The Premier League is evolving, and so is the art of set-piece strategy. Personally, I think this shift is one of the most fascinating developments in modern football. What many people don’t realize is that set pieces are no longer just a tactical afterthought—they’re a game-changer. In the 2025-26 season, a staggering 27.4% of all goals came from non-penalty set pieces, the second-highest in Premier League history. This raises a deeper question: are we witnessing a revolution in how teams approach dead-ball situations?
From my perspective, the rise of dedicated set-piece coaches is a game within the game. Take Austin MacPhee’s move from Aston Villa to Chelsea, for instance. His transfer was reported with the same fanfare as a star player’s signing, and rightly so. What this really suggests is that clubs now recognize the value of a specialist who can turn a corner or free-kick into a goal-scoring opportunity. It’s not just about having a good taker; it’s about having a strategist who can exploit every inch of the pitch.
One thing that immediately stands out is the dominance of inswinging corners. Last season, there were 2,643 inswinging corners compared to just 541 outswingers. This trend isn’t just a quirk—it’s a deliberate strategy. Teams are prioritizing left-footed takers on the right side and vice versa, which has a significant impact on player roles and FPL value. For example, Bruno Fernandes’s record-breaking 11 assists from set pieces last season were largely due to his mastery of inswinging deliveries. But here’s the catch: with more teams adopting this approach, the competition for set-piece duties is fiercer than ever.
This brings me to players like Dominik Szoboszlai at Liverpool. Szoboszlai is a set-piece maestro, but the arrival of Andoni Iraola and his coaching staff could shake things up. Iraola’s Bournemouth team favored inswinging corners more than any other side last season, and this continuity in approach might affect Szoboszlai’s numbers. Personally, I think he’s still a must-have in FPL, but it’s a reminder that even the most reliable players are subject to tactical shifts.
Another player worth discussing is Declan Rice at Arsenal. Rice was Arsenal’s go-to man for set pieces last season, but the potential arrival of Bruno Guimarães could complicate matters. Guimarães has a knack for turning corners into shots, and his penalty-taking ability could also come into play. If you take a step back and think about it, this highlights the fluidity of set-piece roles—even for top players like Rice.
What makes this particularly fascinating is how set-piece dynamics influence FPL strategy. Penalty takers, for instance, are gold dust in the game. Igor Thiago’s 22 goals last season were largely penalty-driven, but Solio Analytics projects that he might not maintain that rate this season. This raises a deeper question: are we overvaluing players based on past set-piece success? I believe it’s crucial to consider not just last season’s data but also potential tactical changes and new signings.
A detail that I find especially interesting is the role of set-piece receivers. Virgil van Dijk’s four goals from crossed corners last season show that it’s not just about the taker—it’s about the players making runs into the box. This adds another layer of complexity to FPL scouting, as managers need to identify not just who’s taking the set pieces but also who’s most likely to benefit from them.
In my opinion, the set-piece revolution is here to stay, and its impact on both football and FPL is only going to grow. Teams that invest in this area will gain a significant edge, and FPL managers who understand these dynamics will be better equipped to build winning squads. If you’re not already paying attention to set-piece stats, now’s the time to start. The game has changed, and those who adapt will thrive.
