FPL 2025/26 Draft Insights: Strategic Approaches to Team Building

As the 2025/26 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) season approaches, players are gearing up for a competitive campaign with newly introduced rules that significantly impact team strategies. FPL Milanista, a seasoned player with three top 5,000 finishes in five seasons, provides an in-depth analysis of the recent changes and shares his first draft of the season.

The FPL community is buzzing with excitement as the game developers unveil modifications designed to enhance fairness and strategic options. Key among these changes are the introduction of defensive contribution points and revisions to assist rules. "The addition of defensive contribution points broadens the player pool, making the game more exciting and competitive," states Milanista. This sentiment aligns with feedback from other FPL managers who have expressed appreciation for clearer criteria in assist evaluations, reducing subjectivity that has previously plagued decision-making in the game.

Another controversial alteration involves the approach to transfers during the African Cup of Nations (AFCON). The new rules allow managers to utilize extra transfers without strict validity dates, enabling them to roll these over until the season's end. Milanista argues that this could reward strategic foresight rather than penalizing unprepared managers. "While it may seem to benefit those without a plan, a savvy approach could turn these extra transfers into a tactical advantage," he notes.

In terms of player valuations, the current pricing reflects a generally accurate market assessment, though some players, like Florian Wirtz (£8.5m) and Mohamed Salah (£14.5m), could arguably be priced higher given their potential impact. "The pricing strategy seems to favor higher-end valuations in close cases, which could influence how managers allocate their budgets," Milanista observes.

As the season's first gameweek approaches, strategies for utilizing chips like the Bench Boost come into play. Using this chip early allows managers to capitalize on points from their entire squad, including players who are typically on the bench. Milanista emphasizes that careful planning is essential to maximize the effectiveness of such strategies throughout the season.

The implications of these changes stretch beyond individual strategies; they may also affect overall competition dynamics within leagues. Notably, the adjustments to defensive points could shift the focus towards defenders, potentially altering the balance of power among player selections.

In conclusion, the 2025/26 FPL season promises to be a transformative experience for managers, with new rules that could reshape traditional strategies. As players finalize their drafts, the emphasis will be on adaptability and foresight, ensuring that those who can best navigate these changes may find themselves leading their leagues come season's end.