Looking for the best FPL team without Salah? You're not alone.
Mohamed Salah (£14.5m) enters the 2025/26 season with his highest-ever FPL price tag, off the back of a record-breaking campaign. But with Liverpool’s summer signings strengthening the squad, there's a real possibility that goals could be shared more evenly across the team — making Salah less essential.
That opens the door to Erling Haaland (£14.0m). Currently owned by under 20% of FPL managers, the Norwegian could be a powerful early differential. If he hits the ground running, going Haaland over Salah could give you a major edge.
In this blog, we’ve used the Assistant Manager tool to build two Salah-free drafts:
💥 One with a high-powered attack
🛡️ One focused on defensive strength
Explore both and see which one could help you climb the ranks from Gameweek 1.
The AI-powered FPL Assistant Manager allows you to build a fully customised team based on your personal strategy. Whether you are looking to exclude specific players, load up in midfield, or invest heavily in defence, this powerful tool adapts to your preferences, putting you in full control of your squad.
As shown in the image above, FPL managers can customise their draft by excluding specific players, like Salah in this case, and locking in others, such as Haaland. Based on these settings and a few additional tweaks, the Assistant Manager generates a tailored squad, as seen in the images below.
Centre-backs offer significant value under the new DEFCON system, and this draft leans into that by relying on four of them.
Spend across the back is kept to a minimum, with the priciest options, Sánchez and N. Williams, coming in at just £5.0m each.
As shown in the image from our AI Rotation Optimiser, rotating these budget defenders offers an excellent run of fixtures across the first eight Gameweeks, without stretching your budget.
Sánchez (£5.0m) provides a cost-effective route into Chelsea’s defence, while N. Williams looks set for regular minutes now that Moreno is back in the mix at Villa. The left-back averaged 9.20 DEFCON per game last season, putting him in strong contention for those valuable extra two points.
Richards (£4.5m) also impressed with a 9.38 DEFCON average, offering similar upside. Meanwhile, Konsa, Van de Ven, and Estève (all £4.5m) provide secure game time at their respective clubs.
Whether you are hunting for a reliable mid-priced defender, or a budget £4.5m gem, our latest blogs will have you covered.
With Salah left out, Palmer (£10.5m) becomes the most expensive asset in midfield. As shown in the image below from our Stats Sandbox feature, the England international ranked third for chances created last season with 88. He also offers multiple routes to points, including set-pieces and penalties.
Eze (£7.5m) scored more FPL points (62) than any midfielder between Gameweeks 30 and 38 last season, making him a reliable and proven asset.
Rogers (£7.0m) is another secure pick, having played the most minutes of any Aston Villa outfield player last season. He delivered eight goals and 11 assists, showing both consistency and attacking threat.
Liverpool's new signing Wirtz (£8.5m) has impressed in pre-season and offers managers an exciting route into the Reds' attack. The former Leverkusen star recorded 10 goals and 12 assists last season and has been playing in a central role, while also taking a large share of set pieces.
The fifth midfield spot is filled by Potts (£4.5m), keeping costs to a minimum. He will likely remain the third substitute in most weeks. For more budget-friendly options, read our Best Cheap Midfielders in FPL blog.
Haaland had a disappointing season by his standards, but he still racked up 22 goals with only Isak (£10.5m) faring better.
As the above image from our Stats Sandbox feature shows, despite just 31 appearances, no forward was afforded more 'big chances' (40) than the Norwegian international last season.
Wood (£7.5m) also had his best ever season with 20 goals and 200 FPL points. With Forest's excellent opening run, that ranks them best in the Fixture Difficulty Ratings, it makes the Kiwi a great pick.
Watkins (£9.0m) played just 2,609 minutes last season but still ranked fourth among forwards for big chances, with 33. With Duran now departed, the England international is nailed for starts and could also be in line to take penalties.
If you are not convinced, head to the Assistant Manager tool and build your own draft using FPL AI.
As discussed above, centre-backs benefit hugely from DEFCON points and with five of them in this version, FPL managers will always have reliable assets to call upon when needed.
As the image above from our Stats Sandbox feature shows, Murillo (£5.5m), Tarkowski (£5.5m), and Lacroix (£5.0m) ranked in the top seven for DEFCON among defenders last season and should provide a steady stream of points. Andersen (£4.5m) and Virgil (£6.0m) are also ranked twelfth and thirteenth for DEFCON, respectively.
Kudus and Ndiaye are the standout picks in the £6.5m midfielder bracket and replace Wirtz and Eze from the earlier draft.
As the above image from our Fixture Difficulty Ratings shows, Everton and Spurs are ranked second and fifth over the first six Gameweeks for 'Attack Difficulty' so the sacrifice may not be as big as it appears.
Bowen has been reclassified as a Forward this season but will still likely be West Ham's talisman.
As the above image from our Stats Sandbox feature shows, Bowen (87) was significantly ahead of his teammates for shot volume with second place Souček (£6.0m) managing just 55.
You can prioritise different positions using the the Assistant Manager tool, boost bench strength, target specific Gameweek ranges, and apply your own strategy - whether that is loading up on attacking full-backs, backing differentials, or rotating for fixtures.
Your perfect team might be just a few clicks away.
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