These three drafts show different ways to use the £100.0m FPL budget.
They are squad structures rather than locked final teams. Every player must still be checked after the final friendlies and Gameweek 1 press conferences.
Minimum-price reserve goalkeepers are shown as placeholders because their identity matters less than the starting goalkeeper.
Haaland provides the leading captaincy option, while Bruno gives a second premium with excellent opening fixtures.
The squad still includes three playable forwards and a reliable defensive core.
Main weakness
There is no Saka, Palmer or Gabriel. Several midfield positions depend on value rather than elite attacking ceiling.
James Garner's availability must also be confirmed before publication.
Draft 2: Balanced no-Haaland team
Estimated cost: £100.0m
Goalkeepers
Bart Verbruggen - £4.5m
Minimum-price reserve - £4.0m
Defenders
Gabriel - £8.0m
Tyrick Mitchell - £4.5m
A secure £4.5m defender
Bobby Thomas - £4.0m
Charlie Hughes - £4.0m
Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes - £12.0m
Bukayo Saka - £9.5m
Cole Palmer - £9.5m
Dominik Szoboszlai - £7.0m
Ethan Ampadu - £5.5m
Forwards
Alexander Isak - £9.0m
Igor Thiago - £8.0m
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - £6.0m
Suggested starting XI
Verbruggen
Gabriel - Mitchell - £4.5m defender
Bruno - Saka - Palmer - Szoboszlai
Isak - Thiago - Calvert-Lewin
Captain
Bruno Fernandes
Why this draft works
The Haaland money creates an elite midfield and three strong forwards.
Bruno can captain against Hull, while Saka begins at home to Coventry.
Main weakness
A Haaland haul at high captaincy ownership can produce a major rank loss.
The structure also needs two minimum-price defenders to keep the complete squad within budget.
Draft 3: Strong bench and flexible structure
Estimated cost: £99.5m
Goalkeepers
Caoimhin Kelleher - £5.0m
Bart Verbruggen - £4.5m
Defenders
Virgil van Dijk - £6.5m
James Tarkowski - £6.0m
Nordi Mukiele - £5.5m
Tyrick Mitchell - £4.5m
Charlie Hughes - £4.0m
Midfielders
Bruno Fernandes - £12.0m
Bukayo Saka - £9.5m
Dominik Szoboszlai - £7.0m
Morgan Gibbs-White - £8.0m
Ethan Ampadu - £5.5m
Forwards
Igor Thiago - £8.0m
João Pedro - £7.5m
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - £6.0m
Suggested starting XI
Kelleher
Van Dijk - Tarkowski - Mukiele
Bruno - Saka - Szoboszlai - Gibbs-White
Thiago - João Pedro - Calvert-Lewin
Captain
Bruno Fernandes
Why this draft works
Every position contains playable options, making the team resilient to rotation and late absences.
The squad is also suitable for managers considering an early Bench Boost.
Main weakness
Money is spread across the bench, reducing the premium ceiling.
There is no Haaland, Palmer or Gabriel.
Which draft is best?
Choose Draft 1 when
Haaland is your preferred captain
You accept a value-heavy midfield
You want protection against his ownership
Choose Draft 2 when
You believe several premiums can outscore Haaland collectively
You prefer a powerful midfield
You are comfortable captaining Bruno or Saka
Choose Draft 3 when
You want strong bench coverage
You expect World Cup rotation
You may use an early Bench Boost
You prefer weekly flexibility
Final checklist
Before using any draft:
Confirm every player's official price
Check final-friendly starts
Remove injured or doubtful players
Confirm penalties and set pieces
Review ownership
Set the bench order
Leave a transfer route to Haaland if going without him
FAQ
Is it too risky to start without Haaland?
It is a high-risk decision because he will be heavily captained. It can still work when the savings strengthen several other positions.
Should I build a strong bench for Gameweek 1?
One reliable first substitute is usually enough. A stronger bench is useful when your starting lineup contains several minutes risks.
Should I Bench Boost in Gameweek 1?
Only when all 15 players are expected to start and have suitable fixtures. A later Double Gameweek may provide greater upside.
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.
