What is the Assistant Manager Chip?
Starting from Gameweek 24 in January, you’ll have the opportunity to activate the Assistant Manager chip. This chip allows you to select one real-life Premier League manager to help bolster your Fantasy team’s points for three consecutive Gameweeks. During these Gameweeks, your chosen manager can deliver points based on his side’s performances:
- Win: +6 points
- Draw: +3 points
- Clean Sheet: +2 points
- Each Goal Scored: +1 point
Bonus for Underdogs
There’s an intriguing twist. If you pick a manager whose team is facing an opponent ranked at least five places higher in the league table at the start of a Gameweek, you could reap even bigger rewards:
- Giant-Killing Win: An additional +10 points (making it a total of 16 points for that fixture)
- Underdog Draw: An additional +5 points (making it a total of 8 points for that fixture)
This bonus incentivizes strategic thinking. Do you choose a top manager from a title-chasing side for more predictable points, or do you back a mid-table boss capable of springing an upset for a massive payoff?
Example Scenario
Imagine selecting a manager whose side is expected to face tough opposition over the next three Gameweeks. If they pull off consecutive wins against higher-ranked teams, you’d be looking at a potential points bonanza that surpasses what a more predictable top-tier manager might achieve against lower-ranked sides.
What Does This Mean for FPL Strategy?
The introduction of the Assistant Manager chip changes the Fantasy landscape in several ways:
- Diversified Planning: Instead of focusing solely on in-form players, you’ll now weigh the fixtures, form, and tactical prowess of a particular manager. This adds a meta layer to your decision-making.
- Risk vs. Reward: Are you willing to gamble on a manager who faces stiff competition but could net you huge bonus points, or will you play it safe with a manager whose team is consistently winning against more modest opposition?
- Fixture Analysis Deepens: No longer is it just about which players have the best run of fixtures—now you’ll consider which manager’s schedule aligns with their potential for wins, goals, and clean sheets.
- Late-Season Differentials: If you’ve fallen behind in the rankings, the Assistant Manager chip could be a game-changer. Clever use of it might give you the edge you need to close the gap on mini-league rivals.
How to Prepare
Now that the chip has been unveiled, FPL managers should start looking ahead to Gameweek 24. Begin tracking Premier League managers: their form, tactical adaptability, recent results, and upcoming opponents. Think beyond points per match for players—delve into how managers perform in challenging situations or against certain styles of play.
Keep an eye on the shifting league table. The difference between facing a team four places ahead versus five places ahead might be the difference between a safe six-point gain and an explosive 16-point haul. Choosing when to activate the chip and which manager to back will be critical.
Note: The Assistant Manager chip is a one-time activation that lasts for three successive Gameweeks once played. Make sure you time it wisely for maximum impact.
Conclusion
The introduction of the Assistant Manager chip is an exciting development in the world of FPL. It encourages more nuanced thinking, strategic risk-taking, and detailed knowledge of the Premier League’s managers and their teams. With the right manager at the helm, this chip could be the secret ingredient that propels your Fantasy team up the rankings, turning a close-fought mini-league battle into a story of triumphant victory.