When should FPL managers decide to Wildcard?

With an imminent fixture announcement set to finalise this season’s schedule, most FPL managers are thinking about when to activate their second Wildcard chip.

Some just used their Free Hit in the disastrous Blank Gameweek 29, some already have enough money in the bank to buy anyone, while some are desperate to refresh their injury-ravaged squad.

As always, advising on chip strategies depends on each individual team and its manager’s style.

WILDCARD 30

First up, using it right now is fairly popular within the community. A two-week international break gives plenty of time to tweak, grab price rises and react to any injuries that come up. We’ve already heard of concerns for Erling Haaland, Bukayo Saka and Gabriel – even if they’re all precautionary.

For those who still have a Free Hit to use, a sooner Wildcard makes sense. There’d be no worry over picking a squad that adequately covers both Double Gameweeks 34 and 37, as one can be a Free Hit. Then again, Spurs, Fulham and Nottingham Forest players bought with regular transfers do have an attractive Gameweek 30 fixture. Is there really a rush to get rid?

Furthermore, managers who chose the Free Hit 29 route are likely to inherit a line-up whose fixtures look good for a few weeks. Maybe the decision depends on how easy it is to purchase Mohamed Salah (£13.1m).

WILDCARD 31

The Egyptian’s meeting with Brighton looks decent but it’s Gameweek 31 where he could become essential, at home to Sheffield United. At the same time, the fixture swing makes it a good moment to dispose of Spurs and Aston Villa assets in exchange for Liverpool and Wolves.

However, the main setback is that Gameweeks 30, 31 and 32 are in quick succession. All three deadlines fall within a week of each other, which doesn’t allow much thinking time.

WILDCARD 33

Therefore, after this current round, the next feasible time to Wildcard is Gameweek 33. Fixtures worsen for Bournemouth but improve for Brentford, Man City and Man United. It’s also just before Double Gameweek 34, allowing a Bench Boost to be perfected if necessary.

Activating here is the sweet spot of neither being too late nor too reactionary. But it might require managers to either cope without Salah or get there via a couple of free transfers.

WILDCARD 35

Finally, a slot that only allows four Gameweeks to benefit from its usage, possibly wasting FPL’s most valuable chip. Yet it allows teams to ‘dead end’ into Double Gameweek 34 with a few Liverpool, Bournemouth, Everton, Wolves and Crystal Palace purchases, before immediately refreshing to maximise Double Gameweek 37.

Such late usage feels luxurious but, if your current squad is in good shape, perhaps there’s no urgency.