Is your team in pieces with red flags everywhere, no points and languishing at the bottom of your FPL mini-leagues? Look no further than the most powerful chip in the game: The Wildcard. The ability to make unlimited transfers for 1 GW, Jack H takes you through his ultimate WC team to get your season back underway (this post is dedicated to my Dad who has Soucek in his team :) ).
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*Prices and ownership correct as of 25/09/24
*Team value £100.6m (0.1m ITB)
Goalkeepers:
David Raya (ARS) £5.6m, 31.8%
Next 5 GWs: LEI, SOU, bou, LIV, new
The best shot-stopper in the league for the best defence in the league, David Raya is a no brainer on the WC. Although ARS xGC at 6.39 puts them middle of the pack, this needs to take into consideration their tough start to the season which included AVL, BRI, TOT and MCI.
Raya has accumulated 33 points, including 23 saves, 6 BPS and 3 CS. Raya's 88.5% save percentage shows what an elite keeper he is and a vital cog for the ARS machine. With the next 2 GWs seeming like guaranteed CS, Raya should be a lock in WC drafts with ARS defensive numbers expected to get better as the fixtures get easier and key players return from injury.
Lukasz Fabianski (WHU) £4.0m, 15.9%
Next 5 GWs: bre, IPS, tot, MUN, nfo
The only £4.0m GK to receive any minutes this season, Fabianski is the cheapest option for your bench. Areola (£4.5m) has been susceptible to the odd injury in the past seasons so Fabianski may get a game or two here or there.
Defenders:
Trent Alexander-Arnold (LIV) £7.1m, 32.3%
Next 5 GWs: wol, cry, CHE, ars, BHA
Trent finally delivered on his strong creative numbers in GW5 with an assist, CS and 2 BPS to take him to 11 points for the week. Trent sits top of the xGI for defenders with 2.15, Romero (£5.1m) in 2nd with 1.14.
We know his ability going forward but, defensively LIV have been solid, sitting 2nd for xGC conceded after MCI. On the weekend, he was rather fortunate to maintain the CS, courtesy of some incredible saves from Kelleher (£4.4m). The return of Alisson (£5.5m) will be needed if LIV will look to try and maintain their strong defensive numbers.
In terms of the next 5 GWs, CS will be less likely as LIV face tougher opposition from GW8 onwards. However, Trent's attacking numbers will certainly stay the same.
Gabriel (ARS) £6.1m, 19.0%
Next 5 GWs: LEI, SOU, bou, LIV, new
Gabriel has had a sensational and slightly unforeseen start to the season. Sitting on 36 points, his 3 CS and 2 G are ridiculous points scoring in the first 5 GWs. Like many managers. I wasn't convinced by ARS opening 5 fixtures, only seeing the WOL game as a banker for a CS. But the Brazilian has also continued his excellent goal-scoring, being only 1 behind his goals count from the last Premier League campaign.
ARS are one of the best set-piece teams in the world and they plan their routines around the aerial threat of Gabriel. Saliba (£6.0m) and him are an inseparable partnership so xMins are assured. He looks like a quality transfer for any FPL manager right now. Personally, I won't be able to get him until GW7 earliest without a hit, but I'm envious of those who own him already.
Lewis Dunk (BHA) £4.6m, 7.8%
Next 5 GWs: che, TOT, new, WOL, liv
I've been impressed by BHA's start to the season. Offensively they've looked exciting despite a tough run of opening fixtures. Defensively, they've looked in total control against lesser teams, getting 2 expected CS against EVE and IPS.
Dunk is an assured way into the BHA defence. A usual threat from set plays, Dunk tends to grab a goal a season. In the next 5 GWs, I'd expect him to only get 1 CS against WOL, but the reason for getting him in is for their amazing sea of green from GW12.
BHA sit 6th for xGC, good numbers considering they've faced ARS, MUN and an in-form NFO side in that run. Of key importance is their numbers against EVE (xGC 0.45) and IPS (xGC 0.35) that highlights their dominance against lower-placed sides which can ensure CS.
Nikola Milenkovic (NFO) £4.5m, 0.3%
Next 5 GWs: FUL, che, CRY, lei, WHU
I've been surprised by the lack of love for NFO defenders on WC in the FPL community. I was bullish on having 1 in my team at the start of the season and they have repaid the faith. The full-backs have been rotation risks but the CB partnership of Milenkovic and Murillo (£4.5m) are assured starters in a solid defence.
NFO are 3rd best for xGC with 4.05 with 2 CS to their name. They also have great fixtures to get more CS in a defence first Nuno side.
Whilst Murillo and Aina (£4.5m) offer more chance of BPS, the punt on Milenkovic is for his aerial threat. He's scored 12 headers across his career which is promising for a struggling set-piece NFO side. Thus, his presence will hopefully add another avenue for goals for Nuno's side. Against SOU, the Serbian registered an xG of 0.98, showing his potential for goals.
