The Fantasy Premier League gameweek 9 deadline is nearing and a number of managers are toying with the idea of activating the Wildcard chip.
The Wildcard gives you the opportunity to make unlimited transfers to your squad, an undoubtedly tempting resolution for managers who own the likes of Joao Pedro, Bukayo Saka and Riccardo Calafiori -- all of whom are either ruled out or doubts to feature in gameweek 9.
We've put together a team that covers all areas if you're triggering the Wildcard chip ahead of the FPL gameweek 9 deadline.
Goalkeepers
James Trafford - LEE (£5.0m)
After a steady return to the Premier League in the 2025/26 campaign, Leeds United are now one of the most defensively astute sides in the division. Conceding fewer than all but one team in the top-flight this term -- reigning Premier League champions Arsenal -- summer arrival James Trafford is a sensible pick in between the sticks, costing a sizeable £1.2m less than David Raya, despite conceding just seven points fewer than the Spaniard.
Antonin Kinsky - TOT (£4.4m)
While Tottenham may not scream defensive solidity, a 2-0 win over Chelsea last time out is proof that they are improving under the stewardship of Roberto De Zerbi, and £4.4m stopper is a strong rotational option for Trafford ahead of a reasonable run of fixtures for Spurs.
Defenders
Gabriel - ARS (£7.9m)
Gabriel has been overlooked for most of the season due to his premium price, but £7.9m is what you pay for an Arsenal defender who is all but guaranteed a starting spot every week.
Ezri Konsa - ARS (£4.7m)
The return of William Saliba could see Ezri Konsa’s game time diminish, but for now his minutes seem secure. £4.7m for a starting Arsenal defender is an offer that we can’t refuse, especially before a home contest against newly-promoted Hull City ahead of the international break.
Antonio Silva - BOU (£5.0m)
Bournemouth will count themselves extremely unlucky to have conceded 13 goals with an xGC (expected goals conceded) of 9.29, the third lowest in the league, but their luck has seemingly swung after clean sheets against AC Milan, Manchester United and Aston Villa.
Antonio Silva is the Cherries' second-highest points scorer in defence -- with a tally just three less than James Hill, who is £0.5m more expensive -- and he has emerged as a shrewd selection ahead of a favourable Bournemouth fixture run.
Luka Vuskovic - BHA (£5.2m)
While Maxim De Cuyper initally emerged as the more enticing option in the early stages of the term for his goal threat at left-wing, he's without an attacking return in both of his last two games and Luka Vuskovic is swiftly becoming the standout selection in the Brighton defence.
A magnet for DEFCON returns in a team who boast the third best defensive record in the league, Vuskovic is a set-and-forget pick for the forseeable.
Tarik Muharemovic - LEE (£5.1m)
Only five teams have recorded a lower xGC than Leeds United this season, and summer arrival Tarik Muharemovic deserves high praise for this. While cheaper Leeds alternatives, like Jayden Bogle and James Justin, have performed, the Bosnian’s DEFCON potential and aerial threat makes him the standout pick, recording four or more points in seven out of eight games this campaign.
Midfielders
Marcus Tavernier - BOU (£6.4m)
Starting the season as a £6.0m midfielder, Marcus Tavernier's £6.4m price tag after just eight gameweeks is proof of his impact for Bournemouth. Only Pascal Gross has recorded more points than the 27-year-old so far this campaign, adding his fifth Premier League goal of the season in the Cherries' 3-0 win at Old Trafford last weekend.
Johan Manzambi - AST (£6.1m)
Sidelined through injury for the first three games of the Premier League season, Johan Manzambi has proven exactly why Aston Villa spent just shy of £60m to secure his signature since returning to fitness, recording four goal involvements in as many starts under the stewardship of Unai Emery.
Morgan Rogers - CHE (£8.0m)
Cole Palmer is the standout Chelsea midfield pick due to his penalty kick responsibilities, but Morgan Rogers has so far outperformed his club and international teammate and comes in at £1.8m cheaper.
Pascal Gross - BHA (£6.2m)
There were initial suggestions that Pascal Gross' start to the season was a purple patch and that he's not essential, but numbers don't lie. Only Maxim De Cuyper and Erling Haaland have recorded more points than the German this campaign, scoring or assisting for Brighton in an impressive five games.
Mohammed Kudus - TOT (£6.5M)
There's no standout points returner in Tottenham's front line, but with fixtures against Crystal Palace, Ipswich Town, Sunderland and Fulham on the horizon, Mohammed Kudus is undoubtedly worth a punt.
Forwards
Erling Haaland - MCI (£15.6m)
While there is worry for Man City off the pitch after being found guilty of 114 charges out of the 115 brought upon them by the Premier League, business as usual resumes for Erling Haaland on the pitch. He has scored nine goals in eight top-flight games this term, and with premium assets Bruno Fernandes and Cole Palmer underperforming, there is simply no reason not to own the Norwegian brute.
Evanilson - BOU (£6.2m)
Only Haaland and Joao Pedro have been involved in more goals than Evanilson this campaign -- scoring three times and registering four assists in seven games -- and you can capitalise on Bournemouth's advantageous run of games by selecting the budget-friendly Brazilian.
Nicolas Jackson - AST (£6.8m)
There were questions asked when Aston Villa made Nicolas Jackson their marquee signing in a deal worth a reported £65m, but with four goals in his last four league games, he's proving his worth and is the glaring replacement for injured Chelsea forward Pedro.
