Creating an FPL draft in pre-season can be very difficult.
With so many players seemingly underpriced, picking a team is even more awkward than usual.
A great way of narrowing the overwhelming number of options to select from is to mark several ones to avoid.
Here are 7 players that should be avoided at the start of the season.
Diogo Jota
- Price: £8.0m
- Picked by: 2%
- Fixtures: Chelsea (a), Bournemouth (H), Newcastle (a)
Jota can play either as a centre-forward or on the left wing, but despite his versatility, he only managed 1,131 minutes last season.
He has competition in both positions, from Diaz out wide to Nunez and Gakpo up front.
Additionally, Liverpool don’t have the most optimal fixtures, facing two tough away trips in their opening three games.
The £8.0m he costs can be better spent elsewhere.
Callum Wilson
- Price: £8.0m
- Picked by: 11%
- Fixtures: Aston Villa (H), Man City (a), Liverpool (H)
Newcastle have been handed a tough start to the season, going away to City and then facing Liverpool in their first three matches.
They lost three out of the four games against both of them last term.
Also, Wilson will be challenged by Alexander Isak for a place in the starting 11, and with Champions League football there will be lots of rotation between the pair.
He’s a great forward option, but not at the beginning of the season.
Kai Havertz
- Price: £7.5m
- Picked by: 6%
- Fixtures: Nottingham Forest (H), Crystal Palace (a), Fulham (H)
At £65 million, Kai Havertz became Arsenal’s second most expensive transfer of all time this summer.
However, it is uncertain whether he will be a definite starter at this stage, so he is one to avoid at the start.
His versatility could allow him to get a lot of minutes this season, but it would be wise to wait and see, as he could be a good option in the future.
Jadon Sancho
- Price: £7.0m
- Picked by: 2%
- Fixtures: Wolves (H), Spurs (a), Nottingham Forest (H)
Sancho only played 1,686 minutes during the 2022/23 campaign with Marcus Rashford and Antony preferred on the wings.
Despite not being a constant in the side, he did manage 6 goals and three assists, so is definitely worthy of minutes, but he isn’t a nailed starter.
Therefore, he should be avoided, especially as United look to strengthen their squad this summer.
Kieran Trippier
- Price: £6.5m
- Picked by: 34%
- Fixtures: Aston Villa (H), Man City (a), Liverpool (H)
Trippier has been selected in 34% of teams so far, the third-highest of all defenders at this moment, and for good reason.
He registered 198 points in total last season and had the third-highest points per million (30.5).
Nevertheless, he is one to leave out of your drafts for now since Newcastle’s fixtures are very tough.
Further down the line, he is definitely a great defender to own, with attacking and clean sheet potential, just not at this moment.
Allan Saint-Maximin
- Price: £6.0m
- Picked by: 1%
- Fixtures: Aston Villa (H), Man City (a), Liverpool (H)
Another Newcastle player on this list tells you all you need to know about their fixtures.
Furthermore, Saint-Maximin could be replaced, with Newcastle signing Anthony Gordon in January and are now pushing to sign Harvey Barnes too.
The Frenchman only managed 1,120 minutes last season, averaging just 12.4 full 90s.
Benjamin White
- Price: £5.5m
- Picked by: 10%
- Fixtures: Nottingham Forest (H), Crystal Palace (a), Fulham (H)
White is the most expensive Arsenal defender at £5.5m after being their top-scoring defender with 156 points.
However, Arsenal are working in the transfer market to add quality depth. The reported signing of Jurrien Timber will negatively affect White’s FPL appeal.
As a result, the former Brighton man will have more competition for minutes, especially with Champions League football as well.
There are also cheaper Arsenal alternatives who provide more goal threat, such as Gabriel (£5.0m) who scored three times, with an xG of 5.1.