Fantasy Premier League is finally here for the 2022-23 season and managers can now create their virtual squads ahead of the opening fixtures in just four weeks' time.
Player prices were gradually revealed over the weekend before the game was officially launched on Tuesday, and the hype is now beginning to build among the nine million-plus managers who took part last season.
FPL fanatics have a plethora of players to choose from this term, ranging from proven top-flight stars to new summer signings and hidden gems.
With team-tinkering rife at this time of the year, Sports Mole takes a look at some of the best budget, mid-range and premium assets available to FPL managers ahead of the new campaign.
FPL Goalkeepers:
Budget goalkeeper: David Raya | Brentford | £4.5m
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David Raya enjoyed an impressive maiden Premier League campaign with Brentford in 2021-22 and was a key performer between the sticks, keeping eight clean sheets in 24 appearances as well as picking up 20 save points and five bonus points.
The 26-year-old – who at the time of writing is the joint-third highest owned keeper at 14.5% – averaged four points per match last season, which was bettered by only three other regular starters, and accumulated a total of 95 points.
Considering his price and Brentford's favourable schedule to begin the new season, Raya could be a cheap set-and-forget option, providing FPL managers with more funds to spend elsewhere.
Mid-range goalkeeper: Edouard Mendy | Chelsea | £5.0m
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Currently the most owned FPL goalkeeper at 24.9%, Chelsea's Edouard Mendy is unsurprisingly a popular pick in 2022-23 following a surprise £1.0m drop in valuation from last season.
The Senegalese stopper, who kept 14 clean sheets and racked up a total of 130 points last season, is an assured starter under Thomas Tuchel.
With Chelsea looking to rebuild their defence and mount a title challenge this term, Mendy offers FPL managers a value route into their backline, considering both Reece James and Ben Chilwell are priced at £6.0m. The Blues also face only two of the so-called top six clubs in their opening 12 fixtures.
Premium goalkeeper: Alisson Becker | Liverpool | £5.5m
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If you are after a safe pair of hands then look no further than Liverpool's number one Alisson Becker, who was the top-scoring goalkeeper in FPL last season with 176 points, keeping 20 clean sheets to win the Golden Glove along with Manchester City's Ederson.
The 29-year-old boasted an average of 4.9 points per match last term, more than any other goalkeeper in the division, and also collected a league-high 15 bonus points between the sticks.
Alisson is a guaranteed starter under Jurgen Klopp and will surely rack up over 100 points for a fifth successive season. The Brazilian has also chipped in with a surprise goal contribution in each of the last three campaigns, including an assist last season and a dramatic winner goal against West Bromwich Albion in 2020-21.
Notable mentions: Ederson (Manchester City - £5.5m), Aaron Ramsdale (Arsenal - £5.0m), Nick Pope (Newcastle United - £5.0m), Jose Sa (Wolverhampton Wanderers - £5.0m), Robert Sanchez (Brighton & Hove Albion - £4.5m).
FPL Defenders:
Budget defender: Neco Williams | Liverpool | £4.0m
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At the time of writing, Neco Williams is currently a Liverpool player, but the 21-year-old defender is expected to leave Anfield this summer, with Nottingham Forest seemingly the most likely destination.
The Wales international, who recorded two goals and five assists in 23 games for both Liverpool and Fulham (on loan) last season, could be a bargain selection for FPL managers if he is to play regularly next term.
Williams, an attack-minded right-back who is not shy to whip crosses into the box, is arguably the standout £4.0m asset at present, and although his current ownership stands at just 1.9%, it is sure to rocket if he completes his move to the City Ground.
Mid-range defender: Ivan Perisic | Tottenham Hotspur | £5.5m
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Tottenham Hotspur's new recruit Ivan Perisic excelled as a left wing-back for Italian giants Inter Milan last season, recording eight goals and seven assists in 34 Serie A appearances.
While the 33-year-old has spent the majority of his career further up the pitch as a winger, he is now listed as a defender in FPL, which makes him a very tempting asset at just £5.5m.
It remains to be seen whether he will play regularly under Antonio Conte, but his attacking threat is hard to ignore and he has the ability to produce big points hauls in the new campaign.
Premium defender: Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | £7.5m
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The standout premium defender is once again Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold, who for the third successive season is the highest-priced FPL defender at £7.5m.
The 23-year-old is in a league of his own when it comes to offering multiple routes to returns at both ends of the pitch, and he has picked up a minimum of 160 points in each of the last four seasons.
Alexander-Arnold recorded his second-best FPL tally of 208 point in the 2021-22 campaign, courtesy of two goals, 12 assists, 18 clean sheets and 32 bonus points. It is no surprise to see the creative full-back currently listed as the highest-owned FPL defender at 56.2%, and another standout season is expected from the Englishman this term.
