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. El Matador
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    TAA, Maddison and Greenwood to Aurier, Grealish and Rashford (-4)?

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Not bad but Maddison looks good

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

    Would you sell any of robbo or taa? Own both

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be more likely to sell TAA because he's on 4 yellows.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Defo

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

        Why?

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t do it

      You’ve held them this long - don’t sell before the BOOM/s

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

        I like them tbh

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Im still convinced they’ve both got 20 point games in them, possibly soon

          Just one of those hauls justifies the hold

          Let alone all the 6’s & 10’s they’ll chip in with

    4. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Would keep VVD but they are fullbacks and higher chance of getting rotation than CB especially during right schedule.

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

        *tight schedule.

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

    9 goals in 6 games today.

    Cue goalfest tomorrow.

  4. Mikey44
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    RMWCT please:

    Ryan Button
    Lundstram Baldock Kelly Rico Femenia
    Mane Son Alli Martial Cantwell
    Kane Vardy Abraham

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

      Rashford instead of Abraham

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      I'd be looking at Pukki over Tammy, Salah over Mane and maybe Sidibe

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

      Rashford over Abraham and Grealish over Martial. Also not sure I like defence to be honest

  5. palace ash
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pope, McGovern
    TAA, Lundstram, Söyüncü, Tomori, Kelly
    Mane, KdB, Maddison, Pulisic, Zaha
    Vardy, Abraham, Ings

    2FTs, 1.8 ITB

    Looking to get some Spurs in my life...

    A) Pulisic and TAA to Son and Aurier
    B) KdB and Tomori to Son and Aurier
    C) Mane and Tomori to Son and Aurier
    D) Pulisic add Tomori to Alli and Aurier
    E) Mane, Pulisic and Tomori to Son, Alli and Aurier (-4)
    F) Maddison, Pulisic and TAA to Son, Alli and Aurier (-4)

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      D

      You went Wilf I see. 🙂

  6. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Huge red incoming imo with 44 and only Alli and Guaita to play 🙁

    What would you do here?

    1FT 5.7itb

    Guaita
    Lunds, Soy, Willems
    Alli, Maddison, Mount*, Dendo
    Vardy, Tammy, Ings
    (McGovern) (Rico, Mané, TAA)

    A) Mount > Son (FT)
    B) Something else?

    Cheers all

    1. palace ash
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      A

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      What’s your rank? I’m on 42 after a hit and am on something neutral so far with Son KdB and Rash to come.

      A looks fine

      (Think I’d play Rico over Soy)

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks mate.

        I’m on a small green tonight (145k > 130k) but with no Rashford or MCI I expect a big drop tomorrow.

        Wait til tomorrow for the Son move even though Mount will drop tonight ?

  7. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    TAA + Pulisic > Aurier + Alli for free?

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

      Big yes from me

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

      Yes

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

      My cup opponent is on 4 points

      I'll still probably lose

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        my opponent is on 32 before BPs.

        He's also on a -32 in hits mind you.

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Strange thing to repost.

      Yes, you're definitely going to win! Did that help?

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

        Excuse me...?? I didn't got the proper reply so I reposted It.. U have any problem...??! Who the hell are u to control people here...?? It's our rights to do anything...

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      still chance with martial blank kelly CS, son or alli haul, wolves goal

    4. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Sorry dude, you done!

    5. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Toss a coin.. who knows.

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

    Was worried about not owning abraham and ings (less so) today, got away with one.

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

      Yeah, Chelsea were poor today.

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Chelsea looks like getting out of steam...

  10. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Ings looked great for he last 20 mins today

    Himself & Pukki really putting that third striker a lot under pressure, great value

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

      Thinking of downgrading tammy to one or the other.. not sure which at the moment!

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      He did look the business didn’t he?

      Thinking of switching to Mousset in 19 to get a power midfield but....

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        The shot that cannoned off the bar was majestic

        Then the snapshot off the base of the post

        Then THAT finish after the whistle went...

        All in the space of about 10 mins

        He is class - but he’s going to break soon, of that there is little doubt unfort 🙁

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

      What's your ideal front-three going forward now MBP?

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Vardy, Rash plus someone

        Pukki, Ings, Jimmy, Tammy all good shouts for that third slot

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Jesus, Jota... the list goes on...

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

      Might add Jota soon

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

        Jota ings and pukki.. that's the dream budget trio!

  11. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Leaning toward selling Cantwell and Tielemans. Any others to consider ahead of gw18? 2FTs, 0.3itb

    Pope, Button
    Aurier, Soy, Rico, Lunds, TAA
    KDB, Alli, Mane, Cantwell, Tielemans
    Vardy, Jimenez, Tammy

  12. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    G2G for GW18?

