The second Wildcard chip is now available, enabling Fantasy Premier League managers to refresh their entire squad.
But while a quick fix is always tempting, here are some reasons for showing patience and saving the Wildcard for later in the campaign.
Transfer window
The Premier League January transfer window is the first factor to consider.
Up until 31 January, players will be changing clubs or new arrivals added to the game.
Managers may benefit from holding back with the Wildcard to assess the impact of these January moves.
Future Double Gameweeks?
There is an opportunity to use the Wildcard to exploit potential Double Gameweeks, when two or more teams face two fixtures in a single Gameweek, doubling the points potential of their players.
This occurred recently in Gameweek 22, with Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United each playing twice.
Matches postponed due to domestic cup commitments could force further double Gameweeks.
Manchester City, along with either Arsenal or Chelsea, could progress to the final of the Carabao Cup, on 25 February.
This coincides with Gameweek 28, meaning that one or more of Arsenal v Man City and Manchester United v Chelsea will be postponed.
These rescheduled matches could create a double Gameweek for those teams.
The FA Cup quarter-finals and semi-finals coincide with Gameweeks 31 and 35 respectively and so could also cause further Premier League postponements.
Holding the Wildcard until these fixtures are rescheduled could be a worthwhile strategy.
How to exploit
For example, by using the Wildcard before a Double Gameweek, FPL managers can tailor their squads, signing players with more than one fixture.
This tactic can be extended further by activating the Bench Boost chip in a Double Gameweek.
Bench Boost brings all four substitutes into play, providing the opportunity to field 15 players, each with two fixtures in a single Gameweek.
Those FPL managers who have retained their chips should certainly consider guarding the second Wildcard with this tactic in mind.
Also in this series
Part 2: FPL Wildcard targets: Jordan Pickford
Part 3: FPL Wildcard targets: David De Gea
Part 4: FPL Wildcard targets: Nick Pope
Part 5: FPL Wildcard targets: Adrian
Part 6: FPL Wildcard targets: Marcos Alonso
Part 7: FPL Wildcard targets: Phil Jones
Part 8: FPL Wildcard targets: John Stones
Part 9: FPL Wildcard targets: Virgil van Dijk
Part 10: FPL Wildcard targets: Jesse Lingard
Part 11: FPL Wildcard targets: Marko Arnautovic
Part 12: FPL Wildcard targets: Riyad Mahrez
Part 13: FPL Wildcard targets: Eden Hazard
Part 14: FPL Wildcard targets: Harry Kane
Part 15: FPL Wildcard targets: Alexandre Lacazette
Part 16: FPL Wildcard targets: Alvaro Morata
Part 17: FPL Wildcard targets: Sergio Aguero