Jacob Greaves (IPS) £4.0m, 3.6%
Next 5 GWs: AVL, whu, EVE, bre, LEI
Can comfortably sit last on your bench, Greaves will get you regular minutes this season. IPS have been conceding chances left, right and centre so don't expect CS, but he can come in for the odd game if needed.
Midfielders:
Bukayo Saka (ARS) £10.0m, 30.7%
Next 5 GWs: LEI, SOU, bou, LIV, new
Only Saka and Haaland (£15.3m) have returned in every game so far. The Englishman 1G and 5A to his name. On set-pieces and nearly always playing a part in ARS' goals, Saka is a solid pick who will keep ticking over with points. Don't expect him to haul but just hold on to him. His xGI of 2.88 is solid and the next 3 fixtures look tasty for attacking potential.
Bryan Mbeumo (BRE) £7.2m, 14.9%
Next 5 GWs: WHU, WOL, mun, IPS, ful
Following Wissa's (£6.0m) injury, Mbeumo is now BRE's main man and he's delivering on that title. 4G for the season which could be arguably even higher shows the promise of the Cameroonian. Mbeumo's xG of 3.08, is a strong number, as well as being on corners and penalties, his attacking prowess is undeniable.
BRE have completely surprised me with their start to the season and now the fixtures look exceptional. Honestly, had Haaland not scored on the weekend and NEW not capitulated against FUL, Mbeumo was going to be my captain this week. WHU looked awful against CHE whilst BRE were going toe-to-toe with TOT. Expect a double digit haul this weekend in my opinion (this will come back to bite me).
Emile Smith-Rowe (FUL) £5.8m, 29.7%
Next 5 GWs: nfo, mci, AVL, eve, BRE
Smith-Rowe has started the season on fire with 2G and 1A to his name. Also, he always tends to get amongst the bonus due to his clinical and creative nature. FUL have started off the season strongly and ESR is integral to the attack. Now that the likes of Iwobi, Adama and Raúl are clicking as an attacking unit, FUL as a team and attack are benefitting. Chances are being converted by Raúl which bodes well for his midfield support for assists and also goals.
FUL do face some tricky opponents in the next 3 GWs, but ESR will likely still be amongst the goals. Moreover, the setup of this team allows you to rotate your options as needed, depending on the fixtures.
Antoine Semenyo (BOU) £5.6m, 7.6%
Next 5 GWs: SOU, lei, ARS, avl, MCI
Semenyo looks to be one of the bargains of the season, should BOU be able to convert more chances. 2G and 1A so far, Semenyo should've had more. BOU's xG from open play is up with the best at 6.73, and Semenyo has been a nightmare for defenders so far this season.
I think BOU's goal scoring will begin to flourish once Evanilson (£5.9m) finds his feet. The Brazilian has undeniable potential, but needs 1 goal to give him the confidence in the league. This will positively affect the rest of the team.
BOU's next 5 GWs are mixed but from GW11 onwards they have a tremendous run of fixtures that goes until GW21. Semenyo could be an easy set and forget who you rotate in and out as per the fixtures.
Morgan Rogers (AVL) £5.2m, 17.4%
Next 5 GWs: ips, MUN, ful, BOU, tot
One of the biggest trolls of the season, Rogers finally returned last GW with a 10 pointer and 2A. Always present in AVL's attack, Rogers is a strong bench option for your teams who you can bring in and out as per the fixtures.
AVL's attack is usually very reliable and Rogers should've had more returns this season. At £5.2m, he is a bargain!
Forwards:
Erling Haaland (MCI) £15.3m, 71.7%
Next 5 GWs: new, FUL, wol, SOU, bou
Fixtures, form, goals, points, captaincy. I don't really need to say more!
Nicolas Jackson (CHE) £7.7m, 11.8%
Next 5 GWs: BHA, NFO, liv, NEW, mun
Jackson has really stepped up this year, becoming the focal point in CHE's attack. 4G and 2A are superb numbers for a striker who has in the past been wasteful. He is full of confidence right now, posting the 2nd best xGI numbers behind Haaland. Moreover, CHE are 4th for xG from open play.
The next 5 fixtures are not straightforward, but I still expect the Senegalese to have a part to play. All the goals seem to be going through him at the moment so it might be worth jumping on him
Dominic Solanke (TOT) £7.5m, 8.1%
Next 5 GWs: mun, bha, WHU, cry, AVL
I was waiting for Solanke to show his promise, but injuries this season hampered his minutes. However, following a goal and an outstanding performance against BRE, Solanke is an option once again.
The TOT attack had been going through a mini-crisis but back-to-back wins in the EFL Cup and the PL has brought it back to life. As was expected, TOT's play is designed to be finished by Solanke. Against BRE alone, Solanke had an xGI of 1.68, indicating he could've scored more on the weekend.
Whilst Maddison (£7.5m) and Son (£10.0m) offer interesting alternatives in the TOT attack, Solanke looks primed to be the one to mop up all the points, precisely what TOT have been looking for since Kane's departure!