Notable mentions: Joao Cancelo (Manchester City - £7.0m), Andrew Robertson (Liverpool - £7.0m), Reece James (Chelsea - £6.0m), Ben Chilwell (Chelsea - £6.0m), Kieran Trippier (Newcastle United - £5.0m), Takehiro Tomiyasu (Arsenal - £4.5m), James Justin (Leicester City - £4.5m).
FPL Midfielders:
Budget midfielder: Pedro Neto | Wolverhampton Wanderers | £5.5m
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A popular pick by FPL managers so far this summer has been Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Pedro Neto, who is currently the 12th highest-owned player in the game at 22%.
The 22-year-old missed the majority of last season due to a knee injury, but his FPL form in 2020-21 bodes well for the new campaign, as he picked up 124 points, scoring five goals and providing eight assists as well as collecting 10 bonus points.
While Neto is listed as a midfielder, he is expected to be used regularly in an attacking front two or three by head coach Bruno Lage this season. Wolves face just one of last season's top six in their opening six fixtures and Neto could be a great budget option if he can hit the ground running.
Mid-range midfielder: Luis Diaz | Liverpool | £8.0m
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January signing Luis Diaz wasted no time settling into life at Anfield, contributing to seven goals in 13 league games at the backend of last season, and he is set to establish himself as a key asset for Klopp's side in 2022-23 following the departure of Sadio Mane.
The Colombian winger, who previously recorded 14 goals and five assists in 18 league games for Porto, is £1.0m cheaper than Diogo Jota and summer addition Darwin Nunez, who are both listed as forward this term.
Diaz is already owned by over 30% of FPL managers and with Liverpool facing only one of last season's top six clubs in their opening seven fixtures, he could be a shrewd signing at the start of this season.
Premium midfielder: Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | £13.0m
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Little needs to be said about Liverpool's star attacker Mohamed Salah, who is arguably one of the greatest FPL players to grace the game.
The 2020-21 Golden Boot winner is the most expensive FPL asset once again this season and will set managers back £13.0m, but his record since arriving at Anfield five years ago justifies his hefty price tag.
Salah has produced over 230 points per season for the Reds since the 2017-18 campaign including 265 last term, more than any other player. The Egyptian is currently owned by nearly 60% of FPL managers and will be a popular pick to wear the captain's armband on a regular basis.
Notable mentions: Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City - £12.0m), Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur - £12.0m), Bukayo Saka (Arsenal - £8.0m, Riyad Mahrez (Manchester City - £8.0m), Mason Mount (Chelsea - £8.0m), Philippe Coutinho (Aston Villa - £7.0m), Marcus Rashford (Manchester United - £6.5m), Anthony Gordon (Everton - £5.5m).
FPL Forwards:
Budget forward: Brennan Johnson | Nottingham Forest | £6.0m
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Brennan Johnson enjoyed a hugely-successful breakthrough season with Nottingham Forest in 2021-22, scoring 18 goals and providing 10 assists to help them secure promotion from the Championship via the playoffs.
The EFL Young Player of the Season is a versatile forward who can operate down the middle or on the flanks, and despite the summer arrival of striker Taiwo Awoniyi, the 21-year-old Welshman is still regarded as an invaluable member of Steve Cooper's squad.
Johnson, who was on free kicks and penalties for Forest last season, will be hoping to make a quick start to life in the Premier League with opening fixtures against Newcastle United, West Ham United and Everton.
Mid-range forward: Gabriel Jesus | Arsenal | £8.0m
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After five-and-a-half trophy-laden years at Manchester City, Gabriel Jesus has made the switch to Arsenal, where he is set to become the main focal point in Mikel Arteta's attack.
The Brazilian struggled for regular starts under Pep Guardiola last season, but still managed to record eight goals and eight assists in 28 league games as well as collect 16 bonus points.
Jesus, who is already owned by 45.3% of FPL managers, is a proven Premier League goalscorer and has the potential to excel in front of goal this season. The Gunners have a favourable opening set to fixtures, facing only one of last season's top-six teams in their first eight games.
Premium forward: Erling Braut Haaland | Manchester City | £11.5m
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One of the standout summer signings has been made by the current Premier League champions, with Man City adding goal machine Erling Braut Haaland to their ranks.
The Norwegian is the joint-most expensive forward in FPL along with Tottenham's Harry Kane at £11.5m, but that has not discouraged FPL managers from adding him to their teams, as he is currently the most owned player in the game at 64.8%.
Haaland scored goals for fun at Borussia Dortmund, finding the net 61 times in 66 Bundesliga appearances, and he is set to thrive on the regular service provided by the likes of De Bruyne.
Notable mentions: Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur - £11.5m), Jamie Vardy (Leicester City - £9.5m), Darwin Nunez (Liverpool - £9.0m), Kai Havertz (Chelsea - £8.0m), Callum Wilson (Newcastle United - £7.5m), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Fulham - £6.5m).
Oliver Thomas
