Picking your Fantasy Premier League for the first week of the season can be full of pitfalls, with arguments to be made for a including a whole host of stars in your side before the campaign kicks off.
With options galore, we have taken a look at 10 players that you should probably give a miss in your early drafts. From overpriced stars to players set to lose their spots and see their roles change, here’s who we think you should avoid.
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📰 Table Of Contents
- 1 10. Ivan Toney (Brentford): £8.0m
- 2 9. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool): £6.0m
- 3 8. Kieran Trippier (Newcastle): £6.5m
- 4 7. Darwin Nunez (Liverpool): £7.5m
- 5 6. Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa): £4.5m
- 6 5. Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton): £6.5m
- 7 4. Jason Steele (Brighton): £4.5m
- 8 3. Mason Mount (Manchester United): £7.0m
- 9 2. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): £7.0m
- 10 1. Nathan Ake (Manchester City): £5.0m
10. Ivan Toney (Brentford): £8.0m
Let’s get the obvious one out of the way first. Don’t pick Ivan Toney because he is banned until 2024.
Moving on.
9. Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool): £6.0m
Mac Allister was a bargain buy last season, returning ten goals and two assists to help the Seagulls into the Europa League for next season, as well as earning himself a move to Liverpool this summer.
IN THE 99TH MINUTE BRIGHTON WIN IT! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/LjPshJOHLq
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) May 4, 2023
8. Kieran Trippier (Newcastle): £6.5m
An excellent option last season, Trippier is now the second-most expensive defender on the game, and is definitely one to avoid this season.
Now 32-years-old and set to play midweek in the Champions League with the Magpies, he could well be rotated out of the side more often. That, combined with his high price tag, could make someone like teammate Sven Botman (£2m cheaper) a much better alternative to get into the Newcastle defence.
7. Darwin Nunez (Liverpool): £7.5m
On the face of it, £7.5m for Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez looks like a bargain. But with Cody Gakpo having taken a more central role towards the end of last season, and Mo Salah having the right-wing locked down, the Uruguayan will have to battle it out with Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota for regular game time, which will seriously hurt his FPL appeal.
(Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images) 2PYG5MK Darwin Nunez #27 of Liverpool looks dejected after missing a chance on goal during the Premier League match Liverpool vs Fulham at Anfield, Liverpool, United Kingdom, 3rd May 2023
(Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images) (Alamy Stock Photo)
6. Tyrone Mings (Aston Villa): £4.5m
Aston Villa are certainly improving, and Mings was impressive towards the back end of last season. However, he is at serious risk of losing his spot in Unai Emery’s Villa side for the upcoming campaign.
The Villains have agreed a deal for left-footed defender Pau Torres, who is likely to partner last summer’s new signing Diego Carlos in the heart of defence, which could push Mings into second choice, and poor FPL return territory.
5. Kaoru Mitoma (Brighton): £6.5m
Another excellent pickup on the surface looks to be Brighton’s Mitoma, but he is not without his risk.
At just £6.5m, he started 24 times last season and managed 7 goals and 5 assists. But like Trippier, he represents a rotation risk thanks to Brighton’s Europa League participation, while the return of highly-rated Simon Adingra from an excellent season in Belgium could offer further competition for places.
Magic Mitoma. ✨ The best of @Kaoru_Mitoma‘s first season with Albion! 🇯🇵 pic.twitter.com/PVKg3hLFJD
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) June 9, 2023
4. Jason Steele (Brighton): £4.5m
Steele ended last season as Brighton’s no.1 goalkeeper and was an excellent option, but the 32-year-old may not be so attractive now.
The arrival of Bart Verbruggen in a £15m from Anderlecht suggests that it will be he and not Steele that takes the no.1 spot heading into the new campaign.
Welcome to #BHAFC, Bart! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/LQSMtfWHgL
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) July 3, 2023
3. Mason Mount (Manchester United): £7.0m
Another bargain buy on the face of it, Mason Mount is another that could be far less effective at his new club. Set-piece taker for Chelsea and often in an attacking role, he could be more reserved for a Ten Hag side that already has a primary creator in Bruno Fernandes.
At £7.0m, better options are available.
2. Dominik Szoboszlai (Liverpool): £7.0m
Never buy the summer signings so the old adage goes.
With Szoboszlai, it is no different. The Hungarian is attractively priced at £7.0m, but will have to compete with Alexander-Arnold for set-piece duty and is unlikely to be taking penalties either.
Liverpool will certainly score plenty of goals next season, but with so many options in their side, there is no assurance that he will be among them.
Official, confirmed. Dominik Szoboszlai joins Liverpool on five year deal; €70m release clause triggered. 🔴🇭🇺 pic.twitter.com/oN2BbTNuBE
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 2, 2023
1. Nathan Ake (Manchester City): £5.0m
Ake played a starring role for Pep Guardiola’s side last season, and seemed virtually undroppable when fit, patrolling the left side in Manchester City’s new-look system.
This season might be different though. As of the time of writing, the Cityzens are locked in talks over a move for left-footed defender Josko Gvardiol in what would be a record move for a defender.
Still just 21-years-old, the defender is likely to be eased into the side, but he could find himself taking Ake’s spot with increasing frequency this season.
