Telegraph Fantasy Football: The Most Selected Players After Gameweek 5 Revealed

**Lead**

The Telegraph Fantasy Football community has spoken – or rather, their transfer activity has. After five gameweeks of the 2026/27 Premier League season, the most selected players in the official game are beginning to form a clear hierarchy. While Manchester City’s Erling Haaland continues to be the near-universal captaincy choice, a handful of defenders and midfielders have surged in popularity, reflecting both early-season form and fixture favourability. The data, drawn directly from the Telegraph Fantasy Football platform, offers a snapshot of how the UK’s largest public fantasy league is thinking.

**Context**

Telegraph Fantasy Football, run by The Daily Telegraph, has been a staple of British football culture for decades. With over 100,000 active teams in the 2026/27 season, the game’s ownership statistics provide a reliable barometer of the collective wisdom of the fantasy football community. After Gameweek 5, the most selected players list is dominated by the usual suspects, but with a few notable shifts.

At the top, Erling Haaland remains the most-owned player, with a selection rate that hovers near the maximum possible. His relentless goal-scoring – including a hat-trick against West Ham in Gameweek 3 – has made him virtually impossible to omit. Close behind is Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, whose consistent returns and penalty duties keep him in the vast majority of squads. Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and Manchester City’s Phil Foden also feature prominently, though their ownership has dipped slightly as managers seek value in midfield.

The real story, however, lies in defence. Newcastle United’s Kieran Trippier, despite a slow start to the season, remains the most-selected defender, thanks to his set-piece monopoly and attacking threat. But a new challenger has emerged: Arsenal’s Jurriën Timber, whose versatility and clean-sheet potential have seen his ownership climb rapidly. Similarly, Tottenham’s Destiny Udogie has become a favourite among savvy managers, offering attacking returns at a budget price.

In goal, the most selected goalkeeper is Arsenal’s David Raya, whose consistent clean sheets and bonus points have made him the safe pair of hands. Everton’s Jordan Pickford and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez are also highly owned, reflecting the defensive solidity of their respective sides.

**Analysis**

Why does this matter? For the casual fan, the most selected players list is a shortcut to a competitive team. But for the serious manager, it signals where the market is heading – and where it might be overexposed. The Telegraph Fantasy Football game rewards differentials, and the current template, while effective, is becoming predictable. Managers who have stuck with Haaland, Salah, Trippier, and Raya are likely sitting comfortably, but the game’s scoring system also punishes those who miss out on surprise performers.

The trend after Gameweek 5 suggests a growing appetite for defensive assets from teams with favourable fixtures. Arsenal, Newcastle, and Tottenham have all enjoyed kind runs, and their defenders have reaped the rewards. Meanwhile, midfielders like James Maddison (Tottenham) and Eberechi Eze (Crystal Palace) are seeing their ownership rise as they hit form, potentially displacing more expensive options like Kevin De Bruyne, who has been rotated.

Another key observation is the decline of premium midfielders who are not named Salah. Managers are increasingly willing to invest in a strong defence and a single superstar forward, rather than spreading funds across multiple high-priced midfielders. This shift is partly driven by the emergence of budget midfielders such as Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) and Elliot Anderson (Nottingham Forest), who offer points at a fraction of the cost.

The Telegraph Fantasy Football community is also showing a growing distrust of rotation-prone players. Manchester City’s Pep Guardiola has been particularly unpredictable, leading to a slight drop in ownership for players like Jack Grealish and Julián Álvarez. In contrast, Arsenal’s Mikel Arteta has been more consistent, boosting the appeal of Gunners assets.

**Sources**

- Telegraph Fantasy Football official website – ownership statistics for Gameweek 5, 2026/27 season. - Premier League match data and player performance records for Gameweeks 1–5. - Historical ownership trends from previous Telegraph Fantasy Football seasons (publicly available via the game’s archive).