Three weeks of fine play Fantasy Premier League 2026/27 and it’s a good time to reassess players who were useful in the first draft but no longer fit the game schedule, budget or roster structure. There’s no need to force a transfer after every blank, but it makes sense to move on when a player has poor underlying numbers, questionable fitness, limited goal-scoring potential or a difficult career ahead of him.
Here are five players I’d like to trade or avoid before the Gameweek 4 deadline.
Antoine Semenyo
Price: 8.4 m
Property: 17.7%
Position: Midfielder
Opposite: MUN (A), SOL (H), LIV (A)
Manchester City winger Antoine Semenyo is starting to look expensive for what he’s currently offering. At 8.4m, you want a midfielder with a clear route to regular goals, but most of Semenyo’s work has come from creativity rather than a genuine penalty threat. He’s been involved in the formation game and the chance creation, but that doesn’t always translate into reliable FPL returns.
Its 0.06 xG with no penalty per start is a major concern at this price. There are midfielders available for less who are getting better goalscoring positions, while several similarly priced options have friendlier games and stronger attacking roles. Semenyo isn’t a bad player, but he doesn’t have good value at the moment. I would spend the money elsewhere.
Harry Maguire
Price: 4.9 m
Property: 12.1%
Position: defender
Opposite: MCI (H), FUL (A), ALL (H)
Harry Maguire remains a defender of the reasonable budget due to his playmaking threat, however Manchester United’s the next few games make it hard to trust him. He could still pick up the odd offensive return, especially against teams struggling from set pieces, but relying on a central defender target is not a sustainable FPL plan.
The most important issue is clean sheets. United haven’t looked secure enough defensively to make their defenders attractive during this upcoming run, and Maguire doesn’t offer the consistent attacking involvement or DEFCON floor necessary to offset that risk. It’s fine as an emergency bench cover if you have more pressing issues elsewhere. But if you’re on a free transfer and want a defender with a better matchup, more reliable minutes or a stronger upside, Maguire is the one to move on from.
Nico O’Reilly
Price: 6.5 m
Property: 14.6%
Position: defender
Opposite: MUN (A), SOL (H), LIV (A)
Nico O’Reilly is a sale because the fitness doubts have come at the worst possible time. He withdrew in the warm-up before the Week 3 game at Manchester City and missed the Champions League trip to Porto. This creates too much uncertainty for a player who has only been facing the competition for minutes.
O’Reilly’s versatility remains appealing. He can play at left-back, as a number six or in a more advanced midfield role, giving him potential FPL value when he is on top form and starts regularly. But there are tough games coming up and FPL managers cannot afford to hold on to an injured player without a clear return date. Until his fitness and role are confirmed, he is a direct transfer.
Dan Ballard
Price: 4.9 m
Property: 3.5%
Position: defender
On the contrary: ARS (H), MCI (A), BHA (H)
Dan Ballard’s price and DEFCON potential made him a useful early-season budget defender, but the roster has turned against him. Sunderland now face Arsenal, Manchester City, Brighton and Bournemouth in what is an extremely difficult race for any defence, especially one that can go long periods without possession.
Ballard could still pick up the occasional DEFCON point or threaten with a set piece, but clean sheets seem unlikely during this run. This makes it difficult for him to start and leaves little profit to sustain him. If you own Ballard, or another Sunderland defender, this is a reasonable time to sell and target a budget option with better equipment.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Price: 6.0 m
Property: 23.6%
Position: ahead
On the contrary: NEW (H), CRY (H), ARS (A)
Dominic Calvert-Lewin remains a big-chance magnet and Leeds have shown enough attacking intent to keep him relevant. He should continue to start and get opportunities, so it’s not a sale based on poor form or a lack of involvement.
The problem is the operation of the device. Newcastle and Crystal Palace are next, before Arsenal make the schedule even more difficult. With several low-priced strikers offering better equipment and more immediate upside, it seems like the right time to move on. Yoane Wissa, Thierno Barry or a move to a higher priced striker look more appealing
