Ever wondered how managers finish in those top spots? Or if their strategy is different from yours? Well, today, we had a chat with Danish manager Erik Ibsen @FPL_Study, who is the current FPL world number 1 manager. We will discuss how he approached the last two seasons, FPL decision-making process, luck vs skill debate, strategy for the upcoming season, and tips for fellow managers to finish with a good rank. Hope you learn something, and let’s get into it!
You can find Erik on Twitter/X and on Instagram!
Interview with Current FPL World Number 1 Manager
This is your first FPL season, what got you into the game?
I got into the game after my sister asked for some help with her team for her work league. I have always loved football, and it is definitely my biggest hobby, so I had some knowledge to give when my sister asked for help. My sister then said I should make a team to compete against her. And since then, I got hooked.
How does it feel to be the world number 1 FPL manager this season, especially in your very first attempt, a position millions of managers aspire to reach?
It is really special. I don’t think I really understand how insane this is. It has been a steady process to number one, going from around 8 million to now number 1 overall over all the weeks. I have been lucky, and it has gone in my favor. A crazy experience, I think, simply put.
You captained Tarkowski in GW1, used your Wildcard as early as GW2, and captained Raya in GW2. What was your thinking behind those early moves, and were those weeks more about exploring and figuring out the game, or did you already have a clear strategy in place?
It was clear, looking back at my starting weeks, that I did not really know what I was doing. I was very happy about picking Everton players, and did some research on earlier seasons and what factors come into account in terms of scoring points. But looking back, I learned, and it kind of worked? And wildcard in GW2? Ended up being a huge choice as I ended up hitting gold and multiple of “players of the season” like Semenyo, Guehi, Rice. Players who have had a great year, especially for FPL points.
GW29 was when you moved from World No.8 to World No.1 and have stayed there since, despite not making a transfer that week. João Pedro’s 19-point haul rewarded your patience, while many managers had sold him earlier. What’s your take on patience in FPL?
I think patience is something that is really important in FPL. It is really easy to see one player haul and think, “This is the player I must have”. But having faith in the statistics and the choices you have made, I think, is something really important.
I was lucky to get such a big haul with Joao Pedro, but it was also a result of my patience. I think having consistent weeks and just beating the average instead of trying to “guess” which players will work. Sometimes being boring is the way to it.
Declan Rice, Guehi, Haaland, Munoz, Pedro- These are the 5 players who have given you maximum points gains this season(via fploptimized.com). Declan Rice has been in your team for 24 Gameweeks(only behind Haaland- 27). What was your thinking behind securing these players with minimum minutes risk in your team as “Set and Forget” picks?
I have been lucky that those players I have picked have been so “effective” for me and that they have had such value for money this season. I think having players that are nailed on and play a big role in a team “playing well” are really important.
Your best Gameweek rank came in GW10, where you played Bench Boost for 25 points. What was your thought process behind that chip, and bringing in players like Welbeck and James?
Bench boost looked ideal there, as I felt that every play had great match-ups. I didn’t know who I was going to bench, so I thought, why not just use a bench boost and get it out of the way? It also saved some stress later knowing that I didn’t have to plan for it.
Welbeck, I really like, as he has been a starting striker in a developing Brighton team while also being on pens. That is a great combo, especially for the price he was at. James has been my favorite in the Chelsea defence. Also, since he sometimes gets deployed in the midfield, which gives more opportunity for defcon + attacking contributions.
What was your thinking behind using the Triple Captain on Haaland in GW6, which helped you jump from 537K to 225K?
I think just looking at the Burnley defence, knowing Haaland’s history of running over these newly promoted teams and his form at the time, it looked ideal. It was really lucky that it went so well, but fortune favors the bold. For me, there was no other player vs a team that felt clearer for a triple captain than Haaland vs Burnley.
It was lucky, and it paid off.
You have all your chips left to use in the remaining 8 gameweeks, what’s your high-level chip strategy?
I have been really patient with using them to be able to make them better by using them together. I think there are two strategies to look at.
The first and most popular: WC32, BB33, FH34, and TC later.
I think this strategy fits most people who have all chips left, who need a reset going into GW 32-33-34, or players looking to make a big differential play.
I have all leftover, and in my head, I don’t really see any better way of using my bench boost than in a big double gameweek right after a Wildcard. Especially if the latter DGW is to be smaller, then a triple captain might be more ideal. I think with all chips leftover, it is really important to consider how you would want to “maximize” each one.
