FPL 2025/26 The first draft team revealed: Wirtz + Salah Double-Up

With the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) directly for 2025/26, we welcome our guest writer team again for a new campaign.

Here, FPL Milanista – which has three top 5K finish in the last five seasons – Share initial thinking about changes in FPL rules and prices and compiles the first draft.

Make sure you register for a new season to get all the articles, tools, and special features of members to make 2025/26 your best FPL campaign!

During the 2025/26/26 Premier Fantasy League season, the game has introduced a series of new changes that promise to reshape our overall strategy and experience.

Some of these updates are clearly designed to increase the options of players and justice, while others have triggered debate between the FPL community.

The following is closer to what is new, what does it mean, and my opinion about the impact of this change.

Defensive Contribution Points + Changes in Assistance: Good for games?

To start with, I want to highlight the two changes that I really like: Introduction to defensive contribution points and revision of assistance rules.

The first to expand the reach of players worth considering, which is always an increase in welcome to any fantasy game.

Meanwhile, updated assistance rules show that game developers are committed to making significant progress towards reducing subjective calls and based on assessments that often make managers frustrated in the past.

By applying clearer and more objective criteria, the season should feel much more just and less controversial.

Afcon Extra Transfer Can Still Benefit Careful Planners

Perhaps the most controversial change surrounds the rules for the transfer of the African Cup (AFCON). The new system allows additional transfer without a tight validity date, which means we can roll it up to the end of the season.

Many managers have criticized this, with the reason that it gave awards to those who did not plan well for the Afcon period.

However, from my point of view, this change can actually appreciate strategic planning.

Because this transfer is not expired, an intelligent manager can use it outside of Gameweek 16, has the potential to avoid a traditional dot during a traditional complex period.

In essence, although it seems profitable that is not ready on the surface, a wise approach can turn this rule into a tactical advantage.

Player price

Seeing the price of players now because the game was just launched a few hours ago, my initial impression is that most of the assessment is quite accurate, with the game generally choosing a higher end in 50/50 of the case.

Of course, there are always exceptions – players like Florian Wirtz (£ 8.5 million), Kudus Mohammed (6.5m), Gabriel Magalhaes (£ 6.0 million) and Destiny Udogie (£ 4.5 million), and even Mohamed Salah (£ 14.5 million), in my opinion, it can be valued slightly higher while maintaining a strong attraction among managers.

Bench Boost in Gameweek 1?

Finally, there is Gameweek 1 Bench Boost Strategy, which I still explore in detail.

Using your Bench Boost chip right at the beginning of the season can be an intelligent tactic, especially now because we have two boost benches to be used throughout the campaign.

Playing early allows you to use points from all of your squad, including players who are usually not in your starting line-up but still have the potential for assessment. This strategy often demands careful planning and sometimes even requires the use of Wildcard to manage your troops correctly.

After you get up, you can start lowering certain positions such as the second goalkeeper or your eighth striker, and directing the savings to strengthen your initial XI.

First draft