Top 5 FPL Midfielders to Pick in 2025/26 Season

Alright, FPL managers, buckle up, 2025/26’s Fantasy Premier League is here, and, as always, the midfield spoils are up for grabs. Choosing the right midfielders is the single biggest difference between a “meh” squad and one that rockets to the top of your FPL mini-league. With new arrivals, position reclassifications, and some juicy price changes, there’s plenty to talk about. Let’s dive into the Top 5 FPL Midfielders you’ll want to lock into your squad for the coming season, their teams, and their current FPL prices.

Top 5 FPL Midfielders

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool, £14.5m)

The Liverpool star Salah is the premium midfielder once again. He smashed the all-time FPL points record last season: 28 goals, 19 assists, 344 points. No midfielder is more reliable; he’s hit 200+ points eight seasons running, and his ownership is over 55% as of deadline day. His price reflects his dominance (£14.5m is the highest-ever for a midfielder), but if you go without Salah, you'd better have a massive sofa to hide behind! Captaincy material every week, especially with Liverpool’s opening fixture run.
Why he’s a must-have:

• Returns big in almost every gameweek
• On penalties and set pieces
• Plays 90 minutes in most matches
• “Captain and forget”, let your rivals worry

Cole Palmer (Chelsea, £10.5m)

Palmer’s rise last season was electric; he’s now one of the first names you consider, after Salah. His price jumped to £10.5m, but his points-per-start match up to Saka, and there’s a case to be made that Palmer could outscore his Arsenal counterpart. With Chelsea’s fixtures looking decent and Palmer now the key man (on penalties and most set pieces), he’s a lock for many FPL drafts.
What makes Palmer special:

• Penalty duties boost his goal output
• Set-piece specialist
• Creates and scores, double threat
• Chelsea’s fixtures are friendly to start

Bukayo Saka (Arsenal, £10.0m)

Saka may have had an injury-hit 2024/25, but his points per start were top tier. He remains Arsenal’s main man and, with the Gunners gunning for the title, Saka’s blend of goals, assists, and consistent 90-minute outings makes him essential at £10.0m. He’s also on penalties (Unless Gyokeres takes over), and Arsenal’s opening fixtures aren’t scary.
Saka’s FPL gold:

• Consistent starter
• Takes penalties
• Good for assists and attacking returns
• High ceiling if he stays fit

Florian Wirtz (Liverpool, £8.5m)

Liverpool snapped up the German star after two sensational Bundesliga seasons (21 goals, 23 assists in 63 matches). Priced enticingly at £8.5m, Wirtz will get minutes, and the German international offers attacking threat and creativity as a new FPL gem. While Salah is the top dog, Wirtz gives you Liverpool coverage at a more affordable price.

Why Wirtz is exciting:

• Lower price for a Liverpool starter
• Great attacking stats in Germany
• Possible first-season explosion
• Potential value pick for those on a budget

Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace, £7.5m)

Eze’s end to last season was explosive: 8 goals, 8 assists total, and he topped midfielder scoring from Gameweek 30 onwards. At £7.5m, he’s nailed to start, takes penalties, and Palace have tasty opening fixtures. He’s a superb mid-priced differential, ideal if you want some budget to swing into attack or defense. Making him one of the best Budget Midfielder Picks.
Why Eze is a sneaky great pick:

• Nailed-on starter, plays 90 minutes
• Set-piece and penalty duties
• Useful for attacking returns
• Palace fixtures are excellent early season

Honourable Mentions

• Bruno Fernandes (Man Utd, £9.0m): All-rounder, penalty and set-piece specialist, especially with United's latest attacking signings, Fernandes will be involved in the goals a lot more. The Portuguese midfielder will finally get the support he was looking for all last season, and this makes him even more of a threat.
• Morgan Gibbs-White (Nottingham Forest, £7.5m): Iron-man stats, penalty duties, and Forest’s fixtures look good. With Gibbs-White signing his new impressive deal with Forest, he is set to be their main man, with Chris Wood up front. The pair will definitely haunt a lot of Premier League backlines this season, making him a man to watch out for.
• Mohammed Kudus (Spurs, £6.5m): Bandwagon pick with big upside if he fires, Spurs run is decent. Kudus joins a ‘new-look’ Spurs with Thomas Frank at the helm. After seeing what he could do with Mbeumo and Wissa, the expectations are really high.

Key FPL Midfield Strategy Tips

• Go premium in midfield: Salah and a second £10.0m+ mid can help your captaincy options.
• Mix one premium, one mid-price, and one value pick to stay flexible.
• Watch for new signings, Wirtz, Kudus, and others are priced to surprise.
• Beware of the “trap” picks: value doesn’t always mean points, track pre-season form closely.

Final Thoughts

If you want to start the season strong, don’t overthink things: Salah is as close to a cheat code as FPL gets. Pair him with another Premium FPL Midfielder (Palmer or Saka), sprinkle in an in-form value pick like Wirtz or Eze, and your midfield should keep you ahead in the opening weeks. Or, if you're going for Premium strikers like Haaland, it makes sense to have Cole Palmer, and another midfielder like Wirtz or Eze, along with a budget pick like Moises Caicedo for those Defensive Contribution Points. Track pre-season injuries before locking your squad, watch for fixture swings, and let your midfield drive your points home. Good luck, and may your captain always deliver that double-digit haul.