Fantasy Premier League 2025-26 Tips: Why Most FPL Managers Will Regret These Signings – And The Three You Actually Need

The Fantasy Premier League circus is back in full swing, and with it comes the same old wave of misguided optimism surrounding new signings. Managers scrambling to wedge in the flavour-of-the-month attacker or gamble on an untested full-back — and most of them will pay the price by Gameweek 3. In truth, only a small handful of these summer arrivals show genuine FPL pedigree. The rest? A cocktail of overhyped PR spins, questionable tactical fits, and blind faith in last season’s numbers from inferior leagues.

Three FPL Gems Worth Betting On – And Why the Rest Are Overhyped

• The Fantasy Premier League is no place for sentiment — ruthless clarity is the key to success.
• Some summer signings are already being ridiculously overhyped based on reputation rather than fit.
• Florian Wirtz, Viktor Gyokeres and Josko Gvardiol are the only three who genuinely justify their price tags.

Let’s cut through the noise and call it straight: only three names in the latest crop of arrivals truly warrant selection in your squad — Florian Wirtz, Viktor Gyokeres, and Josko Gvardiol. The rest are fool’s gold.

Florian Wirtz – Ready-Made for Points

Too often, we overcomplicate things in FPL. In Wirtz, we have a player who’s already producing elite-level stats, and he’s joining a team that just lifted the Premier League title. There is zero mystery here — he is a proven weapon.

Wirtz arrives off the back of a sensational campaign with Bayer Leverkusen, where he was not only statistically dominant (16 goals, 14 assists in 45 matches), but tactically integral to an unbeaten league-winning side. He wasn’t just a cog in the machine — he was the machine. If you still need convincing, his 35 big chances created last season eclipse the output of many Premier League playmakers.

Now plug that into a Liverpool side boasting Salah and Gakpo. If Alexander Isak also joins, Wirtz is suddenly feeding one of the deadliest front threes in Europe. Early signs already show promise — he’s slotted into an advanced role and netted in pre-season. His £8.5m price tag is laughable value if he becomes a fixture in the XI. Ownership is already climbing at 34.5%, and rightly so. Ignore him at your peril.

Viktor Gyokeres – Arsenal’s Missing Link

There’s cautious optimism around Gyokeres, but I’d argue there shouldn’t be caution at all — there should be expectation. Arsenal have flirted with the title two years running, and what they’ve lacked is a brutal finisher. Now they have one.

The Swedish striker’s tally of 87 goals and 25 assists across two seasons with Sporting Lisbon isn’t just eye-catching — it’s dominant. That output wasn’t built on one purple patch; it was sustained ruthlessness. And yes, critics will argue that the Primeira Liga isn’t the Premier League, but context matters — Arsenal aren’t expecting him to single-handedly carry them. With Saka and Ødegaard behind him, the service will be there.

Unlike Havertz, who somehow managed to fluff 38 big chances in the last two seasons, Gyokeres is clinical. He’s already banged in a hat-trick against Manchester City during his time in England — a reminder that he’s no stranger to English football. At £9m, with Arsenal’s strong early fixtures, he is a high-upside captaincy option who could easily start the season with a bang. You won’t find better striker value this summer.

Josko Gvardiol – DC Magnet with Nailed-On Minutes

In the new world of FPL, where Defensive Contribution (DC) points reward old-school grit, Josko Gvardiol stands apart. Quietly consistent last season, he finished third among all £6.0m defenders in potential DC returns — despite shifting between full-back and centre-half. That tells us one thing: his defensive actions are no fluke.

But it’s not just about the points he would have earned — it’s the certainty of selection that makes him such a sensible inclusion. Pep rotated heavily last season, but Gvardiol featured in 36 league matches, including all of City’s final 23 games. That level of trust from Guardiola is rare — and valuable.

His goal threat, albeit reduced from open play when playing centrally, remains potent from set pieces. Almost 50% of his efforts last season came from dead-ball situations. With City’s control of possession and defensive solidity, Gvardiol offers returns at both ends. At £6.0m, he’s the defender to own from the champions — not Ait-Nouri, not Frimpong, not Kerkez.

