Whether you are a penny-pincher or a big spender in fantasy football, the midfield auction will test your budgeting skills. For the thrifty players, it’s a tactical approach: the goal is to remain the richest team in your league to secure that coveted striker. On the other hand, those who splurge initially may feel the need to cut back when it comes to midfielders, hoping to regroup for the attacking line later. In both cases, players like Calhanoglu and Koopmeiners could be out of reach for many, so here are six budget-friendly midfielders who can still earn you valuable points.
The Serie A 2024/2025 season is set to feature two exciting young talents developed in Italy’s youth academies: Matias Soulé and Giovanni Fabbian. Soulé, from Juventus, and Fabbian, from Inter, ended last season with impressive tallies of 11 and 5 goals, respectively. Both born in 2003, they now face the challenge of stepping up their game. Soulé, coming off a successful spell with Frosinone, may not start as a regular for Roma right away. Still, his potential is clear, and the €30 million Roma invested in him indicates their confidence—expect him to quickly become a fantasy asset.
Fabbian’s situation is similar; after shining in the previous season, he now shoulders more expectations as Bologna competes in the Champions League. He’ll need to deliver and cover for the injured Ferguson, but given his knack for finding space, he’s worth considering for your fantasy squad.
In contrast to these rising stars, some players are likely bound for another year as valuable squad players. Take Davide Frattesi and Matias Vecino, for instance, who may not quite crack the starting XI for Inter and Lazio but can make significant impacts, especially as substitutes. Frattesi netted 6 goals last season and earned an impressive score of 7.00. Vecino also scored 6 but had a lower average score of 6.73. Both can be trusted to bring in points regardless of their starting status, though Frattesi may come at a premium due to his title-winning affiliation and rising career trajectory.
Completing the list are Nicolò Zaniolo and Gabriel Strefezza, who share a similar journey. Two years ago, both were at their peak with Roma and Lecce, only to face downturns and transfers in search of a revival. Strefezza scored 8 goals for Lecce in 2022/2023 before returning to Serie B with Como, where he has now earned promotion and aims for a strong season ahead. Zaniolo, on the other hand, ventured into the Premier League with Aston Villa but struggled to become indispensable. However, under Gian Piero Gasperini’s management in Bergamo, he may find a fresh start—potentially even as a false nine. As you prepare for your auction, having Zaniolo high on your list could pay off.
