Over the last few weeks we've been feeding your fantasy football hunger with articles dedicated to helping you find players within different budgets. We've already highlighted The Best 4.5m FPL Defenders, The Best 8.5m FPL Midfielders and The Best Mid-Priced Forwards, so now it's time to review the best budget FPL Midfielders with the maximum price tag at 5.5m. We think the following players are perfect for freeing up your budget without compromising your points potential.
Nathan Redmond � 5.5m (1.7% Ownership) Kicking off proceedings is winger Nathan Redmond. This summer Redmond was part of the England U21s disappointing European Championship campaign. Despite failing to get out of the group stage Redmond was featured in UEFA's Team of the Tournament. Last season for Norwich he scored six goals and tallied up 13 assists. He also stepped up when it mattered with two assists and two goals in the play off final and semi final second leg. He created a staggering 117 chances last season and will be crucial if the Canaries' want to stay in the Premier League. So he's been on form in the last 12 months, if he carries over his form into the Premier League and continues to improve he is worth having at such a cheap price. He takes corners for Norwich and with the height they have in their side it could see Redmond picking up assists from them. He's a tricky winger with plenty of skill and an incredible turn of pace which Norwich will look to exploit. Norwich have a relatively kind opening set of fixtures facing Crystal Palace and Bournemouth at home and Sunderland away in their opening five games.
Almen Abdi - 5.0m (0.3% Ownership) The Swiss playmaker really is the creative outlet for Watford and he's what makes them tick. He's played 93 times for Watford, scored 23 goals and yielded 14 assists. He's takes both free kicks and corners for the Hornets' and nearly all of Watford's attacking play goes through him. He's a magician with the ball and will be looking to create chances for the likes of Deeney, Vydra and Ighalo for the upcoming season. He's dangerous in and around the area, and also has a decent long shot. He's the lynchpin, the playmaker, the man between defence and attack for Watford and he's going to play a big role for Watford this season. If you do select Abdi be wary of his fitness, at the time of writing he has a 75% chance of playing against Everton. He's a great selection if you want a rotation option in your side.
Sebastian Larsson � 5.5m (2.2% Ownership) This selection may raise a few eyebrows, mainly because he seems to go under the radar season after season for Sunderland. Last season he was one of only three Sunderland players to score over 100 points, finishing the season on 105 points. Last season he scored three goals and contributed three assists. Not really the highest of numbers but we shouldn't forget how poor Sunderland were and how little goals they scored. He's Mr Sunderland he loves the club and is a nailed on starter. There isn't a game where he doesn't put in 100%. As we know with Larsson he is a dead ball specialist, he has one of the best free kick conversion ratios in Premier League history. He also takes corners for Sunderland and with the likes of Sebastian Coates and John O'Shea in the side he's going to create to odd goal from corners. At 5.5m you are getting a very creative midfielder who will be playing behind Jermain Defoe, who on is day is one of the Premier League's best finishers. If Defoe can recapture his form then expect Larsson's assist tally to rise. He would be best used in a rotation system and in their opening four games Sunderland face three of the sides who are expected to be fighting relegation in the shape of Leicester, Norwich and Aston Villa.
Chris Brunt - 5.5m (3.1% Ownership) The midfielder was West Brom's highest scoring midfielder last season totalling 128 points across the season; he enjoyed one of his best seasons to date. Over the past few season he's been the go to man for assists at West Brom, last season he had 10. If the Baggies' can hold onto Saido Berahino this summer then Brunt will be well on his way to double figures again. The Northern Irish international was an unsung hero in the Baggies' climb away from Premier League relegation last season and is the vice-captain of the team. He is the clubs corner taker and as we know with Tony Pulis' sides they are very dangerous from dead ball situations. Brunt also takes the occasional free kick. If you do select Brunt there are a few things to be cautious of. Firstly their fixture list � West Brom have a horrible set of opening home games playing Manchester City, Chelsea, Southampton and Everton in their opening four home games. Their away fixtures are a little less daunting as they face Watford, Stoke, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in their opening four games. The second thing to keep an eye on is how West Brom utilise Brunt. He featured nine times at left back towards the end of last season and has played two games there in pre season. West Brom have added to their defence in the shape of James Chester which should see a defensive reshuffle and Brunt's time at left back expire but it's an issue to be aware of.
