With Fantasy Premier League (FPL) live for 2025/26, we’re welcoming back our team of guest writers for the new campaign.
Here, FPL General – who has three top 500 finishes to his name – shares his first draft and explains the reasons why he’ll be playing differently this season. There’s no Mohamed Salah (£14.5m). There’s no Erling Haaland (£14.0m), either…
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We are back!
It’s been a long summer without the escapism and fun/despair that FPL provides us with. As I type this, Gameweek 1 is three weeks away and I’m very excited for the new campaign. The late launch of the website was very welcome. The extended break gave the batteries the extra bit of charge they needed.
I’m feeling rejuvenated and ready to have a fun season, having not enjoyed the past couple as much as previous ones. The pressure that comes with being a content creator to achieve a good rank when you’re giving people tips/advice is something I’m keen to free myself from for 2025/26.
In short, I want to play differently this season. I want to enjoy watching games again; that’s where my love for FPL began over 20 years ago. I want to get back to my bread and butter, watching loads of games and making my FPL decisions/content off the back of that. That’s where I get the most enjoyment from.
My overall ranks have been consistent, with 11 top 50k finishes in the past 12 years, but I want to play with freedom this season. The shackles consequently need to come off.
I find myself suffering from FPL burnout when it gets to March/April time. It tends to get quite boring towards the end of a season, with managers having almost identical teams. Green and red arrows eventually come down to one or two positions and the captaincy call. When we share our teams on social media at the deadline, they all look the same nowadays. I want my team to look different to others.
Whether I finish top 10k or top one million, it makes no difference in the grand scheme of life. I’m alive, I’m healthy and I get to call my favourite hobby, my job. The tragic passing of Diogo Jota (RIP) really shook me. Life is precious and I want to stop stressing over a game. I’m going to play FPL with a smile on my face every weekend regardless of outcomes, just like Diogo did when he was on the pitch. I’m going to enjoy the Premier League for what it is, the best league in the world, and FPL for what it is, the best game in the world!
FPL GENERAL: FIRST DRAFT
