Transfers

What should FPL managers do with their free transfers?

While we won’t have any Premier League football until the very end of April at the earliest, another five empty Gameweeks at least will have gone by the time a ball is kicked – the first of which passes on Friday evening.

Fantasy Premier League announced yesterday that the deadlines for Gameweeks 31-35 will remain as they currently are despite no matches taking place in any of them, mirroring their policy for Gameweek 30.

The deadlines for these Gameweeks are:

Gameweek 31 – Fri 20 Mar – 19:00 GMT
Gameweek 32 – Sat 4 Apr – 11:30 BST
Gameweek 33 – Fri 10 Apr – 19:00 BST
Gameweek 34 – Sat 18 Apr – 11:30 BST
Gameweek 35 – Sat 25 Apr – 11:30 BST

With every passing Gameweek, Fantasy managers are granted a new free transfer, with a maximum of two rolled over.

That gives FPL bosses six free transfers ahead of the possible resumption of play in early May, seven if a transfer has already been carried forward from Gameweek 30.

Of course, there are no guarantees that Premier League football will be in a position to restart in Gameweek 36 because of the ongoing coronavirus crisis.

It could be, then, that there are more “Blank Gameweeks” beyond the ones already confirmed.

But what should FPL managers do with their abundance of free transfers, given that so much is unknown at present?

We’ll discuss some of the options below.

Get rid of long-term injured players

It’s stating the bleeding obvious to say that the first thing to do with a luxury free transfer is to ship out a player who is injured.

We should quickly stipulate that we’re talking about players who are long-term absentees such as Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira (£6.3m), who will be sidelined for four to six months with an ACL injury.

Even a best-case-scenario recovery for the Portugal international would put him back in training sometime in mid-July, with a further period needed thereafter to build up his match-fitness.

However, a lot of flags in FPL have to be treated with a pinch of salt at present.

Many of the players who are currently listed at 75% will be in a position to feature when we get the go-ahead to resume and there are likely to be a handful of Fantasy assets who are currently red-flagged who will be nearing a comeback by May.

Enda Stevens (£5.1m), for example, was only ruled out for “a couple of weeks” by Chris Wilder on March 12, so, barring any setbacks, ought to be fit in plenty of time before the possible Gameweek 36 restart.

It’s also worth bearing in mind the possible effect of returnees on existing assets.

For instance, the security of starts for bench fodder option Jeremy Ngakia (£4.0m) may now be in some doubt given that Ryan Fredericks (£4.4m) will likely be in contention for a return come May.

Upgrade Bench Fodder

This seems an ideal opportunity to move out non-playing bench fodder, particularly if there isn’t a great deal of value tied up in the player in question.

Martin Kelly (£4.2m), for instance, still sits in almost one in five FPL squads, despite having not played a match since Gameweek 24.

‘Ghost teams’ will account for some of that high ownership but there’ll be many of us who haven’t had the luxury of upgrading our benches lately, with other fires to fight.

Some managers who still have their Wildcards and Free Hit chips to hand may be content to sit on £3.9m defenders/goalkeepers or £4.3m midfielders/forwards as a third substitute (playing or otherwise) for budgetary reasons, which is fair enough.

In the likes of Kelly’s case, however, when playing alternatives such as Jamaal Lascelles, Charlie Taylor, Mason Holgate and Joel Ward (all £4.3m) can be snapped up for just £0.1m more, there doesn’t seem to be much of a downside to making the switch.

Injuries could potentially happen (either to Lascelles et al or to Kelly’s positional rivals at Crystal Palace) between now and the resumption of Premier League football, of course, but we will seldom get better opportunities to weed our benches of players who are struggling for game-time.

Building for Gameweek 36

 1

Perhaps the riskiest ploy at this stage would be to steadily build a team with the main focus being on Gameweek 36.

We have already had the coronavirus-influenced return date pushed back from April 4 to April 30, so there is a very real possibility that the suspension of play could drag on even longer depending on the spread of COVID-19.

Even if we do get the green light to resume in early-May, there are so many unknowns at this stage.

Will Gameweek 36’s currently scheduled matches indeed be the first ones to take place? It would seem strange to postpone an entire set of top-flight games and replace them with another ten on the same weekend but we are in unprecedented times and no-one really knows how the Premier League will rejig the fixture calendar.

Will Gameweek 36 be a ‘Double’ or will there be additional Gameweeks (39, 40 etc) tagged on to the end of the season? Again, no-one knows at present and that is something we will only find out closer to May, should professional sport be in a position to proceed.

