FPL

FPL 2025/26: Extra free Gameweek 16 transfers ahead of AFCON

19 July 2025 114 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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Alright, but apart from the defensive contribution points, twice as many chips, elite leagues and more assists, what has Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ever done for us?

Given us extra transfers to help deal with the exodus ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), that’s what.

HOW MANY EXTRA TRANSFERS – AND WHEN?

In Gameweek 16, FPL managers will have their free transfer allowance topped up to five – regardless of what they had amassed already.

WHEN DOES AFCON TAKE PLACE?

AFCON will take place between Sunday 21 December 2025 and Sunday 18 January 2026.

That covers Gameweeks 17 to 22 in FPL:

But Premier League players will be departing for their countries earlier than the above dates. How early is the big question.

Usually, clubs must release players 14 days before a continental championship.

If that rule is enforced, Premier League side would lose their players for Gameweek 16 at the very least.

However, we have seen a gentlemen’s agreement between AFCON and the Premier League in recent years. That’s allowed players to depart as late as possible.

So, if a similar bargain is struck, Salah and co may be able to complete their Gameweek 16 fixtures before jetting off.

FPL aren’t leaving anything to chance, however, topping up everyone’s free transfer allowance to five ahead of Gameweek 16.

MAX OUT YOUR TRANSFERS IN GAMEWEEK 15?

Strategically, the initial thought is that it would be beneficial to exhaust your free transfers by the time the Gameweek 15 deadline has passed.

This would give you an extra four free transfers, as well as your normal weekly one, for Gameweek 16.

If you’d rolled two going into Gameweek 16, by contrast, you’d only get a) your normal weekly free transfer and b) two additional ones.

WHICH PLAYERS WILL BE GOING TO AFCON?

Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will be among the big names heading to AFCON this winter.

You can read our full guide to the tournament, and its FPL implications, via the link below:

Salah injured as Egypt's AFCON progress

AFCON 2025: Salah, Wissa + Mbeumo and the other players who could miss six Gameweeks

114 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. THAT'S LIFE
    • 11 Years
    23 hours, 59 mins ago

    Looks like any sort of tactics and planning being slowly eroded from this game

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  2. Zalk
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 57 mins ago

    Haha, you just have to laugh at this point.

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  3. WHUFCSmith23
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    23 hours, 56 mins ago

    Games gone. We are all casual now.

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  4. Davido989
    • 14 Years
    23 hours, 54 mins ago

    I miss the days of long term planning, finding hidden gems in pre season and just overall enjoying a simple game.

    Double the chips + 5FT during AFCON like Assistant Manager last year, feels like over engineering the game to me.

    I'd happily pay to play if it meant there was a simple 'old school' version of the game.

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    1. Zalk
      • 13 Years
      23 hours, 47 mins ago

      Agree, I wish they just made a variation of the game that those who like spammy mobile app games could play.

      I really miss the planning ahead.

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    2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 38 mins ago

      It’s about engagement. As with everything the push is to create buzz and to bring in new people

      They have the hardcore fans, they are going nowhere. Its now about branching out and I like the changes as it refreshes a game which hasn’t had a proper refresh in many years

      One thing it does do is help content creators with content which I imagine is another factor. There are now various touch points in the season where content creators have content they can build around for months

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      1. Zalk
        • 13 Years
        23 hours, 29 mins ago

        The number of managers has actually stopped growing since they started all these ridiculous changes every year. It has plateaued at around 11 million.

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      2. Rwilliams90
        • 13 Years
        23 hours, 28 mins ago

        This is what it's really for. The content creators are now running the show so of course they'll make changes to suit themselves. Long -term players will be pushed away I think but the numbers won't be anything that bothers them.

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      3. WVA
        • 8 Years
        22 hours, 57 mins ago

        Doesn’t this just mean it means content creators can make more money?

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      4. Mirror Man
        • 1 Year
        19 hours, 50 mins ago

        The exception that proves the rule. A unique geriatric. Kudus.

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    3. Sloopy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      ^ this!

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    4. Mr. O'Connell
      • 13 Years
      22 hours, 26 mins ago

      Fan team. Ahem.

