Who are currently the most-owned FPL players?

Over two weeks since relaunching for the 2023/24 season, it’s time to assess the most-owned FPL players so far.

By default, initial FPL squads are auto-picked and therefore skew the ownership numbers. However, a couple of weeks into pre-season, most managers are hopefully now creating draft teams and locking in some ideas. Templates are starting to form and bandwagons are waiting to take off.

At the time of writing (Friday afternoon), three players have over 50% ownership and nine exceed 30%.

Most-owned FPL players

Goalkeepers

The popularity of West Ham’s Alphonse Areola comes from a belief that he’ll be the most likely £4.0m goalkeeper to play. Yet it’s all been Lukasz Fabianski in friendlies so far.

Of the £4.5m names, Jordan Pickford is most popular because of Everton’s nice-looking early fixtures and the four 1-0 home wins once Sean Dyche arrived. As for Aaron Ramsdale, Ederson and Nick Pope, it’s likely just a case of managers wanting to cover certain big teams but not being able to squeeze them into defence.

Pope faces some top opponents though, with David Raya‘s 11.0% ownership perhaps unaware that he’s expected to leave Brentford.

Defenders

Brighton left-back Pervis Estupinan is the first of three 50%+ players, priced nicely at £5.0m. From Gameweek 20, no defender totalled more penalty area touches (56) or clean sheets (9), whilst there was a high-profile 17-point haul at Arsenal.

Luke Shaw, Kieran Trippier and Trent Alexander-Arnold are all premium assets that offer starts, clean sheets and attacking potential. The latter is a very expensive £8.0m, giving the FPL community constant debates on whether that money can be better used elsewhere.

Unlike last season, where Trippier was only £0.5m more than defensive team-mates, Sven Botman is now much cheaper. It was a surprise to see him remain at £4.5m, as he offers a route into one of the league’s best back lines.

Amari’i Bell is about having a nailed-on £4.0m option but John Stones has the risk of participating in Pep Roulette. At least Arsenal’s Gabriel is secure – his expected goals (xG) tally of 5.08 was the highest of all defenders.

Meanwhile, managers know the risk of choosing Reece James. He’s an attacking force but often injured, whilst Tyrone Mings‘ place is slightly weakened by Pau Torres’ arrival.

Midfielders

Further upfield, Bukayo Saka‘s low £8.5m price has been pounced upon. Equally priced to Martin Odegaard and just £0.5m more than Gabriel Martinelli, the 21-year-old is also on penalties.

Bruno Fernandes is arguably the biggest bargain of this season but team-mate Marcus Rashford is still value for money, despite £9.0m being a huge rise from last year’s £6.5m.

Kaoru Mitoma begins with Luton (h), Wolves (a) and West Ham (h), whilst newly-reclassified midfielder Bryan Mbeumo tends to shine when Ivan Toney isn’t around. He should be on penalty duty, although Alexis Mac Allister likely gives way to Mohamed Salah.

The Egyptian bagged 11 goals and seven assists in Liverpool’s final 15 matches but he’s not quite one of the most-owned FPL assets. There’s simply so much value in other midfielders. For example, £7.5m James Maddison – given a platform to shine in Ange Postecoglou’s attack-minded Spurs side.

Forwards

Elsewhere, just look at that Erling Haaland ownership! 85.8% is an insane amount, considering he’s now been priced up to a joint-highest of all time £14.0m.

It’s a huge drop from him to Gabriel Jesus – the only other forward with over 20%. Arsenal’s early fixtures deserve a double-up and not many other options hold appeal, especially if many are opting for 3-5-2 or 4-4-2 formations.

Christopher Nkunku is a wait-and-see situation, Harry Kane could be departing and Evan Ferguson has plenty of competition at Brighton. Perhaps Ollie Watkins is being slightly overlooked, considering the superb signings being made under Unai Emery.