There are certainly some attractive fixtures in Gameweek 36 as it stands, with Everton v Aston Villa among them, but dismantling a Fantasy squad for the sole purpose of preparing for a Gameweek that might not even take place is a high-risk game.

The gradual Wildcard

For those FPL bosses who are desperately unhappy with their squads and/or lacking in chips, a gradual ‘Wildcard’ is an option for the next six Gameweeks, given that up to seven free transfers will be in hand.

Rather than preparing for a specific Gameweek that might never happen (GW36), the focus would instead be on targeting those teams who have excellent fixtures in general in the season run-in.

While we don’t know the order in which the outstanding matches will be staged or the composition of any possible bumper Gameweeks, we do know exactly who each team has left to play.

Manchester United, for example, have a particularly favourable set of games remaining (see the screenshot from FPL below), which surely only enhances the appeal of Bruno Fernandes (£8.5m).

Similarly, players with poor remaining fixtures could be offloaded in the process.

Paying attention to the teams with the most number of matches remaining is also something to perhaps consider, for those without a Wildcard/Free Hit intact.

Sheffield United, Aston Villa, Manchester City and Arsenal all have ten games left to play (the rest have nine), so the likes of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.1m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m) have the edge over many others in that sense.

Of course, the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League are also still to be completed, so how seriously Manchester City will be taking the Premier League if and when it does return is another question.

Burn transfers

For a decent number of us, the approach will be to do very little at all over the coming five Gameweeks and ‘burn’ (i.e. not use) most or all of our free transfers.

Many Fantasy managers will have value tied up in certain players or be in a fortunate enough position to be actually quite happy with their squads, so there is little incentive to make wholesale changes given the uncertainty over if and when the Premier League will restart – at least until we get more concrete information.

Those FPL bosses with several chips intact will also be fairly relaxed despite the current precarious situation, knowing that they can easily navigate around whatever FPL throws at us (extra Gameweeks or a huge Gameweek 38) by deploying a Wildcard, Free Hit, Bench Boost or Triple Captain chip when necessary.

The ‘sitting tight’ approach also has the added benefit of a likely rise in overall rank (OR), even if the green arrow is minuscule in nature.

FPL separates managers tied on points by transfers made, so there could be incremental gains in OR to be made over the next five Gameweeks by simply not doing anything.

478 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    2ft
    Mccarthy
    TAA Stephens Saiss
    Salah KDB Bruno Mount
    Jiminez Ings Firmino

    Button Lundstarm Perez Holgate

    Perez and Firmino to Martial and DCL?

    Cheers

  2. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Got 2 FT and 0.7 m in the bank any suggestions?

    Ryan Button

    TAA VvD Boly Stephens Lundstram

    Salah KDB Perez Fernandes Sarr

    Aubameyang Jimenez DCL

  3. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Anything I should do? 2FTs

    Henderson McCarthy
    TAA VVD Boly Taylor Lascelles
    Salah KDB Richalison Sarr Hayden
    Auba Jimenez Ings

    1. Better off with a pin and a…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      I did Ings->Jota. That's a pretty good squad, though. Anything ITB?

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      2 keepers, VvD, Lascelles, Sarr, Hayden out

  4. POLSKA GOLA
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    2 hours to fpl deadline, any reliable lineup leaks?

    1. Cookie Kid
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      Vardy pulled his hamstring picking up the baby

  5. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    I think I was set for a GW 31 team.
    Unfortunately that will not take place.

    2 FT | Ryan Button | 0.4 ITB
    Robertson* PvA Lascelles
    Mane Salah Perez* Maddison
    Aubameyang Jimenez Deeney
    Saiss Egan Dendoncker

    Robertson + Perez -> Taylor + Fernandes, for free?

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      I’ve also got Ryan so selling him for Pope is my priority, for what it’s worth. Also looking to switch Dendoncker to free up a Wolves spot

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      I'd rather pva Madison >> Taylor Bruno.
      Then Perez to someone else

  6. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Best defender within 5.6m?
    Apart from Liverpool, Sheffield, or Wolves defender

  7. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Is this worth 2 FT’s?

    Perez Guaita ➡ Mount Pope

    Or

    Perez Rico ➡ Mount Kiko

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      I really like Mount - he was looking great recently. First one maybe

  8. HTL
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Seems to make sense to keep making transfers with a bumper GW38 in mind, safe in the knowledge that you could always FH36, WC37 and BB38 anyway.

    If anyone in your mini league doesn't have their W/C, yes they can still do a gradual one, but you can just block or counter their changes as they're public unlike a proper w/c.

    1. HTL
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      Though, main focal point being if everything gets put into a mega GW38, you've still either matched (or altered your team) and can play your bench boost without needing to wildcard (seeing as you can't use two chips).

