Gameweek 24 is shaping up to be a popular time to play the Wildcard, but in this article, three-time top 200 player Lateriser explains why he’ll ultimately hold it until later.
We are currently in a gray area, which makes it difficult to commit. We have no choice but to continue as is.
No, I’m not talking about a complicated romantic relationship, but rather the decision on how we are currently going to use our FPL teams’ transfers and chips.
It’s that time of year when we pick up pen and paper to think about what the next six to seven Gameweeks will look like.
Predicting the blanks and doubles
Firstly, I would advise watching this video from my pod partner and fellow Pro Pundit, Pras. Here he discusses what the end of this season will look like for the Blanks and Doubles weeks. Based on common trends, the assumption is as follows:
- A possible Double Gameweek 26 or 27 for Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Four teams will receive a Blank Gameweek 31 due to the EFL Cup final
- Doubles week 33
- Blank Gameweek 34, for FA Cup semi-finalists and their scheduled competition opponents
- Doubles week 36
Ideally, those happy with their current squad could see their team finish in Blank Gameweek 31, selling a number of Manchester City and Arsenal players (should they make the EFL Cup final). Then a Gameweek 32 Wildcard that knows the full picture and helps maximize the later Free Hit, Bench Boost and Triple Captain chips.
Wild card earlier?
That said, there is a tight Gameweek 24 fixture for some teams, which fits well with a potential Wildcard activation.
The Fixture sticker says Chelsea, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Bournemouth have had a positive run after Gameweek 24, making it a good time to stock up on their players.
You could jump on some of those teams right now, but this is where the gray area comes into the picture. At Chelsea, for example, new head coach Liam Rosenior is only just being equipped his “man” and “age” philosophies.
Additionally, the Blues have had their fair share of injuries and illnesses. So we simply haven’t seen any clues as to his preferred XI, or attitude to rotation. After all, one reason for Enzo Maresca’s dismissal was his refusal to listen to the medical staff and subsequent overplaying of certain individuals.
Everyone and their grandmother have their eyes on Chelsea’s series from matchweeks 24 to 27, against West Ham United, Wolves, Leeds United and Burnley. Yet these are surrounded by important matches in other competitions, which complicates matters.
If we think positively, they have four runouts between now and then. Hopefully we can get an idea of the first choice names to target.
Current thoughts
I’m currently sitting outside the FPL top one million after a brutal couple of Gameweeks, and I’m wondering if an early, aggressive Wildcard will help my season. But after thinking about it, I realized that given the way I like to play FPL, this might keep me from enjoying the end of this season.
Wildcards quickly mean that you will be playing like a chess puzzle for weeks later. Future moves would be determined by Player You get the picture.
I would have to be very disciplined in such a chaotic time, which is not fun. I like to jump on a player when I see something and sometimes make some risky moves. Or at least have the opportunity to do so.
A few seasons ago my biggest complaint was that 75 percent of the teams and players that ended up in that final third were decided by the sheer nature of Blanks and Doubles, so I just felt very shackled and limited.
Now that I know how to get fun out of this game – by making a few choices and now making moves based on what I see – I can play a little more freely knowing that there’s a Wildcard in my back pocket. It would be a get out of jail card, in case my team goes crap.
Otherwise I will try to activate it in Gamweek 32, a time when having more information makes it very powerful.
Game Week 22 Thoughts
As for now, my current midfield positions Matheus Cunha (£8.1 million), Anthony Gordon (£7.5 million), Bukayo Saka (£10.2m) and Phil Foden (£8.7 million). I’m concerned about the last two minutes in the near future given the team competition at Arsenal and Man City.
When it comes to Man United, there is uncertainty over how Michael Carrick will build the team. Maybe Cunha will turn out to be a good choice, but his next two games aren’t great, which makes me slightly tempted to go for it Morgan Rogers (£7.7 million). The in-form Aston Villa forward is taking more shots than before, having good games until Gameweek 31 and currently has some ‘big dog energy’.
Rogers Bruno Fernandes (£9.1 million) and Harry Wilson (£5.9m) are good, safe bets at the moment, but there are also Chelsea midfielders and possibly Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) on the radar.
Do we roll over our precious transfers and keep the powder dry? Or opt for choices with a good entry point, such as Rogers? That is the question I am currently facing, and the answer is…. Well, a bit of a gray area.
However, one thing is certain. If you plan to use a Wildcard in Gamweek 24, it may be worth collecting transfers before then, knowing that they will go beyond such activation. Because approaching a Wildcard with saved transfers is a lot more powerful.
On that note, at least start mapping out your path. But the upcoming midfield reshuffle will be quite interesting once we get some valuable insight.
Success!
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