The FPL Archives: Best Performing FPL Assets Over The Past 12 Seasons

The Fantasy Premier League has been a cornerstone of football fandom for over two decades.

Since its launch 22 years ago, it has captivated millions by offering fans a chance to showcase their football expertise, competing within their social circles and on a global stage.

Year after year, the game's popularity has soared, with over 11 million players now participating worldwide.

This article delves into the top-performing FPL assets over the past 12 seasons, exploring the returns they’ve delivered to managers who strategically invested in them.

2012/13 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets: 

1) Robin van Persie (Manchester United) - 262 Points

After his high-profile move from Arsenal to Manchester United, Robin van Persie proved to be a nightmare for opposition defences.

With an incredible 26 goals and 9 assists, he secured the Premier League Golden Boot and was pivotal in leading Manchester United to the league title.

2) Gareth Bale (Tottenham Hotspur) - 249 Points

The Welsh superstar was a key performer throughout the season, catching the attention of European giants Real Madrid, who secured his signature at the end of the campaign.

Bale finished with 21 goals and 4 assists for Tottenham Hotspur.

Despite his stellar contributions, Spurs narrowly missed out on a top-four finish, falling just one point short of Champions League qualification.

3) Juan Mata (Chelsea) - 212 Points

In his prime, Juan Mata was one of the most technically gifted attacking midfielders, equally effective at both scoring and creating chances.

Playing for a Chelsea side that finished third in the league, Mata made a significant impact, contributing 24 goals, 12 assists, and 12 goals.

He finished the season with the most assists in the league. 

4) Luis Suárez (Liverpool) - 212 Points

Finishing second in the Golden Boot rankings, Luis Suárez proved why he was emerging as one of the most sought-after strikers in the world.

With 23 goals and 5 assists to his name, his efforts weren’t enough to propel Liverpool into contention for a Champions League spot, as the Reds finished 7th, below their derby rivals Everton.

5) Santi Cazorla (Arsenal) - 205 Points

Santi Cazorla played a key role in helping Arsenal secure a top-four finish, consistently contributing to the attack throughout the season.

The Spanish midfielder ended the campaign with 12 goals and 11 assists, earning the 5th most FPL points of the season.

Cazorla also finished second in the assists leaderboard, highlighting his creative influence.

2013/14 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Luis Suárez (Liverpool) - 295 Points

Undoubtedly one of the most thrilling players in the league, Luis Suárez consistently grabbed headlines with his controversial antics and remarkable goal-scoring ability.

Claiming the Golden Boot at the end of the campaign, Suárez netted an incredible 31 goals and provided 12 assists, cementing his place as the league’s most lethal striker.

2) Yaya Touré (Manchester City) - 241 Points

Yaya Touré was a standout performer in Manchester City's Premier League-winning campaign, combining physical dominance with exceptional technical skill.

The Ivorian midfielder scored 20 goals from midfield and also provided 9 assists, playing a crucial role in City’s title push.

3) Steven Gerrard (Liverpool) - 205 Points

As his career neared its end, the English midfielder showed he still had what it took to compete with Europe’s finest.

While his infamous slip against Chelsea still echoes in the songs sung by fans when Liverpool travel to Stamford Bridge, it’s important to remember that Steven Gerrard scored 13 goals and provided 13 assists during that campaign, securing the top spot on the assists leaderboard for the season.

4) Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - 202 Points

As Chelsea finished just behind the dominant Manchester City and Liverpool in third place, Eden Hazard was a thrilling player to watch throughout the campaign.

With 14 goals and 7 assists, the winger ended the season with the 4th most FPL points, showcasing his electrifying performances.

5) Daniel Sturridge (Liverpool) - 197 Points

The striking partner of the Golden Boot winner, Daniel Sturridge, finished the campaign with the second-most goals in the league.

A testament to Liverpool’s fearsome attacking force, Sturridge scored 21 goals and provided 7 assists, earning substantial FPL points for managers who backed him.

