Ah, Gameweek 8. That crucial point in the Fantasy Premier League season where the initial thrill of new signings and early form starts to give way to the harsh realities of fixture swings, rotation roulette, and the ever-present threat of that yellow flag turning red. We’ve all been there – clinging onto a player because of their name, their reputation, or that one glorious haul back in Gameweek 2. But FPL isn’t about sentiment; it’s about ruthless, informed decision-making. As we peer into the crystal ball for the 2025/26 season, Gameweek 8 is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for many managers. It’s time to take a cold, hard look at your squad and identify those who might be weighing you down. Sometimes, the best move is the one that hurts a little – letting go of a familiar face for the greater good of your overall rank.
This isn’t just about identifying underperformers; it’s about anticipating roadblocks. Is a star player facing a run of impenetrable defences? Is that budget gem suddenly a rotation risk with the return of an injured teammate? Is their team showing worrying signs of defensive frailty? We’re diving deep into the data, the whispers from the training ground, and the ever-shifting landscape of Premier League football to pinpoint five players you should seriously consider transferring out or, if you haven’t bought them yet, actively avoid ahead of Gameweek 8.
The Lure of Past Glory: When Big Names Disappoint
It’s tempting to stick with the household names, the FPL legends who have delivered countless points over the years. Their high price tags often feel justified by their perceived ‘floor’ of points. But in FPL, past performance is no guarantee of future returns, especially when form dips or team dynamics shift. Sometimes, even the most revered assets need to make way.
Bruno Fernandes (Midfielder, Manchester United)
Bruno Fernandes has long been a talisman for Manchester United and a fantasy goldmine, capable of explosive hauls with his penalty duties, creative output, and penchant for late runs into the box. However, heading into Gameweek 8 of the 2025/26 season, the warning signs are beginning to flash. United’s early season form has been inconsistent, with a visible struggle to convert chances despite Fernandes’s best efforts. He’s still involved in a high percentage of their attacking plays, but the end product just isn’t there as consistently as we’d hope for a premium midfielder at his price point.
What’s particularly concerning for GW8 is the tough run of fixtures Manchester United face. They’re up against formidable defences, and against teams that sit deep, Fernandes often finds himself dropping deeper to try and orchestrate, reducing his goal threat. His penalty reliance, while historically a bonus, doesn’t feel as guaranteed when the team isn’t consistently winning them. For a player commanding such a significant chunk of your budget, you need consistent, high-ceiling returns. Right now, there are mid-priced alternatives or even other premium options with better form and kinder fixtures who offer a higher expected points return.
Reece James (Defender, Chelsea)
Reece James. Oh, Reece James. The name alone conjures images of explosive attacking returns, clean sheets, and bonus points galore. When fit and firing, he’s arguably the best attacking full-back in FPL. The problem, as many managers will attest, is that “when fit” part. James has been plagued by a series of injuries over the past few seasons, and whispers from Chelsea’s camp suggest a cautious approach to his minutes management, particularly as the schedule intensifies.
For Gameweek 8, even if he’s declared fit, there’s a significant rotation risk. Chelsea often have multiple strong options at wing-back, and easing James back into full 90-minute action against potentially tricky opponents could mean a benching or an early substitution. Paying a premium price for a defender who isn’t guaranteed full minutes, or whose fitness is a weekly concern, is a gamble FPL managers rarely win. His incredibly high ceiling is alluring, but the floor, in terms of availability, is alarmingly low. It’s a painful transfer, I know, but freeing up that funds could be game-changing.
Navigating the Fixture Minefield: When Even Form Can’t Save You
Sometimes, it’s not the player; it’s the schedule. A fantastic run of form can be utterly derailed by a brutal sequence of games against top-tier opposition. Identifying these fixture blips is crucial for proactive FPL management, allowing you to sidestep potential blanks or low-scoring outings.
