Keepers: Verbruggen sets the standard
With gameweek 9 of 2026/27 in progress, points per million provides a useful squad-building starting point, not a forecast. Only regular starters are included, filtering out cheap players whose isolated hauls distort the comparison. Verbruggen leads the listed keepers with 11.1 points per million: £4.6m buys 51 points, 5.7 per game and six clean sheets. His even run ahead, rated FDR 2.8, supports considering him when looking to release funds.
Raya makes the case against chasing value alone. His 8.7 points per million trails Verbruggen, but he has delivered 54 points at 6.0 per game, also with six clean sheets. At £6.2m, retaining him means prioritising that higher output over savings elsewhere. Kinsky offers a cheaper route at £4.4m, with 8.6 points per million and an FDR 2.8 run, but his 4.2 points per game illustrates the potential compromise.
Defenders: value need not mean cheapest
De Cuyper has the highest points-per-million figure in the supplied data at 12.8. His £5.4m price has returned 69 points at 7.7 per game, supported by six clean sheets and six attacking returns. That combination makes him more than a budget-saving selection: he is producing substantial points outright. Vuskovic costs £5.2m and offers 11.2 points per million, with six clean sheets, two attacking returns and 9.6 defensive actions per 90.
The argument against defaulting to De Cuyper is budget allocation, rather than his returns. Bogle offers 10.6 points per million at £4.8m, while Konsa delivers 10.4 at £4.7m and Justin costs £4.5m for 9.3. These are credible ways to release money for a premium forward. However, buying the cheapest option is not automatically efficient: Justin’s 4.7 points per game sits well below De Cuyper’s output. Make the saving only with a clear use for it.
Midfielders: balance returns with underlying numbers
Groß leads the listed midfielders at 9.7 points per million. For £6.2m, his 60 points include three goals and six assists, while being first on penalties strengthens his appeal. His 0.43 xGI per 90 provides another measure to weigh alongside those returns. Belloumi is the cheaper alternative at £5.3m, delivering 9.1 points per million through three goals and three assists, although his FDR 3.4 run compares with Groß’s 2.8.
Do not let the ranking rule out Tavernier. His 8.3 points per million is lower, but 0.61 xGI per 90 and a fair FDR 2.6 run make a case for paying £6.6m. For managers needing savings instead, Gomez offers 8.4 points per million at £5.0m. Rudoni costs £4.9m, is first on penalties and has 0.49 xGI per 90, but his 4.1 points per game is a reason not to buy on price alone.
Forwards: Evanilson leads, Barry merits consideration
Evanilson combines the best listed forward value with a fair run ahead. At £6.4m, he has delivered 8.1 points per million and 5.8 points per game, with four goals, four assists and 0.55 xGI per 90. An FDR 2.6 schedule adds to the case for buying. Kostoulas offers a cheaper alternative at £5.8m and 7.8 points per million, though his 5.0 points per game and 0.35 xGI per 90 are lower.
Barry is the strongest reminder here that historical value need not dictate the next purchase. His 7.0 points per million trails both, but £5.6m buys 0.79 xGI per 90 and first-choice penalty duties, with an even FDR 2.8 run ahead. The case against acting is his actual output: 39 points at 4.3 per game. Prefer Evanilson for the stronger returns so far; consider Barry when the saving matters and you favour his underlying numbers.
