{"id":1863,"date":"2025-08-19T14:06:44","date_gmt":"2025-08-19T12:06:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/?p=1863"},"modified":"2025-08-19T14:06:44","modified_gmt":"2025-08-19T12:06:44","slug":"fpl-gw1-stars-transfer-trends-and-gw2-targets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/2025\/08\/19\/fpl-gw1-stars-transfer-trends-and-gw2-targets\/","title":{"rendered":"FPL: GW1 Stars, Transfer Trends and GW2 Targets"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 2025\/26 Fantasy Premier League season kicked off with a bang. We had explosive hauls, gut-wrenching heartbreaks, and the usual dose of VAR controversy to keep us on our toes. Managers are already moving fast in the transfer market. Let\u2019s break it all down, from standout performers to early transfer trends, and look ahead to Gameweek 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Stars of Gameweek 1<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was Sunderland who stole the show on their Premier League return, beating West Ham 3-0 in front of a rocking home crowd. Centre-back&nbsp;<strong>Dan Ballard<\/strong>&nbsp;topped the FPL charts with&nbsp;<strong>17 points<\/strong>, thanks to a goal, clean sheet, bonus points, and hitting the new&nbsp;<em>defensive contributions<\/em>&nbsp;threshold. At just \u00a34.5m, he\u2019s already looking like a gift from the FPL gods.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/apple.co\/3ObOLnA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ballard-gw1-1024x692.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1864\" style=\"width:440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ballard-gw1-1024x692.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ballard-gw1-300x203.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ballard-gw1-768x519.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ballard-gw1.webp 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Elsewhere, it was the weekend of the braces.&nbsp;<strong>Antoine Semenyo<\/strong>&nbsp;scored twice against Liverpool, becoming one of the first price risers of the season. He was joined by&nbsp;<strong>Erling Haaland, Richarlison, and Chris Wood<\/strong>&nbsp;in the two-goal club.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/apple.co\/3ObOLnA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Semenyo-gw1-1024x692.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1869\" style=\"width:440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Semenyo-gw1-1024x692.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Semenyo-gw1-300x203.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Semenyo-gw1-768x519.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Semenyo-gw1.webp 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Haaland<\/strong>: Topped the table for xG (2.01) with three big chances \u2013 no surprise, business as usual.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Wood<\/strong>: Two shots, two goals. Classic Chris Wood efficiency.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Richarlison<\/strong>: Bagged a brace against Burnley, including an overhead kick. His gametime could come under threat once Solanke regains fitness, but he\u2019s made his case.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Other haulers included\u00a0<strong>Tijjani Reijnders (10 points), Hugo Ekitike (11), and Mohammed Kudus (10)<\/strong>\u00a0, all popular picks who delivered right away.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When FPL Dreams Turn Sour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Not everyone started with fireworks.&nbsp;<strong>Aston Villa\u2019s attack<\/strong>&nbsp;was flat, posting the lowest xG (0.2) of any team this weekend.&nbsp;<strong>Ollie Watkins<\/strong>, highly backed after a strong pre-season, was starved of chances as Villa failed to impress against Newcastle.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/apple.co\/3ObOLnA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"697\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/watkins-gw1-1024x697.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1865\" style=\"width:440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/watkins-gw1-1024x697.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/watkins-gw1-300x204.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/watkins-gw1-768x523.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/watkins-gw1.webp 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Defensively, Villa owners were hit even harder.&nbsp;<strong>Ezri Konsa<\/strong>&nbsp;(20% ownership) saw red after hauling down Anthony Gordon, ending on just 3 points and now suspended for Gameweek 2.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Meanwhile,&nbsp;<strong>Matt Doherty<\/strong>&nbsp;of Wolves recorded the first negative score of the season. A yellow card and four goals conceded left him on -1. Ouch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Heartbreakers &amp; Late Wipeouts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gameweek 1 also brought familiar pain for FPL managers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Eberechi Eze<\/strong>\u00a0thought he had scored a free-kick at Stamford Bridge, only for VAR to rule it out due to Guehi\u2019s positioning in the wall. Classic early-season heartbreak.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Forest defenders<\/strong>\u00a0were cruising to a clean sheet until a 78th-minute Brentford penalty wiped it away.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brighton defenders<\/strong>\u00a0suffered even worse, conceding in the 96th minute against Fulham.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And to twist the knife,\u00a0<strong>Bruno Fernandes<\/strong>\u00a0fell just\u00a0<em>one<\/em>\u00a0defensive contribution short of extra points.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>These moments remind us why FPL can be as brutal as it is beautiful.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/apple.co\/3ObOLnA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"698\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/b-fernandes-gw1-1024x698.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1866\" style=\"width:440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/b-fernandes-gw1-1024x698.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/b-fernandes-gw1-300x205.