FPL Pre-Season Insights: Son Shines in Top Form, Haaland’s Fitness a Worry

Interest in Son Heung-min (£10.0m) is likely to increase in Fantasy Premier League following his strong performances in Tottenham Hotspur’s pre-season. The South Korean forward scored twice and provided an assist for Dejan Kulusevski (£6.5m) in Spurs’ 4-3 win over Team K League in Japan. Son has now registered three goals and an assist in his last two matches, though his ownership is still under 11%, making him a potential differential for Fantasy managers.

Son’s impressive form under new manager Ange Postecoglou suggests he could be a valuable asset at the start of the season. Last year, Son delivered eight double-figure scores, amassing 17 goals and 10 assists. Tottenham’s opening fixtures against promoted Leicester City and Everton could further enhance Son’s appeal as a captaincy option.

Son’s potential appeal is also influenced by the fitness issues surrounding Manchester City’s Erling Haaland (£15.0m). Haaland was substituted at halftime in City’s 2-2 draw with Barcelona, marking his second consecutive early exit. Manager Pep Guardiola commented, “Erling is dealing with some muscular discomfort. We don’t want to risk him and potentially lose him for several weeks.” Despite scoring in his first two pre-season games, Haaland’s current fitness concerns and high price tag of £15.0m might lead many Fantasy managers to reconsider their strategies, potentially reallocating funds to other areas.

Meanwhile, Newcastle United’s Alexander Isak (£8.5m) has reinforced his status as a top forward pick. Isak scored in all three of Newcastle’s pre-season matches, including a goal in their 4-1 victory over Urawa Red Diamonds. His consistent pre-season form is reflected in his 55% ownership, making him the most popular forward in Fantasy leagues.

In contrast, Jacob Murphy (£5.5m) has also demonstrated strong form, scoring twice to bring his tally to four goals and two assists in pre-season. These six goal involvements are the highest among Fantasy players this summer, positioning Murphy as a promising budget option for the upcoming season.