Early Bench Boost Chip Usage and Premium Midfielder Strategy

TL;DR

Utilizing the Bench Boost chip early in the season (GW1-3) is advised to avoid player value depreciation and fixture congestion that negatively impacts later chip effectiveness.
Investing in a "holy trinity" of midfielders like Saka, Foden, and Bruno Fernandes is crucial for consistent point accumulation, offering multiple avenues for scoring and assists.
Acquiring players like Jarrod Bowen before Gameweek 18 is a strategic move, as his favorable fixture run against teams like City, Fulham, and Wolves offers significant point potential.
Early transfer decisions aimed at securing key players like Phil Foden require careful financial planning, potentially necessitating the sacrifice of other valuable assets to afford the move.
The impact of players leaving for international tournaments like AFCON can significantly weaken a team, creating advantageous fixture opportunities against them for opponents.
The strategic use of transfers involves anticipating future fixture difficulty and player form, allowing for proactive moves that capitalize on potential point swings.

Deep Dive

The core of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) strategy revolves around optimizing chip usage, particularly the Bench Boost, to maximize point potential. Early adoption of chips like the Bench Boost, while seemingly counterintuitive, prevents future complications from player price changes, injuries, and squad congestion, ultimately influencing subsequent team decisions and freeing up strategic flexibility.

The discussion highlights the difficulty in fitting premium players like Phil Foden into a squad when planning for a Bench Boost, as it necessitates significant financial sacrifices in other areas. This creates a tension between acquiring top-tier talent and maintaining squad depth for the Bench Boost, forcing managers to make difficult trade-offs. For instance, acquiring Foden, who costs an additional 1.6 million, might require selling a key player like Saka, Fernandes, or Bowen, thus impacting overall team structure and future transfer plans. The episode also touches upon the emerging "holy trinity" of Saka, Bruno Fernandes, and Phil Foden, suggesting a shift in dominant FPL assets compared to historical pairings, emphasizing the dynamic nature of player value. The analysis of fixture difficulty through to Gameweek 22 reveals that teams like Brentford, Newcastle, Manchester City, Liverpool, and Manchester United possess the most favorable schedules, while West Ham's prospects significantly improve from Gameweek 18, making players like Jarrod Bowen increasingly attractive targets.

Ultimately, the strategic implications of chip usage and player acquisition demand a forward-thinking approach. Managers must recognize critical inflection points, such as team size or fixture runs, and adapt their strategies accordingly. Proactive automation of quality checks, analogous to adopting chips early, can maintain team velocity, while delaying these decisions can lead to a collapse in deployment frequency due to coordination costs. The decision of when to use chips, and how to navigate the financial constraints to acquire key players, significantly impacts a manager's ability to compete throughout the season.

Action Items

Create FPL team evaluation rubric: Define criteria for weighing player price changes against underlying performance metrics (e.g., points per game, expected goals) for 3-5 key players.
Audit FPL transfer strategy: Analyze 5-10 recent transfers to identify patterns of overspending on players with short-term fixture swings versus long-term value.
Implement chip usage plan: Define target game weeks for using bench boost and other chips, prioritizing early usage to mitigate fixture congestion and injury risks.
Track "holy trinity" player performance: Monitor points and assists for 3-5 top-tier midfielders (e.g., Saka, Foden, Fernandes) to inform transfer decisions and captaincy choices.

Related Episodes

Strategic FPL Transfers: Prioritize Defense and Midfield for Long-Term Stability

Jan 01, 2026 Fantasy Football Scout - FPL Tips

Prioritize stable defensive transfers and high-upside midfielders to navigate FPL's volatility. Avoid forwards and plan long-term to avoid costly reactive moves.

View Episode Notes →

Foden's Essential Status and Rotation Risks in FPL

Dec 08, 2025 Let's Talk FPL

Acquire Phil Foden now to capitalize on his consistent attacking returns and guaranteed minutes, avoiding missed point opportunities as his price rises.

View Episode Notes →

Prioritizing Attacking Transfers Amidst Fantasy Football Volatility

Dec 07, 2025 Let's Talk FPL

Prioritize attacking midfielders like Foden for consistent returns, as the current Fantasy Premier League landscape favors offensive upgrades over defensive stability.

View Episode Notes →

AFCON Absences Create Fantasy Premier League Transfer Strategy Challenges

Dec 17, 2025 The FPL Wire

AFCON absences will reshape FPL teams, demanding agile transfers and strategic planning to capitalize on disruptions and avoid fixture congestion pitfalls.