2014/15 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - 233 Points

As Chelsea secured the league title, FPL managers who owned their star player had plenty to celebrate.

Eden Hazard was in sparkling form throughout the season, scoring 14 goals and providing 9 assists.

His standout performances earned him the most FPL points of the campaign.

2) Sergio Agüero (Manchester City) - 216 Points

The Argentinian striker had an exceptional season for Manchester City, securing the Golden Boot at the end of the campaign.

Scoring 26 goals and providing 8 assists, Sergio Agüero's contributions were remarkable.

However, despite his efforts, Manchester City finished second in the Premier League, falling short of the title.

3) Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) - 207 Points

The former Barcelona winger played a key role in helping Arsenal secure 3rd place, posing a constant threat on the wing throughout the season.

With 16 goals and 8 assists, the Chilean star established himself as one of the top FPL assets of the campaign.

4) David Silva (Manchester City) - 191 Points

The creative attacking midfielder stood out for Manchester City throughout the campaign.

His exceptional footballing intelligence enabled him to score 12 goals and provide 7 assists.

He finished the season with the 4th most FPL points among all players, thanks to his influential contributions.

5) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - 191 Points

Tottenham were once again left frustrated by missing out on a Champions League spot, finishing 5th behind Manchester United.

However, a bright spot for the club was their standout forward, Harry Kane.

Securing second place in the Golden Boot race, Kane ended the season with 21 goals and 4 assists, showcasing his exceptional talent in front of goal.

2015/16 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City) - 240 Points

Leicester City won the Premier League in the 2015/16 season in one of the most remarkable upsets in sports history.

Algerian winger Riyad Mahrez was a standout performer throughout their title charge, sometimes looking unplayable.

With 17 goals and 11 assists, Mahrez proved to be the top FPL asset of the campaign, cementing his place as a key figure in Leicester’s stunning success.

2) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - 211 Points

Tottenham secured Champions League football with a third-place finish, and their English striker played a pivotal role in the achievement.

Claiming the Golden Boot that season, he scored 25 goals and added 1 assist to his tally, cementing his status as one of the league's top performers

3) Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) - 211 Points

Jamie Vardy formed a formidable partnership with teammate Riyad Mahrez, playing a crucial role in Leicester’s unforgettable title charge.

With 24 goals and 6 assists, Vardy finished just one goal behind the Golden Boot winner, highlighting his importance in the team’s historic success.

4) Mesut Özil (Arsenal) - 200 Points

Mesut Özil was exceptional in helping Arsenal secure 2nd place in the league, showcasing his brilliance throughout the campaign.

With 6 goals and an impressive 19 assists, he earned the third-most FPL points of the season and topped the assist leaderboard by a significant margin.

5) Romelu Lukaku (Everton) - 185 Points

The Belgian forward was a dominant force in front of goal during the campaign, consistently delivering strong performances for Everton.

He scored 18 goals and provided 6 assists, playing a pivotal role in the team’s attack, even though the side finished 11th in the league. 

2016/17 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Alexis Sánchez (Arsenal) - 264 Points

In an Arsenal side that fell short of securing Champions League qualification, Alexis Sánchez remained a constant threat, consistently delivering for the team.

With 24 goals and 10 assists, he was undoubtedly the most exciting winger in the league, earning the most FPL points throughout the season.

2) Dele Alli (Tottenham Hotspur) - 225 Points

Tottenham were a strong title contender throughout the season, ultimately finishing in 2nd place.

Among their standout players, Dele Alli was one of the most influential.

Scoring 18 goals from midfield and providing 7 assists, the English talent ended the campaign with the second-most FPL points of all players, showcasing his exceptional contributions to Tottenham’s title challenge.

3) Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - 224 Points

Chelsea secured another league title, showcasing their dominance throughout the season.

Their Belgian winger, Eden Hazard, was once again a standout performer.

