The New Year period isn’t just about bringing in fresh names, writes FPL expert Blake Hurst – it’s also about knowing when to let go.
With rotation, injuries, and tougher fixtures shaking things up, some once-reliable FPL assets now look like traps heading into 2026.
Whether it’s loss of form, playing time concerns or stiff upcoming fixtures, now’s the time to cash out before their value drops further.
Here are five players we’re happy to move on from or avoid ahead of Gameweek 19. You can also read our tips on players to transform your team at the start of 2026 here.
Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa, 8.5m)
Villa’s form has been impressive, but this weekend’s trip to Arsenal looks like a fixture to avoid for attacking players.
Watkins faces one of the most disciplined defences in the league and, with Matty Cash and Boubacar Kamara ruled out, Villa’s balance could take a real hit.
Arsenal have still been conceding the odd goal but they rarely let forwards roam free, especially at the Emirates Stadium.
Watkins’ second-half brace against Chelsea means the England forward may be a solid pick in the future. But with this tough patch, managers could bench or even sell temporarily to free up funds if you own him.
Short term, there are better options with easier paths to returns over the next few gameweeks. An easy avoid.
Nick Woltemade (Newcastle, 7.4m)
While Burnley away looks tempting on paper, there’s a genuine chance Nick Woltemade finds himself rotated this week.
The Germany’s forward’s display in Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat at Manchester United was flat and, with Yoane Wissa fit and pushing for his first start, the Magpies may look to freshen things up.
Selling before a theoretically good fixture is a risky call, but rotation around busy periods can be brutal. If you’ve got transfers in the bank, a clever differential play could be switching to Wissa, who’s 7.3m and owned by just 0.6% of managers. A real differential.
Sometimes, avoiding a potential benching is worth more than chasing the “easy” fixture.
Antoine Semenyo (Bournemouth, 7.7m)
Semenyo’s schedule takes a sharp turn, with Chelsea away followed by Arsenal at home making it a tough couple of weeks for Bournemouth’s wideman.
Add in the fact that Semenyo’s a yellow card from suspension and this feels like an easy sell. Transfer rumours continue to swirl with the January transfer window around the corner, and a release clause means a move could happen at any time.
The Cherries top scorer’s future feels uncertain in real life and in our squads. By the time these next two fixtures are done, there’s every chance he’s no longer even playing for them, with many clubs keen on a move.
Jurrien Timber (Arsenal, 6.5m)
If you’ve been hanging on to Timber through his recent injury news, now might be the right time to cut ties – especially if you’ve got team value locked up.
While his return is promising, Arsenal’s defence offers safer routes with Gabriel returning soon and far more certain starters week to week.
Add the fact that there’s serious value elsewhere – Newcastle and Everton defenders such as Lewis Hall, Malick Thiaw, Michael Keane and James Tarkowski all offer better DEFCON consistency at lower prices – and Timber feels like a luxury to move on from.
Monitor his minutes, by all means. But right now, there are smarter ways to spend that cash.
Harry Wilson (Fulham, 5.8m)
Wilson’s purple patch seems to have faded, and Fulham’s upcoming fixtures don’t help his cause.
With Crystal Palace away followed by visits from Liverpool and Chelsea, the winger faces a tough run. The early hype has cooled and, with so many budget midfielders offering better defensive or attacking points potential, Wilson’s appeal has dropped sharply.
The Wales captain has had his spell as a great value pick, but it’s the right time to sell before fixtures turn truly ugly.
If you’re shopping around this price point, going for a DEFCON-focused mid feels like the more logical and sustainable move.