Telegraph Fantasy Football: five essential players for the 2026/27 season

Telegraph Fantasy Football: five essential players for the 2026/27 season The experts have picked five players who should be in the forefront of your mind when picking your Telegraph Fantasy Football starting XIs Save Add us as preferred source Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Fantasy Football Hub Fantasy Football Experts Published 17 August 2026 11:00am BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Star appeal: the Arsenal defender has proved value for his high price tag Credit: Getty Fantasy Football Hub Fantasy Football Experts Published 17 August 2026 11:00am BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email As the new Telegraph Fantasy Football season approaches the fantasy football experts at Fantasy Football Hub, will continue to bring you the very best in fantasy football knowledge, tips and tools to help you rise up the ranks and win your mini-leagues. To join the Hub and get access to all their great resources and expert tips you can take advantage of its 50% pre-season discount. Five best fantasy football players Take a look at these elite Telegraph Fantasy Football tips below:   Erling Haaland (£8.3m) Comfortably last season’s top points scorer with 254, the Norwegian striker will once again likely be the first name in TFF Managers’ XIs. Having come back late from his post-World Cup break, there may be nervousness about early-season minutes. However, if he keeps up his phenomenal August goals-to-games ratio, starting without him may mean playing catch-up against the field.   João Pedro (£5.1m) Having missed out on the Brazilian squad for the World Cup, the forward looks rejuvenated after a rested summer, netting seven times and assisting twice more in pre-season. With no European distractions for the Blues this season, and attacking intent shown in new manager Xabi Alonso’s selections thus far, the 24-year-old looks primed for a successful season.   Antoine Semenyo (£4.9m) Perhaps one of the biggest surprises in the pricing for the new season was the City winger’s sub-£5m tag. The January recruit was the second-highest scorer in the game last season, and has looked the most dangerous of Enzo Moresca’s attacking assets in pre-season, so looks the stand-out midfield option.   Gabriel Magalhães (£4.9m) Another that perhaps warranted a higher price increase, the Brazilian only missed out on breaking the 200-point barrier due to his injury late in the season. While there are cheaper options in the champions’ backline, including Christhian Mosquera (£3.7m), who looks likely to deputise for the injured William Saliba (£4.6m), getting the assurances over long-term starts and the additional attacking returns is enough to warrant paying the higher expense.   Nico O’Reilly (£4.2m) The England international has incurred a position change in TFF, and will now gain points for clean sheets as a defender on top of his attacking returns. Had he scored as a defender last season, he would have topped his position table; therefore, £4.2m seems too good value to turn down. One notable omission from the list is Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes (£6.5m). It isn’t through the belief that the veteran won’t return heavily once again this season, but rather that there appears to be more value across a wide range of mid-priced options where TFF managers can optimise value across their starting XIs. Pick your team for the 2026/27 season > You can follow the latest Telegraph Fantasy Football news and discussions throughout the year on Facebook, Twitter and Fantasy Football Content Hub. Advertisement Don't miss Commercial content Bet of the day – Monday 17 Aug 2026, 11:30am