Hazard's remarkable contributions, including 16 goals and 5 assists, made him the top-scoring asset on the title-winning team.

4) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - 224 Points

Matching Hazard’s FPL points total, Harry Kane was once again clinical in front of goal.

With an impressive 29 goals and 7 assists, the striker claimed another Golden Boot, delivering excellent returns for all FPL managers who had invested in him.

5) Romelu Lukaku (Everton) - 221 Points

Romelu Lukaku remained Everton's key player, finishing as the fifth-highest FPL points scorer for two consecutive seasons.

Despite the team finishing 7th, the Toffees' striker scored 25 goals and registered 6 assists, continuing to deliver strong performances throughout the campaign.

2017/18 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 303 Points

In his record-breaking debut season for Liverpool, the Egyptian winger set an FPL points record that remains unbeaten to this day.

He enjoyed a standout campaign with an impressive 32 goals and 10 assists.

Despite his incredible individual contributions, he could only guide his team to a 4th place finish.

2) Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 229 Points

Raheem Sterling played a pivotal role in helping Manchester City secure the league title with a historic 100-point tally.

As the champions' top FPL points scorer, he enjoyed a remarkable season, scoring 18 goals and providing 11 assists.

Managers who invested in the English winger were handsomely rewarded for his impressive performances and consistent returns.

3) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - 217 Points

Harry Kane remained a mainstay among the top-performing FPL assets, once again demonstrating his clinical finishing with 30 Premier League goals.

Finishing second in the Golden Boot race, he also contributed 2 assists, solidifying his reputation as one of the most reliable strikers in the league.

4) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 209 Points

As the champions' most creative force, Kevin De Bruyne mesmerised fans with his exceptional ability to create scoring opportunities for his teammates.

With 8 goals and 16 assists, De Bruyne firmly established himself among the top FPL assets and claimed the top spot on the assists leaderboard.

5) Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur) - 199 Points

Christian Eriksen played a key role in helping Tottenham secure Champions League football with a 3rd place finish.

The Danish midfielder consistently contributed throughout the season, scoring 10 goals and providing 10 assists, showcasing his ability to create and finish chances for the team.

2018/19 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 259 Points

Mohamed Salah proved his critics wrong by securing the most FPL points in two consecutive seasons, silencing the "one-season wonder" claims.

Despite Liverpool coming heartbreakingly close to winning the Premier League, finishing just 1 point behind the champions, Salah enjoyed another stellar campaign.

He ended the season with 22 goals and 8 assists, solidifying his place as the league's top performer.

2) Eden Hazard (Chelsea) - 238 Points

Despite Chelsea finishing third, behind Manchester City and Liverpool, the club's top performer remained a consistent threat throughout the season.

Eden Hazard scored 16 goals and providing 15 assists, the winger delivered impressive returns for his owners and finished the campaign at the top of the assists leaderboard.

3) Raheem Sterling (Manchester City) - 234 Points

The English winger maintained his exceptional form, playing a key role in helping Manchester City secure another title.

Scoring 17 goals and providing 10 assists, Sterling once again finished as the highest FPL points scorer for the title-winning team.

4) Sadio Mané (Liverpool) - 231 Points

Liverpool were a formidable force on both flanks, with Sadio Mané delivering an outstanding campaign on the left.

Mané finished the season with 22 goals, matching his teammate Mohamed Salah, and also provided 1 assist.

5) Andy Robertson (Liverpool) - 213 Points

It’s rare for a defender to rank among the top 5 FPL points scorers at the end of a season, but Andy Robertson achieved this feat due to a Liverpool side that thrived on attacking fullbacks.

Renowned for his pinpoint deliveries, Robertson contributed 11 assists and helped the team keep 19 clean sheets, cementing his place as the best defensive asset in FPL throughout that campaign.

