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.
Ron Rementilla
August 14, 2025 AT 18:39Price drops are the hidden gems of FPL – if you keep an eye on under‑performers like Saka or Fernandes, you can scoop them up cheap before the market corrects. The key is to watch points per million and jump when the dip hits.
Chand Shahzad
August 28, 2025 AT 15:59Indeed, monitoring the points‑per‑million metric constitutes a disciplined approach; I recommend setting automated alerts for any player whose value falls below the projected threshold. By acting decisively, you will secure value assets before they are reclaimed by opportunistic managers.
Eduardo Torres
September 11, 2025 AT 13:19Seeing the defensive midfielders lose value early could be a smart move, especially with the new defensive points rewarding tackles and interceptions.
Emanuel Hantig
September 25, 2025 AT 10:39When the market shows a sudden dip in a player's price, it is often a reflection of collective doubt rather than an objective assessment of talent.
In the grand tapestry of a season, each price correction tells a story about confidence, form, and the unpredictable nature of football.
The undervalued midfielder, for instance, may have been penalized for a brief slump, yet his underlying metrics-tackles, interceptions, and progressive passes-remain solid.
Such players become the unsung workhorses that power a team forward while staying under the radar.
By contemplating the broader context-team dynamics, fixture difficulty, and injury returns-you can anticipate where the next bargain will emerge.
Consider the psychological momentum; a player who feels slighted by a price drop often returns with a renewed vigor to prove doubters wrong.
That resurgence can translate into points that outstrip the cost, delivering a high ROI on your budget.
Moreover, the new defensive contribution points amplify the value of those who excel in duels, making previously niche picks suddenly mainstream.
It is worth noting that defensive midfielders like Caicedo or Gueye have already seen their prices inflate, signaling that a reversal could be imminent should their defensive outputs dip.
On the flip side, a forward like Mateta, whose goal‑scoring rate lags behind his midfield counterparts, may find his price sliding, presenting a low‑cost strike option.
The key is to maintain a holistic view, integrating statistical trends with the intangible elements of confidence and manager sentiment.
In practice, setting a spreadsheet that tracks price changes alongside upcoming fixtures can provide a tactical edge.
Keep an eye on clubs with rotating squads, as they often produce price volatility among backup options.
Finally, remember that timing is everything; the earlier you act in a price correction window, the larger the profit potential.
Embrace the uncertainty, and let the data guide your intuition. 😊