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/b-fernandes-gw1-768x524.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/b-fernandes-gw1.webp 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Things You Might Have Missed<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gameweek 1 had a few sneaky details that slipped under the radar:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Anthony Gordon<\/strong>\u00a0led the league with 7 shots, playing up front in Isak\u2019s absence.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Virgil van Dijk<\/strong>\u00a0hit a ridiculous 21 defensive contributions \u2013 more than double the threshold.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rayan A\u00eft-Nouri<\/strong>\u00a0played a hybrid CB role vs City and snuck extra defensive points.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spurs creativity was on display:\u00a0<strong>Kudus and Pedro Porro<\/strong>\u00a0ranked among the top four for crosses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Promoted Sunderland only managed 0.7 xG despite scoring three \u2013 their finishing clinical, but sustainability a concern.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Transfer Trends<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest story of the week is\u00a0<strong>Tijjani Reijnders<\/strong>. Over\u00a0<strong>700k managers<\/strong>\u00a0have brought him in already, sending his price up to \u00a35.6m with ownership reaching 27% so far.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"http:\/\/apple.co\/3ObOLnA\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"696\" src=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/reijenders-gw1-1024x696.webp\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1867\" style=\"width:440px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/reijenders-gw1-1024x696.webp 1024w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/reijenders-gw1-300x204.webp 300w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/reijenders-gw1-768x522.webp 768w, https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/reijenders-gw1.webp 1160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Dutchman\u2019s popularity has triggered a reshuffle across squads. Here\u2019s who\u2019s making way:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Florian Wirtz<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192 The biggest casualty, sold by over 330k managers after blanking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Elliot Anderson<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192 Despite better xGI than Reijnders, he\u2019s being binned by Reijnders buyers. Could be a move managers regret.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Omar Marmoush<\/strong>\u00a0\u2192 Victim of Pep roulette, but owners are rolling the dice on another City mid instead.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Even\u00a0<strong>Cole Palmer<\/strong>\u00a0is being sold by some! Despite his ownership above 60% and a home fixture next, panic has crept in.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Reijnders looks like a strong enabler, but there are shades of a knee-jerk here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Form Forwards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Both Richarlison and Wood are hot transfer targets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Statistically,&nbsp;<strong>Richarlison<\/strong>&nbsp;edges it with more shots, more shots in the box, and higher xG. His ceiling looks higher, but Solanke\u2019s return may complicate his minutes.&nbsp;<strong>Wood<\/strong>, meanwhile, is nailed and clinical. With both Spurs and Forest sitting top for attack difficulty ratings over the next six fixtures, managers can\u2019t go too wrong with either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Looking Ahead to Gameweek 2<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sunderland assets like\u00a0<strong>Ballard<\/strong>\u00a0are already proving value, though sustainability is a question.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Villa attackers<\/strong>\u00a0have excellent fixtures despite a poor opening. Patience with Watkins could pay off.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Anthony Gordon<\/strong>\u00a0is a genuine out-of-position gem if Isak remains sidelined.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Richarlison vs Wood<\/strong>\u00a0is shaping up to be the big budget forward debate of the week.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Transfers are flying, but remember: one week doesn\u2019t define a season. Sometimes the best move is no move at all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Gameweek 1 reminded us of everything we love (and hate) about FPL. Haulers came through, heartbreakers crushed us, and the transfer market is already buzzing with knee-jerks. But if there\u2019s one truth in FPL, it\u2019s this: <strong>staying patient often pays<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now it\u2019s time to get ahead of the pack. Download the\u00a0<strong><a href=\"http:\/\/apple.co\/3ObOLnA\">We Play FPL<\/a> app<\/strong>\u00a0today, track transfers, plan your moves, compare players, and get AI-powered predictions to keep your team one step ahead.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>May your arrows be green. Happy managing!<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2025\/26 Fantasy Premier League season kicked off with a bang. We had explosive hauls, gut-wrenching heartbreaks, and the usual dose of VAR controversy to keep us on our toes. Managers are already moving fast in the transfer market. Let\u2019s break it all down, from standout performers to early transfer trends, and look ahead to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1873,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1863","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fpl"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1863"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1872,"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1863\/revisions\/1872"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1863"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1863"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.weplayfpl.com\/news-articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1863"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}