Top 10 Best Budget FPL Players for 2025/26 Season

Building your initial Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squad for the 2025/26 season always comes down to a delicate balance: securing those premium heavy-hitters while filling the rest of your team with bargain gems who will bring in the points without draining your budget. But who are the best budget FPL players that can really enable you to stretch your funds? Let’s dive into our top 10 picks, with a mix of affordable defenders, best budget FPL midfielders, and value-for-money forwards to give you the edge this season.

Why Budget FPL Players Matter?

If you want both Salah and Haaland in your squad (and let’s face it, who doesn’t?), you’ll need to unearth cheap heroes across the park. The best budget FPL forwards have become more important than ever, with price hikes for mid-tier attackers and a competitive pool of defenders at £4.0m and £4.5m. Season after season, smart FPL managers know that bench-filling deadwood is a relic of the past. In 2025/26, you’ll want cheap starters and those with attacking or creative potential.

Top 10 Best Budget FPL Players in 2025/26 Season

1. Aaron Wan-Bissaka (West Ham, £4.5m)

The West Ham full-back Wan-Bissaka thrived under Graham Potter, with attacking returns (2 goals, 6 assists) and outstanding defensive stats last season. He’s West Ham’s most nailed-on pick at right-back or wing-back. He led all defenders in interceptions and was in the top 10 for tackles. Early fixtures are tempting, and he’s got both clean sheet and attacking potential.

2. Maxime Estève (Burnley, £4.0m)

Looking for the ultimate £4.0m budget defender? Estève could be your man if Burnley’s defensive solidity continues. He’s nailed on after a strong pre-season, and with his price tag, you’ll be able to invest elsewhere with confidence. With the new Defensive Contribution Points in FPL this season, defenders are as valuable as attackers.

3. Gabriel Gudmundsson (Leeds, £4.0m)

Leeds are back in the big league, and Leeds star Gudmundsson stands out for both his price and minutes. He should start regularly, and Leeds’ favorable early fixtures make him a strong enabler, especially for those looking for rotating cheap FPL defenders. Making him one of the best fpl budget players.

4. Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest, £5.5m)

A revelation since joining Forest, Anderson recorded 2 goals, 6 assists, and a mountain of defensive contributions last season. He’s on set pieces, regularly gets involved in the final third, and racks up bonus points via consistent work rate, making him one of the best pocket-friendly FPL midfielders.

5. Callum Hudson-Odoi (Nottingham Forest, £6.0m)

Affordable, explosive, and expected to a regular feature in the Forest starting XI, Hudson-Odoi bagged 5 goals and 3 assists last year. He’s likely to be Forest’s chief threat in attack after Elanga’s departure. He’s slightly pricier than others here, but still one of the standout cheap midfielders in FPL.

6. Simon Adingra (Sunderland, £5.5m)

Once a bit-part Brighton man, now at Sunderland. Adingra offers direct dribbling and creativity, with plenty of starts likely. If Sunderland click going forward, Adingra could end up underpriced for his output.

7. Rodrigo Muniz (Fulham, £5.5m)

The Fulham reliable forward Muniz finished last season with 8 goals, 1 assist, and excellent xG stats per 90. He’s a rotation risk, but the price and goal involvement are just too tempting to ignore for those chasing a differential.

8. Elizier Mayenda (Sunderland, £5.5m)

A late-season surge and a call-up to Spain’s U21s mark Mayenda out as one to watch. He brings penalty duties and versatility, expect him to be Sunderland’s main striker in GW1. For more on front-line bargains, see the best budget forwards in FPL.

9. Eli Junior Kroupi (Bournemouth, £4.5m)

Once a Ligue 2 sensation Kroupi is Bournemouth’s wildcard gamble, having registered with 22 goals at just 19. If he gets early starts and adapts quickly, his ownership will rocket as the season unfolds. Even limited minutes could result in price rises and cheeky bench points.

10. Djordje Petrović (AFC Bournemouth, £4.5m)/Caoimhín Kelleher (Brentford, £4.5m)

Cheap keepers might not set the world alight, but the rotation between Petrović and Kelleher means you avoid almost all top-six attacks in your first 13 gameweeks, prime for maximizing clean sheets and bonus potential. For in-depth keeper breakdowns, see our deep dive into budget FPL goalkeepers.

Budget FPL Enablers by Position

FPL budgets are tighter than ever, so how do you spread your funds? Here’s a summary on how to fix your FPL best budget players.

• Budget Defenders offer consistent minutes and are ripe for returns in the new point-scoring system.
• Budget Forwards and Strikers are a mixed bag, but rotation-proof options with set-piece duties or strong xG numbers can flip FPL mini-leagues.
• Budget Midfielders aren’t just bench fodder anymore. Between consistent 90-minute men and creative difference-makers, there’s value to be had in the £5.5m–£6.0m price range.

Honorable Mentions and Watchlist

• Bart Verbruggen (Brighton, £4.5m): Cheap but not likely a source of clean sheets.
• Reinildo (Sunderland, £4.0m): A bargain if he nails a starting spot.
• Dwight McNeil (Everton, £6.0m): Main set-piece taker and attacking outlet when fit. If he plays minutes for Everton this season, you can guarantee goals or assists from this creative attacker.
• Tijjani Reijnders (Man City, £5.5m): Attack-minded midfielder new to the league, and very likely to develop into a beast under Pep Guardiola. The only thing holding the former AC Milan man Reijnders back could be the number of minutes he gets to play with a very competitive midfield set for Guardiola to choose from.
• Brighton Budget Forwards: Both Tzimas (£5.5m) and Kostoulas (£5.0m) have solid lower-league pedigree, watch for regular minutes. Make sure you look at their fixtures to know when to pick them, especially against lower-tier competition.

Final Thoughts: Get the Most Out of Your Budget Players

The days of wasting funds on non-playing bench fillers are behind us. The 2025/26 FPL season has dished up a wealth of genuine best budget FPL players who can supplement your premium buys and keep those points ticking over. When building your squad, prioritize players with secure minutes, attacking potential, and favourable fixture runs. These aren’t just cheap enablers, but potential heroes of your Fantasy Premier League campaign.
Remember, pre-season form and late transfer moves can shake things up. Keep an eye on pre-season minutes, monitor injuries, and be ready to pounce on a breakout star. With this guide on the best budget players FPL, you can be sure to save up some money to bring in the big stars into your team, who are guaranteed to bring you points week in, week out.