    Guaita
    Kelly Lund Baldock Aurrier
    KDB Alli Son (c)
    Vardy Abraham Raul

    - Soy Donker Mane

  13. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    TAA & zaha > grealish & aurier?

    2ft 0itb
    pope
    lundy dunk willem rico
    maddi KDB son zaha*
    rash vardy

    ryan connolly mane TAA*

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

    I want Rashford, who do i sell out of Abraham Jimenez Vardy?

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

      Abraham

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      see how he does tomm?

  15. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Pick 2 for gw18 ignoring price (pre WC)

    Grealish
    Son
    Alli
    Martial

  16. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Good to go for gas 18?

    Pope
    Lundstram - Kelly - Rico
    Son - Richarlison - Grealish - Maddison
    Vardy - Abraham - Ings

    Woodman - Mane - TAA - Hanley

    3.8m in the bank for Ings ➡️ Rashford in general 19.

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

      I would want Rashford for next week.

      1. pundit of punts
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Not worth losing Ings for a hit I think

  17. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Folks, any suggestions at all what to do with my FT?
    1.2 itb

    Heaton
    Rico Launstrum Soyuncu
    KDB Mount Zaha Dendonker
    Abraham Vardy Rashford
    Button Tomori Mane TAA

  18. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Robbo to Aurier for free?

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

    What to do here?

    Henderson
    Lundstram Rico Kelly Soyuncu
    Son Alli De Bruyne
    Vardy Ings Jimenez

    Button Dendoncker Mane Trent

    1. Trent, Mane, Ings -> Targett, _____ , Rashford (-4)
    2. Mane to Martial
    3. Other

    For 1, blank space will either be Martial, Grealish or Richarlison.

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

      I’d switch KdB rather than Mane in 1 or 2. Think Mane is the better hold over the next few.

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

        I plan to get Mane back in for GW19 though. Like KdB as a long term pick

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

          KdB out for Son is my dilemma this time. Feels all wrong but frees up funds in interesting ways

          I’m thinking Dilva offers similar value - really consistent and good minutes - and allows me a power midfield along the lines of

          Mane Son Alli Maddison Dilva

  20. Lord Flashheart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Tomori to
    A target
    B Rico

    Pulisic to:
    A martial
    B Grealish
    C save

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

      BB

  21. KingOllie
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Is Richarlison a solid pick? Or should I just go for Alli

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

      Go Alli but Richarlison is still a solid pick

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

        Dilva and Pulisic -> Alli and Rich -4 look good?

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

          Yeah looks great 🙂

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

            Thanks

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

      Maddison's alternative, yes. Consistent output, not explosive and bps-phobic(unlike Maddison though).

  22. JustPark
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Didn't watch the game. How did Chelsea look? Bournemouth depleted defence wasn't it?

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Chelsea just aren't very good at breaking teams down

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

        It was supposed to be no defence to break into.

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

      Chelsea were predictable and slow.

    3. Jealous Viper
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Terrible.

  23. Willmissudimitrypayet
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 3 months ago

    Salah back in form? Or just some Lucky goals? Better Long term pick, him or Mane?

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

      Both could be good but a lot of money needed.

    2. Pinturicchio10
        4 years, 3 months ago

        Of the two I'd prefer Salah. Always have. Both seems the way forward though.

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

      ‪Is Grealish still an option for GW18 and 19?‬

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

        Yeah, why not?

    4. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Early thoughts on this? 1ft 1.3itb.

      --Hendo
      --Soy--Rico--Lund
      --Alli--Cantwell--Madds--Grealish
      --Kane--Tammy--Vardy

      ---Stekel--Tomori--Mane--Taa.

    5. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 3 months ago

      Folks, anyone considering taking Vardy out?

      It’s sounds mad I know, but he has bad fixtures. Others like me may want to move away from the template

      1. El Matador
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        How many bad fixtures?

      2. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        No.

      3. Pinturicchio10
          4 years, 3 months ago

          gw20 on is really favorable. Worth holding.

        • pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          Who on earth would you get in his place? He’s template for a reason - almost 20 points clear.

      4. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 3 months ago

        When does the yellow cards limit go up from 5 to 10?

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

        What is the average number of players left for top 10k and overall?

        1. Pinturicchio10
            4 years, 3 months ago

            7 played for overall.
            8 played for top 10k.

        2. manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          2FT £1.3m itb (WC unused)
          Ideas?

          Heaton
          Lund Aurier Kelly
          Maddison Pulisic Dendonker KDB
          Vardy Jiminez Tammy

          Hendo,Mane,TAA,Soyuncu

        3. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 3 months ago

          38 with gazza son Alli KDB Jimenez to play

          Green or red arrows for me this gw?

          1. Mr. O'Connell
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            Red

          2. Colonel Shoe 肝池
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 3 months ago

            top 10k av is about 40, so red