Who are the Best FPL Budget Midfielders for 2025/26 Season?

Finding the right budget midfielders in Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is crucial if you want to free up cash for premium stars without sacrificing consistent points. With the new 2025/26 season bringing revamped rules and plenty of fresh faces, it’s a perfect time to scout for those under-the-radar options priced at £6.0m or less. Drawing from expert analysis and in-depth stats, here’s a breakdown of the top picks that can deliver value and versatility to your Fantasy Premier League squad.

Top 5 Budget Midfielders for FPL 2025/26

Let's take a look at the best budget midfielders for the FPL 2025-26 season:

1. Elliot Anderson (£5.5m – Nottingham Forest)

Anderson flies under the radar, but last season’s underlying metrics prove he’s ready for a breakout. He scored twice and assisted six times, returning 107 FPL points. But if the new defensive points rule had been in play, his total would have rocketed to 143. Anderson registered an eye-catching 207 possession recoveries, among the league’s best for midfielders: exactly the type of profile that earns reliable bonus points in the new system.

• Role: Locked-in starter, aggressive presser
• Why he stands out: Defensive and attacking returns, plus favourable early fixtures
• Recommended for: Managers wanting a consistent £5.5m option who delivers both base and bonus points

2. Moisés Caicedo (£5.5m – Chelsea)

Long overlooked, the Chelsea midfield destroyer Moises Caicedo is now one of this season’s set-and-forget names with the arrival of defensive action points. Had this rule existed in 2024/25, Caicedo would have topped the table for defensive FPL points with 140, making him a true bargain. He played every Premier League match last year and is nailed on for the new campaign.

• Role: Ever-present defensive anchor.
• Why he stands out: Unmatched defensive contribution, guaranteed minutes, strong opening fixtures.
• Recommended for: Owners looking for safe, steady points from their fifth midfielder or a cost-effective starter.

3. Tijjani Reijnders (£5.5m – Manchester City)

The new Manchester City midfield recruit Tijjani Reijnders is an exciting newcomer to the Premier League, following a standout season at AC Milan, where he notched 10 goals and 4 assists. Pep Guardiola’s system is perfect for late-running midfielders who time their box entries, and early signs suggest Reijnders will get opportunities. While City assets always carry “Pep Roulette” risk, Reijnders could be this season’s surprise package if he cements a starting spot.

• Role: Box-to-box playmaker with attacking intent.
• Why he stands out: Strong attacking record, potential for City-level hauls if trusted with enough minutes.
• Recommended for: Risk-takers who want a potential big reward in the £5.5m bracket. Monitor early lineups and Pep’s post-preseason comments.

4. Jhon Arias (£5.5m – Wolves)

The 27-year-old versatile attacking midfielder Jhon Arias comes to Wolves with a stellar reputation for creativity and end product, demonstrated at Fluminense and on the global stage at the FIFA Club World Cup. He’s a direct Matheus Cunha replacement, and his all-action style should translate into FPL points from both assists and goals.

• Role: Main creative spark in midfield, likely talisman
• Why he stands out: Chance creation, ability to get attacking returns in a mid-table team, low early-season ownership
• Recommended for: Managers who like differentials and want both assists and goal upside from a budget asset.

5. Dwight McNeil (£6.0m – Everton)

McNeil consistently outperformed expectations last year, averaging 4.4 points per match and 5.4 points per start, making him one of the best value picks in the “budget” category. He led all mids ≤£6.0m for expected assists per start (0.28 xA), and Everton’s opening fixtures are inviting.

• Role: Creative engine, on set-pieces
• Why he stands out: Strong creative stats, locked-in starter when fit, proven FPL pedigree for his price
• Recommended for: Anyone wanting security and a solid floor, a step above the usual “fifth midfielder” fodder.

Other Budget Midfielders to Watch

• Simon Adingra (Sunderland): Sunderland’s Adingra is a live wire. He has an attacking spark that could lift your squad during those inevitable injury crises. With 11 attacking returns (6G, 5A) last campaign and a penchant for direct, exciting play, Adingra is Sunderland’s sharpest attacking threat following his move from Brighton.
• Carlos Baleba (Brighton): There’s not much glamour in Brighton’s midfield, but if you want reliability, Baleba is your guy. The FPL community agrees: he’s nailed for starts, racks up defensive contribution points (CBIRT/90), and can even chip in with a goal now and then. Last season, he logged 30 defensive points in 31 starts, and the new points for defensive actions reward his play style perfectly.
• Ryan Christie (Bournemouth): While Bournemouth rarely fills FPL managers with excitement, Ryan Christie stands out in the crucial £5.0m bracket. He’s a starter (27 starts last year), collects defensive contribution points (26 DC points), and even sneaks onto the assist and bonus point sheets.
• Lewis Miley (Liverpool): We can’t ignore the ultra-budget options, even if £4.5m mids rarely set the world alight. Newcastle’s Lewis Miley is this season’s top pick here. Within 17 appearances last season, he looked comfortable, scoring once and grabbing three assists, a rare return for a player priced this low.
• Justin Kluivert (Bournemouth): Kluivert turned heads last season with a string of explosive performances for Bournemouth. He finished with 12 goals and 6 assists in just 29 starts—a mark of real attacking efficiency. He’s also the club’s penalty taker, converting all six attempts last season, including a memorable hat-trick of spot-kicks in one match. That knack for seizing big moments led to a Player of the Month award and a significant price rise for 2025/26.
• Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa): Rogers was Villa’s value hero last season, making 37 starts and missing only one game due to suspension. His consistency as a starter is a huge asset, especially with Villa’s attack set to run through him more now that competition for positions has lessened. Rogers was joint-sixth among all midfielders for big chances created and eighth for attacking returns last year, while his late-season form showed he could become even more central to Villa’s plans.

Tips for Picking Budget Midfielders in 2025/26

• Defensive contributions now matter: Players like Caicedo and Anderson will rack up points previously unavailable to DM-types.
• Check Dependability: Make sure your pick is a starter. Rotation kills FPL value, especially in this tier.
• Fixtures are crucial: Early soft fixtures can mean surprise returns, especially for newly promoted or mid-table teams.
• Look for dual threats: Aim for midfielders who offer both attacking and defensive returns under the new scoring system.

Picking a steady budget midfielder this season is about more than minimising price. It’s about maximising new point potential. Go for nailed picks with all-action profiles and don’t be afraid to hunt for early advantage with attacking upside. Get it right, and your midfield will be the backbone of a high-scoring FPL season.