A template refers to a team largely made up of the most highly owned players in the game, the big hitters, the in-form budget enablers, and the “set and forget” assets that dominate the FPL conversation. Following the template can feel like a safe, sensible strategy. After all, if millions of managers own these players, they must be good, right? Every season a template emerges that most managers use. FPL pricing has been solid this year and hence not everyone can have the best assets.
A very shocking stat was discovered by LiveFPL. Live FPL on Twitter/X would post the following.
This is most duplicated/cloned team selection for GW1 (starting 11 + captain). 4,611 managers with FPL ids below 1M have this exact combination.
— LiveFPL (@LiveFPLnet) August 18, 2025
They will all sit at ~4.5 million end of GW1 with 54 points. pic.twitter.com/ewGfo1BAeu
This is also Youtuber FPL Harry‘s team.
4611 managers have the exact same team and substitutes. Everyone who copied the template will have the same rank not to mention it just defeats the point of the game. FPL is all about how you set up your team and navigate the chips, blanks, postponements etc. Having the same team means you will not gain significant rank . This is why having a differential is essential and makes the game more fun. People that went for no palmer, Haaland and Salah drafts would have a much higher rank. Look at past experts, they follow a template but still have differentials that can earn them that extra rank.
The path to a top FPL rank is paved with shrewd differential picks. These are the players with low ownership who suddenly hit a purple patch of form or have a favorable run of fixtures. A well-timed transfer for a player like this can lead to a huge rank jump. However, if your team is a carbon copy of the template, you don’t have the flexibility or the funds to bring in these difference-makers. You’re constantly playing catch-up, only bringing in a player once their ownership has skyrocketed and they’ve become the new ‘template.’ By this point, you’ve missed the crucial window of opportunity. Like Reijnders is now outpriced following today’s price rise for owners who have £5.5 Million midfielders.
Part of the joy of FPL is the strategy, the research, and the satisfaction of finding a hidden gem. Building your own unique squad, trusting your gut on a differential, and watching it pay off is one of the most rewarding feelings in the game. Finding a Rogers or Palmer before they become mainstream is the key to reaching the top ranks.
To truly excel at FPL, one must be willing to take calculated risks, trust your own analysis, and forge a unique path. The goal isn’t to be safe; the goal is to score the most points.