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  5. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 11 Years
    23 hours, 45 mins ago

    This is the first miss so far

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  6. polis
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 45 mins ago

    Expecting the next update to confirm there'll be a maximum of 16 players to pick from.

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  7. Rwilliams90
    • 13 Years
    23 hours, 44 mins ago

    Let's be honest, content creators have killed the game.

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    1. Davido989
      • 14 Years
      23 hours, 39 mins ago

      I can never understand putting content behind a paywall for a game that is free.

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    2. Zalk
      • 13 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      I think they're in charge now, FPL has outsourced it.

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    3. ColeyHoley
      • 2 Years
      20 hours, 8 mins ago

      But they are bobbins.

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    4. Mirror Man
      • 1 Year
      19 hours, 55 mins ago

      Old farts everywhere! They've mustered the energy to leave their round table of rich tea biscuits (with butter), gammy tea, and moaning!

      It happens once per year when fpl improve their product.

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  8. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 11 Years
    23 hours, 43 mins ago

    At this rate all out attack chip will back

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    1. Mirror Man
      • 1 Year
      19 hours, 52 mins ago

      We need two of them

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  9. tricky80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    23 hours, 39 mins ago

    Why not just automate everything so I don't have to plan or make choices?!

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    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      That kind of happens already. People just copy other content creators or use ai

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    2. Botman and Robben
      • 8 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      This 5 transfer thing nullifies the advantages great managers have in planning ahead for the AFCON exits.

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    3. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      23 hours, 36 mins ago

      don't worry, Microsoft AI is coming soon

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    4. Mirror Man
      • 1 Year
      19 hours, 51 mins ago

      Stick to bowls and bingo

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  10. Botman and Robben
    • 8 Years
    23 hours, 38 mins ago

    I am a lazy manager, this will help me.

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  11. tricky80
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    23 hours, 36 mins ago

    Or maybe the competitiveness is too triggering, so let's give everyone effort points and we all win together!

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    1. im1974
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      21 hours, 52 mins ago

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  12. A Fat Spanish Waiter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    23 hours, 35 mins ago

    This is the one change that I really dislike. Part of what give experienced players an edge is thoughtful transfer planning. Now we get another half of wildcard, and all those donkeys who would have said “why isn’t Salah playing this week” get a free pass.

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  13. chocolove
    • 14 Years
    23 hours, 34 mins ago

    This one is unnecessary

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    1. Rwilliams90
      • 13 Years
      23 hours, 31 mins ago

      100% I've been playing since the very beginning and I can't remember AFCON ever being a problem to navigate. Completely needless change.

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  14. Studs Up
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    23 hours, 30 mins ago

    Reminds me of what an open book exam use to be like

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    1. im1974
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      21 hours, 51 mins ago

      I passed those ones. But this is silly

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  15. Captain Mal
      23 hours, 29 mins ago

      Do I get an extra free transfer when one of my players blanks?

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    • bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      23 hours, 28 mins ago

      They will be giving 5 extra transfers in January to get the AFCON players back next

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      1. bitm2007
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        23 hours, 27 mins ago

        followed by more extra transfers to deal with the blanks and DGW's.

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    • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 28 mins ago

      2 wildcards, 2 free hits, 5 extra free transfers let’s go

      This season is going to be carnage. Price changes going to be so hard to predict

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        23 hours, 26 mins ago

        Points galore with new scoring system. Breaking new ground

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    • Stevig
      • 15 Years
      23 hours, 25 mins ago

      shall we just pick a new team each week ??????

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      1. Stevig
        • 15 Years
        23 hours, 24 mins ago

        feeling the shadow of fpl challenge looming the game i love

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    • diesel001
      • 8 Years
      23 hours, 23 mins ago

      Fair play to FPL. They realise it is a marketing tool to foster interest in the PL and so are making changes to keep all the casual managers engaged.

