Four bargain picks for your new-look FPL team this season

After what felt like a lifetime but has in reality only been a couple of months, the new Premier League season is almost upon us which means it’s time for us all to get our FPL teams in order. 

Whether you’re on the hunt for your first ever Fantasy Football league triumph or are a seasoned champion who frequently – and somewhat irritatingly – claims the bragging rights between your mates, Rezzil is on hand to help you pick some of your squad’s lesser-known unsung heroes. 

After all, after splashing the cash on the likes of Erling Haaland, Harry Kane and Mo Salah, you’re going to have to become a little frugal in order to fill the entirety of your 15-man squad, aren’t you? 

So, without further ado, here’s a money-saving pick for all four positions…

Goalkeeper – Matt Turner, Nottingham Forest (£4m)

This is a risky one to start off with, I’ll grant you that, but taking a punt on the extremely reasonably priced Matt Turner at £4m could prove to be a masterstroke. The American shot-stopper was very much second-fiddle to Aaron Ramsdale at Arsenal but has just sealed a £10m move to Nottingham Forest ahead of the new campaign which suggests he will see an increase in gametime. 

A fully-fledged international with 32 caps to his name for the USA, Turner is a solid option between the sticks and could prove a worthy selection in goal. Dean Henderson is also being linked with a switch to the City Ground, however, and is also priced at £4m at the time of writing. If this happens, I’d be inclined to select the Manchester United man instead as he will definitely play more and his price will likely increase. 

Defender – Sven Botman, Newcastle (£4.5m)

It’s pretty astonishing that Sven Botman’s £4.5m price tag has remained unchanged this season given Newcastle had the joint-best defensive record in the league last term and the Dutchman played an integral role in proceedings. 

The 23-year-old’s lack of attacking prowess is evident from his record of no goals and two assists in 35 league matches, though it’s worth noting that he managed to keep an impressive total of 13 clean sheets, which made him the eighth-highest scoring defender in the game in 2022/23.

With Eddie Howe bolstering an already strong squad over the summer, the Magpies are predicted to enjoy another strong campaign this time out and Botman will be a crucial part of things in the heart of defence alongside Fabian Schär. At just £4.5m, he’s a snip. 

Midfielder – Morgan Gibbs-White, Nottingham Forest (£6m)

Morgan Gibbs-White proved to be the top-performing budget option among midfielders last season. His impressive tally of five goals and 12 assists showcased his abilities and after helping England U21s win the European Championship this summer, will enter this season brimming with confidence.

Among his teammates, he led the charts in assists and chances created with 67. The former Wolves man was a key reason Forest managed to avoid relegation last term and is one of the first names on Steve Cooper’s teamsheet, so he will play plenty of minutes this season.

It must be said that Forest face a tough set of fixtures to start the season with matches against Arsenal, Manchester United (away), Chelsea (away), and Manchester City (away) in their first six games. As a result, it might be wise to consider keeping Gibbs-White on the bench until Gameweek 7 onwards when their fixtures become a little more favourable.

Forward – Evan Ferguson, Brighton (£6m)

Big things are expected of Brighton’s 18-year-old front man Evan Ferguson after an impressive breakthrough campaign last time out. The Republic of Ireland striker looked sharp as a tack when presented with an opportunity to showcase his talents in 2022/23, scoring 10 goals in 25 all-competition appearances, and will be eager to build on that tally this term. 

While Ferguson might not start every game for the Seagulls due to his tender age, there is an expectance that Roberto De Zerbi will continue to trust the youngster up top. With so many creative outlets in this Brighton side, Ferguson won’t be short of supply in the final third and could prove to be an extremely shrewd budget-friendly pick for your FPL outfit this season.