The Hard Tackle lists the five best options to consider to bring into your team heading into FPL Gameweek 2 of the 2026/27 season.
The launch of a new FPL campaign brings universal optimism. Every manager drafts their ideal 15-player squad over the summer, fully expecting them to deliver immediate returns. However, the completion of Gameweek 1 serves as an abrupt reality check, revealing that summer pre-season form does not always translate into real-life Premier League success.
The transition to Gameweek 2 represents a critical juncture for managers seeking to establish early momentum. Instead of executing panic-driven moves, successful managers ruthlessly evaluate opening-day performances to find market inefficiencies, position changes, and tactical opportunities before player prices begin to rise. Identifying low-cost defensive enablers and explosive differentials before they become template options is vital to climbing mini-leagues.
The upcoming second matchday of the 2026/27 season features several high-risk fixtures for traditional powerhouses. This shifts the spotlight onto specific players who are primed to exploit defensive vulnerabilities or step into more advanced attacking roles. We now break down the five players you should add to your transfer radar to gain an immediate competitive edge.
Ezri Konsa
Securing an entry point into the Premier League’s most resilient backline is typically a luxury reserved for premium budgets. However, Ezri Konsa’s landmark move from Aston Villa to Arsenal completely alters the value landscape. Due to injuries to William Saliba and Jurrien Timber, the versatile England international is set for immediate minutes in Mikel Arteta’s side.
The biggest selling point is financial. Konsa is available for only £4.5m. Given the Gunners’ historically high clean-sheet ceiling, acquiring a potential starting defender at this low price point frees up vital funds to support your premium attackers elsewhere.
Maxim De Cuyper
Brighton & Hove Albion’s stunning 4-0 victory over Aston Villa sent shockwaves through the FPL community, and Maxim De Cuyper was the undisputed catalyst, amassing an extraordinary 17-point haul. While classified purely as a defender in the game, manager Fabian Hurzeler threw a tactical curveball by deploying the Belgian international on the left wing.
This out-of-position deployment gives De Cuyper a massive advantage, allowing him to accumulate clean-sheet points while operating as a frontline attacker. Up next is a trip to face a vulnerable Chelsea defence that conceded two goals in their opening match. De Cuyper’s elite crossing and advanced position make him an explosive asset who can ruthlessly exploit Chelsea’s defensive transition flaws.
Rayan Cherki
The tactical rotations at Manchester City have been notoriously difficult to predict over the years, and they have continued under Enzo Maresca. However, Rayan Cherki made an undeniable case for a starting spot in Gameweek 2. Introduced off the bench with Manchester City trailing against Bournemouth, the French playmaker completely transformed the game by providing two decisive assists in a thrilling, come-from-behind victory.
His game-changing cameo proves he has quickly adapted to Enzo Maresca’s tactical demands. Given City’s need for dynamic creative outlets to break down compact low blocks, Cherki stands out as a highly probable starter for the second matchday. Priced at a modest £7.5m, his immense creative ceiling offers a budget-friendly route into Manchester City’s lethal attack.
Cole Palmer
For managers looking for a reliable, explosive captaincy option, Cole Palmer remains an elite, indispensable heavy-hitter. After an underwhelming 2025/26 campaign that delivered only 114 points, Palmer hit the ground running in the new season by producing a blockbuster display in Gameweek 1 by recording a goal and an assist against Fulham.
Palmer is the undisputed focal point of Chelsea’s attacking play, orchestrating transitions and retaining exclusive control over penalty duties. His ability to produce massive double-digit hauls from open play and dead-ball situations makes him completely fixture-proof. Keeping him out of your squad risks severe rank damage if he punishes non-owners.
Emersonn
Differential options are the secret to climbing the overall rankings, and Ipswich Town new boy Emersonn is shaping up to be an elite, low-ownership target. The explosive striker enjoyed a dream debut for the Tractor Boys with a spectacular goalscoring display to reward his early backers.
Ipswich are now preparing to square off against a vulnerable Manchester United defence that looked disorganised and fragile during their opening fixture against Hull City. Taking inspiration from their fellow promoted club, Ipswich will bank on Emersonn’s aggressive attacking runs, and that could deliver another eye-catching FPL return for the summer arrival.
Honourable Mentions
While the five players detailed above stand out as the premier transfer choices in FPL heading into Gameweek 2, several other assets warrant close monitoring. Defensive value options like Nobel Mendy, Ben White, and Jaka Bijol offer excellent structural security.
In midfield, elite premium playmakers Bruno Fernandes and Martin Odegaard remain constant threats, alongside emerging mid-priced differentials Jack Hinshelwood, Morgan Rogers, and Marcus Tavernier. Finally, frontlines can be reinforced with in-form forwards Joao Pedro and Kai Havertz, while Alexander Isak could reward his backers in the coming weeks despite drawing a blank against Newcastle United.
