Chelsea have issued an angry statement against the Premier League after their fixture with Everton was moved forward from April 19 to Thursday April 17. It means that Grant’s side must now face Wigan at home on the Monday April 14 and then travel to Goodison for a massive banana skin fixture just three days later. The fixture has been rescheduled to fit with TV schedules. Everton meanwhile, have it considerably easier with a trip to Birmingham on the Saturday preceding the rearranged game.

This is significant news for fantasy managers on two fronts. Firstly it increases the chances of massive rotation in Grant’s side against Wigan. Secondly, and rather bizarrely, right now it appears that FPL managers will have to contend with a Thursday deadline in Gameweek 35.

Grant is certain to rest heavily for the home game with Wigan a fixture which already follows the second-leg of the Champions League with Fenerbahce. With so many options open to Grant, it makes the consideration of his players very tricky indeed. If the Fenerbahce tie is tight then Lampard, Cole, Terry and Drogba could all be shelved for the Wigan game in preparation for the tough trip to Goodison.

As I’ve mentioned, the other consideration for FPL managers is that this Thursday fixture currently remains in Gameweek 35 – however that means that the gameweek deadline will have to kick-in on the Thursday, with the rest of the fixtures following two days later. Presumably then fantasy managers will be forced to make transfers and team selections without a full set of team news for the coming weekend. Time to invest in some bench players maybe.

There’s a possibility that the fixture could be moved to gameweek 34 giving Chelsea and Everton a double. That would certainly make more sense but, right now, that is not the case. I’ll keep an eye on this and let you know if things change.