The Overrated Crowd: Why These Signings Are Fantasy Traps

Matheus Cunha – A £62.5m Gamble with Too Many Red Flags

Manchester United’s attacking setup is one of the most tactically muddled in the league, and they’ve gone and thrown Matheus Cunha into the chaos. While his 15 goals and six assists last season look fine on paper, the full picture is far messier. A red card, five bookings, and two bans for on-field aggression — that’s not a blip; it’s a pattern.

He’s also now expected to thrive alongside Bruno Fernandes and new arrival Bryan Mbeumo — two players who dominate the ball but aren’t always reliable in building fluid moves. Will Cunha get chances? Sure. Will he convert them efficiently while keeping a cool head? That’s the gamble. At £8m, with 12% ownership, he’s one tantrum away from ruining your Gameweek. His inclusion reeks of blind hope rather than sharp planning.

Rayan Ait-Nouri – City’s Overlapping Mirage

Yes, his move to Manchester City looked promising on paper — but then reality set in. The moment the DC points re-shuffled the defender landscape, Ait-Nouri’s appeal took a hit. Pep’s full-backs are notorious for unpredictability, and Ait-Nouri, despite his flair, lacks the physical consistency and defensive discipline required to be a weekly starter.

While he dazzled briefly at the Club World Cup, that was a soft proving ground. He hasn’t locked down a position, and with Guardiola now flirting with hybrid defenders and rotating systems, Ait-Nouri might end up being a victim of tactical flexibility. If you’re spending £6.0m on a defender, you want minutes and stability. He provides neither right now.

Maxim De Cuyper – Not Yet Ready

The temptation to jump on budget full-backs is strong in FPL. At £4.5m, De Cuyper looks appealing — until you remember that Brighton leaked goals for fun last season. The Belgian has attacking potential, yes, but that came mainly in the Jupiler Pro League. His stats dropped significantly last year: four goals, one assist. Even worse, his opening fixtures are deceptive. Fulham and Bournemouth can both punch above their weight.

He’ll need time to adapt, and Fabian Hurzeler’s system will demand defensive work first. The FPL points will not flow immediately. Picking him early could be a mistake you’ll be scrambling to correct by Gameweek 3.

Milos Kerkez and Frimpong – Rotation Risks in Disguise

Liverpool’s summer spending spree included Kerkez and potentially Frimpong — yet neither can offer guaranteed starts. Tsimikas and Robertson are still at the club. Conor Bradley is emerging. Klopp loves to tinker when new signings arrive. If you’re looking for defensive consistency from Liverpool, van Dijk is your man. Kerkez may look great going forward, but one benching and his price becomes dead weight.

Frimpong? He’s dazzling but raw. With 90 minutes uncertain and defensive positioning still a work in progress, he’s a luxury, not a necessity.

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Our Take: Cut Through the Hype or Fall Behind

Let’s be brutally honest: most Fantasy managers will get caught up in the romanticism of new signings. That’s why the leaderboard looks the way it does after a few weeks — with the same savvy managers pulling away from the crowd.

Wirtz, Gyokeres and Gvardiol stand out because they bring a blend of talent, tactical fit, and minutes. The rest either offer risk, inconsistency, or illusion. The truth is uncomfortable, but it’s necessary. Fantasy success comes from spotting what others can’t — or won’t admit.

Liverpool’s changes make Wirtz the clear midfield buy. Arsenal’s need for a finisher means Gyokeres will be thrust into chances right away. And with new scoring rules in play, Gvardiol is now the premium defender template.

The rest? Well, they may deliver a highlight or two — but they won’t be part of the winning formula.

✅Final Prediction & Rationale

“Wirtz is nailed in an attacking role for Liverpool, while Gyokeres has a goal-scoring pedigree and immediate integration into Arsenal’s system. Gvardiol’s defensive contribution guarantees consistent returns. In contrast, Cunha’s temperament and City’s unpredictability with Ait-Nouri make them liabilities. This trio offers balance, security, and high upside from Gameweek 1.”

Get in:

• Florian Wirtz (£8.5m) – elite output, high ceiling, great fixtures
• Viktor Gyokeres (£9.0m) – clinical, ready-made, ideal captaincy rotation
• Josko Gvardiol (£6.0m) – secure minutes, DC magnet, clean sheet value

Avoid completely:

Rayan Ait-Nouri (£6.0m) – uncertain role, Pep rotation roulette

Matheus Cunha (£8.0m) – disciplinary liability, tactical confusion

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