Midfielders are arguably the most valuable players in fantasy football, given their role and capacity to score points.
That is reflected in their prices, with some of the most expensive options coming in this category.
With the Premier League campaign resumed following a coronavirus-enforced suspension, Goal takes a look at the best midfielders to select in your fantasy football team, including a few bargains.
Don't forget to listen to our brand new fantasy football podcast for more tips and advice throughout the season!
Contents
- Best Fantasy Football Midfielders
- Best Fantasy Football Bargain Midfielders
- James Maddison
- Jack Grealish
- Todd Cantwell
- Ayoze Perez
- Mason Mount
- Adama Traore
- Best Fantasy Football Midfielders: Honorary Mentions
Best fantasy football midfielders
What makes a great fantasy football midfielder? Chiefly, goals and assists are what get points, as well as clean sheets.
It's important to remember that fantasy football is not the same as making a balanced dream team, so there is absolutely no need to pick defensive midfielders who don't score or set up goals.
Kevin De Bruyne | Man City | £10.7m
Kevin De Bruyne's terrible luck with injuries saw him endure a nightmare year as he was confined to the sidelines for most of the season, but he is making up for it in 2019-20.
His value dropped a little, but the Belgium international's vision and technical ability means that he is a top pick. Indeed, his price has risen since the beginning.
De Bruyne is the division's assist king and is adept from dead-ball situations, scoring plenty of goals himself too.
Sadio Mane | Liverpool | £12.5m
Senegal international Sadio Mane made tremendous improvements in 2018-19, adding more goals and finishing the season as the Premier League's joint-top goalscorer.
His value has shot up since the start of the 2019-20 campaign, but he is very much worth the investment, and has been directly involved in over 20 goals this season so far.
Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | £12.6m
Liverpool star Mohamed Salah was the most expensive player on the official Premier League fantasy football game at the start of the season and with good reason: he scores goals and sets them up.
Salah's debut season for the Reds saw him amass over 300 points and, last season, despite not quite hitting the same heights, he scored 259 points.
The Egypt international is a pivotal player for Jurgen Klopp's side and, like his partner-in-crime Mane, has been directly involved in over 20 goals as the season heads into the final stage.
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Raheem Sterling | Man City | £11.7m
Raheem Sterling has matured immensely under the tutelage of Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, evolving into a key player for the champions.
The former Liverpool winger has added more goals and assists to his game - he was involved in 32 goals (17 goals, 15 assists) last term - which is ideal for fantasy football.
He was close to catching Salah last season and has continued on his upward trajectory in 2019-20.
Bruno Fernandes | Manchester United | £8.8m
A big-money January signing, Bruno Fernandes has had a remarkable start to life at Manchester United and appears to be the missing piece of the puzzle for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Portugal international is a playmaker who scores and creates goals, something that had been sorely lacking at Old Trafford. He is also relatively cheap and it looks likely that his price will shoot up next term.
Richarlison | Everton | £8.3m
Brazil international Richarlison has been touted for bigger things ever since his arrival in the Premier League with Watford and he continues to show his worth at Everton.
The Toffees rely on the winger the unlock defences, but he also possesses a physical dynamism that causes difficulties for defenders in the box.
Richarlison is into double figures in the scoring charts and is also a regular in the assist department.
Riyad Mahrez | Man City | £8.5m
Riyad Mahrez has gradually established himself as one of Manchester City's key players and, by extension, that means he is great to have in fantasy football.
The Algeria international occasionally finds himself sacrificed in Pep Guardiola's rotation plan, but he has become one of the more reliable performers for the Catalan coach.
Heung-min Son | Tottenham | £9.8m
Heung-min Son is a fan favourite at Tottenham and he's also a popular pick in fantasy football, thanks to his exciting attacking play.
The South Korea international was involved in 20-plus goals - getting double figures in the goal charts, too - in each of the past three campaigns.
He is a creative outlet for Spurs and has great composure in front of goal, taking some pressure off Harry Kane.
Anthony Martial | Manchester United | £8.2m
France international Anthony Martial would have been a bargain buy in FPL at the start of the season, but his value has shot up a bit thanks to an upturn in fortunes.
He is enjoying his best season in fantasy football chiefly thanks to the system deployed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, which makes him a focal point for goals.
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Best fantasy football bargain midfielders
Bargains can be found - or at least, players who represent good value for money - in midfielders who play for mid-table teams or those just promoted.
Here's a few suggestions that could end up bargains this season.
James Maddison | Leicester City | £7.4m
Leicester City have been enjoying a resurgence under the guidance of Brendan Rodgers and one of the players who is thriving for the Foxes is James Maddison.
The winger is a solid fantasy football pick given his status as a set-piece taker and is considerably cheaper than others who occupy a similar role at the bigger clubs.
Jack Grealish | Aston Villa | £6.2m
Aston Villa captain Jack Grealish has relished his role as the team's talisman and has led by example by pulling strings in midfield, scoring goals and laying team-mates on.
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Todd Cantwell | Norwich City | £4.6m
Defiant and exciting, Norwich City's Todd Cantwell has been a true wildcard when it comes to fantasy football in the Premier League.
The youngster has a knack of getting onto the end of attacks and has set up a few goals himself.
Ayoze Perez | Leicester City | £6.1m
There were question marks hanging over former Newcastle United forward Ayoze Perez when he joined Leicester, but the Spaniard has shone in Brendan Rodgers' system.
Mason Mount | Chelsea | £6.2m
The FIFA-imposed transfer ban that Chelsea have had to deal with has had a positive effect in that it has cleared a pathway to the Blues first team for a number of young players.
Mason Mount is one of them and he is continuing the sort of form that earned him plaudits under Frank Lampard while on loan at Derby County last season.
Adama Traore | Wolves | £5.8m
Earmarked for a bright future since his time as a youth at Barcelona, Adama Traore is finally making his impact felt and he is turning heads with his influence on games.
Still not quite as prolific as other wingers in the Premier League, Traore nonetheless chips in with plenty of assists for Wolves.
Best fantasy football midfielders: Honorary mentions
Each fantasy football squad can only have five midfielders, but there is a wealth of options available outside those we have already highlighted above.
Manchester City veteran David Silva (£7.3m) is priced reasonably, but may not play as often as Sterling and Co.
Chelsea's new signing Christian Pulisic, nicknamed 'Wonderboy' by the American media, is just £7m, while the more experienced Willian is £7m too.
Leicester City's Youri Tielemans has been a ball of energy for the Foxes, getting among the goals and can be picked for £6.1m.
Dele Alli, Tottenham's hardworking midfield playmaker, can be picked up for £8.3m and Arsenal forward Pepe is more expensive at £9.2m