2019/20 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City) - 251 Points

Although Manchester City fell short of reclaiming the Premier League title, their midfield maestro, Kevin De Bruyne, delivered a season of brilliance.

He displayed exceptional passing accuracy and matched Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a single campaign while scoring 13 goals. 

2) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 233 Points

Mohamed Salah's unwavering consistency was instrumental in ending Liverpool's 30-year wait for a Premier League title.

The Egyptian forward remained one of the league's most dangerous attacking threats, contributing 19 goals and 10 assists to a historic campaign.

3) Sadio Mané (Liverpool) - 221 Points

On the opposite flank, Liverpool’s Senegalese winger, Sadio Mané, maintained his exceptional form, playing a crucial role in the club’s title-winning campaign.

His outstanding performances with 18 goals and 7 assists made him the third-highest FPL points scorer that season.

4) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 210 Points

Following the success of Liverpool's opposite fullback in ranking amongst the top 5 FPL points scorers the previous season, Trent Alexander-Arnold rose to the occasion in his club's title-winning campaign.

The dynamic English defender contributed 4 goals, an impressive 13 assists, and kept 12 clean sheets.

5) Jamie Vardy (Leicester City) - 210 Points

Leicester City delivered another impressive performance during the 2019/20 campaign, narrowly missing out on Champions League qualification with a 5th-place finish.

Jamie Vardy led the charge and showcased exceptional form by clinching the Golden Boot with 23 goals.

The prolific striker also contributed 5 assists, underlining his pivotal role in the team’s performances.

2020/21 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) - 244 Points

Manchester United secured a strong second-place finish in the league, finishing below their noisy neighbours.

Central to their success was Portuguese sensation Bruno Fernandes, who enjoyed a phenomenal season.

The attacking midfielder was in red-hot form, scoring 18 goals and providing 12 assists, earning him the top spot in the FPL points rankings for the campaign.

2) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - 242 Points

After a two-season absence, the English striker returned to the top 5 FPL points scorers list.

With an impressive 23 goals, he clinched another Golden Boot and also led the assists leaderboard with 14 contributions.

Despite his outstanding individual performance, Tottenham could only manage a 7th-place finish in the Premier League.

3) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 231 Points

Following Liverpool's title-winning season, they finished third in the league this time around, but Mohamed Salah continued to be a consistent source of points for FPL managers.

The winger scored 22 goals and provided 5 assists throughout the campaign.

4) Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) - 228 Points

Son Heung-min forged a strong partnership with teammate Harry Kane, delivering impressive returns for FPL managers who brought him into their squads.

With 17 goals and 10 assists, the South Korean winger secured his place as the third-highest FPL points scorer of the season.

5) Patrick Bamford (Leeds United) - 194 Points

Leeds enjoyed a strong top-half finish, with Patrick Bamford playing a crucial role in their success.

Scoring 17 goals and providing 7 assists, the English forward offered exceptional value for FPL managers, making him a standout budget option throughout the season.

2021/22 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 265 Points

Liverpool finished second, just one point behind Manchester City for the second time in four seasons.

Despite the heartbreak for supporters, Mohamed Salah's contributions remained a bright spot for the club.

The winger ended the season with 23 goals and 13 assists, sharing the Golden Boot with Son Heung-min and finishing as the leader in assists.

2) Son Heung-min (Tottenham Hotspur) - 258 Points

Son Heung-min was pivotal in helping Tottenham secure Champions League football, finishing ahead of London rivals Arsenal.

The South Korean forward scored 23 goals and provided 7 assists, earning the second-most FPL points of the season.

3) Trent Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool) - 208 Points

Trent Alexander-Arnold continued to be Liverpool's primary creative force and played a key role in the club's title challenge.

He scored 2 goals, registered 12 assists, and kept 17 clean sheets, once again establishing himself as the highest-scoring defensive asset of the season.

4) Jarrod Bowen (West Ham United) - 206 Points

Jarrod Bowen delivered outstanding value for his FPL owners throughout the season.