Riyad Mahrez � 5.5m (2.2% Ownership) There were times last season where Mahrez picked up the Leicester team and put them on his back. He was on of their most creative players and played important role in keeping Leicester up. He finished the season with 102 points last season, 42 more than the next best Leicester midfielder. He scored four goals and created five for his team-mates. The Algerian was very much an unsung hero last year, he is still a little raw and unpolished but has shown improvement as the campaign went on, he is posed for an exciting campaign this season. He posses a lot of skill and is direct with the ball, he runs through the midfield and produces either a shot or delivers a well-timed cross for the likes of Ulloa and Vardy. At times he was the most dangerous player on the pith for Leicester and that's expected to be carried over into this season. He could improve his final product but that will come with game time. Leicester also have an eye-catching set of fixtures. They face Sunderland, West Ham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in their opening five game weeks. You could really utilise the Algerian well in a rotation system.
Notable Mentions There were a handful of players who just missed out on selection but we thought we'd attach a bite size bit of information for you. Ki Sung-Yeung 5.5m (9.9% Ownership) - Scored 129 points for last season and scored eight goals and contributed one assist. Very consistent and should be a mainstay in the Swansea midfield this season. Wilfried Zaha 5.5m (2.2% Ownership) � Showed his talent under Pardew who put his confidence in him, an enigma, as he can be hot and cold. Scored four goals and created three last season totalling 91 points. Carles Gil 5.0m (0.1% Ownership) � Currently out injured but one to consider when back fit, Sherwood has said he will be a key player for Villa this season and he certainly has the talent to back up that statement. Ibrahaim Afellay 5.5m (1.9% Ownership) � Joins from Barcelona so it's clear to see he has talent, has the ability to change a game but will need to get used to England before you consider his selection. Dele Alli 5.0m (0.1% Ownership) � A lot of Spurs' fans have spoken about Alli's chances to play first team football this season and he could displace Ryan Mason. Started against Real Madrid in pre season and held his own, a goal scoring midfielder but not a guaranteed starter.
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Nathan Redmond � 5.5m (1.7% Ownership) Kicking off proceedings is winger Nathan Redmond. This summer Redmond was part of the England U21s disappointing European Championship campaign. Despite failing to get out of the group stage Redmond was featured in UEFA's Team of the Tournament. Last season for Norwich he scored six goals and tallied up 13 assists. He also stepped up when it mattered with two assists and two goals in the play off final and semi final second leg. He created a staggering 117 chances last season and will be crucial if the Canaries' want to stay in the Premier League. So he's been on form in the last 12 months, if he carries over his form into the Premier League and continues to improve he is worth having at such a cheap price. He takes corners for Norwich and with the height they have in their side it could see Redmond picking up assists from them. He's a tricky winger with plenty of skill and an incredible turn of pace which Norwich will look to exploit. Norwich have a relatively kind opening set of fixtures facing Crystal Palace and Bournemouth at home and Sunderland away in their opening five games.
Almen Abdi - 5.0m (0.3% Ownership) The Swiss playmaker really is the creative outlet for Watford and he's what makes them tick. He's played 93 times for Watford, scored 23 goals and yielded 14 assists. He's takes both free kicks and corners for the Hornets' and nearly all of Watford's attacking play goes through him. He's a magician with the ball and will be looking to create chances for the likes of Deeney, Vydra and Ighalo for the upcoming season. He's dangerous in and around the area, and also has a decent long shot. He's the lynchpin, the playmaker, the man between defence and attack for Watford and he's going to play a big role for Watford this season. If you do select Abdi be wary of his fitness, at the time of writing he has a 75% chance of playing against Everton. He's a great selection if you want a rotation option in your side.
