Pre-season 26/27: new coaches, set pieces and FPL signals

We reviewed 56 reports across 20 clubs. Where new coaches and set-piece specialists are already changing FPL roles — and where caution still wins.

Česká verze: Příprava 26/27: nové lavičky, standardky a 12 FPL signálů

Pre-season is not about who won 10–1. It is about who is playing in scoring positions, who owns set pieces, and which new coach has already changed a team's structure. We reviewed 56 editorial reports across 20 clubs, with data last updated on 14 August.

What is signal and what is noise

A reliable pre-season signal needs at least two supports: a repeated role, a clear tactical pattern, a confirmed set-piece hierarchy, or meaningful minutes against relevant opposition. That is why 120-minute games, weak opponents and penalty shoot-outs do not get overvalued.

Bournemouth's 10–1 against Genoa is not a conclusion on its own: it was played in four 30-minute blocks against a heavily rotated opponent. The same caution applies to Forest's 45-minute blocks, Newcastle's wholesale half-time changes and line-ups missing players returning from international duty.

Set pieces: where the evidence already exists

Chelsea: MacPhee's influence is already visible

Austin MacPhee's arrival does not automatically make Chelsea the league's best dead-ball team. It does give the club an early, tangible signal. In a 3–0 win over AC Milan, Chelsea used a 4-2-3-1 that shifted into a 3-2-5 in possession. Lavia delivered the corner for Caicedo's goal, while the report identified at least two situations from rehearsed corners.

That matters more than a backroom-staff announcement. Chelsea already have a repeatable route into the box. João Pedro has looked best in attack, repeatedly central and productive. Penalties remain unresolved: Delap scored two in a rotated side without Palmer or João Pedro on the pitch.

Brentford: the clearest dead-ball chain of pre-season

Brentford beat Rennes 4–2 and led 2–0 from two corners. Jensen found Thiago; Janelt found Pinnock. That gives us both delivery names and target men from the same match.

Keith Andrews is not a new head coach, but his set-piece background still shapes the team. Thiago started at No.9; Wilson then created Ouattara's goal and scored himself after coming on. The striker spot is not fully settled, but the set-piece evidence is already one of the best arguments for Thiago and Pinnock.

Everton and Bournemouth: roles confirmed, hierarchy not yet

Dave Reddington is Everton's permanent set-piece coach. The reports already show a strong attacking trend: Barry scored against Newcastle and is gaining ground on Beto, while Ndiaye took a penalty with Barry still on the field. Corner duties between KDH, McNeil and Garner are not confirmed.

At Bournemouth, Marco Rose and specialist Nicolas Gagnon have an encouraging foundation. Kluivert is playing as a No.10/second striker and was first choice from the spot in the strongest group. Corners and direct free-kicks still need confirmation; it would be premature to credit every attacking moment to the new set-piece work.

New coaching teams already changing the picture

Liverpool: Iraola raises the attacking ceiling and defensive risk

Liverpool's strong first half against Monaco looked exactly like an Andoni Iraola side: aggressive 4-2-3-1/4-4-2 pressing with a very high defensive line. Wirtz operated between the lines, Isak attacked the last line, and both scored as Gravenberch and Szoboszlai progressed play.

The second half matters just as much. Once rotation reduced the intensity, the high line became vulnerable and Liverpool conceded the decisive goal from a corner. The FPL read is simple: attack has a huge ceiling, but defenders are not automatic safe picks simply because of their names.

Manchester City: Maresca has a visible structure

Enzo Maresca has repeatedly tested a 4-2-3-1 that becomes a 3-2-5 in possession. In the 3–1 win over Atlético, Semenyo created both Marmoush goals, Marmoush played centrally as the No.9, and Aït-Nouri scored after arriving from a high position.

The pattern has repeated: Semenyo is a left-sided creator, Aït-Nouri attacks the box, and Rico Lewis often moves inside. One caution remains: City do not yet have a confirmed attacking set-piece hierarchy and conceded from a second-phase corner. This is not a finished defensive product.

Manchester United: Mbeumo is the cleanest individual signal

Michael Carrick is giving Mbeumo the FPL role managers want. He played centrally without a conventional striker against West Ham and scored twice. He then remained productive, assisted Zirkzee against Leeds and came off after 45 minutes under managed load.

Bruno improved the side when he entered against Leeds, so his status remains secure. Mbeumo, however, looks like the first attacking reference point of the new structure rather than a conventional winger waiting for assists.

Other structural changes worth tracking

• Fulham / Arbeloa: Iwobi drops deep in the build-up, opening high spaces for the wide players. The strongest hard signal is at striker: Gonzalo García received 72 minutes against Palace to Muniz's 18, then started ahead of him again. Sessegnon also scored from an active left-sided role.
• Nottingham Forest / Glasner: a report against strong opposition showed a clear 3-5-2 with Wood and Igor Jesus together. This matters: it may not be a straight battle in which one automatically removes the other.
• Crystal Palace / Sage: the three-at-the-back framework is repeating, with an attacking group around Sarr, Nketiah and Strand Larsen. França scored after coming on. Confirm wing-backs and the final centre-back mix before buying a defender.
• Tottenham / De Zerbi: vertical 4-2-3-1/4-3-3, with Tonali and Tel looking embedded in the strongest XI. Van Hecke steps aggressively into midfield. Spurs have been threatening from crosses and set pieces, but the takers are unknown.
• Newcastle / Jaissle: Wissa scored twice against Valencia, but Jaissle changed all ten outfield players at half-time against Everton. Barnes and Murphy improved the second group. The striker is a watch; the GW1 XI is not clear.
• Ipswich / O'Neil: Leif Davis is extremely high and scored twice from open play against Rayo. The Akpom–Emersonn–Hirst striker battle remains open.
• Leeds: Farke's 3-5-2 has been confirmed, while Tanaka produced two dangerous long throws. The Bogle–Bornauw right side was exposed against United.

FPL watchlist after pre-season

Best role-plus-data signals: Mbeumo, Kluivert, Semenyo, Marmoush, João Pedro, Thiago, Pinnock, Barry, Ndiaye, Wirtz and Isak.

Players gaining useful context: Gonzalo García ahead of Muniz, Leif Davis from an advanced role, Sessegnon on the active left, and both Wood and Igor Jesus in Forest's dual-striker system.

Where to slow down: Liverpool defenders under the high line, Palace defenders before wing-backs are confirmed, Newcastle before the real GW1 group emerges, and every asset whose case rests on one unusual scoreline.

Verdict

The biggest pre-season lesson is not “buy every new coach”. It is finding a specific mechanism: corner to Thiago/Pinnock, Lavia to Caicedo, Mbeumo central, Wirtz between the lines, Davis high, Gonzalo ahead of Muniz.

For the final tests, track four things: Chelsea's penalty and corner hierarchy, Everton's and Bournemouth's dead-ball takers, Liverpool's final defensive shape, and Newcastle's actual GW1 XI. That is where a good pre-season story becomes an actionable FPL pick.