Top 10 players to avoid on FPL 2023-24

Published at :August 3, 2023 at 1:56 PM

Modified at :January 13, 2024 at 4:53 PM

Amid the start of the football season, Fantasy managers must avoid these players in the Initial game-weeks.

Every season it becomes increasingly easier to fall into certain FPL “traps,” as players that may seem like good picks turn out to be complete duds. Here, we take a look at the popular players you should be avoiding in your team for Gameweek 1 of the 2023-24 FPL season. However, there are some players that appear to offer something great, or seem to have huge upside – but might not actually be up to scratch. These traps can be the difference between winning or losing your mini-leagues, so take a look at our thoughts and who we think should be avoided.

10. Martin Odegaard (MID – 8.5), Ownership: 20.4%

Odegaard is not a bad FPL pick by any means, but for his price, teammates Gabriel Martinelli (8.0) and Bukayo Saka (8.5) feel better. While Odegaard reached higher points than both last season (10 more total than Saka), he did overperform his xG and there have been debates around whether he’ll take on a deeper role this season with Granit Xhaka gone.

Priced at 8.5 million, Odegaard is too expensive for the value he provides. While Odegaard did score 15 goals last season, he did overperform his xG of 8.59 by almost 7 goals and cannot be expected to replicate the same this season. He is also not on penalties as the penalty duty for the Arsenal team rests with Saka, who is a much better option with a higher ceiling at the same price. Odegaard’s role in the Arsenal team also remains a mystery with Xhaka leaving, Partey probably soon to follow and the addition of Havertz and Rice

9. Ben White (DEF – 5.5), Ownership: 9.7%

Ben White Arsenal — **White is priced at 5.5 million this season**

Ben White is priced at 5.5 million this season, a one million rise from his price last season and already has an ownership of almost 10%. If White was nailed like last season, there could still be an argument made for him, but with Timber arriving and Tomiyasu back to full fitness we will see a reduction in Ben White’s minutes this season.

Not only that, but for 5 million, you can get Gabriel who had a higher xG than White last season and is nailed in the Arsenal team. With an xGI (expected goal involvement) of 4.85 last season, he was outperformed by teammate Gabriel, who comes in at 5.0 — 0.5 cheaper — and is deemed a superior FPL option.

8. Nick Pope (GK – 5.5), Ownership: 12.5%

The next Newcastle United player on our list of FPL players to avoid is their goalkeeper, Nick Pope. Not only do Newcastle have difficult games at the start of the season, but for 5.5 million, Pope doesn’t justify this choice. As seen in the above graphic, Newcastle play Villa, City, Liverpool and Brighton in the first 4 games- All of the top 8 teams with good attacking threats.

Even if you do want to have those important Newcastle clean sheet points, you can get Sven Botman for just 4.5 million. Not only is he cheap but is also a nailed centre-back in the Newcastle defence.

7. Kai Havertz (MID – 7.5), Ownership: 5.5%

The next player on our list to avoid for FPL this season is another Arsenal player, Kai Havertz. Currently owned by 5.7% of managers, Havertz should be avoided due to many reasons. Firstly, like Odegaard his role in the team is unknown. Will he play a more attacking role or will he take over the number 8 role left over by Xhaka? If he does play that role then he will be playing much deeper than the front four of Arsenal (according to their new formation).

There is also uncertainty around the number of minutes Havertz will get with a number of players competing in the same position. Lastly, just by spending 0.5 million more, you can get Martinelli, who is a much better option for your FPL teams.

6. Ederson (GK, 5.5), Ownership: 14.3%

Premium goalkeepers are always somewhat of a risk, because while they can often be found among the top performers in their category, it means taking away up to 1.0 of your budget that could be better used on options in midfield or attack. Ederson is no different: he won’t receive many save points (if at all) and you’d be better off banking on a City defender such as Stones for the same price but with way higher points potential.

While, he is a guaranteed start for Manchester City, he doesn’t offer much over the clean sheet points. Due to the strong defense in front of him, the Brazilian doesn’t face as many shots and hence doesn’t have as many saves as some other keepers can provide you. I recommended going with either John Stones or Ruben Dias to cover the City defense, as they will not only provide the same clean sheet points as Ederson but will also chip in with the bonus points. For 0.5 million cheaper, you can get Ramsdale or Onana who will provide you with bonus save points too.