      More transfers, more chips, more points (through rule changes) = More fun

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      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        23 hours, 22 mins ago

        Exactly and they need to compete with other games -uefa, fifa, pauper week games

        It’s made me more excited for the new season, the same old game was getting boring

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      2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 15 Years
        23 hours, 15 mins ago

        Also more punts, you can now take bigger risks short term and know if it doesn’t work out it’s not the end of the season

        It’s going to negatively impact those who are conservative and risk adverse but for those who like to have fun this is great

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      3. WVA
        • 8 Years
        22 hours, 56 mins ago

        = more money

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    • Moon Dog
        23 hours, 14 mins ago

        Anyone been counting the defensive actions in the Manchester United v Leeds game?

        Cunha looks so out of place. Like a diamond in a river of crap.

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        1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 15 Years
          23 hours, 11 mins ago

          I think mbuemo is going to give the team some real energy. His whole game at Brentford was about hard work and using a lot of energy so look forward to seeing him in the team. He might transform the energy of the attack

          Still need a striker. Sesko, Watkins and they could be a real threat with Amad, Bruno

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          1. Moon Dog
              22 hours, 50 mins ago

              Mbeumo is an incredible player but I still think this team needs a lot more. The build-up from back to front is painful. I think they need a top central midfielder and Martinez fit. The defensive unit don't look great with or without the ball, even with Mazraoui, De Ligt, Shaw, Casemiro starting.

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        2. Botman and Robben
          • 8 Years
          23 hours, 13 mins ago

          Waiting for FPL to announce that if any player on your team gets red flagged, you automatically get 1 free transfer to take him out.

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          1. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            23 hours, 9 mins ago

            I would mine that one. I've suggested an injury crises chip in the past so you are not derailed by unfortunate events out of your control.

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            1. Botman and Robben
              • 8 Years
              23 hours, 1 min ago

              What would constitute an "injury crises"?

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              1. bitm2007
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                22 hours, 42 mins ago

                It would be to replace all red flagged players once a season.

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        3. Nightcrawler
          • 6 Years
          23 hours, 9 mins ago

          this is a good change for those who take the game seriously

          casuals will inevitably blow the chips early on, allowing the more patient ones to maximize the chips with the 5 FTs

          excellent change

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        4. RedLightning
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          23 hours, 6 mins ago

          This is a terrible change, and quite unnecessary. I am surprised that Mark has been forced to allow it, since I find it hard to believe it's his idea.
          I had been planning to play my first wildcard in Gameweek 16 to prepare for AFCON, but now there's not much point.
          No point in saving transfers which might come in useful later either, since everyone gets their transfers topped up to five and ends up with the same team.

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          1. Zalk
            • 13 Years
            23 hours, 2 mins ago

            I imagine Mark coming home from work crying for a fourth time this week and his wife asks him: "More changes to the game huh?"

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          2. Studs Up
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            23 hours, 1 min ago

            As in any work environment, people's mindset/outlook changes when put in a different (especially higher) position...

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          3. Nightcrawler
            • 6 Years
            23 hours ago

            if u were planning to use ur wc in 16 you can make wholsesale changes and keep 5fts going into the festive season

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          4. bitm2007
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            22 hours, 57 mins ago

            I was planning to WC then as well. I'm now thinking save as many FTs as needed for GW15, and those combined with those in GW16 will probably allow you to all but WC before the AFON without using the chip.

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            1. RedLightning
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 15 Years
              21 hours, 16 mins ago

              So you're suggesting that I could use all my saved transfers to make some of my intended wildcard changes in Gameweek 15, then use up to five in Gameweek 16 to make the rest, and play my Wildcard some other time? That might be a possibility.
              Or I could still Wildcard in Gameweek 16 as originally planned and then carry the five transfers over and use them later, as Nightcrawler suggests. I may perhaps just see how it goes and then decide later whether to play my wildcard in Gameweek 16 or earlier, and whether to use the extra AFCON transfers in Gameweek 16 or save them for later.

              There's certainly no point now in carrying any transfers over from Gameweek 15 to Gameweek 16. If I have transfers to spare then that might be a good time to Bench Boost.
              Even more managers than usual will probably now be Bench Boosting in Gameweek 1 and Wildcarding shortly after, but playing a very early wildcard always seems to turn out badly for me, so I made a resolution (which I often have difficulty in keeping to) to wait at least till the second international break before playing it in future.

