The Fantasy Premier League (FPL) returns this Friday, and fans from around the globe, especially across Africa and beyond, are buzzing with excitement. African players have increasingly become key contributors in the EPL and excellent fantasy assets. Here is all you need to know.
How to Play Fantasy Premier League (FPL)
What It Is
Fantasy Premier League is an online football management game where you create a virtual team of real Premier League players. Over a season, players earn points based on real-world on-pitch performances like goals, assists, clean sheets, and defensive actions, while also losing points for things like red cards or missed penalties
How to Register
- Visit the official FPL site (fantasy.premierleague.com) or download the mobile app.
- Click “Register Now” → choose “No account? Join now.”
- Fill in your email, password, name, date of birth, and country
You’ll then pick a 15-player squad: 2 GKs, 5 defenders, 5 midfielders, and 3 forwards; within a £100 million budget, max 3 players from any club
How Points Are Scored
In Fantasy Premier League, goals, assists, and clean sheets remain the core ways players accumulate points. These staples have long defined the foundation of scoring, rewarding attacking contributions from forwards and midfielders while also recognising defensive solidity from goalkeepers and defenders.
In addition to these standard metrics, Bonus Points (BPS) are awarded to the top three performers in each match based on Opta data. The best-performing player receives three points, the second earns two, and the third gets one, adding an extra layer of competition for managers aiming to squeeze every possible point from their selections.
For the 2025/26 season, a new scoring tweak has been introduced, giving more weight to defensive contributions such as tackles, clearances, and ball recoveries. This change is designed to better reward players whose impact on the pitch goes beyond goals and assists, potentially making defensive-minded assets more valuable than in previous seasons.
Managing Your Team
In Fantasy Premier League, managers are given one free transfer per gameweek to adjust their squads. Any additional transfers beyond this limit come at a cost of four points each, making careful planning essential to avoid unnecessary deductions.
Alongside standard transfers, managers can also deploy special chips to gain a strategic edge. These include the Wildcard, which allows unlimited transfers; the Free Hit, which temporarily changes the squad for one gameweek; the Triple Captain, which triples the captain’s points; and the Bench Boost, which counts points from all 15 players. Each chip can now be used twice in a season, giving managers more flexibility over their campaigns.
For the 2025/26 season, the rules also include extra transfers for players who are away at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON). This adjustment aims to help managers cope with mid-season absences without being overly penalized for losing key assets to international duty.
Top African Fantasy Premier League Assets
Here’s a breakdown of African players across EPL clubs likely to be high-value picks for your FPL squad this season:
At Liverpool, Mohamed Salah remains the undisputed marquee African Fantasy Premier League asset. The Egyptian superstar smashed the all-time FPL points record last season with an incredible 344 points, powered by 29 goals and 18 assists. Priced at £14.5 million and boasting 55.6% ownership, he is a premium pick and a near-essential inclusion in most squads.
Chelsea’s Nicolas Jackson of Senegal, while not standing out in FPL terms compared to Salah, remains on many managers’ radars. However, in the context of African assets, Chelsea currently has no clear must-have player, though form and fixtures could change that assessment during the season.
At Arsenal, there are no major African FPL picks at present. Managers should, however, keep an eye on potential emerging signings or squad changes that could introduce a valuable African option later in the campaign.
Aston Villa also currently lacks standout African FPL options, with players like Morgan Rogers and Ezri Konsa not fitting the criteria. That said, ongoing transfer activity could alter the picture, so continued monitoring is advised.
Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo of Ghana presents a promising value pick in midfield after finishing last season with four goals and one assist in a strong late run of form. If he builds on that momentum, he could become a budget-friendly differential for managers seeking attacking depth.
At Brighton & Hove Albion, Tariq Lamptey of Ghana offers a dynamic presence at right wing-back. While he has not historically been a heavy FPL scorer, his attacking runs and potential for assists, combined with the new defensive points system, make him a more appealing option for the 2025/26 season.
Crystal Palace, Fulham, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest, Tottenham
At Fulham, Nigerian midfielder Alex Iwobi offers Fantasy Premier League managers a reliable option in the middle of the park. His experience, versatility, and consistent selection under Marco Silva make him a dependable pick for those seeking steady returns over the season.
Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye of Senegal has emerged as a key attacking presence, now reclassified as a midfielder in FPL. His ability to drive play forward and his likely central role in Everton’s frontline could make him a valuable asset, particularly if the team builds on his creativity and goal threat.
Tottenham Hotspur’s Mohammed Kudus, a summer signing from Ghana, brings exciting flexibility across midfield and attack. Priced at just £4.5 million, he attracted heavy early interest from managers, and with strong potential and solid minutes expected, optimism around his breakout season remains high.
Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon was last season’s standout FPL midfield breakthrough, racking up an incredible 337 points from 20 goals and 10 assists, averaging around eight points per game. Now at Manchester United, he benefits from less fixture congestion compared to close rivals while still offering the same high attacking upside that made him a must-have at Brentford.
Top African Performers Last Season
Mohamed Salah of Egypt, playing for Liverpool, delivered a record-setting 344 points last season, cementing his status as the ultimate Fantasy Premier League pick. His combination of goals, assists, and bonus points made him the most reliable and high-impact player in the game.
Bryan Mbeumo of Cameroon, then at Brentford, produced an outstanding 337 points, making him the highest-scoring midfielder of the campaign. His huge goal involvement and consistent performances ensured he was a near-permanent fixture in many successful FPL squads.
Other breakout players, including Iliman Ndiaye and Antoine Semenyo, also made their mark by delivering notable attacking returns. While their exact FPL point totals were not provided, they were widely recognized as top performers for their respective clubs and valuable assets for managers seeking differential picks.
What Fans Can Expect from African FPL Assets This Season
Mohamed Salah remains Liverpool’s premium captaincy choice in Fantasy Premier League, offering consistent returns backed by his penalty-taking duties. His reliability and ability to deliver big hauls keep him at the top of most managers’ lists.
Bryan Mbeumo, now at Manchester United, continues to be a solid goal threat and benefits from fewer midweek fixtures, which should enhance his reliability over the long season. His proven track record makes him a dependable pick for managers seeking stability in attack.
Mohammed Kudus at Tottenham brings versatility across midfield and attack while remaining affordably priced. Under the club’s new system, he has strong potential for a breakout campaign if given regular minutes in advanced positions.
Iliman Ndiaye’s central role in Everton’s attack, combined with his new midfielder classification in FPL, boosts his value. His creativity and goal involvement should make him a popular mid-priced option for those looking beyond the obvious big names.
Alex Iwobi at Fulham offers experience and consistent playing time, making him a reliable budget-friendly midfield choice. His steady returns can provide balance to squads built around premium attackers.
Antoine Semenyo of Bournemouth brings attacking promise and strong budget value, especially after showing late-season momentum last term. If he maintains his form, he could become one of the season’s best-value forwards.
Tariq Lamptey at Brighton now holds increased appeal as a defensive asset thanks to the new scoring rules that reward defensive contributions like tackles and ball recoveries. His pace and attacking runs add an extra layer of upside to his clean sheet potential.
Managers should keep a close watch on Africa Cup of Nations absences, as these could significantly impact player availability during key gameweeks. While the new rule allowing extra transfers helps to mitigate the disruption, careful squad planning will still be essential to avoid being caught short.
It is also important to track fixture runs for your chosen players, particularly African assets who might miss critical matches during the AFCON period. Targeting players with favourable schedules and avoiding those facing tough opponents during key absences can make a big difference in points returns.
Shifts in penalty-taking duties, such as Bryan Mbeumo potentially assuming spot-kick responsibilities at Manchester United, can instantly transform a player’s Fantasy Premier League value. Securing players with penalty duty can provide a steady and reliable points stream.
Finally, early-season price changes can make or break value picks, especially for budget players. Jumping on rising assets before their prices increase, and avoiding those whose value is dropping, can help managers maximise squad strength and long-term flexibility.
Managing Non-Performing Assets
Keeping a close eye on player form and minutes is crucial in Fantasy Premier League. If an African asset shows a drop in performance or starts getting benched, it’s important to act quickly to prevent losing points over several gameweeks.
Using your free transfer wisely can help maintain squad strength without unnecessary costs. If a player falls out of form or picks up an injury, replacing them makes sense, but managers should avoid taking −4 point hits unless absolutely necessary, as these deductions can erode overall gains.
The Wildcard chip can be deployed early or later in the season, depending on circumstances. It’s particularly useful when several African players experience a dip in form at once or when fixture congestion reshapes squad priorities. With two Wildcards per season, one can be saved for each half of the campaign.
Strategic use of the Free Hit chip can prove invaluable during the Africa Cup of Nations, allowing managers to temporarily replace missing African stars without long-term changes to their squads. This approach helps cover key absences while keeping core players for their return.
Finally, chips like Bench Boost and Triple Captain can be game-changing when used at the right time. If an in-form African favourite is heading into a double-fixture gameweek, activating one of these chips could deliver a huge points haul and provide a decisive advantage over rivals.
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