Five Free Transfers Change in FPL: What does is Mean for Strategy?
The five free transfers change in FPL is one of the biggest change of structure there has been so far in the games history. Because of that, we highlight the change, what it could mean going forward, and how it could affect our future planning.
Learning about the five free transfers change in FPL is going to be crucial. Such a huge change to the game could mean changing how we play the game dramatically. This will then have an effect on how successful our seasons are.
What is the Five Free Transfer Change?
Originally FPL managers were able to bank up to just two free transfers. However, now the game has given us the ability to save up to five free transfers at any one time.
Interestingly, FPL managers can also keep all of their saved free transfers when playing a chip. Originally, FPL managers would lose all of their saved transfers when using a chip.
An example of the above is, you have five free transfers going into Gameweek 8, you play a Free Hit, and in Gameweek 9 when your team reverts back, you would still have those five free transfers to use.
So, what does the change mean for us?
Mini-Wildcard
Every season an FPL manager receives two Wildcards. A Wildcard allows managers to make as many changes to their team as they want, as long as the changes are made before the next deadline.
The Wildcard is arguably the most powerful chip in the game. You can use the Wildcard to target numerous Gameweeks ahead, thus having a long-term effect on strategy.
With the new five free transfers rule, managers now have the opportunity to save their free transfers and make up to five changes. This can help make the changes you need within the team but also allow you the flexibility to hold onto the Wildcard chip a little longer.
Fixture Swings
Fixture swings are an extremely important event to FPL managers. A fixture swing is when a team goes from a positive set of fixtures to a negative set of fixtures or a negative set of fixtures to a positive set of fixtures.
Two transfers has seemingly never been enough to target fixtures. However, with the ability to have five free transfers now a reality, being able to adjust your team for those fixture swings will now become much easier for managers.
An example of the above can be Arsenal, Brentford, Everton and Manchester City all have mixed fixtures up to Gameweek 7-8. However after that spell their fixtures change for the better. FPL managers could avoid their assets for the first stages of the season then use their five free transfers to bring some of their players in when the fixture swing arrives.
Moving Premiums Around
Premium players are some of the most important assets in the game. Not only can they be the most consistent for picking up points but they also make for the best captaincy options.
The issue with premium players is that they are expensive and play in different positions. This means that usually we would have to either wait longer to make switch between them or take a hit. With the five free transfer change managers now have much more flexibility to switch over premiums to target different fixture runs without taking a hit or waiting longer to make the switch.
An example of the above can be Mohamed Salah and Erling Haaland. Some may decide to keep Salah at the start of the season but eventually switch to Haaland when his fixtures ease. The switch is likely to take two or more free transfers and that is much more feasible this season.
Taking Risks
Another term for taking risks in FPL can be buying differentials. Differentials are players who have low ownership, and if successful can propel you in terms of rank and mini-league position.
Differentials or ‘punts’ have been more difficult to go for in the past because the transfer cap made it even tougher to correct a mistake or revert back to a player. This would put managers off taking those risks.
However, with the five transfer rule coming into place, managers can now target those players who have low ownership knowing that if they aren’t successful they then have the ability to switch them back out.
Less of a Template
A template is another term used by FPL managers to describe a team full of the most popular picks. The biggest issue with having template players is if they do well you don’t gain much rank or movement in your mini-league if successful.
The five transfer change means that managers can be more flexible with their strategies, add more punts and go for players they feel could do well. This would then open up the template a lot more which would make the game both more rewarding overall and more fun.
Want to support the site and get extra content and insights? For just £1 a month you can support our efforts to provide the best fantasy football advice on the web, unlocking every article, team reveal and guide, where you’re playing UCL, FPL, Euros, Serie A, Bundesliga, EFL or more!
Sign up now here!
