The best summer signings for FPL 23/24

Erling Haaland had a phenomenal impact in his debut FPL season, giving this year’s best summer signings something to target.

A Premier League record of 36 goals, as his Man City side won a historic treble. Not bad at all. Meanwhile, there were also strong FPL campaigns for new arrivals Pervis Estupinan, Sven Botman and the domestic moves of Gabriel Jesus, Nick Pope and Ben Mee.

So who could the best summer signings be this time? There’s still over a month to go until transfer deadline day but here are the lead candidates.

FPL’s best international summer signings

Andre Onana (£5.0m) to Man United

Many managers want coverage of last season’s clean sheet leaders (17). By coming in at £0.5m cheaper than Luke Shaw, Man United’s new goalkeeper saves a crucial half-million that could allow better moves elsewhere.

Christopher Nkunku (£7.5m) and Nicolas Jackson (£7.0m) to Chelsea

Lots of questions remain unanswered about how Chelsea will line up under new boss Mauricio Pochettino. However, with a couple of friendlies under their belt, we’re slowly seeing how these new forwards could be used.

Nkunku and Jackson already share three goals and three assists from the two matches so far. Fixtures look superb from Gameweek 3 – a great run for a top side that’s without European football this season.

Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m) to Liverpool

There’s curiosity about how Jurgen Klopp’s side will set up following their good late-season form. If it’s the 3-2-2-3 formation, Hungarian international Szoboszlai will be an advanced midfielder.

His last two Bundesliga campaigns have yielded six goals and eight assists. If nothing else, his FPL impact could simply be reducing the appeal of Trent Alexander-Arnold by sharing set-piece duties.

Mark Flekken (£4.5m) to Brentford

As of now, 2022/23’s top-scoring goalkeeper David Raya is still at Brentford. In the final year of his contract, a sale is expected and that will boost the credentials of 30-year-old Flekken.

The 6ft 5in stopper had save percentages of 73.8% and 74.0% that ranked inside the Bundesliga’s top four over the last two seasons. Moreover, the Bees had an interesting statistic where they conceded the second-most shots on target (197) whilst also allowing the fourth-fewest big chances (67). This suggests Flekken will be able to collect a healthy number of save points and clean sheets.

Pau Torres (£4.5m) and Moussa Diaby (£6.5m) to Aston Villa

Resurgent since Unai Emery took charge, ambitious Aston Villa are aiming for a top-six push based on their superb summer. Torres and Diaby would’ve been unthinkable a few months ago.

The Spaniard offers a £4.5m route into a defence that, in the 15 matches from Gameweek 25 onwards, conceded the fewest goals (8) and kept joint-most clean sheets (7). As for Diaby, FPL managers may want to hold back initially, just to see how he fits in. There’s plenty of midfield competition at that price point.

FPL’s best domestic summer signings

James Maddison (£7.5m) to Tottenham

After ten goals and nine assists at relegated Leicester, Maddison was surprisingly given a price drop for his move to Spurs. He looks set to play a key role in Ange Postecoglou’s attack-minded system and – like Chelsea – fixtures look brilliant from Gameweek 3.

Harvey Barnes (£6.5m) to Newcastle

His former team-mate Barnes scored 13 times and has also dropped in price. Perhaps there’s a rotation risk at Newcastle, where Anthony Gordon and Joelinton provide alternatives to Eddie Howe.

There’s also the quirk that none of his 138 points came as bonuses. After him, the next-best player to avoid all bonus points was Brenden Aaronson (83). Anyway, Newcastle’s early opponents are tough.

Mason Mount (£7.0m) to Man United

New Old Trafford arrival Mount’s first three FPL seasons escalated to 11 goals, 11 assists and 169 points in 2021/22. Yet it was followed by his worst so far and this change of scenery is much-needed.

Erik ten Hag has rated the midfielder since watching him on loan at Vitesse. His plan seems to put Mount in tandem with Bruno Fernandes, enhancing his differential potential.

Kai Havertz (£7.5m) to Arsenal

Another Chelsea departure is Havertz, moving across London to join Arsenal. It’s safe to say that things didn’t work out for him at Stamford Bridge.

Now reclassified as a midfielder, he’s expected to join Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard and Gabriel Martinelli in playing behind a forward. Being cheaper than this trio makes his prospects much more encouraging this time around.

Joao Pedro (£5.5m) to Brighton

The club-record signing looked bright in his cameo versus Chelsea in the Premier League Summer Series. What may hold him back is the competition for forward spots at Brighton, as Evan Ferguson, Danny Welbeck and Deniz Undav are there too.

Marvelous Nakamba (£4.5m) to Luton

Finally, FPL seems to have a nailed-on £4.5m starter in midfield. He probably won’t deliver many attacking returns – without a goal since 2016/17 – but at least there’ll be appearance points.