Top of the list
1. Bruno Fernandes is still the standout set-piece asset. At £10.4m, you are paying for elite all-round output, and the numbers justify it. He leads this list with 209 points, has delivered 8 goals and 21 assists, and adds 37 bonus points, which is a huge edge in tight gameweeks. The minutes matter too, 2795 suggests security, and with 47.4% ownership he is not a place to get cute. A 5.0 form is solid rather than explosive, but when penalties, direct free-kicks and corners are in play, Fernandes remains the most bankable set-piece route.
2. Bowen is the premium alternative if you want a forward slot rather than a midfield one. At £7.8m, 171 points and a strong 7.0 form, he offers one of the best blends of value and current momentum in this pool. His return line of 8 goals and 12 assists is already strong, but the key is that he gets there while playing massive minutes, 3136, more than anyone in the top seven. That kind of availability is gold for set-piece takers because dead-ball volume accumulates over time. With just 13.3% selected, he also gives rank upside.
3. Cherki looks like the most exciting upside pick in the elite tier. For only £6.6m, he has produced 128 points in just 1636 minutes, with 4 goals and 12 assists. That minutes total jumps off the page, because it suggests his output can still scale if his role holds. Add a 7.0 form and 18.9% ownership, and you have a Manchester City set-piece route at a mid-price cost. The obvious caveat is security of minutes compared with Fernandes or Bowen, but on value and ceiling, Cherki is hard to ignore.
Strong contenders
4. João Pedro has the raw season output to compete with anyone here, 174 points, 15 goals, 9 assists, and 30 bonus. At £7.5m he is very fair, but the concern is the immediate trend. A 2.5 form is weak relative to the names around him, and with 39.0% ownership he is less of a differential than he should be at that form level.
5. Rice is a high-floor set-piece option. He has 176 points at £7.2m, with 4 goals, 9 assists, and a massive 16 clean sheets from midfield helping his base. He is not explosive, reflected by a 3.2 form, but if you want reliability and strong team context, he remains a serious pick.
6. Saka is arguably under-owned at 9.8%. His 145 points in only 2049 minutes tell you there is still serious efficiency here, and 7 goals, 9 assists at £9.9m can still become elite if his minutes rise. The issue is that 3.0 form makes him more of a timing play than an automatic buy.
7. Wilson is one of the best mid-price enablers. At just £5.9m, he has returned 161 points through 10 goals and 8 assists, plus 21 bonus. The downside is obvious, 2.2 form, but the season-long value is undeniable and he remains firmly in the conversation if fixtures turn.
Watch list
- Matheus N., £5.3m, defender with 146 points and 8 assists, rare set-piece value from the back line.
- O.Dango, £5.7m, low-owned at 1.8%, with 5 goals and 8 assists, pure differential territory.
- Doku, £6.4m, only 105 points so far but a hot 7.8 form makes him the momentum punt.
- Minteh, £5.5m, modest output overall but 8 assists keeps him relevant in budget rotations.
- Aaronson, £5.4m, 122 points and 8 assists, quietly useful if you need a fifth midfielder.
Verdict
Overall winner: Bruno Fernandes. The combination of 209 points, 21 assists, bonus dominance, and secure minutes makes him the best set-piece taker to own.
Best-value pick: Cherki. At £6.6m with 12 assists, 128 points, and only 1636 minutes, his value profile is outstanding.
Sleeper pick: Matheus N. Defender set pieces at £5.3m, plus 146 points, is the kind of edge that can separate squads.