5. Alexander Isak (FWD – 7.5), Ownership: 12.6%

Isak had a very strong purple streak towards the end of the 2022/23 season, but it didn’t last long, and nor was it very consistent. He was a rotation risk with Callum Wilson (8.0), and the Newcastle front three doesn’t seem completely set in stone. Alexander Isak had a great season for Newcastle United last season, where he scored 10 goals and gave 2 assists in 17 starts. However, Newcastle doesn’t have the best start to the season with games against, Aston Villa, Manchester City, Liverpool and Brighton in the first four gameweeks of the season.

He was also seen rotating with Wilson last or even playing down the left-handside which reduced his goal threat. If you do want a Newcastle striker, Callum Wilson can be a better option as he is also on penalties. For 0.5 million, you can also get Gabriel Jesus who is Arsenal’s leading striker for the season and also has great opening fixtures. For those reasons, treat Isak as a “wait and see” option, especially given Newcastle’s tough start.

4. Reece James (DEF – 5.5), Ownership: 16.5%

Reece James, when on form, is one the best assets in FPL, able to compete against the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold. The issue is his persistent injury issues, not to mention the fact that he can also be utilised on the left of a back three, while someone like Chilwell (5.5) could be used on the left and isn’t likely to be pulled into the middle, giving him unlimited opportunities to run down the wings and create opportunities.

Despite being Chelsea’s first-choice right-back, Reece James only managed 14 starts last season. If you do want a Chelsea defender, I would recommend looking at Ben Chilwell, also an attacking full-back, but unlike Reece James, he doesn’t have a constant injury threat making him a more secure choice for your FPL team.

3. Christopher Nkunku (FWD – 7.5), Ownership: 19.4%

Nkunku is a hugely exciting prospect for Chelsea, coming as Top joint scorer in the Bundesliga last season. He has a high price tag and since his demand was the same, Chelsea seems like they have their long-term replacement set. But here’s no denying that players often struggle in their first season in the Premier League. Haaland was an anomaly of the highest order.

If he hits the ground running, Nkunku is going to prove an incredible pick, but he has a very high ownership right now and it might take him some time to warm to the league. He will be playing upfront since the start of the season as Chelsea made huge sales and massive clearout in this transfer window. With a new coach and a newly reformed team, he might take some time to get the ground running. His price tag has many favorable names who have been in the league for a while.

2. Alexis Mac Allister (MID – 6.0), Ownership: 15.4%

Alexis Mac Allister Liverpool — **Alexis Mac Allister has joined Liverpool from Brighton**

Mac Allister became a solid option towards the tail end of the 22-23 season while at Brighton, but don’t expect things to be the same after his move to Liverpool. While he was deployed as a number 10 for Brighton under De Zerbi, he’ll more likely be a number 8 for Liverpool, as well as no longer having set-piece duties to earn points from. Priced at 6 million this season, Mac Allister already has an ownership of 15.4%.

However, Mac Allister’s role in Liverpool is going to differ a lot compared to his role in Brighton. He is expected to play a much deeper number 8 role with the Reds and is unlikely to be on set pieces due to the availability of both Mohammed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold. Due to his position, he will also be relied on less in the attack in Liverpool. Hence Mac Allister is a player you should look to avoid in FPL this season. Don’t expect him to perform the same this season. Mac Allister is unlikely to have the same impact for Liverpool as he did for Brighton.

1. Tyrone Mings (DEF – 4.5), Ownership: 15.6%

Prior to summer signings being made, Mings felt like a great choice and one of the first names in most people’s drafts. Currently owned by 15.6% of managers, Mings is a defender you should avoid having in your first game-week drafts. With the arrival of Pau Torres, Mings position in Aston Villa’s defense looks shaky as Torres takes over the left centre back position and will be favoured by Unai Emery, who saw his rise during his time at Villareal. Torres is available at the same price as Mings and you can do a quick swap for him.

Have an eye on the pre-season games to decide who is the nailed Villa 4.5 million defender among Mings, Torres and Cash before locking them in your teams. The signing of Pau Torres could disrupt that though and, with the Spaniard coming into Villa at the exact same price point, seems a more nailed-on and reliable option for that defense. Mings should be replaced by Pau Torres if you want a Villa defender.

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