These are watchlist roles, not confirmed Gameweek 1 positions.
What makes an out-of-position player valuable?
Defender playing as a wing-back
The player can receive:
Four clean-sheet points
Six points per goal
Three points per assist
Defensive-contribution points
Bonus potential
Midfielder playing as a forward
The player can receive:
Five points per goal
One clean-sheet point
Three points per assist
A midfield squad slot
Greater captaincy value
Defender playing in central midfield
This can be positive or negative.
A defensive midfielder may collect contributions and receive defender clean-sheet points, but he may also have very limited attacking output.
Mats Wieffer
Wieffer has officially moved from midfielder to defender after playing at right-back last season.
At £5.0m, he can offer:
Brighton clean sheets
Defensive contributions
Inverted midfield involvement
Occasional attacking returns
The risk is that Brighton can use him in different positions or rotate after strengthening the defence.
Watch status: One of the strongest genuine opportunities.
Ryan Sessegnon
Sessegnon is now a defender.
If Alvaro Arbeloa uses him as an attacking left wing-back, he becomes much more attractive than a conventional full-back.
The role must be compared with Antonee Robinson and Fulham's complete defensive setup.
Watch status: High upside, minutes uncertain.
Patrick Dorgu
Dorgu is classified as a midfielder, which matches the left-wing role used by Michael Carrick.
He is not technically misclassified, but he remains relevant to this watchlist because his attacking role may be stronger than managers expect from a player previously known as a defender.
Manchester United face Hull and Ipswich first.
Watch status: Strong fixture opportunity if he starts.
Nottingham Forest wing-backs
Oliver Glasner's arrival increases the possibility of a back-three system.
Official FPL analysis identifies Neco Williams and Ola Aina as likely wing-back candidates.
Neco Williams
Can offer width, crossing and set pieces.
Ola Aina
Can combine attacking runs with defensive contributions.
Eric Moreira
Now classified as a defender and could become a lower-cost wing-back option if he wins a place.
Watch status: Wait for repeated pre-season formations.
Cole Palmer
Palmer remains a midfielder but could play centrally behind João Pedro in Alonso's 3-4-2-1.
This is not a formal position change. It is a tactical improvement.
A central role supports:
Penalties
Shots inside the box
Final passes
Bonus points
Captaincy
Watch status: Premium player whose role may improve significantly.
Morgan Gibbs-White
Gibbs-White could operate behind a lone striker under Glasner.
He already offers set pieces and strong minutes. Moving closer to the striker can improve his goal and assist ceiling.
Watch status: One of the safest tactical winners when the formation is confirmed.
Chelsea wing-backs
Alonso's system can create valuable defensive assets.
The difficulty is identifying secure starters among:
Reece James
Marco Palestra
Geovany Quenda
Other full-backs and wing-backs
A defender playing extremely high is useful only when he starts regularly.
Watch status: High ceiling, high rotation risk.
Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly
Both Manchester City players are defenders in FPL but can occupy positions that move into midfield or advanced areas.
The new manager and Rodri's injury create additional tactical possibilities.
The risk is obvious: City's squad depth can turn a theoretical bargain into a one-point substitute appearance.
Watch status: Final-friendly evidence required.
Positive and negative out-of-position cases
Type
Example
FPL effect
Positive
Defender as wing-back
More attacking returns without losing defender scoring
Positive
Midfielder as central forward
More goal involvement with midfielder scoring
Mixed
Defender as defensive midfielder
More contribution actions but uncertain attacking threat
Negative
Midfielder as wing-back
Extra defensive work without defender clean-sheet points
Negative
Forward used wide
Fewer central chances while retaining forward scoring
The best current out-of-position opportunities are Wieffer as a defender, a confirmed Forest wing-back, Palmer in a central role and Gibbs-White behind the striker.
Sessegnon and the Manchester City defenders offer larger uncertainty.
FAQ
What does out of position mean in FPL?
It means a player's real-life role is more attacking or defensive than the position assigned by FPL.
Is every wing-back a good FPL pick?
No. The player still needs secure minutes, clean-sheet potential and a fair price.
Are official position changes the same as out-of-position roles?
No. A position change is a game classification. An out-of-position role describes how the player is actually used.
When should the watchlist be finalised?
After the final major friendly and Gameweek 1 manager press conferences.
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.
FPL 2026/27out of positionpre-seasontactical rolesGameweek 1player watchlist
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.
Managers have four first-half chips that expire after the Gameweek 19 deadline. Plan the Wildcard, Free Hit, Triple Captain and Bench Boost.
