There is a reason why midfielders feature the most expensive players in the FPL.
Most managers recommend opting for at least two of those big hitters but it is all too easy to blow your budget in the middle of the park and you will also need to find some cheaper players to make up the numbers and make the numbers work.
The good news is that there are bargains to be had, too. Let’s start with the priciest.
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Mo Salah (12.5m)
The FPL still considers Salah a midfielder and he is hard to ignore, even if he does go for runs of games without hitting the net for Liverpool he more than makes up for it. Guaranteed points and probably not just in everyone else’s team in your mini-league but their captain.
Bruno Fernandes (12.0m)
The Manchester United midfielder was the top scorer in last season’s FPL and was remarkably consistent. The only concerns are whether he will be given as many penalties to score and how he gels with new teammate Jadon Sancho but he has looked good in preseason.
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Kevin De Bruyne (12.0m)
Injury prevented the Belgian from showing his best every week last season but he is still a consistent points scorer when he plays. There is a risk that he will be spared games this season as Pep Guardiola looks to win that elusive Uefa Champions League.
Son Heung-Min (10.0m)
The South Korean superstar has been outstanding for Spurs in recent seasons and he had his most productive yet last time out. There are questions over how the side will perform under new boss Nuno Espirito Santo and whether Harry Kane will stay but Son has often been the answer.
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Jadon Sancho (9.5m)
The England winger arrives at Old Trafford after a year-long pursuit and many are excited to see how he will perform in a Manchester United shirt. How he adapts to the English Premier League will remain to be seen but if he is half as good as he was in the German Bundesliga with Borussia Dortmund then 9.5m will be a snip.
Jack Grealish (8.0m)
Manchester City’s shiny new toy is a lot cheaper in FPL than the £100m he cost in real life. If – and it is a big if – he can find a way to establish himself in Guardiola’s side then he should produce points. He is sure to start the season though as other players return to fitness.
Mason Mount (7.5m)
The Chelsea midfielder represented decent value before Thomas Tuchel signed Romelu Lukaku, who should get on the end of the England international’s assists. Mount also takes set-pieces and is a consistent starter.
Diogo Jota (7.5m)
The former Wolves man shone for Liverpool last season with nine goals in 12 starts. Many are tipping him to back up Mo Salah in the scoring charts this season if he can steer clear of injury.
Wilfried Zaha (7.0m)
The attacking burden at Crystal Palace will once more fall on Zaha but he has shown that he can handle it. It will be interesting to see how new boss Patrick Vieira tweaks the Eagles but Zaha will be the main man.
Harvey Barnes (7.0m)
The Leicester City midfielder overshadowed teammate James Maddison (7.0m) but missed out on the Euro 2020 squad with injury. He’s back and ready to go for Brendan Rodgers’ side for the start of the season.
James Ward-Prowse (6.5m)
Another player who came close to the Three Lions squad in the summer, Southampton star Ward-Prowse has established himself as the star of his Saints side. His dead ball delivery is among the best in the business and he could yet move on to a bigger club this season.
Emiliano Buendia (6.5m)
The player signed to replace Jack Grealish? Maybe, maybe not but Buendia was great with Norwich City in his last FPL season and is expected to shine having signed for Aston Villa. Look for him to link up with fellow new signing Danny Ings.
Jack Harrison (6.0m)
The Leeds United winger ripped it up for the new boys last season and now Jack Harrison has made his move from Manchester City permanent. He has so far proven less popular with FPL mangers than teammate Raphinha (6.5m).
Ismaila Sarr (6.0m)
Everyone was impressed that Watford kept hold of Sarr for their season in The Championship and the winger impressed as they came straight back up. Scored 13 goals in their promotion push and played as a forward toward the end of the season. Could be worth a gamble this season.
Tomas Soucek (6.0m)
The Czech midfielder popped up with a few goals for the Hammers last season as David Moyes’ West Ham United side snuck up the table towards the end of the season. There is no reason to think that Moyes has a new game plan this season and his all-action midfielder will be in the thick of things.
Stuart Dallas (5.5m)
Dallas was a defender last season but after topscoring last season he has been reclassified as a midfielder. He will do well to produce the same number of points without clean sheets but he still represents a bargain.
Emile Smith Rowe (5.5m)
The new Arsenal No 10 impressed last season and Gunners fans will be expecting him to kick on this time out. He made 12 starts last campaign and should be first choice for Mikel Arteta this season.
Billy Gilmour (4.5m)
As cheap as they come, the Scot has joined Norwich City on loan from Chelsea and will be looked to as capable of making the Canaries forget about the departed Buendia.
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