The foundation of a title-winning season is built during the summer. Pre-season friendlies and summer transfers dictate which players will start the opening fixture. Here is your checklist to prepare for Gameweek 1.
1. Pre-Season friendly Monitoring
While scorelines in summer friendlies don't matter, team sheets do. Track which positions players are occupying. If a cheap £5.0M midfielder is consistently playing as a support striker during summer tours, they represent a high-value prospect.
2. Monitoring New Signings
When a team signs a new player, it shakes up the starting XI. Watch if a new winger signing displaces an existing mid-priced asset. Make sure your drafted assets are nailed-on starters who won't be benched.
3. Analyzing Summer Tournament Fatigue
Players who make deep runs in summer international tournaments (such as the Euros or Copa America) are often rested for the first 1-2 gameweeks of the Premier League season. Verify player resting statuses before building your final draft.