Jordan PickfordEverton · Strong minutes confidence
Save potential plus two promoted opponents in the first six.
Save potential plus two promoted opponents in the first six.
5.0planning credits
Reviewed 23 July 2026
Budget picks without false certainty.
A selective watchlist using Last Season planning credits, prior evidence, opening fixtures and likely minutes. Official prices can change every conclusion.
Planning ceiling 5.0
Goalkeepers
Lower planning cost is useful only when minutes and routes to points survive scrutiny.
Matz SelsNottingham Forest · Strong minutes confidence
Useful early home fixtures; monitor defensive changes.
Useful early home fixtures; monitor defensive changes.
5.0planning credits
Nick PopeNewcastle United · Monitor minutes confidence
Strong fixture stretch after a difficult opener.
Strong fixture stretch after a difficult opener.
5.0planning credits
Bernd LenoFulham · Strong minutes confidence
Budget goalkeeper with save-volume appeal.
Budget goalkeeper with save-volume appeal.
4.5planning credits
Planning ceiling 5.0
Defenders
Lower planning cost is useful only when minutes and routes to points survive scrutiny.
Jarrad BranthwaiteEverton · Strong minutes confidence
Everton's opening six include Ipswich and Hull.
Everton's opening six include Ipswich and Hull.
5.0planning credits
MurilloNottingham Forest · Strong minutes confidence
Home fixtures against Leeds, Spurs and Coventry in the first five.
Home fixtures against Leeds, Spurs and Coventry in the first five.
5.0planning credits
Joachim AndersenFulham · Strong minutes confidence
A steady minutes pick rather than an explosive one.
A steady minutes pick rather than an explosive one.
5.0planning credits
Dan BurnNewcastle United · Monitor minutes confidence
Budget route into an improving run; role requires checking.
Budget route into an improving run; role requires checking.
4.5planning credits
Planning ceiling 7.0
Midfielders
Lower planning cost is useful only when minutes and routes to points survive scrutiny.
Declan RiceArsenal · Strong minutes confidence
Set pieces and defensive contributions broaden his routes to points.
Set pieces and defensive contributions broaden his routes to points.
7.0planning credits
Iliman NdiayeEverton · Strong minutes confidence
A lower-cost route into Everton's kind opening fixtures.
A lower-cost route into Everton's kind opening fixtures.
6.5planning credits
Kaoru MitomaBrighton & Hove Albion · Monitor minutes confidence
Explosive option; fixtures alternate between appealing and difficult.
Explosive option; fixtures alternate between appealing and difficult.
7.0planning credits
Planning ceiling 8.0
Forwards
Lower planning cost is useful only when minutes and routes to points survive scrutiny.
Igor ThiagoBrentford · Strong minutes confidence
Twenty-two league goals last season, including eight penalties.
Twenty-two league goals last season, including eight penalties.
8.0planning credits
Jean-Philippe MatetaCrystal Palace · Strong minutes confidence
A focal-point forward suited to managers avoiding the premium tier.
A focal-point forward suited to managers avoiding the premium tier.
8.0planning credits
João PedroChelsea · Monitor minutes confidence
Potential value if pre-season confirms a central starting role.
Potential value if pre-season confirms a central starting role.
8.0planning credits
Chris WoodNottingham Forest · Monitor minutes confidence
Short-term appeal if pre-season confirms he remains first choice.
Short-term appeal if pre-season confirms he remains first choice.
7.5planning credits
Dominic SolankeTottenham Hotspur · Monitor minutes confidence
Central-forward upside, with new-system minutes to assess.
Central-forward upside, with new-system minutes to assess.
8.0planning credits
Oli McBurnieHull City · Strong minutes confidence
Scored 18 times in Hull's promotion campaign; a promoted-team watch.
Scored 18 times in Hull's promotion campaign; a promoted-team watch.
6.5planning credits
EvanilsonAFC Bournemouth · Strong minutes confidence
Capable option, although the opening six are demanding.
Capable option, although the opening six are demanding.
7.0planning credits