Arabic version: خمسة أسئلة في فانتازي الدوري الإنجليزي قبل موسم 2026-27
According to BBC News, Fantasy Premier League managers face several major selection decisions with three days remaining before the 2026-27 season begins. BBC Sport’s FPL experts highlighted Erling Haaland’s fitness and record £15.5m price, Manchester United options, Chelsea’s new-look attack, the impact of the World Cup and Arsenal’s defensive prospects. Managers can enter the BBC Sport League with the code bbcfpl before Friday’s 18:30 BST deadline.
Haaland was last season’s highest-scoring FPL player with 239 points, four more than Bruno Fernandes, although that total was 33 below his 2022-23 best. Pras, Gianni Buttice and FPL Heisenberg each backed selecting the Manchester City forward, citing his captaincy appeal and the limited number of premium alternatives. However, the panel noted concerns over his World Cup workload after he appeared for 53 minutes in the Community Shield, while Holly Shand said his reduced pre-season could affect his start.
Fernandes is in nearly 50% of teams after finishing second in FPL scoring last season, and the experts considered whether to pair him with another Manchester United player. Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire and goalkeeper Senne Lammens were discussed as options, with United facing Hull City and Ipswich Town in their opening two gameweeks. Mbeumo’s pre-season and likely role as a central striker were among the factors raised, while Maguire’s goal threat was also noted.
Chelsea’s appointment of Xabi Alonso and £117m signing of Morgan Rogers create another FPL question. The experts differed on whether Cole Palmer or Rogers should be early selections, but several identified Joao Pedro as the preferred Chelsea attacker from gameweek one. Palmer missed one of the final friendlies with an injury, while Rogers has been easing back after England duty. Chelsea have also used both a back four and a back five in pre-season, according to the discussion.
The World Cup remains a key variable for early selections. Players from Spain, France, England and Argentina who reached the semi-finals were only recently returning to training, though Pras suggested players who completed 50 minutes or more in final pre-season friendlies should be ready for gameweek one. Arsenal’s defence also drew scrutiny after 19 clean sheets last season. William Saliba and Jurrien Timber will miss the start through injury, but David Raya, Christhian Mosquera, Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori were identified as potential routes into the Gunners’ back line.
