Difficult to include both Haaland and several other premiums
Who is this structure for?
This structure suits managers who value captaincy security and believe budget players will emerge during pre-season.
It is also the safer approach when Haaland is expected to be highly owned.
Structure two: Haaland plus Bruno Fernandes
This structure attempts to own the two highest-priced captaincy options.
Haaland costs £15.5m and Fernandes costs £12.0m, meaning £27.5m is committed to two players.
Suggested budget shape
Haaland as the premium forward
Fernandes as the premium midfielder
One mid-priced forward
Three budget or mid-priced midfielders
A value-focused defence
A low-cost goalkeeper combination
Minimum-price playing substitutes
Advantages
Excellent captaincy rotation
Access to Manchester City and Manchester United’s main attackers
Strong options for the opening fixtures
Less need to make early premium transfers
High ceiling when both deliver
Disadvantages
Very limited defensive budget
Greater reliance on £4.0m and £4.5m players
Limited flexibility for a third premium
Weak substitutes may create problems
One injury can force a major restructure
Who is this structure for?
This approach suits managers who believe premium captaincy will decide the opening Gameweeks.
It requires confidence in several cheap players receiving regular minutes.
Structure three: Balanced squad without Haaland
This structure removes Haaland and spreads the £15.5m across several positions.
A manager could instead select:
A £9.0m forward
Another premium or upper mid-priced midfielder
A stronger defender
A deeper bench
Suggested budget shape
One £8.0m to £10.0m forward
One premium midfielder
Several midfielders between £6.5m and £9.5m
At least one premium defender
Two playable substitutes
Greater money in the bank
Advantages
Stronger overall starting eleven
More transfer options across different price points
Better substitutes
Reduced dependence on one player
Easier rotation between fixtures
Disadvantages
No obvious Manchester City captain
Significant rank damage if Haaland hauls
Difficult to buy Haaland without multiple transfers
Captaincy may become more complicated
Extra squad strength is wasted if budget players perform equally well
Who is this structure for?
This approach suits managers who believe several mid-priced players can collectively outperform Haaland and the cheaper players required to own him.
It is a higher-risk strategy because of Haaland’s ownership and captaincy.
How to compare the three structures
Do not compare only the premium players.
Compare the complete starting elevens.
Ask:
Which structure has the strongest captain each Gameweek?
How many players are secure starters?
Does the bench contain usable substitutes?
How many transfers are needed to change structure?
Are there several players at common price points?
How much money remains in the bank?
Which draft looks strongest across the first six Gameweeks?
Avoid building for only Gameweek 1
A strong opening draft should survive several Gameweeks.
Do not select a player only because they have one attractive fixture if their following schedule is difficult.
Review:
The first six fixtures
Home and away rotation
Captaincy options
Pre-season minutes
Injury status
Set pieces
Starting security
Keep several scenarios
The first draft you build is unlikely to be your final team.
Create separate scenarios for:
Haaland as the only premium.
Haaland and Fernandes together.
A balanced no-Haaland squad.
Update each scenario as new transfer, injury and pre-season information becomes available.
OneFPL verdict
The Haaland structure is likely to be the safest.
The two-premium structure offers the strongest captaincy but requires reliable budget players.
The balanced structure may produce the strongest starting eleven, but it carries significant risk if Haaland begins the season quickly.
Use the OneFPL Transfer Planner to save each draft and compare them across the opening Gameweeks before making your final decision.
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OneFPL is an independent Fantasy Premier League companion. OneFPL is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to the Premier League or Fantasy Premier League.
FPL DraftGameweek 1FPL Team StructureHaaland DraftFPL 2026/27
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.
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