Sebastian Larsson � 5.5m (2.2% Ownership) This selection may raise a few eyebrows, mainly because he seems to go under the radar season after season for Sunderland. Last season he was one of only three Sunderland players to score over 100 points, finishing the season on 105 points. Last season he scored three goals and contributed three assists. Not really the highest of numbers but we shouldn't forget how poor Sunderland were and how little goals they scored. He's Mr Sunderland he loves the club and is a nailed on starter. There isn't a game where he doesn't put in 100%. As we know with Larsson he is a dead ball specialist, he has one of the best free kick conversion ratios in Premier League history. He also takes corners for Sunderland and with the likes of Sebastian Coates and John O'Shea in the side he's going to create to odd goal from corners. At 5.5m you are getting a very creative midfielder who will be playing behind Jermain Defoe, who on is day is one of the Premier League's best finishers. If Defoe can recapture his form then expect Larsson's assist tally to rise. He would be best used in a rotation system and in their opening four games Sunderland face three of the sides who are expected to be fighting relegation in the shape of Leicester, Norwich and Aston Villa.
Chris Brunt - 5.5m (3.1% Ownership) The midfielder was West Brom's highest scoring midfielder last season totalling 128 points across the season; he enjoyed one of his best seasons to date. Over the past few season he's been the go to man for assists at West Brom, last season he had 10. If the Baggies' can hold onto Saido Berahino this summer then Brunt will be well on his way to double figures again. The Northern Irish international was an unsung hero in the Baggies' climb away from Premier League relegation last season and is the vice-captain of the team. He is the clubs corner taker and as we know with Tony Pulis' sides they are very dangerous from dead ball situations. Brunt also takes the occasional free kick. If you do select Brunt there are a few things to be cautious of. Firstly their fixture list � West Brom have a horrible set of opening home games playing Manchester City, Chelsea, Southampton and Everton in their opening four home games. Their away fixtures are a little less daunting as they face Watford, Stoke, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in their opening four games. The second thing to keep an eye on is how West Brom utilise Brunt. He featured nine times at left back towards the end of last season and has played two games there in pre season. West Brom have added to their defence in the shape of James Chester which should see a defensive reshuffle and Brunt's time at left back expire but it's an issue to be aware of.
Riyad Mahrez � 5.5m (2.2% Ownership) There were times last season where Mahrez picked up the Leicester team and put them on his back. He was on of their most creative players and played important role in keeping Leicester up. He finished the season with 102 points last season, 42 more than the next best Leicester midfielder. He scored four goals and created five for his team-mates. The Algerian was very much an unsung hero last year, he is still a little raw and unpolished but has shown improvement as the campaign went on, he is posed for an exciting campaign this season. He posses a lot of skill and is direct with the ball, he runs through the midfield and produces either a shot or delivers a well-timed cross for the likes of Ulloa and Vardy. At times he was the most dangerous player on the pith for Leicester and that's expected to be carried over into this season. He could improve his final product but that will come with game time. Leicester also have an eye-catching set of fixtures. They face Sunderland, West Ham, Bournemouth and Aston Villa in their opening five game weeks. You could really utilise the Algerian well in a rotation system.
Notable Mentions There were a handful of players who just missed out on selection but we thought we'd attach a bite size bit of information for you. Ki Sung-Yeung 5.5m (9.9% Ownership) - Scored 129 points for last season and scored eight goals and contributed one assist. Very consistent and should be a mainstay in the Swansea midfield this season. Wilfried Zaha 5.5m (2.2% Ownership) � Showed his talent under Pardew who put his confidence in him, an enigma, as he can be hot and cold. Scored four goals and created three last season totalling 91 points. Carles Gil 5.0m (0.1% Ownership) � Currently out injured but one to consider when back fit, Sherwood has said he will be a key player for Villa this season and he certainly has the talent to back up that statement. Ibrahaim Afellay 5.5m (1.9% Ownership) � Joins from Barcelona so it's clear to see he has talent, has the ability to change a game but will need to get used to England before you consider his selection. Dele Alli 5.0m (0.1% Ownership) � A lot of Spurs' fans have spoken about Alli's chances to play first team football this season and he could displace Ryan Mason. Started against Real Madrid in pre season and held his own, a goal scoring midfielder but not a guaranteed starter.
