Metrics

Over 75,000 FPL managers use chip in Gameweek 30

While Fantasy Premier League has scant relevance compared to what else is happening in the world at present, it’s still worth acknowledging that we’ve just had a Gameweek – and a very odd one at that.

Not one Premier League match was played in the weekend just gone but the Gameweek 30 deadline came and went as originally scheduled, with many Fantasy managers seeing green arrows despite scoring zero in this Blank Gameweek to end all Blank Gameweeks.

As recently as last Thursday, all ten top-flight fixtures in Gameweek 30 were set to go ahead as intended.

Mikel Arteta’s positive test result for COVID-19 four days ago was the first in a chain of events that led to the Premier League making a swift U-turn on their decision to proceed as normal, however, with play suspended until after the March international break at the earliest.

An emergency Premier League meeting this Thursday will hopefully firm up plans for the remainder of the season but the forecasted spread of coronavirus over the coming weeks and months may make a Gameweek 32 resumption difficult to achieve.

What happens in that upcoming conference will in turn shape FPL’s strategy for the 2019/20 run-in but we do anticipate that Gameweek 31 will likely be exactly the same as Gameweek 30, in there being a fixed deadline (19:00 GMT on Friday) and no fixtures played whatsoever.

At least we know the full extent of Blank Gameweek 31 well in advance.

We had less than 48 hours notice of the Gameweek 30 wipeout and there were plenty of Fantasy managers who had made an early transfer (perhaps to beat a price rise/fall) ahead of the cessation of play.

In all, over 2.3 million moves were made in the run-up to the Gameweek 30 deadline – although some of those trades may have been tactical ones after Friday’s announcement in order to burn an allotted free transfer.

Similarly, there were a significant number of us Fantasy managers (76,958 in all) who deployed a chip in Gameweek 30, with the Wildcard and Free Hit unable to be cancelled once activated.

The full breakdown was as follows:

Wildcard36,371
Free Hit10,811
Bench Boost20,080
Triple Captain9,696

Amongst the top 10,000 managers in FPL, just over 0.5% used a precious chip.

One solitary Fantasy boss from this group used their Free Hit, while two deployed their Triple Captain chip (both on Mohamed Salah (£12.7m)) and six played their Bench Boost.

Forty-two of the top 10k activated their second Wildcard of the season, meanwhile.

All of which leaves the top 10,000 managers in contrasting shape should there be a resumption of play in Gameweek 32 or beyond – and that does remain a question mark at present.

Just under 10% of this elite group, for example, have all four chips intact going into what could be a series of Double Gameweeks in the final stretch of the campaign.

By contrast, over one in five of the top 10k will have one chip or fewer with which to navigate the run-in.

If the Premier League grinds back into action in Gameweek 32 (and again, that’s a big ‘if’), then Liverpool will clinch their first title in 30 years with a win at the Etihad.

Fantasy managers are certainly well-stocked with Liverpool players at present: three of the top eight most-owned FPL assets in the top 10k are on the Reds’ books, while Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) also sneaks into the ‘template’ squad below.

Owners of Raul Jimenez (£8.1m) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) at least have the consolation of knowing that their FPL forwards have favourable Gameweek 32 fixtures if the top flight gets back underway in early-April, with Aston Villa and Norwich City providing the opposition for Wolves and Arsenal.

Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m) and Anthony Martial (£7.9m) were the two most-bought midfielders ahead of Gameweek 30 and their new and existing owners will be encouraged by the fixture schedule from Gameweek 32 onwards, should play happen to recommence then.

Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m) was by some distance the most-sold FPL asset of last Gameweek, meanwhile.

Manchester City have four outstanding top-flight fixtures to rearrange and there exists the prospect of multiple Double Gameweeks for Pep Guardiola’s side should the hiatus not last too long – although COVID-19, the UK government, the Premier League and UEFA may between them have other ideas as to when we’ll see a ball kicked again.

