It’s that time of the season where the transfer deadline day has ended, the first international break of the season is upon us, and we have time to sit on our hands to contemplate what we should do to improve our Fantasy Premier League team.

As mentioned in last week’s column, there’s always a wild card to be played, and this is the first Gameweek of the season where one can validate its use. There is no use in concealing the truth any longer to you the reader… I activated my wild card this Gameweek. In the years I’ve been playing Fantasy Premier League, I have used my wild card at different stages of the season. But I felt justified in playing it now as I didn’t jump on the right players earlier in the season.

After seeing such exciting new potential players to have including Mesut Ozil, Erik Lamela and Mamadou Sakho, I had to have them. And when I went to move a few players around, they all fit in perfectly — with £0.0 to spare.  I knew that if I were to gradually make the transfers to shape this wild card squad, the funds would not be there. So, in a moment of weakness, I pulled the trigger. I was even given an “Are you sure?” prompt.  Summarily ignored.

My advice to you this week is to do as I say and not as I do. This is mainly because at this stage of the two week layoff, you will not reap the benefits of building team value you would have had, had you done it immediately after the last deadline.  But as far as transfer planning in general goes, this is the week to study the player movement that took place at the transfer window, and determine how they affect your current squad.

For instance, I am a Kolo Toure owner from Gameweek 1.  With the addition of Mamadou Sakho to Liverpool’s central defense, as well as Toure being injured, it is all but a guarantee that the French international who’s about 10 years younger than Toure, will immediately take the elder’s spot. So if you remain logical and disciplined and hang on to your wild card, which I was unable to do, before considering the “must-have” player to bring in, consider how players on their new clubs affect the players you already have. Having to wait an extra week or two to buy a player for 0.2 or 0.4 more than you would had you bought from the start is far more tolerable than being stuck with a player who is now not starting for you and eating up £5-9 million of your budget. Also bear in mind, that even with major signings, there isn’t a guarantee these marquee players will be handed starts immediately.

Plus, be weary of players who may get injured on international duty, or may still be jetlagged by the time the new Premier League Gameweek kicks off on September 14.

So in summary, avoid doing what I have regretfully done (unless it turns out to be genius, then of course, why didn’t you follow my lead?). Evaluate the player movement and plan your transfers accordingly. Odds are, one way or another, the value of one of your players, for better or worse, has likely drastically been altered.

May your arrows be green.

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