The Scout's panel of experts reveal the players who have impressed them the most in pre-season ahead of the start of 2022/23 Fantasy Premier League.
Lee Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
Aston Villa head coach Steven Gerrard said Leon Bailey has come back a "different player" in pre-season, the winger producing three goals and two assists. At £5.0m, with a great looking Gameweek 1 fixture against AFC Bournemouth, I expect him to be in a few teams.
Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) seems to be relishing his new role in this very youthful and creative Arsenal side. With a manager that knows his style from his Manchester City days, Jesus looks primed for points in Gameweek 1.
Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)
When Bailey signed for Villa last term I was very excited, but an injury-ravaged campaign meant that he never became an option in Fantasy. However, Gerrard's comments this pre-season, as well as Bailey’s form, mean that he has become a key target for me. At £5.0m, he is also the perfect budget enabler.
Marcus Rashford (£6.5m) and Manchester United were firmly off the radar last term but the impact of Erik ten Hag is already being felt. Rashford has the added incentive of the FIFA World Cup to build form for. He could be a great pick.
Andy Park (@FPL_Sonaldo)
I'm very keen on Ivan Perisic (£5.5m). His start and 60+ minutes against Roma at the weekend has given me the green light to go for such an explosive player.
Bailey is extremely enticing. At just £5.0m, he has been giving us Said Benrahma (£6.0m) vibes from this time last season. He could be a key enabler to start the campaign. The only worry is that he is one bad performance away from being dropped.
Jamie Pigott (@Futbolislifefpl)
Jesus is one I have my eye on even if I don't go into Gameweek 1 with him. He's currently the most-owned player off the back of this pre-season. Let's see if he can continue to perform once the matches matter.
Perisic is another. I was looking to see if he'd get minutes in Spurs' pre-season. He's started in the final match, which makes me confident of his minutes for Gameweek 1.
Ben McNair (@drbenmcnair)
I tend to resist targets that emerge from pre-season because a small sample of friendlies shouldn't really change our priorities.
I might make an exception for Jesus. He has price and fixtures on his side and pre-season looks to have confirmed his minutes and role in the Arsenal side.
Also in this series
Part 2: Martinelli a cut-price gem
Don't forget the Gameweek 1 deadline is 18:30 BST on Friday 5 August.