FPL Gameweek 1 Dream Team: Buy, Watch or Avoid After the Final Lock

The short answer

The final Gameweek 1 Dream Team scored 148 points before captaincy.

It was dominated by budget and mid-price players rather than premiums.

That does not mean the correct GW2 strategy is to buy all eleven.

The useful question is:

Which GW1 hauls revealed a repeatable role?

Final GW1 Dream Team

1. Maxim De Cuyper — 17 points

De Cuyper produced the highest score of the Gameweek.

His return was supported by:

• an advanced role
• attacking output
• a clean sheet
• bonus

Since GW1, he has also scored in Europe.

The counterweight is Brighton's growing schedule and Jaouen Hadjam's arrival.

OneFPL call: HOLD if owned; BUY only after checking expected minutes.

Read the latest Brighton context in the Player Lab and Team News.

2. Sangaré — 14 points

Sangaré's two assists were the surprise.

His Defensive Contribution route was not.

He reached 13 defensive contributions in GW1 and earned the extra two points.

That gives him more than one path to returns at a budget price.

OneFPL call: BUY / HOLD.

3. Palmer — 13 points

Palmer's goal and assist came from exactly the type of central attacking role managers want.

This was not a defender scoring from his only shot of the season.

He remains:

• a major creator
• a goal threat
• a captaincy option in good fixtures

OneFPL call: BUY / HOLD.

4. João Pedro — 11 points

João Pedro combined a goal and assist with a central Chelsea role.

His ownership and price have already risen, but the role is the reason to consider him.

OneFPL call: BUY / HOLD.

5. Kayode — 13 points

Brentford's 3-0 win over Tottenham put Kayode on the transfer radar.

The key question is whether his role and starts remain secure.

At a low defender price, clean-sheet potential plus attacking involvement can still make him excellent value.

OneFPL call: WATCH / BUY.

Hull's three Dream Team players

Tzolakis, Mendy and Ajayi all reached the final Dream Team.

That is important evidence that Hull can produce FPL value.

But three players from the same promoted defence after one clean sheet is exactly where managers can overreact.

Tzolakis

WATCH. Useful goalkeeper value if saves and starts remain secure.

Mendy

WATCH. A £4.0m starter is extremely useful, but do not extrapolate 15 points.

Ajayi

WATCH. Good opening evidence; buy only if the role and fixtures justify it.

Hinshelwood — 16 points

Two goals created a huge score.

The important follow-up is whether his attacking position and box involvement remain consistent.

OneFPL call: WATCH.

Stach — 13 points

Leeds' upcoming home fixtures improve his case, while his playing style gives him more than one points route.

OneFPL call: WATCH / BUY for the right structure.

Gakpo — 12 points

Liverpool's attack remains attractive, but expected minutes matter because premium-club rotation can turn a good asset into an unreliable FPL pick.

OneFPL call: HOLD / WATCH.

Five filters before buying any Dream Team player

Useful OneFPL links

Before chasing a GW1 haul:

• Compare players in Player Lab
• Check the upcoming fixtures
• Review latest team news
• Check transfer trends
• Test the move in the Transfer Planner

OneFPL verdict

The GW1 Dream Team is valuable evidence, not a shopping list.

Best repeatable cases:

• Sangaré
• Palmer
• João Pedro

High-upside but minutes/context dependent:

• De Cuyper
• Kayode
• Stach
• Gakpo

Biggest point-chasing danger:

• assuming every promoted defender or surprise brace will repeat.

FAQ

How many points did the GW1 Dream Team score?

148 before captaincy.

Who was the highest-scoring player in GW1?

Maxim De Cuyper with 17 points.

Should I buy every player in the Dream Team?

No. Prioritise repeatable role, minutes and future fixtures.

Where can I compare the GW1 stars?

Use the OneFPL Player Lab.

Sources

• Official FPL locked Gameweek 1 data
• OneFPL Player Lab
• OneFPL Fixtures