Members

The Technical Area – Willian’s Progress

Much like the broader picture of his career at Stamford Bridge, Willian’s 2017/18 FPL campaign has been something of a tumultuous one.

Heavily touted in the pre-season as an underpriced route into the Chelsea attack (after an Eden Hazard injury opening up space within the Chelsea XI), the Brazilian’s early returns proved bitterly underwhelming: no goals and a solitary assist over the opening eight Gameweeks served as disappointing returns for a player of his calibre.

A spell on the sidelines followed, with Willian most frequently utilised as an impact substitute towards the end of matches.

The winds of change, however, seem once again to be blowing in Southwest London.

Willian, who had started just one of Chelsea’s previous eight fixtures, returned to the lineup in Gameweek 17 and has since proved a revelation.

From this date, he has returned three goals and five assists over eight Gameweeks, alongside a heady seven bonus points. In so doing, the winger has also begun his return to fantasy prominence – acquiring over 100,000 new owners during this span.

Do the underlying numbers support the idea of a Brazilian resurgence? And how do Willian’s numbers compare to other mid-priced competitors? With popular mid-priced picks now falling by the wayside, could Willian yet prove to be a powerful Fantasy differential?

2,112 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    That Bobby F pen miss has cost him future pens.

    What a troll

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      TBH with his conversion rate I'm fine with that

      1. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        True

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      VAR meant too long for him to think about it

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Matip lol

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    VAR again 🙄

  4. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    A members article about an injured player who is not first choice? I'm not sure about that one.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Only minor injury.

      1. FPL Virgin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Aye, but Conte doesn't fully trust him and he isn't nailed. I can't see any serious FPL managers bringing him in.

    2. FPL Virgin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I'd like to see the real juicy talking points tackled by these articles. The substance of these technical articles are first rate, they just need to zero in on the big issues, such as Kane Vs Aguero, who wins? Or who do the stats say is the best captain choice out of Kane and Salah for the rest of the season?

      1. Tazah
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        You're kinda getting annoying and boring

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Sorry about that fella.

          Are you going to bring Willian in then?

          1. Tazah
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Just enjoy the website and its people, that's the whole basis of it

        2. Rhinos
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          that ship sailed a long time ago

      2. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Why would you captain Kane or Salah for the rest of the season?

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          To protect rank.

          1. Cok3y5murf
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Gotta play form and fixtures even for that.

      3. Majestic Chanka
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Q1) Kane wins, mo goals

        Q2) Salah wins, mo points

        Questions answered

        1. Majestic Chanka
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          B-)

          1. Majestic Chanka
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

      4. tisza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        information is there in the members area. Don't be lazy 🙂

        1. FPL Virgin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Interpreting the info in the members area is a skill.

  5. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    I’m currently getting a foot massage

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    This is just ridiculous

    1. George James
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Why is it ridiculous Demba?

      1. George James
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        *Bemba

  7. samaael
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Elliot
    Jones/ Christensen/ Ogbonna/ Alonso
    Son/ Salah/ Sterling/ Richarlison
    Firmino/ Kane

    Foster/ Kenny/ DCL/ Chalobah*

    1FT 1.0ITB

    rotting. stop me from rotting. So many wrong decisions

    a) save
    b) Kenny to Stone
    c) Chalobah to Gudmunsson
    d) Son tot Mahrez

  8. Gt1996
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Surely they ref can blow the whistle when going to VAR and pause the clock..

  9. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Liverpool defensively solid at home myth exposed

  10. Costa in Wengerland
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    3-1 own goal Matip

  11. Darth_Krid
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    How can anyone be a fan of this? Fans won't even bother celebrating goals before long because they'll have to sit around for 5 minutes for it to be legitimised anyway.

    Should be like tennis where managers get 2 challenges per game or something. Even better, scrap it and let controversy reign!

    1. walkman666
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Just like the NFL. You get used to it, even if it’s blah.

      1. Tazah
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        That's why we hate the nfl

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Can't be that hated given the Superbowl is the most watched single sporting event on TV

          1. Tazah
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Yeah in the US maybe

    2. Dr Dream
      • 11 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Said it many times. Controversy is good.

      1. Dr Dream
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Reply fail.

      2. Darth_Krid
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Yep. I don't want to see the sport sanitised so much :/ As I said, maybe two challenges per game or something. The fans in the stadium also need to know what's going on.

  12. Fantasy Gold
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Screw VAR

  13. Malcolm Tucker for England …
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    one rule of VAR - referees are not to be influenced or ordered by players to make a review
    amendment (i) unless they play for the red shite

    1. Fantasy Gold
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Really surprised they didn’t find a way to disallow that goal

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        they tried all angles. could see the disappointment

    2. Somalion
      • 14 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I thought it was a bookable offence for players to demand VAR? Almost certain I heard that on the radio.

      1. Malcolm Tucker for England …
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        should be if it isn't already.

        1. Somalion
          • 14 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          As I say, I was fairly certain it was, but like everything else the ref would get pasted for brandishing a card.

  14. tm245
    • 12 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    COYVAR!

  15. F4L
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    This is brilliant

  16. Tazah
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Var puts so much pressure on the refs.... I feel for them

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Shouldn't be up to the ref. Just some guy(s) watching in the studio.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I think it puts pressure on players. Livermore got found out in that Salah foul - why is he pulling Salah back. Hopefully will start to eradicate dirty defending.

