In this article, we take a look at the current Top 1,000 template and analyse some of the key FPL players who have contributed to the success of the world’s highest ranked managers.

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With a deep dive into the FPL Statistics tool, we can get an impression of how the template has formed over time, and how it currently looks following the conclusion of Gameweek 20.

Chips & Formations

Ahead of Gameweek 20, 7.2% of managers in the Top 1k elected to play their first Wildcard, rather than wasting it. The most popular (non-Wildcard) chip was the Bench Boost, played by 13 out of the 1,000 players. A small handful of Triple Captain and Free Hit chips were also played.

Overall, 17.3% of managers who are in the Top 1k have played their Bench Boost already this season, 11.5% have used their Triple Captain, and 16.5% have played their Free Hit. As the season progresses, we are seeing Top 1,000 chip expenditure reduce, as many of the very best players rise to the top through their squad selections and transfers, whilst saving their chips for later on in the season.

Across all FPL, the most popular formation is almost evenly split between 4-4-2, 3-4-3, and 3-5-2 – all three accounting for roughly 30% of preference. Within the Top 1,000, however, the 3-5-2 formation remains the most popular at 44.6%, with 3-4-3 close behind in second (40.5%), and 4-4-2 much lower at circa 10%.

NOTE: some formational changes will have been enforced by injury

Players

Goalkeepers

The most highly owned goalkeeper remains West Ham’s Alphonse Areola (£4.2m), but the real template shift has been a move towards Newcastle’s Martin Dubravka (£4.2) who, following the injury to Nick Pope (£5.3m), has become Newcastle’s first choice keeper. Owners of the former will have been jumping for joy following his 11-point haul against Brighton on Tuesday evening.

Defenders

One of the most significant shifts in the Top 1k template has been FPL managers’ ability to redistribute funds by selling Erling Haaland (£13.9m). With typical ambiguity, Pep Guardiola left sufficient doubt in managers’ minds when it came to discussing a possible return for the Norwegian forward.

Those willing to take the risk, however, have had the last laugh, safe in the knowledge that the imminent departure of Mohamed Salah (£13.2m) and Son Heung-min (£9.8m) will provide an opportunity to bring him back when fit. One of the most significant beneficiaries of ‘the Haaland money’ has been Trent Alexander-Arnold (£8.5m) who is – once again – the game’s top-scoring defender with 97 points.

Also of significance is the acquisition of Pedro Porro (£5.7m) who is now owned by almost exactly two-thirds of managers in the Top 1k. While it feels like he could have had more significant returns of late, Porro has been ticking along nicely, providing the odd return in lieu of any major hauls.

Midfielders

At the beginning of the season, the Top 1k template was notable by the absence of Salah. Now, it seems none of the top players dare to go without him. Owned by a staggering 94.7% of managers in the Top 1,000, Salah has rewarded his owners with two double-digit hauls since Gameweek 16, averaging 8.4 points per game in that same period.

Son departs for The Asian Cup owned by 73.8% of top tier managers. Coupled with Salah’s ownership, we can expect a lot of hits ahead of Gameweek 21, as managers make significant midfield changes.

Just behind Son, the most popular midfielder to join the Top 1k template is Cole Palmer (£5.6m) who, like Salah, has produced two double-digit returns in recent Gameweeks, including the memorable 18-pointer against Luton in Gameweek 20.

Bukayo Saka (£9.0) and Jarrod Bowen (£8.0) make up the final midfield two, owned by 60.1% and 45.4% respectively.

Forwards

Ever present in the most owned forwards list, Ollie Watkins (£8.9m) is now the most-selected forward overall – as well as the Top 1,000. This is hardly a surprise. With 20 goal involvements this season, Watkins is the highest scoring forward and represents significantly better value than Haaland, at some £5m cheaper.

Finally, the surprise addition of Dominic Solanke (£7.1m) caps off the Top 1,000 starting XI. The Bournemouth striker has 12 goals in what has undoubtedly been a more attacking Bournemouth side. His underlying stats have been very strong, showing that even when he is not returning, he is getting close enough to maintain his owners’ interest.

By Matt Whelan

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