Also good for players who don’t have that many free transfers as it can give a quick “reset” and give more flexibility after using 3 chips and having a bit more free transfers into GW35.
The second: Free Hit GW33, Bench Boost later, Wildcard around 35-36. (triple cap?)
I think this strategy is mostly for people who have already used a wildcard or want to play for later, and for those who have used triple captain.
I think what a lot of players are worried about (and me) is that you will be quite “fixed” with your squad going into the final few weeks if you Wildcard in GW32. This can give an edge that could be more valuable than a WC32-BB33, as it could give you access to players that others might not have the ability to pick up.
There is also the risk that teams like Arsenal and City don’t have the same to play for the last few games if Arsenal already wins the league and City is guaranteed top 2, a WC could be good later to give flexibility away from these teams, who might play their full starting 11 in other competitions, putting big players at rotation risk. Thinking about Gabriel, Raya, Haaland, Semenyo, Saka, etc.
How would you describe the style of play you adopt in FPL? Are you aggressive with transfers, or do you follow the template?
I think I try to be patient and always think long-term with my choices. I have had players who have been “nailed” and players who have been differentials. I have also known going into GW’s and looking into my team, which players I am looking to take out and which players I am looking to bring in.
I would say almost a passive playstyle. I am more focused on how do I beat the average rather than “how do I score 120 points”. Consistency is key when there are 38 GWs to play.
Captaincy plays a key role in FPL, how do you decide on captaincy each week?
I will weigh heavily on 2 things. Fixture and form. Price can also be really distracting, as it can be really easy to captain players like Haaland, Palmer, and Bruno only because of price. I have made this mistake countless times this season.
Form and fixture are the most important things I would consider going into a game week. And sometimes, thinking about how I can secure an extra 7-8 points instead of 20 is maybe the safer play. Consistency is key.
Where do you consume your FPL content? What are some of the Social Media Accounts/Websites/Podcasts/Tools you recommend for other FPL managers?
I am very careful about the content I consume. I make my own decisions and analysis first before looking into what other people think and consider.
I’d recommend everyone, if you have the time, to try to figure out which players you see and have interest in first before consuming content. Opinions can be very biased.
I have personally never really consumed much Twitter/X content this season. Mostly just some articles I have found and analysis of stats. I don’t think there is anything I would especially recommend, there are lots of good tools like FPLCore, FPLFocal’s website, FPLDave, etc. There are lots of options and help to make your decisions.
You are on Twitter/X now with a dedicated FPL account(@FPL_Study). Does social media impact/influence your FPL decision-making?
I use it mostly as an assistance tool. Helping confirm some of the decisions I made, and maybe also saving some time, as others also make some incredible posts about statistics and analysis, which can be really nice to use and understand.
What is your thought process like before making a transfer?
Stats, form, price. I plan 5-6 Gameweeks ahead. If I want a player, I will compare 2 players to really see why it would be this over the other. I have players that are fixed on my team and players that are “flexible”.
Fixtures and form again play a big role. I will look a lot into a team’s xG stats and recent form before making a change, but also see why I would want this player. What role do they play in the team? How are there minutes? Attacking edge? Defcon?
There is a lot to consider, but simply put, form and fixtures.
Do you rely on stats, eye test, or stats and eye test to make decisions?
I am heavy on stats, but I also have my own “preference” and analysis on some teams. I have teams in my mind which I see as more effective in my head, and will almost make predictions of how I expect those games to return or end up.
Stats and eye test, I would say.
What’s your thoughts on luck vs skill in FPL? Do you think it’s all skill, all luck, or a mix of both?
I have been lucky. The choices I have made, I have paid off and “overreturned” relative to their expected points. And the fact that it’s my first season, and I got straight to number 1. I have been lucky.
There is a mix of both, I would say. Choices you make are your own. But in my case, I have most definitely been lucky to be number 1. But now I have been #1 for 3 weeks straight, and after 31 gameweeks. So I must have done something right.
Share some of your wisdom with fellow FPL Managers! What are some of the tips you would give to FPL Managers reading this article to achieve a good rank in FPL?
Consistency. Focus more on how you can beat the average and have consistent weeks instead of how to score 120 points every week and try to “gamble” on which player will haul each week.
Consistency is key, and it is how you can steadily increase your rank.
Planning can be a big contributor for long term success.
Think about how your team will look over 3 gameweeks instead of 1, especially for picking players.
Wishing @FPL_Study good luck for the remainder of the season, rooting for him to become the first Danish manager to win FPL. Do drop him a follow on Twitter/X and on Instagram!
