A player can be popular, talented and still be a poor Gameweek 1 selection.
The main early-season traps are uncertain minutes, late World Cup returns, difficult fixtures and ownership built on reputation rather than current evidence.
This is not a permanent blacklist. Most players below can become excellent picks when their role or fitness is confirmed.
1. Manchester City players without secure roles
Haaland is the exception.
Manchester City have a new manager, new signings and strong competition across defence and attack. Matheus Nunes, Nico O'Reilly, Marc Guehi, Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku and other players may all offer value, but pre-season must show who starts.
Owning one uncertain City player can be reasonable. Combining three or four can leave your team exposed to rotation.
Avoid until: The same player starts the final friendly in a role that supports FPL returns.
2. Tottenham goalkeepers
Antonin Kinsky could become one of the best £4.5m goalkeepers.
He could also lose the position to Guglielmo Vicario or another experienced option. A non-playing goalkeeper creates an immediate transfer problem because the position has limited upside.
Avoid until: Tottenham clearly identify the first-choice goalkeeper.
3. Late World Cup returners without friendly minutes
Players from Argentina, Spain, England and France who reached the final weekend of the World Cup have a short recovery period.
Some will start Gameweek 1. Others may be benched, substituted early or protected during the first month.
Do not assume that a premium price guarantees 90 minutes.
Avoid until: The player returns to full training and appears in a major friendly.
4. João Pedro before Chelsea's attack is confirmed
João Pedro's price and previous points make him easy to include in a Haaland draft.
Chelsea also have several attacking options and a new tactical system. Managers need to know whether João Pedro starts centrally, how Palmer is used and whether other signings take minutes.
High ownership does not remove the risk.
Avoid until: He repeatedly starts as the central forward with the likely first team.
5. Bournemouth defenders for the opening run
Bournemouth start away to Manchester City and also face Liverpool and Chelsea across the first six Gameweeks.
Petrovic can still earn save points, while minimum-price defenders may offer bench value. However, managers should not expect early clean sheets simply because a player is cheap.
Avoid as regular starters until: Bournemouth's schedule improves.
6. Promoted defenders in your starting eleven
Bobby Thomas and Charlie Hughes are useful minimum-price enablers.
Their best early role may be on the bench. Coventry begin at Arsenal, while Hull face Manchester United. Cheap defenders can help squad structure without needing to start in difficult fixtures.
Avoid: Building a defence that requires two promoted centre-backs to start every week.
A young or budget player may start every July friendly because the first-choice player is still on holiday.
This creates false confidence. The player can score several times and still return to the substitutes' bench before the league begins.
Avoid until: The player keeps his place after the full squad returns.
8. Expensive defenders selected only for last season's bonus
The Bonus Points System has changed.
Centre-backs now receive less BPS from clearances, blocks and interceptions, while full-backs, goalkeepers and attacking players should receive more support from the revised system.
Defensive-contribution points remain valuable, but managers should not assume every centre-back will repeat last season's bonus total.
Avoid until: The defender's price is justified by clean sheets, attacking threat and defensive contributions, not bonus alone.
9. Players whose set-piece role is assumed
Transfers can change penalties, corners and free kicks.
Liverpool's penalties, Arsenal's hierarchy behind Saka, Chelsea's backup takers and several promoted-club responsibilities are still being assessed.
A player's value can fall quickly when a new signing takes half of his corners or moves ahead for penalties.
Avoid until: Pre-season or manager comments confirm the role.
10. Too many popular players from one uncertain team
Ownership can create the impression that a player is safe.
The early template currently includes several players from clubs with new managers or crowded squads. Popularity reflects current drafts, not confirmed lineups.
Use ownership to understand rank risk, not to outsource every decision.
A safer Gameweek 1 approach
Your opening squad should include:
A reliable premium captain
At least 10 secure outfield starters
One dependable first substitute
No more than two major minutes risks
A clear route away from an expensive failed pick
Budget players selected for actual minutes
The aim is not to remove all risk. It is to avoid risks that do not offer enough upside.
When should you change your mind?
Move a player from avoid to buy when:
He returns to full training
He starts the final friendly
His tactical position is attractive
His set pieces are confirmed
His opening fixtures support selection
Competition for his place reduces
FAQ
Should I avoid every late World Cup player?
No. Avoid players whose readiness is unclear. A late returner who starts the final friendly can still be a good pick.
Is high ownership a reason to select someone?
It is a risk factor, not a selection reason. Expected points and minutes remain more important.
How many uncertain starters are acceptable?
One or two can be managed with a strong bench. Several uncertain starters create unnecessary early transfers.
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 2026/27players to avoidownership trapsGameweek 1rotation riskFPL strategy
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.
