Gameweek 1 is in the books, and the Fantasy Premier League transfer market is already moving at full speed.
After one weekend of action, managers have wasted little time reacting to big performances, unexpected blanks, injuries, and changes in team roles.
Some of the early moves are simply knee-jerk reactions, but several players attracting transfers have genuine reasons to be on the radar.
The latest official FPL data shows Maxim De Cuyper, Mamadou Sangaré, João Pedro, Riccardo Calafiori, and Michael
Kayode among the five most-transferred-in players for Gameweek 2.
So, who is worth following—and who could be a trap?
1. Maxim De Cuyper — Brighton
Price: £4.6m | Position: Defender
If there is one player who has become the biggest Gameweek 2 bandwagon, it is Maxim De Cuyper.
The Brighton defender has been transferred in by more than 343,000 managers, the highest figure in the game as of Wednesday morning. He has also risen to £4.6m.
The excitement is not based solely on his Gameweek 1 points. De Cuyper produced excellent underlying numbers, recording an estimated 13.9 expected FPL points, the highest mark in Fantasy Football Fix’s Gameweek 1 model.
He also tied for the league lead in big chances among defenders with two and attempted three shots inside the box.
That attacking involvement makes the £4.6m price extremely attractive.
The only problem is the immediate fixture. Brighton travel to Chelsea in Gameweek 2, so managers should be thinking beyond one week rather than expecting another huge haul immediately.
2. Mamadou Sangaré — Brentford
Price: £5.6m | Position: Midfielder
Sangaré is arguably the most obvious budget transfer of the week. The Brentford midfielder exploded onto the FPL scene with 14 points against Tottenham, producing two assists while also collecting defensive-contribution points. More than 284,000 managers have already brought him in for Gameweek 2.
What makes the move particularly interesting is that his appeal existed before the attacking returns.
Sangaré was already being considered an intriguing budget option because of his ability to accumulate defensive-contribution points. His two assists against Spurs simply added another route to FPL returns.
At £5.6m, that combination gives him an unusually high floor for a budget midfielder.
Brentford also face Leeds in Gameweek 2, giving new owners another reason to feel comfortable with the move.
3. João Pedro — Chelsea
Price: £7.5m | Position: Forward
João Pedro is rapidly becoming the forward of choice for managers looking to restructure their attacks. Chelsea’s opening weekend also gave managers plenty to like.
The Blues scored three times against Fulham, while João Pedro was part of an attack that also featured Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers.
His popularity has subsequently pushed him into the top five most-bought players for Gameweek 2, with nearly 239,000 transfers in according to the latest official figures.
The bigger question is whether Chelsea’s attack can maintain that level of output. Their Gameweek 2 opponent is Brighton, followed by Arsenal in Gameweek 3, so this is not necessarily a straightforward fixture-driven move.
Managers are buying João Pedro because they believe the underlying attacking role can continue to produce.
4. Riccardo Calafiori — Arsenal
Price: £5.5m | Position: Defender
Arsenal’s defensive options have quickly become popular again. Calafiori delivered an assist and a clean sheet in the champions’ 3-0 victory over Coventry City, finishing with nine FPL points. Ben White also returned 11 points, showing just how productive Arsenal’s full-backs were in Gameweek 1.
Calafiori has since attracted more than 234,000 transfers in, putting him fourth among all players for Gameweek 2.
At £5.5m, his attacking potential makes him particularly appealing. Arsenal should also provide plenty of clean-sheet opportunities over the course of the season.
There is, however, one important caveat: Ezri Konsa’s arrival at Arsenal creates some uncertainty in the defensive rotation.
The former Aston Villa defender can play at right-back or center-back, and managers still need to see exactly how Mikel Arteta intends to use him.
That does not make Calafiori a bad transfer, but it is something to monitor before committing to an Arsenal defensive double-up or triple-up.
5. Michael Kayode — Brentford
Price: £4.5m | Position: Defender
Kayode is another Brentford player riding the wave of the club’s impressive opening weekend. The defender has attracted more than 220,000 transfers in, making him the fifth-most-bought player heading into Gameweek 2.
His appeal is straightforward: he is cheap, Brentford looked excellent in their opening match, and the Bees’ upcoming schedule offers opportunities for more defensive returns.
Kayode also posted a 9.7 expected FPL points score in Gameweek 1 according to Fantasy Football Fix, one of the highest marks among all players.
The important distinction is that his popularity is not entirely based on a lucky attacking return. There were encouraging underlying numbers behind the performance.
At £4.5m, that makes him one of the more interesting budget defenders available.
Other Differential FPL Players Worth Watching
The Gameweek 2 transfer market is not limited to the top five.
Dominik Szoboszlai is gaining attention after taking Liverpool’s late penalty against Newcastle. With Mohamed Salah no longer at Liverpool, the Hungarian midfielder’s set-piece responsibilities could make him particularly attractive at £7.0m. The official FPL analysis also suggests he may now be ahead of Alexander Isak in Liverpool’s penalty pecking order.
Cole Palmer is another obvious name. The Chelsea midfielder scored and assisted in the 3-2 win over Fulham, collecting 13 points. His new central role under Xabi Alonso is particularly encouraging, although he remains an injury doubt for Gameweek 2.
Rayan Cherki is also generating plenty of excitement after coming off the bench to provide two assists for Manchester City against Bournemouth. At £7.5m, his potential is obvious, although his starting status remains the key question.
Should You Follow the FPL Transfer Bandwagon?
The biggest lesson from the early Gameweek 2 market is that there is a difference between following the crowd and identifying value.
De Cuyper and Sangaré have legitimate reasons for their popularity. Their Gameweek 1 performances were supported by encouraging underlying numbers, while both offer attractive prices.
Calafiori and Kayode also make sense because they combine attacking or defensive potential with reasonable price tags.
But managers should be more cautious with players being bought purely because they scored or assisted once.
FPL is a long-term game. One Gameweek can reveal changes in a player’s role, but it can also produce misleading results.
The best transfers are therefore not necessarily the players with the biggest Gameweek 1 scores. They are the players whose role, underlying numbers, fixtures, price, and minutes security suggest that the returns can continue.
- READ MORE: FPL Gameweek 2 Captain Picks: The 5 Best Options, Including One Big Differential
