Five Best Players to Own in FPL Gameweek 17

Gameweek 17 arrives at a crucial point in the season, with fixture swings, AFCON absences, and chip strategies all coming into play.

Picking the right core players now can define the weeks ahead.

These five stand out as the strongest options to build around this Gameweek.

This one feels unavoidable. Haaland is not just the best captain option this week; he is comfortably clear of the field.

West Ham continue to struggle defensively, ranking 19th for expected goals conceded this season and offering little resistance even after their managerial change, conceding 1.6 xG per 90.

Haaland’s combination of penalties, elite finishing, and relentless chance volume gives him the highest ceiling by a distance. For managers considering the Triple Captain chip, this is as strong a single-fixture opportunity as you will find.

Foden’s form has reached a level where ignoring him feels way too risky. His minutes are now as secure as they have ever been, and the returns are matching the eye test.

Seven attacking returns in his last four league starts underline just how involved he is in Manchester City’s attack. With West Ham next, Foden looks like a priority buy for anyone still without him.

O’Reilly might be the defender with the biggest upside in Gameweek 17. With Rayan Ait Nouri heading to AFCON, his starting role looks increasingly secure.

He already has four Premier League attacking returns this season and recently found the net in the Champions League as well.

Add a near 45% clean sheet probability for Cit,y and you have a defender capable of delivering at both ends.

Semenyo has drifted slightly off the radar after a quieter spell, but this fixture brings him straight back into focus.

Bournemouth host Burnley, who have conceded more expected goals than any side in the league. As Bournemouth’s main attacking outlet, Semenyo remains central to everything they do, and this feels like a prime spot for a bounce back.

Bruno Fernandes continues to justify his place as an essential midfielder. Even in a tougher fixture away at Aston Villa, his appeal remains intact. Penalties, set pieces, creativity, bonus potential, and defensive contributions all combine to give him multiple routes to points.

With Bryan Mbeumo now absent due to AFCON, Fernandes becomes even more central to Manchester United’s attack, strengthening his case as a long-term hold.