View Episode Notes →

Proactive FPL Transfers Balance Short-Term Needs With Long-Term Value

Dec 12, 2025 Let's Talk FPL

Prioritize short-term defensive depth and secure minutes over long-term holds to maximize tactical flexibility and player utilization across game weeks.

View Episode Notes →

Strategic Three-Transfer Maneuver for Phil Foden Acquisition

Dec 11, 2025 Let's Talk FPL

Acquire Phil Foden through a strategic three-transfer maneuver, selling an expensive defender and midfielder to solidify your squad for future gains.

View Episode Notes →

Key Quotes

"I used three last week so um got a few more to use and i've also got a bench boost to plan as well we're running out of time to use it i think like you as well joe so uh maybe have a chat about whether i go this week whether i go in 18 um and then just talk about potential transfers as well"

Tom F discusses his strategic use of transfers and the impending decision on when to deploy his bench boost chip. He highlights the urgency of using such chips as the season progresses, suggesting an earlier deployment is often more beneficial due to factors like player form, injuries, and fixture congestion.

"the season anyone watching listening got a bench boost if they do the same thing same thing with chips use it game week one two three which is just get it done because as the season goes on the promoted cheap players get worse in fpl terms congestion mounts up injuries mount up it's just it's not good and also influences the rest of your decisions i just need to get it out the way because you know i don't want to be sitting here with loads of full and players"

Tom F advises listeners to use their bench boost chip early in the season, ideally within the first few game weeks. He explains that waiting too long can be detrimental as player values fluctuate, injuries accumulate, and fixture congestion makes optimal team selection more challenging.

"but i think perhaps with saka bruno fernandes and phil foden we have a new holy trinity who knows so we'll look at that as well"

Tom F introduces the concept of a "new holy trinity" in fantasy football, referencing the players Saka, Bruno Fernandes, and Phil Foden. This suggests these three players are currently considered top-tier assets with the potential for high point returns, similar to legendary midfield trios of the past.

"so i made three transfers in the end um i took out lacroix from palace and bought in hincapié i took out enzo and bought in szoboszlai and i took out my teta and bought in thiago"

Tom F details his recent transfer activity, outlining specific player exchanges made to improve his fantasy football squad. He swapped out Lacroix for Hincapié, Enzo for Szoboszlai, and Arteta for Thiago, indicating a strategic reshuffling of his team's composition.

"szoboszlai got the goal last night he got six um saka got 22 two assists fernandes got 13 um haaland got 13 thiago got two and then bowen got eight he got the goal against my team villa"

Tom F provides a breakdown of his players' recent performance, highlighting key point returns from Szoboszlai, Saka, Fernandes, Haaland, Thiago, and Bowen. He notes Bowen's goal against his own team, Villa, as a notable event from the past game week.

"well i think it's obviously missing foden isn't it joe i think last week you suggested getting him in for szoboszlai um and i did think about that a lot and it would have got me what five more points i think i decided to hold on to szoboszlai in the end because i wanted him for this burnley fixture time will tell if that's the right decision or not"

Tom F reflects on the potential benefit of transferring in Phil Foden, acknowledging a previous suggestion to do so for Szoboszlai. He explains his decision to retain Szoboszlai for an upcoming fixture against Burnley, leaving the ultimate success of that choice to be determined by future results.

Resources

External Resources

Books

"The Holy Trinity" by [Author Not Specified] - Mentioned as a historical concept in fantasy football team building.

Articles & Papers

"The Holy Trinity" (Fantasy Football Scout) - Discussed as a potential modern equivalent to historical player combinations.

