Five Unexpected FPL Stars from Pre-Season – Including a 1.1%-Owned Player That Most Managers Are Missing
Here are five surprise players who could be great hidden gems for your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) team this season.
The 2026/27 Premier League season kicks off in just two weeks, with Arsenal hosting Coventry in the opening game. Along with the new season, the next FPL campaign starts, and millions of managers are rushing to create their first squads.
Last season, over 13 million managers joined, making it tougher to pick the right players that help you stand out and climb the ranks each week. That’s why it’s super important to watch pre-season closely and spot low-ownership players who might become stars early on.
Here are five players we think you should think about for your FPL drafts before Gameweek 1.
One big question is which defender priced at £4.5 million will be the best pick. Right now, Manchester United’s Luke Shaw is the top choice, owned by nearly 25% of teams.
But Sunderland’s Hume, owned by only 2.3%, could surprise you. He’s been playing as a forward in pre-season, scoring two goals in the last few games. With Ipswich and Fulham coming first, he might bring clean sheet points too, even if he doesn’t score. Just keep an eye on Sunderland’s transfer moves, as they’re likely to add another forward soon.
Another solid £4.5 million defender is Rodon from Leeds United. While new signing Tarik Muharemovic is getting lots of attention, Rodon could offer better value. He met key defensive stats in 30% of his games last season and sometimes scores from set pieces. Some fans worry he might lose his spot if Leeds switches their defense style, so watch for updates.
Brighton’s veteran Gross is already popular, with over 8% ownership—and for good reason. The German midfielder has shown he can earn points in many ways. After Welbeck left, Gross is expected to take all the set pieces, including penalties, which makes him very appealing.
Bournemouth’s Kluivert had a tough start to pre-season with games against top teams, but he shone against Genoa with a hat-trick, scoring two penalties. He’s likely to be Bournemouth’s penalty taker while the injured Kroupi Junior recovers. With just 1% ownership and a strong goal contribution rate, he could be a sneaky great pick.
Finally, Nottingham Forest’s striker Jesus has been in fantastic form during pre-season, scoring four goals in four games. Under new manager Oliver Glasner, Forest are expected to be more attacking, and Jesus could be the key forward. Priced at £6.0 million, he’s competing with other budget strikers, but his form is hard to ignore. That said, Forest’s tough early fixtures might make some managers hesitant.
So there you have it — five hidden gems to watch as you build your FPL team for the new season!