Why I won’t use Wildcards in FPL Gameweek 24

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Gameweek 24 looks set to be a popular window to play the Wildcard – but in this article, the three-time top 200 finisher Lateriser explains why he will ultimately hold it until later.

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We’re in a gray area right now so it’s hard to commit. We have no choice but to continue as is.

No, I’m not talking about complicated romantic relationships, but decisions about how to use our current FPL team’s transfers and chips.

This is the moment where we grab pen and paper to start thinking beyond what the next six to seven Game Weeks might look like.

Predicting Blanks and Doubles

First, I recommend watching this video from my pod partner, and fellow Pro Pundit, Pras. That’s where he discusses what the end of the season looks like for Blank and Double Gameweeks. Based on the usual trend, the assumptions are as follows:

• Possible Double Gameweek 26 or 27 for Arsenal and Wolverhampton Wanderers
• Four teams will get Blank Gameweek 31, due to the EFL Cup final
• Doubles Match Week 33
• Blank Gameweek 34, for the FA Cup semi-finalists and their league opponents
• Doubles Match Week 36

Ideally, those happy with their current squad could wrap up their squad in Blank Gameweek 31, selling some Manchester City and Arsenal players (if they reach the EFL Cup final). Then, Wildcard Gameweek 32, which knows the complete picture, helps maximize the next Free Hit, Bench Boost and Triple Captain chips.

Faster wildcard?

Despite this, there are sharp changes in Gameweek 24 matches for several teams, matching the possibility of Wildcard activation.

The Schedule says Chelsea, Manchester United, Crystal Palace, Aston Villa and Bournemouth have had positive performances in Matchweek 24, making it a good time to add to their stockpile.

You could have joined these teams until now, but this is where the gray area appears. At Chelsea, for example, new head coach Liam Rosenior has just been equipped with his “man” and “age” philosophy.

Apart from that, the Blues also often experience injuries and illnesses. So we haven’t seen any hints about his favorite XI, or stance on rotation. After all, one of the reasons for Enzo Maresca’s dismissal was his refusal to listen to the medical staff and his excessive attitude towards certain individuals.

Everyone and their grandmother was watching Chelsea’s run from Matchday 24 to 27, against West Ham United, Wolves, Leeds United and Burnley. However, this is surrounded by important matches in other competitions, making things complicated.

Thinking positively, they have four runouts between now and then. Hopefully we can get an idea of ​​which first choice name to target.

Current thoughts

I’m currently outside the FPL top one million list after a brutal series of Gameweeks, and I’m wondering if an aggressive, early Wildcard will help my season. However, on second thought, I realized that considering how much I love playing FPL, that might have kept me from enjoying the rest of the season.

Wildcards immediately meant playing out the following weeks like a chess puzzle. Future moves will be determined by Player

I have to be very disciplined in chaotic times like these, and it’s not fun. I like to jump at players when I see something and sometimes make slightly risky moves. Or, at least, have the option to do so.

A few seasons ago, my biggest complaint was that 75 percent of the teams and players targeted in the final third were determined by the nature of Blanks and Doubles, so I felt very tied and restricted.

Knowing how I get the most out of the game – backing multiple choices and making current moves based on what I see – I can play more freely, knowing there will be Wildcards in my back pocket. It would be a ‘get out of jail free’ card, just in case my team turned out to be trash.

If not, I’ll try to activate it at Gamweek 32, when having more information makes it very powerful.

Game Week 22 Thoughts

For now, my current midfield features Matheus Cunha (£8.1 million), Anthony Gordon (£7.5 million), Bukayo Saka (£10.2 million) and Phil Foden (£8.7 million). I’m worried about the last two minutes in the near future, considering the competing squads at Arsenal and Man City.

Regarding Man United, there is uncertainty regarding how Michael Carrick will manage the team. Maybe Cunha is a good choice, but his next two games haven’t been great, giving me a bit of a temptation to move on. Morgan Rogers (£7.7 million). The in-form Aston Villa striker is taking more shots than ever, has been in good form up to Matchday 31, and has ‘a lot of energy’ at the moment.

Rogers, Bruno Fernandes (£9.1 million) and Harry Wilson (£5.9m) is a good, safe bet to make at the moment, but there’s also a Chelsea midfielder and maybe Antoine Semenyo (£7.6m) on the radar.

Do we roll our precious transfers and keep the powder dry? Or go with a pick with a good entry point, like Rogers? That’s the question I’m facing right now, and the answer is…. yeah, a bit of a gray area.

But one thing is certain. If you plan to use your Wildcard at Gamweek 24, it may be a good idea to collect transfers before that date, knowing that they will occur outside of that activation. Because approaching Wildcard with saved transfers is much more powerful.

Therefore, at least note your path. But the upcoming midfield shake-up will be interesting once we get some valuable insights.

Good luck!

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