Gameweek 30 – Most Transfers In
PlayerClubTransfers In
FernandesMan Utd180,039
VardyLeicester85,222
MartialMan Utd83,266
BarnesLeicester76,208
JimenezWolves74,099


Gameweek 30 – Most Transfers Out
PlayerClubTransfers Out
De BruyneMan City155,526
IngsSouthampton89,813
MaddisonLeicester83,421
AbrahamChelsea65,809
BergwijnSpurs60,311

MOST STATS TAKEN FROM LIVEFPL.NET.

238 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Have Henderson and Button in goal.

    Is Pope the best keeper to get for Button?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Probably. Maybe Flappy if you are feeling bored.

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        very bored.

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      I've sold Ryan this week, not for Pope but for Patricio, so there's another option for you if you can afford it

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        yeah good shout

      2. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        That was my GW29 transfer.
        (Typically Ryan outscored Patricio by a point)
        My issue now is, I want three Wolves, and ideally that would be Doherty + Jimi/Jota - and I'm not sure double Wolves defence is my preference.

        Patricio + CTaylor or Pope + Doherty... I'd argue the latter is preferable.

        1. Old Gregg
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          Yes I would agree. P+D looks better

          1. Brimble82
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            #regrets

  2. Easy Cheesy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    No one in the real world seems to be interested in how well set up I was for GW31. Sad times.

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Show me what you would have done then.

    2. MOTHRA
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Easy, we are. Show us your path.

    3. Brimble82
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      My wife refused to listen, my 8 year old is insistent that Tottenham are still the way forward and my 5 year old said they should just all wash their hands more!

      We need a support group!

  3. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Thinking of downgrading Trent to AWB in order to afford Fernandes for Perez? Have 2ft. Is it madness?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      AWB to TAA in isolation is of course but Utd 2 vs other 2 possibly worth it.

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        Thanks. I can get Gomez in for pool cover after city is my thinking.

  4. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    So what to do with transfers? Just get in risers and sell droppers?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Get the players you want in your team.

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Sound like a plan.

    3. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Might burn one to get the upper hand on teams with same amount of points... exciting times.

  5. Earn your Spurs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Imho the fairest fpl process would be 3 steps.
    1. Freeze everything until PL is safe to start again and they issue a new fixture schedule to cover all the as yet unplayed games
    2. Reset everyone in FPL to where they were at the close of gw29.
    3. Press go

    1. Earn your Spurs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      PL will issue a new schedule rather like they do each year for each new season but this will only have 9 weeks. It'll probably start in July and run for 5 weeks, 2 games per week, ending in mid August. Whrn that schedule comes out FPL can map out gws 30-38.
      Thoughts?

      1. Earn your Spurs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        9 games, not weeks

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Sounds sensible so I doubt they will do it.

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Why is this fair but people who got in players for Arsenal City which was suspended as well get nothing?

      Sounds like you played wildcard in gw30...

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        Excellent point as usual - do you think there’s a clear cut case for Auba to be awarded a hat trick?

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          I'd be happy enough to take the 2 points if they would let me retroactively put (c) on somebody else instead.

  6. merin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Thoughts on what to do?

    McCarthy McGovern
    TAA Soyuncu Saiss Stevens Fernandez
    Salah Mané KDB Fernandes Dendoncker
    Jimenez DCL Ings

    2 FT, 0.4 ITB

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      We don't know how many FT we will have.
      Lose Ings and/or Dendo to start.

      1. merin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        Cheers. Who would you get in as replacements?

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          Dendp to Hayden - frees up a Wolves place and Hayden seems to have one his place back , cheap as chips, occasional return, NUFC still to play Villa and West Ham at home.

          For Ings - DCL popular but you already have so maybe Jota with your freed up Wolves spot - ok fixtures to end of season regardless of order.

          1. merin
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            Cheers. I’ve been pondering how I could get in another wolves attacker.

  7. Fulchester's New Centr…
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    I already knew that Joe Gomez's full name was Joseph Dave Gomez, which always made me smile, but have just discovered Che Adams' full name is Che Zach Everton Fred Adams and this has made my afternoon.

