FPL First Draft Squad 2026/27: Searching for the Best 15 From the Off

The Premier League have opened up squad selections for FPL 2026/27 and I’m here to share my thoughts on my FPL first draft for the coming campaign. Erling Haaland has become the most expensive player in the history of the game at 15.5m, but aside from him and Bruno Fernandes (12.0m), no player sits above 10.0m, so there is value to be had with squad selections as we plan for the season ahead. I’ve based my squad on previous articles I’ve written in the build up to the campaign, and there will be plenty more before we get underway on Friday 21st August.

Goalkeepers

Senne Lammens (5.0m) – Lammens was highlighted in our article of teams to target as one to watch, and I’m surprised to see him at this price point given the strength of his performance in his first campaign in English football. Playing for the side that finished third in the league, who look a lot steadier under Michael Carrick, I’d be surprised if I switch him out at any point during the first ten weeks of the season.

Antonin Kinsky (4.5m) – Kinsky was Roberto de Zerbi’s preferred choice in goal at the end of the season and he’s currently my backup. He looks set to be Spurs’ No.1 for the season ahead and the North London outfit look sure of a better campaign this time around. Unless a starting 4.0m emerges, the Czech international will be my bench option between the sticks.

Defenders

Cristhian Mosquera (5.5m) – With William Saliba, Ben White and Jurrien Timber out for the start of the season, Mosquera looks assured of minutes and is a cheaper alternative to Gabriel (8.0m) in the Gunners backline. He’ll play either right back, where assists are plausible, or next his Brazilian teammate in the middle where defensive contributions are more assured. Either way, he looks the best value route into the league’s best defence at the moment.

Nico O’Reilly (6.5m) – An essential pick after his breakout year in 2025/26, he could be the next Trent Alexander-Arnold given his attacking expertise. Enzo Maresca will play a similar style of football to what we’re used to from Manchester City, and the only possible downside with O’Reilly is that his minutes may be managed following an extended World Cup campaign with England.

Pedro Porro (5.5m) – Another attacking full back pick, Porro was superb during his early days in the Premier League before suffering a downturn in form. However, he’ll be buzzing having played a starring role in Spain’s World Cup win, and with de Zerbi preferring an attacking style, the right back will have license to get forward with potential for goals and assists, particularly as he may be on some set pieces too.

Ferdi Kadioglou (4.5m) – Taking a risk with another full back but I like the look of Turkish international Kadiglou, he was bedded into the Brighton side gently before becoming a regular and with a full season under his belt, could explode this season. He looks a good price at 4.5m too.

Leif Davis (4.0m) – Davis was all the rage two FPL seasons ago after a Championship season in which he registered 21 assists, he only managed 5 in the second tier last season, but looks a nailed starter for the Tractor Boys, who open the campaign with just three FDR4 or higher matches in the first 17 game weeks.

Midfielders

Bruno Fernandes (12.0m) – One of the go-to players in FPL for many years now, it would be brave to leave out the Portuguese schemer. His all round game is perfectly suited to FPL as he gets assists, goals and defensive contributions. With not many other midfielders as assured of points, the Manchester United captain will be one of the most popular picks in the game this season.

Phil Foden (7.0m) – This could be a silly price. I had expected to see Foden at least 0.5m higher than this. With a summer of rest the English magician could be ready to explode in FPL this season, having been one of the best players in the league previously. Things went awry for Foden last season for some reason, but a new manager could be just what was needed to spark him into life. City have great fixtures, and Foden is set for plenty of minutes given Reijnders, Doku, Semenyo and Cherki all had international commitments this summer.

Dominik Szoboszlai (7.0m) – Lots of mid-range midfielders to choose from this season and Hungarian Szobaszlai is one who gets the nod for me. Missed out on World Cup action with Hungary so should be fresh, takes set-pieces and was one of the Reds’ best players in a dreadful campaign last time out. Could go onto even more under Iraola’s tutelage.

Bryan Mbeumo (8.0m) – Midfielders who player as forwards are always key to FPL hopes and Mbeumo is one who fits the bill excellently. Another star player to have missed World Cup action, the Cameroon man scored a respectable eleven goals last season, and more is expected this time around.

Dario Essugo (4.5m) – Fully expecting this selection to change as teams’ plans become clearer, an obvious 4.5m option usually emerges (think Andreas Pereira a few years back). However, Essugo cost Chelsea £18.5m but was injured a lot of last season, when he did play, he made an impression now, assisting twice for the Blues in an FA Cup tie at Wrexham.

Forwards

Erling Haaland (15.5m) – Who else? The Golden Boot winner for three of the last four years and few look capable of matching him this time. City have a cracking set of fixtures to kick off and the Norwegian goal machine looks captaincy material for at least four of the first five weeks of the season.

Brian Brobbey (6.0m) – Dutch striker Brobbey had a strong World Cup with Netherlands off the back of seven goals in 31 appearances in his first PL campaign. This was a toss up with Igor Jesus, but I just favoured the Sunderland man owing to the Mackems’ fixture run which features five FDR2 games in the first nine of the season.

Jonah Kusi-Asare (4.5m) – Not too many 4.5m strikers that look like starting at this stage so Kusi-Asare rounds off the squad as a the third forward option. Expect this to change as more players move clubs towards the start of the season.

Total Cost: 100m

Here’s the For Foot Sake FPL first draft of the 2026/27 season. Let us know what you think in the comments, and we’ll be back next week with more pointers ahead of the new campaign.