      As I said, now all it needs is a diver to get booked or sent off via a VAR decision. That would be beautiful.

      1. tm245
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Agree - though this is a fluid sport with so many fewer stoppages than others, the reality is that the vast majority of fans are watching on TV. 3 extra minutes of VAR waiting would replace 30+ minutes of feeling an injustice has been done.

        1. Tazah
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Plus I bet you var breaks will start to introduce ads in those times

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Alright for me.

          2. tm245
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            The whinging on here during matchdays will decline, though there will always be assist debates and players coming off at 59:58 to pick up the slack.

    3. Majestic Chanka
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Totally disagree, frees the refs up, takes the strain away of a poor decision deciding a game.

      1. Tazah
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Did you not see the players hounding the ref? Poor guy

  17. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    What’s my best -4 here?

    A) Sane, Richarlison, Oxlade
    B) Martial, Lingard, Oxlade
    C) Silva, Lingard, Oxlade
    D) Mahrez, Lingard, Milly

  18. Wetdream
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Swapping Kane to Aguero because Liverpool away is "a tough fixture* then West Brom go and put 3 past them.West Brom !!!

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I don't understand, when was Liverpool a tough fixture for an opposing attacker? Its always been an easy one

      1. Wetdream
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Not at anfield this season.Not conceded many at all till of late.

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          aye, but I made the same statement just before the City game. No team has really gone to Anfield and given it a good go, put Pool's back 4 under pressure and they will concede

        2. Cok3y5murf
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          That's because until now they've mostly faced rubbish teams that are known to struggle to score

  19. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Ain't no party like a VAR party.

  20. Darth_Krid
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    My Vertonghen > VVD plan this week is in tatters...

  21. UpAndAway
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 3 months ago

    Abandoning plans to bring VVD in...

    1. MTPockets
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Same. Retreating back to my no liverpool defender rule.

    2. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Best replacement for Arnie? I have 8.1m to spend.

      A) Shaqiri
      B) Pogba
      C) Someone else

      1. Teesra - The Jalebi
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Joe Allen

    3. Pierce34
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      "Big fan of VAR. Can accept losing if another team are better but not via an incorrect decision." I agree with that. Sure, there are kinks to work out but the reason for using VAR in the first place - getting decisions correct - justifies it.

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        I'm happy with incorrect decisions tbh.

        1. Dr Dream
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Yep. Folk should be careful what they wish for.ll

      2. F4L
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        its brilliant. People just love to complain

    4. FPL ZB
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Decisions may be right more, although doesn’t remove subjectivity of Salah pen etc, but all the adrenaline has been completely removed from celebrating goals 🙁

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Celebrating and hope it counts.

      2. emyoueffsee
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        That is a big flaw with the system. I don't think it's a decent trade off, hope it fails, especially considering a lot of the decisions are going to be subjective anyway.

    5. JustPark
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      Tbh first thought when was looking at Pool lineup this evening,"that's a strong team".
      Now I'm not so sure anymore.

    6. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      VAR is pathetic. And so is Liverpool's defending.

      1. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        It's the midfield. Or lack of rather

      2. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Until Klopp gets someone to organize that back 4 + DM, they will keep conceding goals no matter how much they spend.

      3. George James
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Why is it pathetic? Because the right calls where made?

      4. Fantasy Gold
        • 9 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        😆 😆

    7. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      VAR is good if you get the right decision within a minute.

      Since, it is supposed to be for clear and obvious errors, it shouldn't take professional refs more than 30 seconds to make a decision. If they can't make a decision within that time, the on-field call should stand.

      3-4 minutes for that pen call is absolutely ridiculous.

    8. DJDave1979
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 3 months ago

      I do think the key is making it faster and putting it on the screens like rugby league. That way the review is part of the game. They are currently making it all mystical and 'decided by a man 200 MILES AWAY'. At the end of the day, it takes the guesswork out and probably ends up killing off diving and 'robust' defending. Which are otherwise known as cheating.

      1. MTPockets
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Yep. Plus so much money in the industry now + eternal corruptibility means it's inevitable.

      2. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Best central defender on the pitch? Jonny Evans.

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          Dawson IMO. Underrated when people are chasing injury-prone Jonny Evans

          1. AYEW KI-EDEN MEE
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            Dawson is solid sure in a structured system but Evans is the better footballer for me. Been a fan for yrs and glad he's getting the recognition.

      3. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 3 months ago

        Anyone mentioned City's latest 'purchase'?
        Mix Diskerud signed a 4.5 year deal today apparently.

        Never gonna play there of course but just another tell on the state of football.

        1. Fantasy Gold
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 3 months ago

          What’s the point?

          1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
            • 10 Years
            6 years, 3 months ago

            'Bought' or something by Man City from New York City. 2 teams with the same owners. A way for Mix to get out of his contract with MLS. He has been on loan here in Sweden(IFK Gothenburg) last 6 months at least, City, Gothenburg and Mix will have talks tomorrow about future.
            Players not owned by teams any longer, owned by corporations that holds many teams. Like Watford, Udine and some team in Spain has same owner.