Playing a pivotal role in West Ham's 7th-place finish, he scored 12 goals and registered 10 assists, securing a place among the top 5 highest FPL point scorers.

5) João Cancelo (Manchester City) - 201 Points

João Cancelo was a key contributor to Manchester City's title-winning campaign, finishing as the team's highest FPL point scorer.

The Portuguese defender registered 7 assists, scored a goal, and kept 19 clean sheets, pivotal in the club's success.

2022/23 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 272 Points

In his debut season for the club, Sergio Agüero’s replacement helped Manchester City win another Premier League title.

Breaking the record for the most goals scored in a single season, Erling Haaland claimed the Golden Boot with 36 goals while also providing 8 assists.

2) Harry Kane (Tottenham Hotspur) - 263 Points

Despite Tottenham's disappointing 8th-place finish, Harry Kane's clinical finishing remained a standout feature.

The star striker ended the season with 30 goals and 3 assists, showcasing his consistency in front of goal.

His impressive individual performances earned him the second-highest FPL points total of the season.

3) Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) - 239 Points

During an injury-ravaged season that saw Liverpool miss out on Champions League qualification, Mohamed Salah remained a dependable asset for FPL managers.

The Egyptian winger finished the campaign with 19 goals and 12 assists, continuing to deliver strong returns for those who invested in him.

4) Martin Ødegaard (Arsenal) - 212 Points

Arsenal remained strong title contenders throughout the season, ultimately finishing second behind Manchester City.

Central to their push for the title, Martin Ødegaard was their highest-scoring FPL asset, contributing 15 goals and 7 assists to the team's efforts.

5) Marcus Rashford (Manchester United) - 205 Points

Finishing third in the Premier League, Manchester United secured a spot in the Champions League.

Marcus Rashford was the club’s top scorer, netting 17 goals and providing 5 assists throughout the campaign.

2023/24 FPL Season’s Top 5 Assets:

1) Cole Palmer (Chelsea) - 244 Points

Although Chelsea finished in 6th place, Cole Palmer was a standout performer, consistently tormenting opposition defences throughout the season.

At the start of the campaign, Palmer was an incredible bargain at just £5.0m, and he rewarded those who took a chance on him with an outstanding 22 goals and 11 assists.

His impressive returns made it clear that those who did not allocate a minuscule portion of their budget to hire him missed out on significant value.

2) Phil Foden (Manchester City) - 230 Points

Phil Foden played a key role in helping Manchester City secure another Premier League title, finishing as the champions' highest-scoring FPL asset.

With 19 goals and 8 assists, Foden's stellar performances earned him the second-highest FPL points total of the season.

3) Ollie Watkins (Aston Villa) - 228 Points

Ollie Watkins played a pivotal role in helping Aston Villa secure a top 4 finish, showcasing exceptional finishing and creativity throughout the season.

With 19 goals and 13 assists, Watkins delivered impressive returns for his FPL owners, finishing at the top of the assists leaderboard.

4) Bukayo Saka (Arsenal) - 226 Points

Arsenal came incredibly close to clinching the title, finishing just 2 points behind Manchester City.

Bukayo Saka was instrumental in their impressive campaign, scoring 16 goals and providing 9 assists that helped fuel their challenge for the top spot.

5) Erling Haaland (Manchester City) - 217 Points

Since his debut, Haaland has secured back-to-back Premier League titles and Golden Boots.

He finished the season with 27 goals and 5 assists, proving his clinical finishing ability.

Final Thoughts

Over the years, the highest-scoring FPL assets of the past 12 seasons have been crucial to many successful fantasy teams.

While FPL strategies vary from season to season, one thing remains clear: placing your faith in proven Premier League talent is essential, and identifying top-performing players early in the season can make all the difference.

Keeping an eye on emerging stars who can follow in the footsteps of these top returners will be key to staying competitive in FPL.