Metrics

Fifth of top 10k FPL managers yet to play first Wildcard

Roughly a fifth of the top 10,000 Fantasy Premier League managers are yet to use their first Wildcard.

Time is running out to deploy this chip as it is only active for the next three Gameweeks, disappearing after Gameweek 20.

Following the passing of Saturday’s deadline for Gameweek 17, 81.09% of the top 10k had played their Wildcard.

As you can see from the table above, 0.87% of them played the Wildcard for Gameweek 17, taking the overall total for the top 10k to 81.09%.

That means 18.9% of managers at this level still have it in their pocket, ready to deploy over the Christmas period.

Our ProPundit writer Simon March did an article earlier this week on the pros and cons of using the Wildcard later in the season and is certainly an interesting read. READ IT HERE.

Those that do deploy their Wildcard between now and the end of the year may well end up with squads that look a bit like the above.

This is the template Wildcard put together by those using it for Gameweek 17.

As you can see, the Brighton double-up between the sticks is the most-popular goalkeeper combination, featuring Mat Ryan (£4.8m) and David Button (£4.0m).

The most fashionable defenders in these select squads match the quintet considered the best by the majority of top 10k managers.

John Lundstram (£5.1m), Martin Kelly (£4.3m), Çaglar Söyüncü (£5.1m), Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.3m) and Diego Rico (£4.3m) are all the top five most popular defenders both for the top 10k generally, and those who Wildcarded for Gameweek 17 – in the same order as well.

There is some disparity in midfield though.

Sadio Mané (£12.3m), who assisted and had a headed goal ruled out for offside in Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Watford on Saturday, is the most popular in both sets, in 87.4% of Wildcard squads and 85.8% of top 10k squads.

By contrast, Mohamed Salah (£12.2m), who has double-figure hauls in each of his last two Premier League outings, is only in 16.8% of top 10k squads, suggesting he can act as a powerful differential at this level from Gameweek 19 onwards, as Liverpool are without a fixture in Gameweek 18.

While James Maddison (£7.8m) is in 59.6% of top 10k squads for Gameweek 17, he is in 71.3% of the Wildcard squads at this level, indicating how popular he is.

The Wildcard users have also taken the opportunity to invest in the Spurs midfield double-up too, with considerably more vigour than the rest of the top 10k.

Son Heung-min (£10.0m) and Dele Alli (£8.7m) are in 56.3% and 42.5% of Wildcard squads at this level but are only in 51.8% and 34.7% respectively in normal top 10k teams.

The true power of these players for those further down the rankings is shown by how few managers own Son and Alli overall. As things stand, their worldwide ownership figures are 21.0% and 12.5% respectively.

Meanwhile, if Kevin de Bruyne (£10.2m) manages to return to usual FPL form against Arsenal’s then he could help arrest a slew of sales.

He may still be in 60% of top 10k squads but that number has been falling each week for some time now.

Furthermore, the Manchester City midfielder has been selected by just 37.9% of top 10k managers playing their Wildcard for Gameweek 17.

So far, it has been a disappointing Gameweek for the in vogue forward line of Jamie Vardy (£10.1m), Tammy Abraham (£8.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£9.0m).

The Leicester City forward was handed an overwhelming majority for the Gameweek 17 captaincy, with 71.2% backing for it among the top 10k, but arguably failed to fully deliver on his promise.

Despite finishing the match at the King Power Stadium with more shots on target than any other player, Vardy did not find the net officially.

He was initially awarded the goal for Leicester’s equaliser but was shortly after stripped of it, Tim Krul (£4.5m), quite rightly, accredited with an own-goal instead.

Meanwhile, Mané (backed by 18.6%) came in as a distant second, managing to outscore Vardy by one point.

As already mentioned, Salah’s big haul against Watford was especially powerful for those who captained him.

With the vast majority of top 10k managers getting 10 points for Vardy, a 32-point haul for the Egyptian will surely have propelled the 4.5% who captained him into the highest reaches.

As for the rest of the popular forward line, Abraham blanked in a surprise defeat to Bournemouth while Rashford awaits his owners in a meeting with Everton on Sunday afternoon.

A final word on the chips as 2.6% of the top 10 deployed the Triple Captain for Gameweek 17.

Our Scoutcaster and ProPundit Az also pulled the trigger for his enhanced armband.

