A bombshell is potentially about to hit Fantasy Premier League this coming gameweek, with the introduction of the FPL assistant manager chip. The chip isn’t without its controversies, having been teased as a mystery chip since the launch of FPL in summer 2024 before its identity was revealed last December. When activating the chip, FPL players will have the chance to buy a manager using any available transfer budget they have. That manager will bring in six points for a win, three points for a draw, one point for a goal and two points for a clean sheet.
Any manager who faces a team at least five places above their side in the Premier League table will get an extra 10 points for a win (so 16 in total) and five points for a draw (eight in total). With the ability to use transfers to change your manager for the three gameweeks the chip is active, it could potentially see FPL players banking huge points, and could be a gamechanger in your mini-leagues.
So, what’s the best way to use the assistant manager chip - and when? Read on to find out our FPL newsletter writers think is the best assistant manager chip strategy... Favoured tactic. GW24:Arne Slot vs Bournemouth, Everton. GW25:Arne Slot vs Wolves. GW26:Eddie Howe vs Nottingham Forest/Kieran McKenna vs Spurs/Unai Emery vs Chelsea. People who played their triple captain early in the game have been handed a massive advantage by the introduction of this chip as they don’t face the sort of dilemma the rest of us currently do. Common convention in previous seasons would be to play the triple captain chip on Mohamed Salah for GW24 thanks to the double gameweek he now faces.
Yet the assistant manager chip could become the best option for GW24 - it’s an extra game for Liverpool to score in, and you don't run the same risk of rotation, what with there being two cup matches between their two Premier League games. Click here to sign up to our FPL newsletter to get hints and tips to your inbox every gameweek, or fill out the form below. There are some risks to this, with Bournemouth's excellent recent results showing how tough that game will be. However, whilst Everton have found some form, they are still giving up chances, and the fact managers get points simply for goals scored means the extra game outweighs the newfound difficulty of these fixtures.
A game against Wolves follows for Arne Slot’s side in GW25, meaning the Reds face a leaky defence before a big clash against Man City for GW26. Obviously the game against City will be tight and could limit Slot’s points, but he could easily be transferred for another manager at this point. With the table so tight, it’s difficult to pinpoint exactly who I’d go for at this point, but there are some fixtures that represent the chance to target the bonus points that come with a manager getting a result against a team five places higher than them. Eddie Howe might be an option here - Newcastle beat Nottingham Forest 3-1 back in November and it’s not inconceivable for there to be five places between the sides in GW26.
As far as I see it, there are two other potential routes to go down, with Chelsea facing Leicester City and Southampton in consecutive gameweeks, which should guarantee goals, or you could take a big swing on bonus points as Everton face Nottingham Forest, Man City and Chelsea in three gameweeks, but the safe option is a Slot double gameweek. GW26:Andoni Iraola (Bournemouth) vs Wolves. GW27:Enzo Maresca (Chelsea) vs Leicester.
GW28:Enzo Maresca (Chelsea) vs Southampton. There is the natural temptation to go for Liverpool's double gameweek, but when it comes to the new chip I'm drawn to looking at the bottom of the table - or rather, the managers who will be expecting to beat those at the bottom. I'm going to play my chip from GW26, and I'm starting with Andoni Iraola. With Bournemouth entertaining Wolves and smashing in goals for fun of late, I reckon there's a high chance of a great return - particularly if the likes of Justin Kluivert are still in form.
Depending on results, I'm then looking to switch to Enzo Maresca: Chelsea face two inviting home fixtures in Southampton (GW27) and Leicester (GW28) and could wrack up some serious FPL points, so it makes sense to back Maresca for two extremely winnable games. How will you be using the chip? Let us know in the comments below. Sign up for Fantasy Football Live to join our fantasy league and get the latest FPL tips.
