes are maddening. Pep’s constant rotation means you never truly know when he’ll start – and that uncertainty is a killer during double‑gameweek season. With midfielders like Bruno Fernandes, Enzo Fernandez, Rice, and even Ismaïla Sarr all delivering steady returns, it’s an easy call to cash out. Foden will always tempt you with that one‑week haul, but with Manchester City’s attack now spreading the goals around, there’s no reason to keep waiting. Time to move on.

Cristian Romero (5.0m)

Cristian Romero’s volatility finally caught up with him again. A red card and two goals conceded against Manchester United meant a disastrous -3 points for owners – and it gets worse. That dismissal was his second red of the season, handing him a four‑match suspension, Romero’s always been a yellow‑card magnet, but this stretch on the sidelines confirms what FPL managers already knew: he’s not worth the headache. Spurs’ defensive record doesn’t justify the hold either. At 5.0m, there are far calmer, more profitable picks available. If you somehow still own him, don’t think twice – sell immediately.