At the start of this FPL season, Fantasy Premier League managers were intrigued by the announcement of a new mystery chip.

After months of speculation, its mechanics have now been revealed, and we now have a better idea of how the assistant manager chip works!

Although its overall impact on the game is yet to be determined, the chip introduces an interesting dynamic that could influence how managers approach the game for the rest of the season.

In this article, we will break down how the new FPL mystery chip works, outline key considerations for its use, and offer practical tips to help you plan effectively before activating it.

What Is The New Mystery FPL Assistant Manager Chip?

When you activate the new assistant manager chip, you will be able to choose one of the 20 Premier League managers to serve as an “assistant manager” for your FPL team.

Once deployed, the chip will remain active for three consecutive gameweeks, during which your selected manager can earn additional points for your team based on the real-life performance of their Premier League club.

The points system works as follows:

  • 6 points are awarded for each win by the manager’s team.
  • 3 points are awarded for a draw.
  • 2 points are awarded for every clean sheet.
  • 1 point is awarded for each goal scored by the manager’s team.

This chip introduces a fresh layer of strategy to FPL, allowing you to capitalise on the form and fixtures of Premier League clubs.

When Can The Assistant Manager Chip Be Activated? 

The new chip will be available in Gameweek 24, giving FPL managers plenty of time to analyse team performances and review the Premier League standings before it becomes playable.

This window allows managers to plan their strategies carefully for optimal use.

Only Considering Managers From The Best Performing Teams? Think Again

Choosing your assistant manager will require an extra layer of strategy, as not all managers will be scored using the standard point system.

If your selected manager’s team faces opponents ranked at least five places higher in the Premier League table, you could earn additional points.

In such cases, the scoring system is as follows:

  • 16 points are awarded for a win.
  • 8 points are awarded for a draw.
  • 2 points are awarded for every clean sheet.
  • 1 point is awarded for each goal scored by the manager’s team.

This scoring variation could reward FPL managers who are considering taking a chance on coaches from lower-ranked clubs.

Will You Only Be Able To Benefit From One Manager?

As mentioned earlier, once you activate this chip, you’ll need to select a manager.

The chip will remain active for three gameweeks, but you’ll have the option to transfer your assistant manager after the first gameweek, swapping them for another manager.

After the second gameweek, you can make another transfer to replace your manager.

Each transfer will count as one of your available transfers, similar to how you transfer players within your squad.

While selecting your initial manager won't use one of your available transfers, activating this chip will require you to use funds from your available budget to acquire an assistant manager.

While the exact prices for managers are not yet known, we do know they will range from £0.5m to £1.5m.

Can You Select Any Manager From Any Club?

Yes, but there’s an important consideration when selecting your assistant manager.

Your choice must adhere to the “3 players per club” quota, meaning your assistant manager will count as one of these three players.

For example, if you already have Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk in your squad, you’ll need to transfer one of them out to make room for Arne Slot as your assistant manager.

Another Chip That Should Be Saved For Double Gameweeks? 

Double gameweeks may seem like the ideal time to activate this chip, but there’s an extremely important factor to keep in mind.

Like with any other chip, you cannot have the assistant manager chip active at the same time as another chip.

This means that if you were planning to use your Triple Captain, Bench Boost, or Free Hit chip during a double matchweek, you won’t be able to do so if the Assistant Manager chip is active.

4 Possible FPL Assistant Manager Chip Strategy Tips To Consider

While trying to strategise around using the Assistant Manager chip seems difficult due to limited information regarding its use, there are a few things to consider while we wait for more information.

Saving Available Transfers

FPL managers who plan to rotate their assistant managers should be mindful of their available free transfers.

Players can accumulate up to a maximum of five free transfers this season.

Managers looking to rotate players and their assistant manager during the same period will likely need to have all five free transfers saved up before activating the chip.

It’s a smart move for these managers to start conserving free transfers whenever possible in the lead-up to Gameweek 24, when the chip becomes playable.

Get Your Team Nailed On

Given the need to manage both available free transfers and the “3 players per team” rule, FPL managers must ensure their teams are optimally prepared for the three gameweeks when the Assistant Manager chip is active.

After evaluating fixtures and form and determining which assistant manager will be selected for each of the three game weeks, aligning your budget, free transfers, and squad setup is crucial to ensure you can execute your strategy seamlessly.

Looking At Form, League Standings And Fixtures

If you plan to select assistant managers from lower-ranking clubs, closely monitoring recent form will be essential.

When these clubs face opponents positioned at least five places higher in the Premier League standings, it's important to assess which of the higher-ranked clubs are in poor form.

Evaluating this will help you determine whether the potential for outsized returns from your assistant manager is worth the risk.

If You Are Unsure, Play It Safe

For FPL newcomers who are still getting familiar with the game and feeling overwhelmed by the introduction of this new chip, focusing on a strong club with a favourable fixture run could be the best approach.

While the impact of the chip remains uncertain, some managers seeking massive point hauls may end up disappointed.

For others, a more straightforward strategy, such as selecting a single reliable assistant manager for guaranteed points across the three gameweeks, might prove to be the most effective option.

Three Early Candidates To Keep An Eye On

The Premier League is highly unpredictable, so trying to identify potential assistant managers this early may not be the best approach.

By the time Gameweek 24 begins in January, the league table could look very different from what it does now.

However, there are a few clubs to watch closely.

Managers from these teams could be well-positioned to deliver significant points for FPL managers, provided the right circumstances align.

Ruben Amorim

One of the most obvious candidates for many FPL managers evaluating their approach to the new chip is Manchester United, a club with significant potential for climbing the Premier League table.

After a challenging period under Erik Ten Hag, Ruben Amorim has breathed new life into the team.

Following their impressive victory over Manchester City in Gameweek 16, Amorim’s side will be closely watched by FPL managers as they assess their options leading up to Gameweek 24.

Ange Postecoglou

Currently in 10th place in the Premier League standings, Tottenham Hotspur could offer a valuable opportunity for FPL managers, provided they maintain their strong attacking form without rising too quickly in the rankings before Gameweek 24.

After their dominant 5-0 victory over Southampton in the latest gameweek, Spurs could be an appealing option for managers looking to select Postecoglou as their assistant manager.

Eddie Howe

Currently in 12th place in the Premier League standings, Newcastle could be an excellent option for FPL managers looking at teams with the potential to defeat those above them.

Under Eddie Howe, the team boasts several key players, including Isak and Gordon, who are major threats in attack.

Midfielders like Guimarães, Tonali, and Joelinton are also capable of dominating the game and controlling the tempo in the middle of the park. 

Final Thoughts

The announcement of the new chip has sparked mixed reactions within the FPL community.

Some view it as an exciting and innovative addition to the game, while others feel it’s overly complex, with limited information on its effectiveness causing frustration.

While we’ve received a fair amount of details about the new chip, it’s still challenging to determine the best way to use it at this stage.

As Gameweek 24 approaches, more information will be unveiled, allowing FPL managers to better strategise its deployment.

Over the coming weeks, more in-depth FPL tips and guidance will be available for those looking to use the chip to improve their overall FPL rankings.