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        There will be no mega game week 38.

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

          Source?

  9. fc_skrald
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Martin -> Button to free up 0.1 million? Don't really like to change my other players when I don't know the future gameweeks...

    McCarthy
    TAA, Alonso, Doherty, Lascelles
    Salah, KDB, Grealish
    Ings, Jiménez, Aubameyang

    Martin, Williams, Cantwell, Hayden
    2 FT, 2,8 million in the bank

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

      May aswell.

      1. fc_skrald
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Thanks. Now the happy owner of Button and 0.1 milligon 🙂

  10. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Which defense to get
    Newcastle or Burnley?

    1. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      Burnley

  11. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    I personally think that before another article is written on here and before we invest any more time on transfer decisions, FPL need to make it known wether or not their site has the capability to add on extra gameweeks in the event that the premier league doesn't resume until after GW38.

    To me it seems very likely that there will be an extension beyond April 30th and that the first game after the resumption won't take place until after the GW38 deadline.

    If FPL either won't are unable to add on extra gameweeks then FPL will finish before another ball is kicked. I for one don't want to waste time on transfer decisions over the coming weeks only to see it be ultimately pointless.

    I have emailed FPL so will see what they say. I anticipate though that they will just send a template response like they did last time I asked them a similar question which didn't answer my question at all.

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

      This could be the last article for a few weeks then.

    2. Tinkermania
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      I expect they have the capability to extend and fully expect they will.

  12. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    With 2 free transfers and .9 m in bank thinking either

    A Ings or Jota to DCL
    B Ings or Jota to Nketiah which would allow Barnes to Bruno next week
    C Stephens to AWB but leaves 0 m in bank
    D Any better move you would make to tidy up team (in the hope we eventually get going again!)

    Pope Henderson
    TAA Fernández Boly Stephens Stevens
    Salah Mané KDB Barnes Mooy
    Jiménez Ings Jota

  13. King Henrik
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Auba and Ayew out
    Jiminez and Ings in

    Yes or No ?

  14. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    So having saved wc, bb and fh is not a big advantage anymore?

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

      BB is a massive advantage as things currently stand.

  15. PascalCygan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Would you rather sign Barnes or Mount as a Traore replacement?

  16. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Ryan to Pope or Henderson?

  17. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Hendo
    TAA - Doc - Stevens
    Salah - Mane - Bruno - Pepe - Grealish
    Jimenez - Jota

    (McCarthy - O'Connell - Stephens - Nketiah)

    A) Pepe ➡️ Martial
    B) Stevens ➡️ AWB/Maguire
    C) O'Connell ➡️ Cathcart
    D) Grealish ➡️ Sarr

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      b or c

  18. fusen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Burn baby burn, I'm looking forward to see how many rank positions I can increase over the next month

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

      Are going for a manager of the month too Fusen?

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

    What kind of scores do you think we will see if an octuple gameweek 38 becomes a thing?

    I think the highest score ever achieved in fpl was something like 205 points over a dgw back in the Suarez days so could an 800+points be on the cards for some lucky manager?

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      def
      maybe even a 1k gw score over 8 games def possible. with BB

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

        So i can still win fpl. 🙂 😉

  20. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Deliveroo are basically the fourth emergency service in the UK now

  21. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Anyone who thinks there will be any more football before next season is barking.

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      The FA’s Rules and Regulations state that “the season shall terminate not later than the 1 June” and “each competition shall, within the limit laid down by The FA, determine the length of its own playing season”.

      However, The FA’s Board has agreed for this limit to be extended indefinitely for the 2019/20 season in relation to Professional Football.

      Get your facts right! Next season won't start before this one isn't completed.

      1. BobB
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        There won't be time to finish this season and then play the next one.

        1. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 days ago

          if u insist.
          But why dont u look at the news coming from the premier league meeting.

          1. BobB
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 days ago

            The Government have dramatically moved the goalposts - so will the PL

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

              The can still finish the season at some point and do something different with next season.

              I don't think they will but they can.

      2. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Imagine believing this. Lol, LiVARpool supporters are funny

        1. Sedemuda
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 days ago

          The stats would suggest your response is just another example of ignoring the facts & projecting your frustrated life on to this forum.https://www.espn.co.uk/football/english-premier-league/story/3929823/how-var-decisions-have-affected-every-premier-league-club

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      if you've been following the reports next season will only happen after this one is completed even if some play off system is created to finish the season off.

      If u think this season will not be completed you must be barking.