Ollie Watkins (Forward, Aston Villa)
Ollie Watkins started the 2025/26 season in stellar fashion, continuing his impressive goal-scoring form from the previous campaign. He’s been an absolute focal point for Aston Villa, linking play, running the channels, and demonstrating clinical finishing. However, Gameweek 8 marks the start of a truly daunting period for Unai Emery’s side. They face a succession of top-four contenders and teams renowned for their defensive solidity.
While Watkins is undoubtedly a quality forward, even the best strikers struggle to rack up points when facing the likes of Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool in quick succession. These are games where Villa might struggle to create numerous big chances, and Watkins could find himself isolated or feeding off scraps. For his price point, you need a forward who has a high probability of finding the net or providing assists consistently. During this challenging fixture run, his expected goals (xG) might plummet, making him a less attractive option compared to forwards from teams with more favourable upcoming matches. It’s not a reflection on his ability, but a strategic sidestep due to the fixture congestion.
Ruben Dias (Defender, Manchester City)
Ruben Dias has been a cornerstone of Manchester City’s dominant defence for years, synonymous with clean sheets and steady FPL returns. Typically, a City defender, especially one as nailed as Dias, is a set-and-forget option. Yet, looking ahead to Gameweek 8, there are a few red flags that might make you reconsider his inclusion.
City, known for their relentless pursuit of multiple trophies, often engage in heavy rotation, particularly in defence. With the Champions League group stages in full swing by GW8, Pep Guardiola might opt to rotate his central defenders to manage workloads. This means Dias, while a starter, isn’t always a guaranteed 90-minute player in every single league game when other options are available. Furthermore, City’s defence, while elite, isn’t entirely impenetrable, and a minor dip in their early season defensive metrics could compound the rotation risk. When you’re paying a premium for a defender, you need certainty of starts and a high clean sheet probability, both of which feel slightly less assured for Dias specifically in GW8 than other times in the season, making a sideways move or downgrade a sensible option.
The Fading Spark & Value Traps: When Potential Doesn’t Translate
Every season, there are players who show flashes of brilliance, becoming popular differential picks, only to fade away. It’s crucial to identify when that spark has truly dimmed and when a player, once a good value, becomes an expensive disappointment.
Luis Diaz (Midfielder, Liverpool)
Luis Diaz is an electrifying talent, full of pace, dribbling skill, and an undeniable threat in Liverpool’s attack. He’s always on the cusp of something special, and those flashes often lead FPL managers to jump on the bandwagon. However, consistency in FPL returns has been his Achilles’ heel. Despite his impressive attacking play, his actual FPL output – goals and assists – often doesn’t match his underlying statistics or his eye-test brilliance.
For Gameweek 8, Liverpool’s fixture isn’t necessarily terrible, but Diaz’s FPL value is questionable. With the depth Liverpool possesses in wide areas, including the ever-present threat of rotation or tactical changes, Diaz is not always guaranteed a full 90 minutes. He tends to operate slightly deeper than pure goal-scorers, and while he gets into good positions, his finishing can be inconsistent, and his assist numbers aren’t always what you’d expect from a premium attacking midfielder. At his price, there are other midfielders who are either more nailed, more central to their team’s goal-scoring, or offering better value. It’s hard to let go of such a dynamic player, but FPL rewards cold, hard points, not just thrilling moments.
Conclusion: The Art of the Ruthless Refresh
Deciding who to transfer out in FPL is often the hardest part of the game. It requires separating emotion from strategy, acknowledging that even your favourite players might not be the best FPL assets in a given gameweek. Gameweek 8 of the 2025/26 season presents a clear opportunity to reset, to be ruthless, and to optimize your squad for the challenges ahead.
Whether it’s a big name underperforming, a key player battling injury and rotation, or an entire team facing a brutal fixture run, identifying these pitfalls early can save your rank. Don’t be afraid to make those tough calls. Freeing up funds, bringing in players with better form and kinder fixtures, and staying ahead of the curve is the hallmark of a successful FPL manager. So, take a deep breath, review your squad with a critical eye, and make those calculated changes. Your Gameweek 8 points, and your overall rank, will thank you for it.
