FPL 2025/26: Mukiele and Semenyo headline five players you need on your team before GW23

FPL gameweek 23 gives managers a rare bit of breathing space – a perfect time to get ahead before the fixture swings really kick in, writes Fantasy Premier League expert Blake Hurst. You can either roll your transfer and bank flexibility for next week, or move early on players who could explode before everyone else jumps on. With key assets returning from AFCON, some surprise form emerging, and a few clubs about to hit lovely runs, timing your moves this week could make all the difference. Here are five players worth buying – or at least scouting closely – ahead of the Gameweek 24 fixture shake-up.

Ollie Watkins (8.8m)

Watkins is quietly reminding everyone why he’s one of the most reliable forwards in FPL. Over the last six gameweeks, he’s actually outperformed Erling Haaland for expected goals (3.98 xG to Haaland’s 3.84), scoring four times in that stretch – and he’s likely still on penalties. Aston Villa’s short-term fixtures are solid, with Newcastle, Brentford, and Bournemouth to come, before a fantastic run from Gameweek 26 onwards. That makes now a smart time to move early and lock him in before the inevitable rush. Watkins has that mix of minutes, consistency, and explosive potential that keeps delivering returns. If you’re planning ahead, he’s the perfect “buy early, reap later” pick.

Antoine Semenyo (7.6m)

Pep roulette will always be a risk, but if you’re brave enough to play it – Semenyo could reward you. The new signing isn’t eligible for Manchester City’s midweek European fixture, which should make him a strong candidate to start in the Premier League. Priced at 7.6m, he’s got the ability to make things happen on his own in an attack that’s looked strangely flat lately. Manchester City’s upcoming fixtures – Wolves, Spurs, and Liverpool – all carry risk but also huge attacking opportunity, especially given how open those sides have been. If you’re chasing rank or trust your gut, this could be the perfect short-term punt. There’s rare upside here, and Semenyo looks ready to grab it.

Iliman Ndiaye (6.2m)

Fresh back from AFCON, Ndiaye re-enters the FPL frame – and the Everton forward could quietly become one of the week’s best differentials. Owned by just 3% of managers, he’s nailed for 90 minutes, on penalties, and posting strong open play involvement numbers. In fact, he’s hitting an impressive 9.85 DEFCON/90 with a 25% success rate – strong consistency for his price. Everton’s fixtures don’t look explosive on paper (Leeds, Brighton, Fulham, Bournemouth), but they’re all teams who can be got at. Everton will score, and their talisman will likely be involved when they do. If you want a low-risk, steady producer with the potential for double-digit hauls, Ndiaye is an underrated gem.

Nordi Mukiele (4.6m)

If you’re hunting for a cheap defender who offers both reliability and rotation-proof flexibility, Mukiele deserves a look. Sunderland’s defensive numbers have flown under the radar this season, and Mukiele has quietly put together a brilliant run of performances. His DEFCON score sits at 10.15 per 90 – elite territory for value defenders. Fixtures are appealing too, with West Ham and Burnley next up. He’s the perfect “plug and play” option: cheap enough to bench in tougher games, but with decent clean sheet and bonus potential when called upon. If you want to go even cheaper, Omar Alderete (4.1m) is another interesting name at 9.81 DEFCON/90. Both are ideal for managers tightening up their budgets.

Eli Junior Kroupi (4.6m)

With Marcus Tavernier sidelined by a hamstring injury, Kroupi should see a welcome spike in minutes for Bournemouth. At 4.6m and just 4.5% owned, he’s not a flashy pick – but that’s exactly his value. As an eighth attacker, Kroupi offers a reliable bench option who actually plays, which is gold for navigating doubles and rotation down the line. Bournemouth’s attack tends to create chances even in trickier fixtures, and Kroupi’s directness gives him a slim but useful chance of points when called upon. He won’t light up your team every week, but in a season full of blanks and injuries, having an actively playing 4.6m attacker with attacking upside feels like smart insurance.