              If the pricing is too generous then it might even be possible to afford a strong bench for a Bench Boost in Gameweek 1 as well as a strong first eleven, and not have to wildcard away from it straight afterwards, but I think it is unlikely that will be possible without weakening the first eleven more than I would like.

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        5. x.jim.x
          • 10 Years
          23 hours, 5 mins ago

          FPL price announcement:

          Salah 8m
          Haaland 7m
          Saka 6m
          Palmer 5m

          Everyone can have all their faves, no need to stress x

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          1. Zalk
            • 13 Years
            23 hours ago

            There's also the sub-one-million-booster feature coming up, which doubles your GW points if you're below 1 million.

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            1. Nightcrawler
              • 6 Years
              22 hours, 58 mins ago

              none of the changes introduced actually make the game easier to play, just more points on offer, but its about the rank. more strategies involved now than ever before so can only be good for the game

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              1. x.jim.x
                • 10 Years
                22 hours, 52 mins ago

                Come on - being gifted up to four FTs makes the game easier, no way around it

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                1. Nightcrawler
                  • 6 Years
                  22 hours, 35 mins ago

                  it only makes u get more points, but if used with planning gets u even more point, especially if used to get the best out of chips. Just like the chips in the previous seasons...the 2nd wc in theory made the game easier but if u didnt use it well with the dgws u ended up hurting ur rank ultimately

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              2. Zalk
                • 13 Years
                22 hours, 47 mins ago

                A conversation in another forum made me read up on something called oppositional defiant disorder.

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                1. Nightcrawler
                  • 6 Years
                  22 hours, 31 mins ago

                  good to know. no idea what it has to do with fpl changes. would hate it if they introduced midweek sub rule, just as so many others would so there goes ur disorder

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          2. polis
            • 13 Years
            22 hours, 59 mins ago

            And transfers in decrease their prices.

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          3. Leo14CFC
              22 hours, 46 mins ago

              Where did you see this ??

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              1. x.jim.x
                • 10 Years
                22 hours, 45 mins ago

                Mate

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              2. bitm2007
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                22 hours, 39 mins ago

                Has to be an ironic comment.

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          4. Botman and Robben
            • 8 Years
            22 hours, 55 mins ago

            Do we get another 5 transfers when African players come back to the EPL after AFCON?

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          5. Moon Dog
              22 hours, 55 mins ago

              These two teenage centre backs at Manchester United ooze class. Heaven and Yoro are going to be top players. What a change to the build-up since they came on...

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              1. x.jim.x
                • 10 Years
                22 hours, 38 mins ago

                I love Yoro, but I wish we’d have sorted out other areas of the pitch before spending a lot on him

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                1. Moon Dog
                    22 hours, 32 mins ago

                    I think you got a bargain. I can see why Madrid wanted him.

                    Hojlund however, is lowering his transfer fee with every touch he has in this game 😆

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                    1. x.jim.x
                      • 10 Years
                      21 hours, 40 mins ago

                      Oh yeah in a vacuum - just wonder whether it was the right time, considering we still need a striker, midfielder, keeper…

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              2. phil_whites11
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 15 Years
                22 hours, 53 mins ago

                Which scout membership gets you access to the members area where you can look at the player stats and hall of fame?

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              3. Vinyl78LP
                • 15 Years
                22 hours, 45 mins ago

                Waiting for the Blue Shell chip, to nuke your ML leader just before the end of the season.

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              4. Mr. O'Connell
                • 13 Years
                22 hours, 29 mins ago

                This is huge for those tripled up on Sunderland. Half the team off to AFCON

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              5. Mr. O'Connell
                • 13 Years
                22 hours, 26 mins ago

                Excellent way to break the template. Give the whole game 5FT at the same time.

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                1. Mr. O'Connell
                  • 13 Years
                  22 hours, 21 mins ago

                  Assuming Salah is in most teams at this point, it makes it so easy to spread the funds freed up from selling the most expensive player in the game.

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