We are just done with three full GWs in FPL and half the community is going crazy with their wildcards or at least thinking about it. In this short article, I’ll try to analyze that decision-making.
So, why do people want to use that precious chip already? I, personally, see three explanations for that:
- Transfers;
- Blanking players;
- Bad start.
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Let’s deal with every potential aspect and let me try to talk you out of this rash decision. First, transfers. You all know what transfer I’m talking about — news about Ronaldo wreaked havoc upon the FPL managers. And I can understand that: one of the best players in the world comes back to the most powerful league in the world, comes back home to United.
You would just love to see him in your team and haul some points while Man United fixtures are still good, right? Or you might want to get Lukaku, a player who will get and create chances pretty much every game. Also perfectly understandable. But isn’t there a way to get them without wildcarding?
Let’s derail for a second and try to appreciate the wildcard as it is. This chip might prevent a terrible gameweek: say, three of your players get injured or they get SOME virus, or the run of fixtures for most of them are extremely tough. What’s there to help you? Free hit, okay, but if problems are even worse than it looked and you want to change the team completely? Wildcard might save you from getting 25 points into a decent score.
Another huge value of the wildcard chip lies in using different chips. You all know when is the best time to use your chips — blank gameweeks and double gameweeks. Will there be enough free transfers to get you to fifteen playing footballers at once for a bench boost? Will they cover your needs to get a potential triple captain with two very attractive matches in one gameweek? Easy to say ‘yes’ now, on paper, but when the time comes it’s probably going to cost you a lot.
Last but not least: calendar switch. Fixture gods (or algorithms, to be precise) were grateful this year and granted us with a calendar good enough to get solid players from good teams. The most crucial changes in the first half of the season come with GW7 and GW14 — if you know you won’t wildcard for using other chips, those two moments of time would suit you the most.
Since we acknowledged why wildcards are to be valued, let’s go back. Let’s say you’re a die-hard Manchester United supporter (share of which in the FPL community is actually insane) and you simply have to get Ronaldo for the Newcastle game. I’m sure there’s a way to do it with hits. You might spend 4, 8, even 12 points to get him, but you still have the chip to use later. The formula for understanding if a hit is worth it is incredibly plain: will the player you want to buy get you 4+ points more? That’s it. The same formula might apply to deciding whether to wildcard or to make some hits, the circumstances are different. Just ask yourself: will the potential wildcard (combined with other chips, probably) get you more points than you’re spending on additional transfers? In most cases the answer will be yes unless you’re intending to drastically change the whole team. Conclusion: use hits. It’s wiser.
Secondly, let’s deal with blanking players. When you’re angry with a blank you always have to remind yourself why you bought this player, the reasoning behind your decision, ask yourself if that was a lack of luck or he is in a really poor form. If you have a lot of those players, split them into groups depending on your answers. The group of the worst players goes with hits (same logic as I mentioned earlier), others get a chance. Wildcard is not worth your rage.
The most righteous position to wildcard is when you really struggle. Maybe you went for too many differentials, picked some wrong premiums — or most players are doing nothing on the pitch. In other words, you’re in the mud. I can understand a wildcard decision in this case, but it has to be cautious. Impulsive moves rarely get you anywhere, so in that case I suggest you read about wildcard benefits again, sleep on your idea and frustration (I know it hurts) and only then go do something with your team. Keep calm, not wild.
Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 4:
Bruno Fernandes Hold or Sell Going Into FPL GW4 | Stats Analysis
FPL GW3 Fixture Wise Stats Review | Key FPL Stats that Caught our Eye
2021/22 FPL Chip Strategy: What to do with the Elusive Boosts
Fixture Analysis For Optimal Wildcard Strategy | FPL 2021/22 Season
We have also made an elaborate guide covering every rule and chip available in FPL for the 2021/22 FPL Season ~ 2021/22 Fantasy Premier League Season Rules, Tips | The Ultimate Guide
Check out our Rules and Basics Guide, FPL Chip Strategy, FPL Chips, FPL Team reveals, FPL History, team reveals, FPL Tools here.
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Artem Gekht
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