The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider for the captain’s armband heading into FPL Gameweek 23 of the 2025/26 season.
Gameweek 23 in FPL is right around the corner, and it is that time when managers everywhere scratch their heads over who to captain. With juicy fixtures on the table, your choice could make or break the mini-league standings. The pressure is real; one big haul turns you into a hero, while a blank leaves you climbing walls.
This piece dives deep into five standout players primed for captaincy glory. We are talking Erling Haaland leading the line for Manchester City, Florian Wirtz pulling strings at Liverpool, Cole Palmer dazzling for Chelsea, Iliman Ndiaye firing up Everton, and Igor Thiago hunting goals for Brentford. Each faces a defence that is leaking like a sieve, backed by their own red-hot form.
Why obsess over captains now? Simple: doubling their points amps up your rank when the chips are down in January. Gameweek 23 features mouthwatering clashes like City hosting Wolves, Liverpool trekking to Bournemouth, Chelsea at Crystal Palace, Everton welcoming Leeds United, and Brentford taking on Nottingham Forest. These are not just games; they are captaincy goldmines waiting to explode.
Forget the safe picks, these lads have the fixtures, the form, and the firepower to deliver massive returns. Managers who nail this will leapfrog the pack, while the hesitant ones watch from afar. Let us break down why each deserves the armband, starting with the king of hauls himself.
Erling Haaland: City’s goal machine to rack up FPL points?
Erling Haaland tops the captaincy polls for good reason in Gameweek 23. Manchester City host Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Etihad, and Wolves’ backline has been a nightmare all season. They have got the league’s worst goalkeeper save percentage at just 57.1%, letting in shots like they are handing out freebies.
Even with decent blocks and clearances, they sit bottom of the table, shipping goals left and right, which is perfect prey for Haaland’s ruthless finishing. Haaland’s season reads like a dream for FPL bosses: 20 goals from 22 matches, averaging nearly a goal per game.
Recent blanks have not dented his appeal; he is still hauling double digits on average at 10.4 points per outing. The next few games promise his boom potential; think massive hauls against leaky defenses, making him the go-to armband no matter the dry spells. Wolves’ woes scream Haaland explosion incoming.
Florian Wirtz: Liverpool wizard against a leaky Bournemouth
Florian Wirtz screams captaincy shoutout against Bournemouth amid his improving form. The Cherries’ defence has cracks wide open, with stats showing underperformance in recent weeks and shaky backline metrics across the squad. They have struggled to keep clean sheets, especially against creative midfielders like Wirtz who thrive in chaos.
After struggling upon his £116m move, Wirtz has gradually lit up the Premier League with goals and assists. His recent points haul positions him for a bonanza. Averaging solid FPL points per 90, of late, Wirtz is becoming a no-brainer pick, and Bournemouth’s frailties could unlock his dazzling dribbles and killer passes for a captaincy masterclass.
Cole Palmer: Chelsea star to shine bright at Palace
Cole Palmer edges into captaincy contention as Chelsea head to Crystal Palace, whose defence has crumbled lately. The Eagles are winless in 10 across all competitions, hemorrhaging xG; think 2.07 in one half alone against top sides. Losing captain Marc Guehi to Manchester City only worsens their slide, making them ripe for Palmer’s magic.
Palmer’s 2025/26 campaign packs four goals and assists in 12 games, with a goals-per-90 clip that is pure FPL joy. Recent hauls show his clutch factor, now boosted by Crystal Palace’s woes. Low-owned gems like him thrive in these spots, and GW23’s away day could see him rack up the double-digit returns managers crave.
Iliman Ndiaye: Everton’s AFCON hero returns
Iliman Ndiaye bursts back as Everton’s final-third hero hosting Leeds United, whose defensive performances on the road have been a disaster – 24 goals shipped, one lone clean sheet on the road. Ndiaye’s role in Everton’s attack is massive, creating chaos and finishing clinically, especially at the Hill Dickinson Stadium where he averages 4.6 FPL points per home game.
Fresh off his AFCON triumph with Senegal, he is a game-changer for the Toffees. His 2025/26 stats scream value: strong duels, shots, and decisive moments in 16 EPL apps. Recent form post-tourney sets up a monster haul against Leeds United’s leaky backline, making him the differential captain to own.
Igor Thiago: Brentford hotshot to hammer Nottingham Forest?
Brentford’s Igor Thiago is red-hot heading into the clash with Nottingham Forest at home, with the away side’s form on the road tanking with a minus-eight goal diff. Thiago has smashed it against Everton and Sunderland lately; big goals and points that mark him as one of the Premier League’s most in-form forward. That output turns good fixtures into hauls.
Recent history? Thiago has been on a tear with consistent FPL returns, thriving against vulnerable defenses like Nottingham Forest’s shot-heavy, xG-leaking style. Brentford’s attack clicks for him, and GW23 smells like another double-digit banger. In-form strikers like Thiago do not come often; armband him and watch your rank soar.
Key FPL Captaincy Options at a Glance
| Player | Club | Opponent | Main Appeal | Risk Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Erling Haaland | Manchester City | Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) | 20 goals, Wolves’ worst save % | Low |
| Florian Wirtz | Liverpool | Bournemouth (A) | Creative wizard vs leaky Cherries | Medium |
| Cole Palmer | Chelsea | Crystal Palace (A) | Form vs winless Palace slump | Medium |
| Iliman Ndiaye | Everton | Leeds United (H) | AFCON return, Leeds away woes | Medium |
| Igor Thiago | Brentford | Nottingham Forest (H) | In-form vs Forest’s away horrors | Low-Medium |
Honourable Mentions
Honourable mentions go to Rayan Cherki, Enzo Fernandez, Harry Wilson, Hugo Ekitike, Morgan Rogers, Bruno Fernandes, Bukayo Saka, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin; all have sneaky upside this week but not quite cracking the top five.