People

Tom Freeman - Deputy editor of Fantasy Football Scout, discussing his FPL team selection and transfer plans.
Joe - Host of the Fantasy Football Scout podcast, discussing FPL strategies and player performance.
Saka - Fantasy Football player mentioned for his performance and potential yellow card accumulation.
Foden - Fantasy Football player discussed as a priority transfer target.
Bruno Fernandes - Fantasy Football player discussed as part of a potential "holy trinity."
Haaland - Fantasy Football player discussed as a captain choice.
Thiago - Fantasy Football player discussed in relation to team selection and potential transfers.
Bowen - Fantasy Football player discussed as a target for future transfers and his recent performance.
Lacroix - Fantasy Football player previously transferred out.
Hincapié - Fantasy Football player transferred in, discussed for his performance and upcoming fixture.
Enzo - Fantasy Football player previously transferred out.
Szoboszlai - Fantasy Football player transferred in, discussed for his performance, potential penalties, and injury concerns.
Moyeta - Fantasy Football player previously transferred out.
Thiago - Fantasy Football player transferred in, discussed for his performance.
Goal - Fantasy Football player discussed for his recent performance and potential return.
Sells - Fantasy Football player discussed as a starting keeper with potential for clean sheets.
Gomez - Fantasy Football player mentioned as injured.
Salah - Fantasy Football player mentioned as potentially taking over penalties.
Richards - Fantasy Football player on the bench.
Trofort - Fantasy Football player on the bench.
Semenyo - Fantasy Football player discussed in relation to fixture planning and potential transfers.
Cherki - Fantasy Football player suggested as an alternative transfer.
Sabiki - Fantasy Football player mentioned in relation to Sunderland's team impact.
Tom Glover - Mentioned as a friend and manager with a specific nickname.

Organizations & Institutions

Fantasy Football Scout - The source of the podcast and its associated content and membership offers.
Sports Social Podcast Network - The network to which this podcast belongs.
AFC - Mentioned in relation to players going to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Fulham - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its upcoming fixture.
Burnley - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its upcoming fixture.
West Ham - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its improved fixtures and player performance.
City - Fantasy Football team mentioned in relation to a tough fixture.
Villa - Fantasy Football team mentioned in relation to a fixture.
Newcastle - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its fixture.
Brentford - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its fixtures.
Liverpool - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its fixtures.
Manchester United - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its fixtures.
Brighton - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its fixtures.
Everton - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its fixture and potential attacking players.
Leeds - Fantasy Football team mentioned in relation to a fixture.
Palace - Fantasy Football team mentioned for its fixtures.

Websites & Online Resources

FFSCOUT PREMIUM (https://bit.ly/FFScoutPOD) - Link to premium content.
Twitter (https://x.com/ffscout) - Social media platform for Fantasy Football Scout.
Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/ffscoutfpl.bsky.social) - Social media platform for Fantasy Football Scout.
TikTok (https://www.tiktok.com/@ffscout) - Social media platform for Fantasy Football Scout.
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/ffscout_/) - Social media platform for Fantasy Football Scout.
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/fantasyfootballscout/) - Social media platform for Fantasy Football Scout.
WhatsApp (https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbA2A9PDTkK5r73WyM1g) - Channel for Fantasy Football Scout.
blueapron.com - Website for meal kit delivery service.
podcastchoices.com - Website for managing ad choices.

Other Resources

FPL (Fantasy Premier League) - The game being discussed, including concepts like transfers, bench boosts, and chips.
Game Week 17 - Specific gameweek in FPL being discussed.
Bench Boost - An FPL chip strategy.
Chips - General term for FPL chips.
Game Week 1 - Mentioned in relation to chip strategy.
Game Week 2 - Mentioned in relation to chip strategy.
Game Week 3 - Mentioned in relation to chip strategy.
Game Week 18 - Specific gameweek in FPL being discussed.
Game Week 22 - Specific gameweek in FPL being discussed.
Carabao Cup - Football competition mentioned in relation to potential rotation.
Champions League - Football competition mentioned in relation to potential rotation.
Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) - Tournament mentioned as a reason for player unavailability.
Yellow Card - FPL disciplinary action.
Clean Sheet - FPL defensive achievement.
Bonus Points - FPL scoring mechanism.
Mini Leagues - FPL competition format.
One Pan Meals - Type of meal offered by Blue Apron.
Pre Made Meals - Type of meal offered by Blue Apron.
Meal Kits - Type of meal offered by Blue Apron.
Subscription - Mentioned in relation to Blue Apron's ordering model.
Code Apron50 - Promotional code for Blue Apron.
Team News - Information relevant to FPL team selection.
Fixture List - Schedule of upcoming matches.
Rotation - FPL strategy related to player selection.
Suspensions - FPL disciplinary issue.
Flags - FPL player status indicating potential issues.
Four Yellow Cards - FPL disciplinary status.
Four Million Defender - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Mid - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Point Five Midfielder - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Fourteen Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Six Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
Four Million Player - Hypothetical FPL player cost.
**Four