Like many of those in the top 10k, the chosen recipient was Vardy, and, chances are, his Triple Captain backers were expecting a lot more than one assist against Norwich.

All data taken from LIVEFPL.NET.

1,952 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Most well deserved blank of the season ahh that felt good

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Buy a bill pill

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        DFTT.

  2. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Oh Danny Boy

    Those posts, those posts, those god damn posts

  3. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I didn't realise some many actually owned a Southampton player, thought you were all joking

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      *so many ffs, autocorrect has ruined the bait - carry on people

    2. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      To be fair he has been in awesome form and was unlucky tonight

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Yeah I know, was just trying to wind people up 😀

      2. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        and what about Ings?

        1. No Professionals
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Can only get better

  4. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Can breath again.

  5. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Get ings!

  6. Jones Town
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So when are people wildcarding who still have it? This week to remove Liverpool players with a plan to bring back in after Leicester?

    My team already very close to that template team above so not sure how valuable its going to be!

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Never

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      After GW 19

    3. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      20

    4. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      GW19 I think, Mané + TAA on bench in GW18, as 90% of players will have to do anyway (or Salah , Robbo)

    5. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This is why you WC early to avoid a couple of hits. The WC will go to waste for a lot of people now

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Still valuable to get the likes of Grealish and Rashford and Spurs assets for christmas

        1. HTL
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Yep. I'm just inside top 50k and have only taken one hit all season. Will probably make about 6 changes on wc in 19 or 20

  7. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    GW18 : 2FT
    GW20 : WC

    Matip, Mount, Salah ➡ Lundstram, Son, Alli/Martial

    This move, for the next 2 fixtures?

  8. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Watching Top Gun

    Reminds me of a young Danny Ings

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Might need to make a visit to Specsavers first thing Monday morning

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Should have gone to The Danger Zone?

  9. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    So what's the plan for Liverpool players for the blank and upcoming tough run of fixtures?

    - lei WOL SHU tot MUN wol

    Currently have Salah Mane Trent so selling at least one mid for the blank. Current plan is Trent plus one mid from gw19.

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keeping

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Who do you own?

  10. The Pesci challenge
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Rashford and martial too much?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Might get in Martial for a double up.

    3. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would like to know that too. If so which one

    4. merin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    5. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      not for the blank

    6. Deeney-is-a-god
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Nah. Easy to move on as well so no problem

    7. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I am already on double this week, let’s see tomorrow

    8. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Fair enough, solid advice

    9. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Considering puli to martial

      Would give me both

    10. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Currently on both on my wildcard

  11. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any suggestions for changes to this team?
    Maddison, Pulisic and KDB not doing much atm...

    Pope McGovern
    TAA Soyuncu Lundstram Rico Kelly
    Mané KDB Pulisic Maddison Dendoncker
    Vardy Rashford Abraham

    1 FT, 1.6 ITB

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keep De Bruyne

      KDB for a reason

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Ha ha. Any better reason to keep him?

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Keep KDB and Madders, no idea what to do with Chelsea players

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Why do you think I should keep Madd and KDB?

    3. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I would keep Maddison, wait on KDB and get rid of pulisic (I’m thinking of martial, as above)

    4. Don Van Vliet
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Maddison has accumulated 21 points over the last 3 (7-point ave), but I suppose that's 'not much'. It beggars belief how some people manage.

  12. FPL FREAK
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Need a review..

    My team: 37 pts with KDB, Son, Alli and Kelly to play

    My cup opponent's team: 51 pts with Gazzaniga, Aurier and Martial to play.

    Do u think I have any chance to beat him..?? Or is it game over for me..??

    1. Slam
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Has the fat lady sung yet?

      1. FPL FREAK
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        ??

        1. Slam
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Has the lady that is above average in weight tried to sing yet?

          1. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            What if the average is obese?

            1. Slam
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              I guess they would have to redefine the word obese then

              1. Ha.
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                I don’t think these words mean what you think they mean

              2. Stupendous
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 3 months ago

                Currently sat in Buffalo airport. I'm looking at the definition of obese!

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Let go. What will be will be. Embrace life, dont worry about what you cant change

  13. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Should we consider to sell TAA until next year ? Blank week, some hard games after that... Aurier maybe the option to go.

