The Premier League season has started with unexpected twists, leaving many Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers considering drastic action. Aston Villa have misfired, Hull City have emerged as a surprise package, and Tottenham Hotspur sit in the relegation zone.
With the Gameweek 4 deadline approaching, the Star has assessed potential panic buys and lesser-known players who could be worth considering.
Advice: Avoid the Wildcard
With a three-week international break looming, likely to bring injuries, and with several clubs making late transfer moves, the main advice is to avoid drastic action like playing the Wildcard. Holding onto spare transfers is recommended, as information is crucial in FPL.
Committing to players before their minutes are guaranteed can be costly, as can wasting transfers on injured or unfit assets. While caution is advised, it does not mean no new signings should be made at all.
Ezri Konsa: The Must-Have Defender
Ezri Konsa (£4.4m) is highlighted as a bargain, described as nailed in the best defence in the league. Arsenal have conceded only one goal in all competitions this season and are yet to allow any side more than a half-chance or long-range effort.
Konsa picked up a DefCon against Chelsea and showed his combative side against Napoli, making him a potential point-scorer until William Saliba (£5.9m) returns in 2027. Riccardo Calafiori (£5.8m) is also a brilliant pick-up, though his price has risen £0.3m since the game started, potentially putting him out of reach.
Hull's Strong Defence
Only one defence has conceded fewer goals than Arsenal's, and it is not a team many expected to top that table. Hull City are yet to concede a goal this season and sit third in the table.
While Hull defenders remain remarkably cheap, with more than one priced under £4.5m, they are probably not worth bringing in just yet, especially while Konsa remains so cheap.
Chelsea's Attack to Target
Chelsea are a simple team for FPL purposes: get any of their front three, but ignore their defenders. The Blues have scored 16 goals in all competitions and conceded 10 in just five games.
Cole Palmer (£9.7m), Morgan Rogers (£7.6m) and João Pedro (£7.7m) are all great pick-ups, with at least one recommended. Of the three, Pedro remains the best value for money and looks in the best form of his career, but Palmer and Rogers are also top picks.
The biggest cause of FPL managers suffering over a season is losing interest. Even after a bad start, keeping the faith is advised. The Star's FPL column is continuing, and the winner of the Daily Star league is set to receive prizes.
