The strongest goalkeeper choices for an opening 2026/27 FPL squad are:
Best premium pick: David Raya (£6.0m)
Best £5.5m pick: Jordan Pickford (£5.5m)
Best £5.0m pick: Caoimhin Kelleher (£5.0m)
Best £4.5m pick: Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m)
Best high-upside watchlist pick: Antonin Kinsky (£4.5m), if Tottenham confirm him as first choice
Goalkeeper is usually a position where managers try to save money. That can work, but the cheapest option is not automatically the best value. Clean-sheet potential, save volume, bonus points and secure starts all matter.
Why goalkeepers could earn more bonus points
The 2026/27 Bonus Points System has been adjusted to improve goalkeeper potential.
Goalkeepers now receive two BPS for every save, plus one extra BPS for saving a shot from inside the box and another for stopping a big chance. This should help goalkeepers who combine clean sheets with difficult saves.
It also means a busy goalkeeper from a mid-table club can sometimes compete with a premium option who faces fewer shots.
David Raya (£6.0m): best premium goalkeeper
Raya starts the season as the most expensive goalkeeper in FPL after scoring 162 points in 2025/26.
Arsenal recorded 19 league clean sheets last season, more than any other club. They also begin at home to promoted Coventry City and face only one of last season's top six across their first eight fixtures.
Raya's main advantage is reliability. He is the safest route into Arsenal's defence without paying £8.0m for Gabriel.
The concern is value. Raya costs £1.5m more than the leading £4.5m goalkeepers. That money could improve an outfield position.
OneFPL verdict: The safest goalkeeper and best premium choice. Select him when you want a set-and-forget option and do not need the third Arsenal slot elsewhere.
Jordan Pickford (£5.5m): best all-round alternative
Pickford scored 135 points last season and led Premier League goalkeepers with 28 big chances saved.
That profile should suit the updated Bonus Points System. Pickford can earn points from saves even when Everton fail to keep a clean sheet.
Everton are also tied for the best average Fixture Difficulty Rating across the opening six Gameweeks.
The downside is price. At only £0.5m below Raya, some managers may prefer to find the extra money for Arsenal's stronger clean-sheet potential.
OneFPL verdict: A dependable premium alternative with a better save ceiling than Raya.
Caoimhin Kelleher (£5.0m): best save and bonus option
Kelleher scored 143 points last season, finishing second among FPL goalkeepers.
He saved 27 big chances and three penalties. Brentford also have a promising early schedule, beginning at home to Tottenham before matches against Leeds, Sunderland and Bournemouth.
Kelleher saves £1.0m compared with Raya and still offers clean-sheet, save and bonus potential.
The main caution is that penalty saves are difficult to predict. His regular save volume and fixtures should be the main reasons for selecting him.
OneFPL verdict: The best £5.0m goalkeeper for managers who want saves, bonus potential and reasonable early fixtures.
Bart Verbruggen (£4.5m): best budget goalkeeper
Verbruggen remains at £4.5m after scoring 130 points last season.
Brighton finished the campaign strongly, keeping five clean sheets in their final 10 matches. From Gameweek 28 onward, they also allowed fewer big chances than any other team.
At £4.5m, Verbruggen releases £1.5m compared with Raya. That saving can turn a bench player into a reliable starter or help fund a premium attacker.
Brighton's opening fixtures are not perfect, and their defence has changed during the summer. Their final friendlies should be monitored before Gameweek 1.
OneFPL verdict: The best balance of price, proven minutes and previous points in the £4.5m bracket.
Antonin Kinsky (£4.5m): high upside, but not yet safe
Kinsky played every minute of Tottenham's final seven league matches last season and produced several important saves.
Tottenham's defensive numbers improved after Roberto De Zerbi took charge. They conceded only 10 big chances across his final seven matches, the lowest total in the league over that period.
The problem is competition. Kinsky and Guglielmo Vicario both cost £4.5m, while Tottenham have also added Martin Dubravka.
Kinsky becomes an excellent budget option if he starts Tottenham's final major friendly and receives clear support from the manager. Until then, he belongs on the watchlist.
OneFPL verdict: Strong potential, but select him only after first-choice status is confirmed.
Other goalkeepers to monitor
Dean Henderson (£5.0m)
Henderson saved 26 big chances and one penalty last season. Crystal Palace's managerial change makes their defensive shape worth monitoring.
Emiliano Martinez (£5.0m)
Martinez offers a secure role and save potential. Aston Villa were much stronger defensively at home than away last season, making him useful for managers willing to rotate.
Djordje Petrovic (£4.5m)
Petrovic scored 124 points last season, but Bournemouth have the most difficult opening schedule according to the official FDR. He may become more attractive after the early fixtures improve.
Which goalkeeper structure should you use?
Premium set-and-forget
Raya (£6.0m)
A £4.0m reserve
This costs more but removes weekly selection decisions.
Budget set-and-forget
Verbruggen (£4.5m)
A £4.0m reserve
This releases £1.5m compared with Raya and is the most budget-efficient structure.
Two playing goalkeepers
Two £4.5m starters
This provides injury cover and can support Bench Boost, but it creates weekly benching decisions. Only spend the extra money when both goalkeepers are secure starters and their fixtures rotate well.
OneFPL goalkeeper ranking
David Raya - safest premium selection
Bart Verbruggen - strongest budget value
Caoimhin Kelleher - best save and bonus profile
Jordan Pickford - reliable premium alternative
Antonin Kinsky - high-upside option if confirmed first choice
The correct choice depends on your squad structure. Raya is safest, but Verbruggen may create a stronger complete squad by releasing £1.5m.
Use the OneFPL Planner to compare a Raya draft with a £4.5m goalkeeper draft. Check whether the saving produces a meaningful upgrade elsewhere.
FAQ
Who is the best FPL goalkeeper for 2026/27?
David Raya is the safest overall choice because Arsenal had the strongest defence last season. Bart Verbruggen offers better budget value at £4.5m.
Is a £6.0m goalkeeper worth it?
It can be when the goalkeeper offers elite clean-sheet potential and secure starts. However, the £1.5m saving from a budget option may improve an outfield position.
Who is the best £4.5m FPL goalkeeper?
Bart Verbruggen is the strongest early option based on secure minutes and his 130 points last season. Kinsky could challenge him if Tottenham confirm him as first choice.
Should I own two playing goalkeepers?
Usually one secure starter and a cheap reserve is enough. Two playing goalkeepers are more useful when planning an early Bench Boost or when their fixtures rotate particularly well.
OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
OneFPL analysis. OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
