FPL managers make unthinkable decision ahead of GW3 as key data revealed

Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers are making a key mistake that could haunt them ahead of Gameweek 3.

After just two weeks of Premier League action, FPL players are learning a lot about what assets could be worth owning for the upcoming stretch, and many have already played their first chip.

Some saw an opportunity to use the bench boost in Gameweek 1 or 2 and planned their initial team around this strategy to varying degrees of success.

Several other managers, meanwhile, were burned after leaving their budget enablers on their bench without activating the chip, notably Brentford's Mamadou Sangare for his 14-point haul against Tottenham Hotspur in Gameweek 1 and Pascal Gross for his 13-pointer against Chelsea in Gameweek 2.

As we head into Gameweek 3, thousands of managers are continuing their aggressive strategy by playing their wildcard, meaning they can make as many changes to their squad as they like without sacrificing points, but unlike a free hit, this will be their team for future matchdays.

The closure of the summer transfer window is seen as an ideal opportunity to use the wildcard chip and target players with strong upcoming fixtures, starting with Manchester City's home clash against Coventry City.

A minority went without owning Erling Haaland at the start of the season and aren't brave enough to go against the Norwegian goal machine against newly-promoted Coventry, even more so after his 13-pointer against Crystal Palace last Friday.

On a wildcard in Gameweek 3, many are selecting two more City players alongside Haaland to triple up for the favourable home fixture against the Sky Blues before facing Sunderland in Gameweek 5 and Ipswich Town in Gameweek 7.

This is also seen as the perfect time to triple captain City's No. 9 against arguably the league's weakest defence, with millions of managers activating the chip this weekend.

While few can argue against wanting the 26-year-old to have triple points against the Sky Blues, those on wildcard - who can't activate a second chip in Gameweek 3 - are making a huge mistake with one omission.

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FPL managers are making a mistake leaving Bruno Fernandes out of their wildcards

A chance to own three Man City assets isn't the only reason managers are hitting the wildcard button, as this presents a great opportunity to buy Chelsea players ahead of Gameweek 4.

Xabi Alonso's men travel to Arsenal in a huge clash on Sunday, but after facing the champions, the Blues play Hull City at home before a run of Brentford (A), Bournemouth (H) and Everton (A).

For this reason, many are selecting Cole Palmer (£9.6m), Morgan Rogers (£7.5m) and Joao Pedro (£7.7m) after watching the forward trio look electric against Fulham and Brighton.

Palmer scored and assisted in the 3-2 victory over the Cottagers before bagging in the 4-3 win at home to Brighton, demonstrating signs of his world-class form after a poor campaign last term.

Pedro and Rogers, meanwhile, have produced six goal involvements between them in the opening two games, making them must-own players for their upcoming run.

That being said, sacrifices have to be made elsewhere to own all three, and those selecting Palmer as one of their premium assets are invariably dropping Bruno Fernandes - and this is a huge mistake.

Fernandes produced an incredible 23-point monster haul by scoring a hat-trick, as well as assisting, during the 5-2 victory against Ipswich Town.

The Portuguese maestro showcased his class at Old Trafford as thousands - if not millions - of managers were rewarded by captaining the 31-year-old for a whopping 46-point score.

It seems unthinkable that players are now transferring Fernandes out ahead of his Gameweek 3 clash against Everton, an opponent he normally decimates, having scored six and assisted five in 15 meetings with the Toffees.

But to free up some much-needed budget - with Fernandes costing £12m - managers are taking the chance on Palmer outscoring United's No. 8 in the coming weeks, while costing £2.4m less at the time of writing.

Last season, Michael Carrick's world-class playmaker proved why FPL priced him as the second-most expensive premium asset behind Haaland after producing the most double-digit Gameweeks of any player.

In fact, he averaged 7.6 points per match under Carrick and ended up being the top-scoring midfielder across the 2025-26 campaign.

So, when it comes to deciding whether to go without Fernandes, perhaps it's worth considering that he's arguably the most consistent asset in the game with penalties, goals/assists, DEFCON, and regular bonus points.

That is why some are trying to fit Fernandes, Palmer, and Haaland in the same team, although it significantly weakens other areas, and that isn't a viable strategy long-term.