Updated 12 October 2026. Chelsea's injury uncertainty disappeared in GW6 — and both major FPL attackers immediately returned.
João Pedro: two goals, 12 points.
Palmer: two assists, eight points.
João Pedro
Price
£7.8m. That is the major advantage.
He allows you to keep Haaland, Saka, premium defenders and better bench depth.
Role
Central attacking route and now three double-digit hauls this season.
GW6 signal
Two goals on return confirms the injury is no longer the main concern.
Palmer
Price
£9.7m.
Role
Palmer offers shots, creation, set pieces, possible penalties, bonus and captaincy.
Before GW6 he had 12 shots in the box and four big chances created.
That is an excellent all-round premium profile.
Latest FPL news
Which is better for a Wildcard?
João Pedro
Best when:
- you already own Saka/Haaland;
- you need money elsewhere;
- you want Chelsea exposure without another premium slot.
Palmer
Best when:
- you want another captain option;
- midfield structure allows it;
- the extra spend does not weaken the rest of the squad.
Can you own both?
Yes.
The real question is opportunity cost.
A double-up is strongest when both are expected to start and the rest of the team remains balanced.
OneFPL verdict
Best value: João Pedro.
Best ceiling/captaincy: Palmer.
Best balanced structure: usually João Pedro alongside Saka/Haaland.
FAQ
João Pedro or Palmer for FPL?
João Pedro offers the cheaper route into Chelsea's attack, while Palmer offers more all-round involvement and stronger captaincy potential.
Can I own both?
Yes. Chelsea's attack and fixtures can justify the double-up if the rest of your squad remains balanced.
Who is better on Wildcard?
João Pedro is often easier structurally, while Palmer is better if you want another premium captain option.
How the choice changes your squad
The biggest difference between João Pedro and Palmer is not only expected points. It is what each player does to the rest of your budget.
Choosing João Pedro can free roughly £2m compared with Palmer. That money can turn a weak defender into Calafiori, upgrade a non-playing bench spot, or allow you to keep Saka alongside Haaland.
Choosing Palmer means accepting more money in midfield because you want a player who can also become a captain. That extra captaincy utility matters in weeks when Haaland has a difficult fixture.
What if you already own one?
Already own João Pedro
There is no need to sell after a 12-point return unless the move to Palmer is part of a wider restructuring.
Already own Palmer
Hold. Two assists on return is exactly the type of all-round involvement that supports patience.
Own neither
Start with your squad shape. If the rest of the team is weak, João Pedro is usually easier to fit. If your budget is healthy and you want a premium captain alternative, Palmer becomes more appealing.
Short-term plan
For GW7 and the next few fixtures, both can be held together if Chelsea's attack continues creating at this level.
Do not force a double-up if it means sacrificing Haaland, Saka or a functional bench.