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I’m selling for Kelly

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Absolutely. He's not doing enough at 7.3 compared to some of the bargain defenders. Get him back for GW24

      1. Railwayman
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Agree. He is now a regular RB, only with a huge price. Playing way to back for my taste.

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes sure

  14. Gaddafi
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Shane Long a good option ahead of Connolly?

  15. pstokes2010
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    After a few horror weeks 61(-8) today. Will be interesting next week without Liverpool.

  16. drughi
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    40 points with ryan, alli, kdb and rashford left, good or bad ?

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Average

    2. CRO KLOPP
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      40 with Son Kdb Jimenez and Kelly

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Very average.

  17. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I think it's a perfect time to do Mane to Salah for free,It can't backfire in gmwk 18

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Did that this morning. Keep up

      1. CRO KLOPP
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Why?

  18. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Rashford in for Tammy or Jimmy?

    1. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I've got the same dilemma. Thinking Tammy out is the move as Wolves are looking good and Norwich next

    2. The Pesci challenge
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jimi

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Jim

  19. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Who wins?

    A: Kelly + Rashford
    B: Gazzaniga + 7 points

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Depends what the players score

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      This week? If so, probably just about A

  20. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Best midfielder for next 2:

    1. Grealish (SOU, NOR)
    2. Richarlison (ARS, BUR)
    3. Martial (wat, NEW)

    Getting Rashford so not sure on MNU double up... thoughts? 🙂

    Moves will be: Trent, Mane, Ings to Targett, ____ , Rashford

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      1

    2. Relaxing
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I have the same dilema 1 or 2. Also considering Son

      1. Relaxing
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Dilemma

      2. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I would defo get Son

    3. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      3

  21. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Hi.....can I have some early advice on what to do here? 2ft and 0.7mitb

    Pope
    Taa lunds aurier soy rico
    Mane kdb maddison alli nakamba
    Vardy abraham jiminez.

    A..... taa and jiminez to kelly/ cahill and rashford

    B.....mane and jiminez to son and rash

    C....something else

    Thanks

  22. tisza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Thought a vardy, ings and Abraham front line looked so good for this GW 🙂

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah it did

  23. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah sterling hockey cockey yes or no?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'm contemplating it but it depends on how Sterling looks tomorrow.

      1. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        I think he is the only captaincy option next gw

        1. FourLokoLeipzig
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          I think Rashford is the easy choice next gw for those who have him. Can’t see City scoring more than a couple

  24. Rash
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Team does not look pretty for next gameweek but I do have 2ft plus wildcard to clean up any mess.

    Henderson button
    Trent Soy lundy janmaat rico
    Kdb maddison mane pulisic grealish
    Tammy vardy ings

    3.4itb

    Any ideas please?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      WC, last chance to!

      1. Rash
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's not?

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          You must use your first WC before boxing day

          1. Rash
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            I have until gw20

            1. Coys96
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 3 months ago

              oh yes sorry. I would still WC tho

  25. Neo-Viper
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Mousset to who only for a week ? Only have 5.7 to spare.

    OR

    Save and do Lascelles and Mousset to Jota and a Bench Fodder with the two freebies.

    Wildcard intact

  26. Relaxing
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Any villa fans around? How was grealish today, a side from his penalty miss

  27. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Puli to martial?

    (Have Ali / Son / Mane / Mads).

    Thanks!

  28. danlynch13
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Yes or no?

    Trent + Pulisic > Aurier + Alli

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    2. beric
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yes

    3. james 101
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Yar

  29. Kiwi Don
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    This game is so weird, the weeks like this were you expect a score of 80+ and then Chelsea and Leicester don’t turn up , lol

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Assume nothing in this game

      1. Gaddafi
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        It's because Lampard is having personal issues behind the scenes, Chelsea are in a bad place right now, wouldn't be surprised if they dropped to the relegation zone soon.

        1. Coys96
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          What are you on about lol

          1. Gaddafi
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Sorry I keep confusing my FIFA 20 season with the actual premier league.

  30. Gaddafi
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    I need to find some way to fit Pukki back into my team. Keep in mind I also want to get Haller and Fleck.

    Ryan
    TAA, Robbo, Lundstram
    Son, Mane, Salah, Mount
    Vardy, Abraham, Jimenez

    Bench: Button, Kelly, Rico, Dendoncker