    1. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      You're bored and I don't blame you lol

  8. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Breaking News:Boris Johnson has said in a speech at Downing St. that mass gathering will not be supported by emergency workers to free them up for more essential work along with other measures.

    That pretty mush means no way teams will be able to meet for the foreseeable future.

    1. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      ... or they'll just play to empty stadiums. 🙂

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        They tried that for European games but people still congregated outside stadiums in groups at either pubs or houses to watch the games.

        All that is being discouraged or outright banned now so the writing is on the wall.
        This season is over imho.

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      It's developing really fast, 10 days ago it wasn't much, 24 hours ago it was all about going about things as normal and 'herd immunity' ... Now it's avoid all gatherings.

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        Baffling that schools are still open though.

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          How many are still open? Loads of universities are no longer teaching in classrooms.

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            I think a lot of schools are waiting for an official government verdict. It's more plausible for remote learning for uni's than schools tbh.

            1. Rotation's Alter Ego
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 13 days ago

              Very true. Must admit it baffles me a fair bit considering children seem to be the perfect vector, but I guess if you want to minimise disruption it makes sense. Same reason why mass gatherings are still not banned I suppose?

        2. badgerboy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          Easter holidays in two weeks, maybe they are planning a shutdown after that's concluded?

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            Potentially. Just hope they do all they can to reduce/delay the spread. WHO spokesperson made a good point - 'don't have any regrets in your response'. I fear the UK will as things stand.

            1. badgerboy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 13 days ago

              Yeah, it's all uncharted territory. Just feels like a global experiment to see who deals with it most effectively for future reference. Doesn't sit comfortably when it involves peoples lives.

        3. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          Only a matter of time before they close now like they have been here in ROI.

          I would imagine that the British government have not pulled the plug on the schools yet so as not to keep medical professionals out of work where they are really needed right now.If you can pull your kids out and curtail their movements.

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            How are you guys doing in ROI? Hope you're well and safe.

            1. Ógie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 13 days ago

              It is surreal Berbs.

              My hometown is like a ghost ship right now with all the pubs and lots of nonessential businesses closing their doors. Normally we would be all getting ready for The St. Patrick’s day celebrations right now which are very important to lots of businesses here.

              We know this is only the beginning and lots are really worried about the elderly in our community and our businesses going bust.

          2. badgerboy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 13 days ago

            Hit the nail on the head there I think.

  9. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Apparently Italy's update is +349 deaths in last 24 hours

    Germany's cases vs deaths look really different to most other countries - cases have just passed 7,000, but "only" 15 deaths so far - very low death rate compared to say Spain (336 deaths, 9,437 cases) Italy (2,158 deaths from 27,890 cases) and the UK (36 deaths from 1,551 cases)

  10. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    Anyone who thinks that there is zero chance of the season being voided has their head in the sand (and/or is a liverpool fan).

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Zero chance? Unrealistic.
      Low chance? Probably very correct!

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 12 days ago

        this

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Ok I'll give it 1 pct. And by voided you mean "None of the games ever happened" right?

      Canceled is a different definition ("Standings are locked in place and this truncated 2019/20 season is officially over").

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 13 days ago

        I think that is less likely than voided personally.

        1. Yank Revolution
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 13 days ago

          Crazy talk. There's also precedent here in the US since we have player strikes and lockouts from owners in pro sports over the last 40 to 50 years. Partial seasons, suspended and restarted seasons, no postseasons (so no champion, but all stats and games 'counted') are on the table. But pretending the games were never played (voiding) was never one of them and won't be for the FA either. It simply will not happen.

    3. jtreble
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 13 days ago

      Void? Nah, postponement seems to be the most likely scenario imho.

  11. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 13 days ago

    I think the UK government has quietly abandoned their flawed "herd immunity" 'strategy'.
    No more mention of that. Rightly so.

    But of course they once again proved they can't get much right: not enforcing pub closures etc. makes it impossible for businesses to make an insurance claim. Now that they are being challenged on this they say they will look into it. Utterly clueless.