    3. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      Anyone who doesn’t agree with all my opinions is absolutely nuts

  22. ZimZalabim
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    so burn a ft or do some tidying up ?

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

      Why wouldn't you tidy up if it's needed?

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        My plan was to wc in 32 so i guess ill just wc as soon as the fixtures are confirmed to be going ahead. The only reason I would use a ft I thought was to get someone like bruno before they rise in price.

        Now im looking at 3 wolves(dendo on the chopping block) and rico and button and thinking maybe I shd ship one as bruno is far off a rise.

  23. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    any Dendonker replacement?

    1. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      Hayden unless u wanna make a slight upgrade

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        it seems its between Hyden or Saka but saka is 0.2 higher so I don't know if its worth the extra

        1. ZimZalabim
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 days ago

          if u want pure fodder keep dendo or get hayden

          If u want someone u can occasionally play or for BB then get saka or Cantwell or Fleck have to spend a bit more tho

          1. OverTinker
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 days ago

            Dendo blocking third wolves player so have to get rid

  24. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Just read 117 death from CR in UK - if true I don't think EPL will resume in next 5-6 months 🙁

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      good, it shoudn't start until the virus disappears and fans are allowed back in the ground.

      1. OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Thats not the issue. We can live without it even for a year. But the problem is how will this virus end?

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

          I don't think it will end as such. They need to find the vaccine.

        2. Chucky
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 8 days ago

          For now we can only flatten the curve by implementing social isolation until a vaccine is available...

        3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 days ago

          I can't tell you that, nobody can. We don't know how it ends and when it ends

  25. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    What should I do with 2ft 0.0itb
    Guiata button
    Taa soy Egan Cathcart Taylor
    Salah mane kdb dendo Hayden
    Auba jimi ings

  26. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Just watched Boris’s latest presser. Let’s be fair, there ain’t going to be any sport played this year. We might get this season finished early 2021 is my guess, and next season delayed or cancelled. There’s no chance of being ready to go in August. None at all.

    My dad’s in hospital for a cancer related op and I’m shaking with nerves every time the phone rings. Let’s keep things in perspective, posts about what FPL moves to make are completely pointless. And it’s going to get a lot worse yet.

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

      It is more than likely that is the case alright.

      Sorry to hear about your dad Shirtless and best of luck to you and your family in the days and months that lay ahead.
      I think most know it is all over but are engaging in some much needed escapism from our reality.

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      sorry to hear about your dad. Hope he gets well soon.

      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Thanks for the kind words gents. Hopefully all will be ok. Worrying times all round.

  27. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Hmmm dont get it. How can you get red arrow for using a FT?

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

      When you have the same amount of points as someone then they use number of transfers made as the decider. Lowest transfers wins.

      1. Henning
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Aha thanx for the info.

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        It's quite staggering how patently you've been informing this over last few days 😛

    2. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      when u and another player have the same score rank is determined by transfers made. So when u make a ft and someone with the same rank and same transfers made doesn't u drop rank.

      1. Henning
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Thanx.

  28. Henning
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Pope or Henderson for rest of the season?

  29. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Reading on the Facebook that one of the singers in India, came to India via a flight & escaped the check somehow. Gave away a party to 100 people & afterwards tests positive for Corona.

    I can't fathom how stupid people are endangering their & others lives ...

    I hope it's wrong. But irresponsible people like this should be punished by government. Right ? (Flaw in the system too coz no-one should be escaping the checks ..)

    1. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      Same happened in our country too - Desi people
      We have the chance to avoid/contain this but yet many are acting very irresponsible.

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Should be jailed IMHO !!

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 days ago

          Yeah govt should now start implementing things strictly.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 days ago

            Yep
            Stay safe man !
            Hopefully we'll fight it out strongly 🙂

            1. OverTinker
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 days ago

              Amen!!

  30. melvinmbabazi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 days ago

    Anything I should do? 2FTs 0 ITB

    McCarthy-McGovern
    TAA-Aurier- Fernández-Williams-Rico
    Salah-KDB-Bruno-Saka-Cantwell
    Auba-Firmino-Ings

    Thanks

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      New page
      RMT
      .
      .
      .
      .
      .
      Is football back 😮

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      I'd sell Bobby.
      Jimenez Good alternative.

      Keep an eye on rashford too. He was supposed to be back by April

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Silly me. You need to use a FT don't you.
        Aurier to Saiss ?

    3. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 days ago

      I'd be using the FTs over the next few weeks as mini WC. Ditch McGov, Aurier, Rico, Williams, Saka, Cant and Firm. Maybe keep Saka as 5th mid.

      1. melvinmbabazi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 days ago

        Cheers