MANY Dream Team managers have discovered the initial £50million budget doesn’t stretch as far as they would like this season.
The big names and proven performers come at a cost which means gaffers will have to shop around for cheaper options to balance the books.
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Here we’ve identified five value-for-money midfielders who might be the missing piece of the puzzle ahead of Gameweek 1.
Jack Grealish (£3.5m)
Dream Team bosses have made their feelings clear about the 29 year-old maverick following his loan move to Everton.
In less than 24 hours, Grealish has gone from being a player who appeared in only a handful of teams to the tenth-most popular midfielder in the game!
The England international’s star has faded in recent years but it shouldn’t be forgotten that he was a key contributor to Manchester City’s treble in 2022/23.
His talent is undeniable and if this move to Merseyside proves to be a clean slate that allows him to regain form then he may well be a smart selection at £3.5m.
Experienced gaffers will remember that Grealish was one of Dream Team’s best assets in Aston Villa colours.
The Toffees are due to face Leeds, Brighton and Wolves (plus a Carabao Cup opponent) this month in what has to be deemed a relatively friendly start to the new campaign.
Elliot Anderson (£3.5m)
Nottingham Forest’s No8 never gives less than 100% and his work rate is the main reason he achieved 180 points last season.
Anderson was one of just eight midfielders to register 100+ tackles in 2024/25 and his return of 29 bonus points shouldn’t be overlooked either.
Granted, the ex-Newcastle midfielder scored just two goals and frequently featured in the referee’s book but he’s a consistent performer who keeps things ticking over.
Anderson should benefit from additional fixtures in 2025/26 with Forest now confirmed for the Europa League after Crystal Palace’s appeal was rejected.
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New signing Dan Ndoye (£3m) might emerge as a bargain option if he hits the ground running under Nuno Espirito Santo.
The Swiss winger has joined from Bologna and is expected to replace Anthony Elanga on the right flank.
Alex Iwobi (£3.5m)
No player priced at £3.5m or cheaper earned more points in 2024/25 than Fulham’s underrated talisman.
Iwobi has honed and developed his game a lot since his days as an Arsenal youngster.
His surging runs and desire to enter the opposition’s box make him an effective asset who deserves more recognition.
Last season, he contributed nine goals and six assists but also ranked highly for shots on target and big chances created among midfielders in his price range.
Iwobi may not seem like the most exciting pick but his numbers speak for themselves; the list of midfielders he outperformed last time out includes Morgan Gibbs-White (£4.5m), Kaoru Mitoma (£4m), Mohammed Kudus (£4.5m), Anthony Elanga (£4m) and Savinho (£4.5m).
Jhon Arias (£3m)
Wolves have lost Matheus Cunha (£5m) but that leaves the door open for somebody else to be the main man at Molineux.
And perhaps that man is their new signing from Fluminense?
Arias has taken Cunha’s No10 shirt and is expected to be Vitor Pereira’s new creator-in-chief.
The Colombian playmaker averaged a goal or assist every 151.6 minutes last season.
Wolves get underway with a home game against Manchester City which isn’t the opening fixture they would have chosen but Arias might be a viable budget option from Gameweek 2.
Georginio Rutter (£3.5m)
No midfielder in the skilful Frenchman’s price range boasted a better points-per-game average (5.2) last season.
Rutter won over the Brighton fans in quick time with his entertaining style of play that combines effort and flair.
The 23-year-old scored eight goals and registered seven assists in 2024/25 and he will be hopeful of improving on those stats this time around if given more playing time.
With Joao Pedro (£4.5m) having followed the well-trodden path from the Amex to Stamford Bridge, Rutter should get more minutes for the Seagulls.
He operates best as a No10 but it wouldn’t be a surprise if he led the line in certain fixtures.
Dream Team managers love it when a player categorised as a midfielder is converted into a fully-fledged striker so this is a situation to monitor closely.
Remember to confirm you XI for Gameweek 1 by 8pm this Friday!
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