Gameweek 1 saw Bruno Fernandes blank away at Hull while Cole Palmer and João Pedro delivered big hauls. For GW2, the smartest moves target role security and favourable fixtures
Top three transfers for FPL 2026/27 GW2
Fernandes to Palmer
Bruno Fernandes entered GW1 as the top-ranked FPL asset on projections but returned just 2 points in Manchester United’s 2-0 defeat at Hull, with no goals, assists or bonus.
Cole Palmer, by contrast, was involved in two of Chelsea’s goals at Fulham, registering a goal and an assist in a 3-2 win and posting a double-digit haul.
GW1 data snapshot
Fernandes: 2 pts (90 mins, 0G, 0A, 0 bonus); price £12.0m; 51.5% TSB pre-GW1.
Palmer: 12 pts (90 mins, 1G, 1A, 2 bonus); price £9.5m; 10–12% ownership.
Why make the switch?
Palmer offers a £2.5m saving, immediate proof of returns in GW1, and a central creative role under Xabi Alonso with penalty and set-piece involvement.
Swapping Fernandes’ volatile away form for Palmer’s home-friendly GW2 schedule and proven output makes this a high-upside, funds-releasing pivot.
Nico O’Reilly to De Cuyper
Nico O’Reilly started for Manchester City in GW1 but managed only 2 points in a tight 2-1 win over Bournemouth, with no goal, assist or clean-sheet bonus.
Maxim De Cuyper, deployed “out-of-position” on the left wing for Brighton, delivered one of GW1’s biggest hauls: a goal, an assist, multiple shots and chances created in a 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa.
GW1 data snapshot
O’Reilly: 2 pts (90 mins, 0G, 0A, 0 bonus); price £6.5m; ~22% TSB pre-GW1.
De Cuyper: 17 pts (78 mins, 1G, 1A, 2 bonus); price £4.5m; low ownership (~1–6%).
Why make the switch?
De Cuyper provides a £2.0m saving, a massive GW1 points differential, and evidence of attacking involvement when pushed forward.
For managers needing cash to upgrade elsewhere, this is a high-ceiling, budget-friendly defender pivot with immediate returns.
Watkins to Joao Pedro
Ollie Watkins didn’t even play in their brutal opener away at Brighton and was part of an Aston Villa side that was thumped 4-0.
João Pedro, now at Chelsea, opened the season with a goal and an assist at Fulham, posting 11 live points and showing strong underlying involvement in a 3-2 win.
GW1 data snapshot
Watkins: low haul (0G, 0A) in 4-0 loss at Brighton; price £8.0m; ~12% ownership.
João Pedro: 11 pts (90 mins, 1G, 1A, 2 bonus); price £7.5m; ~60% owned.
Why make the switch?
João Pedro offers a £0.5m saving, immediate proof of returns in GW1, and a central role in a high-volume Chelsea attack.
With Watkins’ not playing and Villa’s lack of chemistry throughout the match, and Brighton’s defensive dominance, moving to a forward with proven early-season output and favourable fixtures is a logical GW2 upgrade.
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