The Digest – Gameweek 9

Georginio Wijnaldum gives Steve McClaren something to finally cheer about with a devastating display in Newcastle’s hammering of Norwich. City’s strength is depth is in evidence with a 5-1 thrashing of Bournemouth, whilst Eden Hazard’s Fantasy stock plummets after being benched for Chelsea’s win over Villa.

The Player

A stunning four-goal salvo from Georginio Wijnaldum provided the perfect tonic for under-fire Steve McClaren ahead of this weekend’s Wear-Tyne derby.

Last season’s Dutch Footballer of the Year, Wijnaldum arrived at St James’ Park amid much expectation after helping former club PSV Eindhoven to the Eredivisie title with 14 goals and three assists in 33 appearances. A goal on his Magpies debut showed early promise before he embarked on a five-match run of blanks which was finally brought to an end by McClaren’s decision to switch from 4-2-3-1 to 4-4-2.

Stationed on the left flank, Wijnaldum notched in a 2-2 home draw with Chelsea before providing the assist for Aleksandar Mitrovic’s strike in the 6-1 loss at City. His weekend display against the Canaries brought in 25 points and saw the Dutchman rocket into fourth spot in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) midfield standings.

Encouragingly for McClaren and Fantasy managers alike, Wijnaldum’s form coincides with a very favourable run of fixtures which looks poised to see him profit further. Having slipped in price from 7.0 to 6.8, he now faces Sunderland, Stoke, Bournemouth, Leicester and Palace in the next five Gameweeks, strengthening his case for consideration as a viable option for our five-man midfields.

The Team

With both Sergio Aguero and David Silva sidelined through international injuries, the smart money was on Kevin De Bruyne to make the difference as City welcomed Bournemouth to the Etihad.

A tactical tweak from Manuel Pellegrini proved decisive, with Raheem Sterling handed a role up front alongside Wilfried Bony as De Bruyne switched to the left flank in a 4-4-2 formation. Whilst the Belgian’s growing band of owners had to be content with just one assist, Sterling and Bony ran riot – the former netting three times, with Bony chipping in with two goals and an assist. Both are now firmly on the radar whilst Aguero nurses his dodgy hamstring.

The 5-1 win merely underlines the wealth of options available to Manuel Pellegrini. Indeed, the same applies to Fantasy managers – five City midfielders or forwards have returned at least five points per appearance in FPL, whilst Bony has produced 23 points over his three starts and has proven an able deputy in Aguero’s absence.

Heading into the weekend, Silva’s absence, in particular, had raised questions over City’s ability to produce the goods – they’d scored just three goals in as many matches without the Spaniard compared to 16 strikes in five outings with him on board. The Bournemouth display certainly quelled any doubts ahead of their derby trip to Old Trafford and with back-to-back clashes against Norwich and Villa to follow, Pellegrini looks to have the tools at his disposal to prevail until his two star players return.

The Talking Point

Having netted in both Belgium’s recent internationals, a home clash with Villa looked tailor-made for Eden Hazard to fire his ailing campaign into life last Saturday. Instead, Jose Mourinho made the bold decision to bench last season’s Player of the Year, handing the recalled Pedro a role on the left as the champions registered a 2-0 win.

Hazard’s spot-kick duties and security of starts have ensured he’s remained one of the key figures on the Fantasy scene in recent times. After racking up 190, 202 and 233 points in the previous three years, the Belgian is proven Fantasy royalty and it seemed only a matter of time before he would hit his stride.

Mourinho’s decision, with the Blues boss citing a lack of defensive work-rate, suggests Hazard’s fall from grace may very well continue – it’s a stunning turnaround in fortunes for a player who started every league match in last term’s title-winning campaign.

With a trip to in-form West Ham now on the agenda, though, can Mourinho really afford to keep the Belgian on his bench? Chelsea needed some calamitous defending and an improbable deflection to beat a struggling Villa side and Jose will be hoping his public criticism can inspire Hazard to return to the form of old.

Arguably, with fellow premium options Alexis Sanchez and Kevin De Bruyne firing on all cylinders, it would be one less quandary for Fantasy managers if Hazard remained on the Fantasy periphery. The Belgian may well be afforded a reprieve for tonight’s clash with Dynamo Kiev after Pedro was ruled out with a minor knock but with the Spaniard expected to be fit in time for Upton Park, he may need a big performance to prevent his 24% owners from preparing their goodbyes.