How FPL Price Drops Could Shake Up Your Squad
Every Fantasy Premier League manager dreams of picking up star players for a bargain. A player's price in FPL isn't set in stone—it can drop if a player doesn't live up to their initial value, creating unexpected opportunities for those who keep an eye on the market. As the 2025/26 season rolls in with new scoring systems and adjusted prices, managers need to pay even closer attention to potential underperformers, especially with fresh rules rewarding defensive actions.
Let's get into some real examples. Bukayo Saka caught a lot of eyes with his £10.0m price tag, but his injury-hit campaign led to just 127 points, six goals, and ten assists in 25 games. That's a sharp contrast compared to what you'd usually expect from someone in that price bracket. If he doesn't bounce back early, there’s a real chance his price will drop—and suddenly, he could become a cut-price gem for managers happy to gamble on a return to form. Think about it: last season, he matched Chelsea's Cole Palmer for points per start, but Palmer entered the game at a more affordable price. It's not just Saka either. Bruno Fernandes at Manchester United kept his £9.0m valuation because of his 18 attacking returns and total dominance of set pieces, plus the new defensive points. But United's form has been patchy—if Fernandes loses those free kicks or United slip further, a price drop could make him an irresistible pick down the line.
Crystal Palace's attack also offers a twist. Jean-Philippe Mateta, priced at £7.5m, rewarded his owners with 14 goals and six assists, totaling 150 points. Yet, diving into the details, his points per start (4.2) lag behind midfielders like Ismaila Sarr (4.6) and Eberechi Eze (4.5), despite both also playing for Palace. If Mateta's consistency doesn't improve, he could slide in value—a tempting option if you like to build around mid-priced forwards while boosting your midfield.
Spotting Value in Unlikely Places
Here's where things get interesting: the FPL’s new defensive contribution points have pushed up the prices of many defensive midfielders. Names like Caicedo, Anderson, João Gomes, Gueye, Norgaard, and Gravenberch have all risen to £5.5m thanks to impressive numbers in tackles, blocks, and interceptions. But here's the catch—if those defensive outputs don't come early this season, those price tags may not stick. Managers willing to act fast could catch them at a discount after price corrections, making these underappreciated workhorses the perfect bench-fillers or cheap rotation picks.
Goalkeepers constantly get overlooked, but savvy FPL managers know that price swings here can be a goldmine. Jordan Pickford finished at £5.2m last season, but with Everton’s unpredictable form, his price could topple to £4.5m—a perfect option for managers wanting to spend big elsewhere. Cheaper names like Lucas Perri (Leeds), Robin Roefs (Sunderland), and Benjamin Lecomte (Fulham) already start at £4.5m or lower. If even one of them locks down a starting role with a few surprise clean sheets, that’s your ticket to big returns on a tight budget.
So, how do you spot these deals before everyone else? Keep tabs on players whose returns fall below the expected points for their cost—FPL managers call this "points per million". If the underperforming trend continues, a price drop is usually around the corner. When these price changes hit, quick-thinking managers can scoop up proven assets for less, freeing up funds to chase heavy hitters or patch up weaker areas.