The short answer
The final friendlies have changed OneFPL's opening draft. The previous £100.0m version contained Charlie Hughes, a minimum-price midfielder and a more speculative Newcastle striker. The updated team removes the confirmed Hull absence, adds Tzolis, upgrades the fifth midfield slot to Sangare, and uses Calvert-Lewin after his strong pre-season.
The squad below costs £99.5m, deliberately leaving £0.5m in the bank for late team-news changes.
| Pos | Player | Club | Price | Role |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GK | Antonin Kinsky | Tottenham | £4.5m | Confirmed No.1 |
| GK | Martin Dubravka | Tottenham | £4.0m | Reserve / budget slot |
| DEF | Gabriel | Arsenal | £8.0m | Premium clean-sheet + attacking route |
| DEF | Riccardo Calafiori | Arsenal | £5.5m | Shield goal; defensive injuries help |
| DEF | Harry Maguire | Man Utd | £5.0m | Strong early fixtures if starting |
| DEF | Bobby Thomas | Coventry | £4.0m | Likely GW1 CB after final 90 |
| DEF | Luke O'Nien | Sunderland | £4.0m | Expected starter GW1-GW2 |
| MID | Bruno Fernandes | Man Utd | £12.0m | Talisman; penalties now a watchpoint |
| MID | Christos Tzolis | Arsenal | £6.5m | 1G+6A pre-season; expected GW1 start |
| MID | Anton Stach | Leeds | £6.0m | All-round value |
| MID | Granit Xhaka | Sunderland | £5.5m | Minutes + contributions |
| MID | Mamadou Sangare | Brentford | £5.5m | DefCon-friendly fifth midfielder |
| FWD | Erling Haaland | Man City | £15.5m | Captaincy anchor |
| FWD | João Pedro | Chelsea | £7.5m | Seven pre-season goals |
| FWD | Dominic Calvert-Lewin | Leeds | £6.0m | Three pre-season goals + two final assists |
Suggested Gameweek 1 XI
Kinsky
Gabriel – Calafiori – Maguire
Bruno Fernandes – Tzolis – Stach – Xhaka
Haaland – João Pedro – Calvert-Lewin
Bench: Dubravka; O'Nien, Sangare, Bobby Thomas.
Captain: Haaland Vice-captain: Bruno Fernandes
O'Nien can move into the XI if your preferred defender has a late fitness/minutes concern.
Latest FPL news
Why Tzolis is now in
The old draft was waiting for final-friendly proof. Tzolis delivered it: two Community Shield assists took him to one goal and six assists in pre-season, and official FPL analysis expects him to start GW1 on Arsenal's left.
At £6.5m, he also creates the money needed to strengthen the bench.
Why João Pedro and Calvert-Lewin stay attractive
João Pedro finished pre-season with seven goals, the most among Premier League clubs. Calvert-Lewin supplied two assists in Leeds' final friendly after scoring three earlier in pre-season.
Neither should be picked only because of friendly form; the stronger case is that both also have central attacking roles.
Why the bench changed
Charlie Hughes is ruled out of GW1, so he cannot remain in a “best team” article. O'Nien is expected to start Sunderland's first two matches, while Bobby Thomas played the full final Coventry friendly and is likely to partner Amenda. Sangare provides a playable fifth midfielder with defensive-contribution potential.
Related on OneFPL
OneFPL verdict
This is now a much stronger post-final-friendly £99.5m draft. The two most likely deadline changes are driven by press conferences: Arsenal defensive availability and Manchester United's final attacking/penalty picture. Keeping £0.5m available makes those changes easier.
FAQ
How much does this draft cost?
£99.5m, leaving £0.5m in the bank.
Why is Charlie Hughes gone?
Hull have ruled him out of GW1, so a best-team draft should not carry him as a playable bench option.
Who is captain?
Haaland remains captain, with Bruno Fernandes vice-captain before final press-conference updates.
