The top 5 breakout stars of the 2022-23 FPL season (so far)

FPL is a brilliant place for groups of friends to put their knowledge to the test, and then see all research get pushed to the side when new players emerge to surprise us all, old players regain form, and signings come to life in their new league.

Fantasy Premier League is now 28 weeks down, with just 10 weeks to go, and we have already seen some incredible players burst onto the (FPL) scene in the Premier League. Sometimes it’s players who come in during the winter transfer window, some old names refind their form, and others have been hiding under the noses of clubs for years, dormant, until they emerge from the shadows and into somebody’s fortunate FPL squad.

Working the transactions, and timing trades, FPL takes skill, I swear! More importantly, it’s also just a great time and an excuse to watch even more Premier League action during the season while having a little give-and-take of banter among friends and colleagues.

Here are some of the surprises of the season so far:

1.) Kaoru Mimtoma (Brighton & Hove Albion) 

Safe to say when it comes to Fantasy Premier League, Mitoma has been one of the stories of the season in an equally exciting Brighton side that has just stamped their place in the FA Cup semifinals.

All things considered, Mitoma didn’t get his first goal until week 15 against the Wolves. He began finding consistent form and making headlines a few weeks later against Arsenal in week 18. After that, he scored or assisted in 4 straight games, and contributed in 7 of 9 games taking us to where we are now in the Premier League season.

His form has even caught the eye of some big clubs. It seems that Brighton once again has their hands full trying to fend off bids for an unlikely star.

2.) Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) 

This may not seem like a name that fits a “breakout” category,  or a “surprise”, but it’s hard to deny the surprise that is the numbers Rashford is putting up, and the season he is having, with just about all of it coming after the World Cup. Many United fans are now seeing what they all envisioned Rashford becoming, and who knows, there still could be new heights for the English international.

Last season, he registered just 4 goals and two assists in the Premier League. This season, he has 14 goals and 3 assists, more than tripling his goal tally from last year.

Rashford is a household name in the Premier League but hasn’t been himself for a while now, that is until this season. He has been in red-hot form and there are no signs of slowing down for the English star. His start to the season was none too glorious, but his ascent back into stardom for Rashford has been rapid and breathtaking.

3.) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) 

If you didn’t like Rashford in this category, then Haaland might upset you even more. This feels more due to the lofty expectations that were put on the Norweigan international ahead of his big move to Manchester City, or, for those that doubted he could keep his numbers up in the Premier League. Regardless, Haaland has proved people wrong time and time again since his move to Manchester City. Haaland is sitting on 28 goals in the Premier League, putting him atop the Fantasy Premier League leaderboard for points accrued this season (203), 19 points ahead of Harry Kane.

Haaland has 4 hattricks right now, with the potential of that number growing becoming a real possibility given that he has 8 goals in his last two games ( Champions League and FA Cup). His success is hardly unimaginable, but the level at which he has produced for his team, and for those who own Haaland in FPL, is simply outstanding. He has been a must-have since week one, and it’s no wonder why, with his stats so far this season.

4.) Philip Billing (Bournemouth)

Back to a name that could be more fitting in a surprise, albeit not as exciting as those who have come before him in this list. Nonetheless, with 94 total points in FPL this season in a Bournemouth side that sits 19th in the league, he deserves recognition in my eyes.

For £5.2m, he is definitely one of the better bargain midfielders available. As for FPL Draft, I’d be willing to bet not many people even picked him up in the initial draft to start the season. For a dreadful team in Bournemouth in the depths of a relegations battle, to be level on points with Alexis Mac Allister is very impressive, given all the hype that surrounds the new World Cup winner for Brighton.

5.) Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal)

He has been at Arsenal for the past one-and-a-half seasons on loan from Real Madrid, but somehow it feels as if we are seeing a completely new player since he has been permanently bought by Arsenal.

Odegaard has been arguably the best midfielder this season, certainly in the top 2 in the league. He is captaining an Arsenal side at the top of the Premier League while racking up 153 points in the process. Somehow still priced below £7m, I’m willing to bet he has been another constant in a lot of FPL teams.

Ødegaard is the creative midfielder Real Madrid hoped he would become, the captain Arsenal now gets to enjoy, and an FPL asset people should be thankful to have in their team and watch in the Premier League.

Honorable Mentions

• William Saliba
• Pascal Groß
• Solly March

Who else springs to mind when it comes to surprises in the FPL this season?