FPL Out-of-Position Watch 2026/27: Pre-Season Roles to Monitor

Updated: 31 July 2026

An out-of-position FPL player is someone whose real-life role offers more attacking or defensive value than the position assigned by the game.

The most attractive example is usually a defender playing as a wing-back or a midfielder playing close to the striker.

The table below separates official classification changes from tactical roles that still require pre-season confirmation.

Current out-of-position watchlist

These are watchlist roles, not confirmed Gameweek 1 positions.

What makes an out-of-position player valuable?

Defender playing as a wing-back

The player can receive:

• Four clean-sheet points
• Six points per goal
• Three points per assist
• Defensive-contribution points
• Bonus potential

Midfielder playing as a forward

The player can receive:

• Five points per goal
• One clean-sheet point
• Three points per assist
• A midfield squad slot
• Greater captaincy value

Defender playing in central midfield

This can be positive or negative.

A defensive midfielder may collect contributions and receive defender clean-sheet points, but he may also have very limited attacking output.

Mats Wieffer

Wieffer has officially moved from midfielder to defender after playing at right-back last season.

At £5.0m, he can offer:

• Brighton clean sheets
• Defensive contributions
• Inverted midfield involvement
• Occasional attacking returns

The risk is that Brighton can use him in different positions or rotate after strengthening the defence.

Watch status: One of the strongest genuine opportunities.

Ryan Sessegnon

Sessegnon is now a defender.

If Alvaro Arbeloa uses him as an attacking left wing-back, he becomes much more attractive than a conventional full-back.

The role must be compared with Antonee Robinson and Fulham's complete defensive setup.

Watch status: High upside, minutes uncertain.

Patrick Dorgu

Dorgu is classified as a midfielder, which matches the left-wing role used by Michael Carrick.

He is not technically misclassified, but he remains relevant to this watchlist because his attacking role may be stronger than managers expect from a player previously known as a defender.

Manchester United face Hull and Ipswich first.

Watch status: Strong fixture opportunity if he starts.

Nottingham Forest wing-backs

Oliver Glasner's arrival increases the possibility of a back-three system.

Official FPL analysis identifies Neco Williams and Ola Aina as likely wing-back candidates.

Neco Williams

Can offer width, crossing and set pieces.

Ola Aina

Can combine attacking runs with defensive contributions.

Eric Moreira

Now classified as a defender and could become a lower-cost wing-back option if he wins a place.

Watch status: Wait for repeated pre-season formations.

Cole Palmer

Palmer remains a midfielder but could play centrally behind João Pedro in Alonso's 3-4-2-1.

This is not a formal position change. It is a tactical improvement.

A central role supports:

• Penalties
• Shots inside the box
• Final passes
• Bonus points
• Captaincy

Watch status: Premium player whose role may improve significantly.

Morgan Gibbs-White

Gibbs-White could operate behind a lone striker under Glasner.

He already offers set pieces and strong minutes. Moving closer to the striker can improve his goal and assist ceiling.

Watch status: One of the safest tactical winners when the formation is confirmed.

Chelsea wing-backs

Alonso's system can create valuable defensive assets.

The difficulty is identifying secure starters among:

• Reece James
• Marco Palestra
• Geovany Quenda
• Other full-backs and wing-backs

A defender playing extremely high is useful only when he starts regularly.

Watch status: High ceiling, high rotation risk.

Matheus Nunes and Nico O'Reilly

Both Manchester City players are defenders in FPL but can occupy positions that move into midfield or advanced areas.

The new manager and Rodri's injury create additional tactical possibilities.

The risk is obvious: City's squad depth can turn a theoretical bargain into a one-point substitute appearance.

Watch status: Final-friendly evidence required.

Positive and negative out-of-position cases

How to confirm the role

Do not use one lineup screenshot as proof.

Look for:

1. Three consecutive starts
2. The same role with senior teammates
3. 60 to 75 minutes in the final friendly
4. Touches inside the penalty area
5. Set-piece involvement
6. Manager comments
7. Limited competition

Compare players in the OneFPL Player Lab and track fixtures in OneFPL Fixtures.

OneFPL verdict

The best current out-of-position opportunities are Wieffer as a defender, a confirmed Forest wing-back, Palmer in a central role and Gibbs-White behind the striker.

Sessegnon and the Manchester City defenders offer larger uncertainty.

FAQ

What does out of position mean in FPL?

It means a player's real-life role is more attacking or defensive than the position assigned by FPL.

Is every wing-back a good FPL pick?

No. The player still needs secure minutes, clean-sheet potential and a fair price.

Are official position changes the same as out-of-position roles?

No. A position change is a game classification. An out-of-position role describes how the player is actually used.

When should the watchlist be finalised?

After the final major friendly and Gameweek 1 manager press conferences.

Official sources

• Official FPL position changes
• Official pre-season tactical guide

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