'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
£4.5 million is the cheapest that you can get a midfielder for in the Fantasy Premier League this season. At this price, the point scoring prospects are pretty low. Players are generally selected as bench warmers to accommodate other higher priced options.
If you have brought Mo Salah (£13 million) into your team this year, chances are that you have an ultra cheap midfielder just sitting in there alongside him. Someone who would probably not be used for the majority of the season.
However, if chosen well with a bit of a research and foresight, these options can at times offer a really good value and might even warrant a few starts. Christian Atsu last season was at times a decent prospect in spite of his low price (he has been increased to £5.5 million this time around). Loftus Cheek was another example (also £5.5 million this year).
Most options, however, are real-time bench warmers for their Premier League clubs and won't play most matches throughout the season. Some might be young players getting only the odd few minutes at times.
The rest are deep-lying defensive midfielders who do not offer much in terms of points return. Finding a hidden gem among these might take solid insight and that little bit of luck.
Here are the 5 players that we think might be the best for only £4.5 million.
#5 Callum Hudson-Odoi - Chelsea
The 17-year-old English forward is being tipped as a star in the making at Chelsea. Notorious for sending most of their young players on loans all over Europe season after season, Chelsea looks like they might just be uncharacteristically willing to give Hudson-Odoi solid game time this season.
The youngster would have to be one hell of a player to be awarded such an opportunity. Odoi has played most of the pre-season on the left wing where Eden Hazard usually plays.
In the Belgian's absence, Odoi has impressed with his pace, attacking instincts and dribbling skills. This even led to him starting against Man City in the Community Shield.
It is sure-shot that he would not be displacing Hazard from his starting spot but there is every reason to believe that Odoi has some part to play for the Blues this season. How much remains to be seen.
With the strike force looking far from settled, Odoi might just play at the opposite wing or even as a striker at times. However, he is not an assured starter by any means and a risky prospect.
This price does afford managers the chance to take a risk on certain players. Hudson-Odoi is the young player to watch this season and could definitely turn out to be a bargain.
#4 Dale Stephens - Brighton
If you prefer an assured starter who promises points week in and out and comes up with those rare attacking returns once in a while, Stephens is the one to go for. The Brighton midfielder is the highest selected player at this price bracket by some distance (12%).
He played all but two games for the Seagulls last term assisting three goals and providing a points return of 87. That is not a lot by any means and it is what you get for a safe bet at this price range.
Stephens plays as a defensive midfielder in a team that doesn't usually manage too many successful passes or tackles. He rarely marauds forward and barring a surprise his total might remain close to his previous season.
Stephens is a classic buy and a forgetful option who offers you extra funds if nothing else with the points up top a bonus. If this suits your requirements then it would be better to pick him over other similar types of midfielders at big clubs as he saves significant funds.
#3 Morgan Schneiderlin - Everton
Another deep-lying midfielder to choose from in the low budget category. The former Saints captain had a disappointing spell at Man United before he moved to Merseyside. Last season when fit, he was an assured starter in his team.
That may look to continue this season as the Dutch player has started most of the pre-season in his preferred position. He did not return any goals or assist last season and only scored a total of 57 points but chances are that might increase under a new manager who is keen on attacking football.
We will not see him going forwards too often, but the Dutchman has scored a few goals in the past. He had a career best of five in his first season with Southampton (12/13) in the top flight.
Granted that is a long time back but with a player looking to rediscover the form which made him once a hot prospect in the Premier League and with a new gaffer, Schneiderlin might just surprise a few this season.
#2 Arthur Masuaku - West Ham
Another risky proposition. The West Ham defender played as a winger in the 17/18 season and has been pushed up to the midfield position for this coming season. If that indeed is to continue, he seems like an exciting target for such price range. However, with a new manager, you can never know.
Masuaku is a tricky player who likes to dribble and take players on. He has an eye for assists and provided three for the Hammers last year. He has clocked a lot of minutes in pre-season but faces direct competition with Aron Cresswell (£5.5 million) if deployed as a fullback.
In addition, the opening set of fixtures are very tricky for West Ham. It would be better to add him to the watch list for the first few weeks to see where he plays and if he is a regular starter.
A risk-taking manager can take a chance with him and he could very well reward them with a few returns.
#1 Aron Gunnarsson - Cardiff
Promoted sides usually have good budget options. Cardiff this season boasts a side that will depend deep for set plays and a deep back line to get through matches.
Gunnarsson played as a deep-lying midfield player for them last season whenever fit and will look to continue doing the same again.
Not one to excite much, the Icelandic international does possess a talent for long throw-ins. Something that might lead to a couple of assists in the upcoming Premier League season.
Apart from that, the midfield man has through the years popped up with a goal or two. Expectations though, would not be too high on that front as Cardiff will look to fight relegation.
Similar alternatives to the Cardiff man include Southampton's midfield duo Oriol Romeu and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg, both of whom have been rotated in midfield by their manager throughout pre-season.
Both offer minimal attacking threat but as always with a new manager (comparatively), their points return might just grow. Among the two, Romeu looks better poised to start but until the first team sheet is released, nothing is certain.
