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5 Must-Have FPL Players in 2025/26, According to Elite Managers

FPL Top 5 Players
Fantasy Football Fix 11 Aug. 2025

5 Top FPL Players to Have in Your 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League Team

When it comes to Fantasy Premier League, there's no better way to navigate the season than by taking cues from the best of the best.

Elite XI: Team Reveal managers have achieved an impressive track record, with 80 top 10k finishes between them.

So, who are the FPL best players in 2025/26 that they’re banking on?

Let's break down their top picks, ranked from the least to most owned by the Elite Managers!



5️⃣ Ollie Watkins – £9.0m

  • Elite XI Ownership: 84.6%
  • All FPL Managers Ownership: 18.6%

Ollie Watkins is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after strikers for the 2025/26 season—and it's easy to see why.

Premier League fixtures for first 8 Gameweeks ranked by attacking difficulty

Aston Villa’s fixtures, as shown in the Fixture Planner, look promising, with the team ranking second for attacking difficulty in the first eight Gameweeks.

Gameweek 5 sees them face Sunderland away, followed by home matches against Fulham and Burnley in Gameweeks 6 and 7. This offers a solid three-game run.

Ollie Watkins 2024/25 FPL stats

With Villa’s attacking potential looking strong, Watkins is expected to be their key man once again. His 186 points last season (averaging 4.9 FPL points per game) - as shown in the Opta Heatmaps tool - highlight his reliability, making his £9.0m price tag well worth it.

His ownership is climbing, and it's clear why: Watkins offers FPL managers a consistent, high-upside option for the 2025/26 season.

4️⃣ Martin Dúbravka – £4.0m

  • Elite XI Ownership: 92.3%
  • All FPL Managers Ownership: 26.0%

Dúbravka has quickly become a favourite among Elite XI: Team Reveal managers due to his exceptional value at just £4.0m.

His recent move from Newcastle to Burnley provides the opportunity to pick up a presumably starting goalkeeper at a bargain price. This makes him an ideal choice for those planning an early Bench Boost, offering flexibility without straining the budget.

Copenhagen Wednesday, one of the Elite XI: Team Reveal managers with six top 10k finishes, recently shared his strategy for using his Bench Boost early in a recent team reveal and chip strategy article.

3️⃣ Maxime Estève – £4.0m

  • Elite XI Ownership: 92.3%
  • All FPL Managers Ownership: 14.9%

Next up is Burnley defender Maxime Estève, another £4.0m gem. Estève is expected to be a nailed-on starter for Burnley, having been a constant presence in their backline last season.

Esteve attacking stats from the 2024/25 season

While his attacking output is minimal—just 1 goal and 0 assists, according to the Opta Heatmaps tool—he contributed defensively with 312 clearances, blocks, and interceptions, plus 48 tackles. These defensive stats could see him benefit from the new points system for defenders in the 2025/26 season.

At his bargain price, Estève is a must-have for those planning to use their Bench Boost early, allowing you to allocate funds to premium players in other positions.

2️⃣ Mohamed Salah – £14.5m

  • Elite XI Ownership: 92.3%
  • All FPL Managers Ownership: 57.7%

No FPL team would be complete without the inclusion of Mohamed Salah, right?

Elite FPL team reveal

Not according to one of our Elite XI: Team Reveal managers, Corey Baker, who added another top 10k finish to his 5 in total last season. He's opted for Haaland as his main premium, you can check out his team reveal here.

Despite his hefty £14.5m price tag, the Liverpool superstar remains one of the most owned players in both Elite XI teams and the wider FPL community.

FPL players predicted points

No one needs reminding of his record breaking season last season, however, looking forward he sits top of the Predicted Points & Stats tool for the opening

Salah's consistent points output, especially when it comes to goals and assists, makes him a cornerstone in many Fantasy squads. His high ownership is a testament to his importance, and with Liverpool looking stronger than ever, Salah is set to continue delivering those double-digit hauls.

1️⃣ Cole Palmer – £10.5m

  • Elite XI Ownership: 100.0%
  • All FPL Managers Ownership: 53.9%

Finally, the undisputed favourite and must-have FPL player for 2025/26 among Elite XI managers: Cole Palmer.

With a 100% ownership rate in their teams, Palmer is clearly the player to own this season. Although his £10.5m price tag might seem steep, his position and key role in Chelsea's attack make him an essential pick.

Cole Palmer 2024/25 FPL stats

While Palmer's second-half performance in 2025/26 showed a slight drop-off, he still averaged 5.8 FPL points per game, as highlighted by the Opta Heatmaps tool.

Why These FPL Must-Have Players Are a Game-Changer

When you’re crafting your FPL team for the 2025/26 season, these picks should be at the top of your list.

Not only are they owned by the best managers in the game, but their price, role in their teams, and potential for points make them perfect candidates for your squad.

Whether you're aiming for consistency with players like Salah and Watkins or looking for those under-the-radar enablers like Estève and Dúbravka, these players will give you a solid foundation to build upon.

Unlock the Secrets of the Elite XI: Top FPL Players to Own in 2025/26

With a combined total of 80 top 10k finishes, Elite XI: Team Reveal managers have consistently proven their expertise.

The players they back are often the ones to watch, and their insights can give you a real edge in FPL.

Don't miss out on the chance to follow their full team reveals and get notifications every time they make a change to their squad.


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