Who’s Ruled Out of FPL GW1 – Premier League 2025/26
Before you start selecting your FPL squad, it’s important to realize that a number of players you relied on last season won’t be part of the new campaign. Some have left their clubs, others have retired, and some teams were relegated to the Championship—meaning those players are no longer in the Premier League.
In this article from Fantasy 24 Club, we take a look at the most notable players who made a strong impact in FPL last season but won’t be available in the upcoming one.
Get to know who they are—and how their absence might affect your Fantasy Premier League strategy.
1- ALEXANDER ARNOLD
It’s a tough blow for Liverpool fans to see their legendary right-back—and one of the highest-scoring defenders in FPL history—no longer in the game after his move to Real Madrid.
While the presence of Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk still brings comfort to Reds supporters, the absence of Trent Alexander-Arnold will surely be felt.
However, many are hopeful that Liverpool’s new signing under Arne Slot, Dutch full-back Jeremie Frimpong, can step up and help fill the void left by Trent’s departure.
2- Vardy
After scoring over 200 goals for Leicester City and playing a key role in their historic Premier League title win, Jamie Vardy’s journey in the top flight has officially come to an end.
Following Leicester’s relegation this season, Vardy won’t be returning to the Premier League with another club—marking the end of an era.
His absence will have a significant impact on FPL managers, not just Leicester fans. Vardy has long been a reliable and explosive fantasy option, and his departure leaves a notable gap in the forward pool for the upcoming season.
3- De Bruyne
Imagine opening Manchester City’s player list and confidently picking a guaranteed starter in Pep Guardiola’s lineup—without hesitation. Now imagine, unfortunately, that this player is no longer there.
Who would’ve thought we’d see Kevin De Bruyne leave City?
One of the most consistently selected and owned players in FPL over the years, De Bruyne has joined Napoli on a free transfer this summer. Known for his reliability and creative brilliance, his absence will undoubtedly shake up many fantasy squads.
Guardiola has attempted to fill the void by bringing in Dutch midfielder Rangers, but it’s clear that replacing a player like De Bruyne—especially in fantasy terms—won’t be easy.
4- Flekken
After a historic season for Brentford, some of the most memorable names were Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa, and the standout goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Flekken delivered an impressive campaign, keeping 8 clean sheets and becoming a surprise gem for many FPL managers.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the Dutch shot-stopper has now completed a move to Bayer Leverkusen, where he’ll be playing Champions League football next season. His departure will leave a notable gap in Brentford’s defense—and in many fantasy teams that benefited from his performances last season.