Scout Notes

International Scout Notes – Saturday

Chelsea striker Alvaro Morata maintains his impressive form with a goal for Spain as he continues to promote his Fantasy CV.

Here are the notes from Saturday’s international fixtures.

Morata the merrier

Alvaro Morata needed just 18 minutes to confirm his continued fine early-season form as Spain completed a convincing 3-0 win over fellow European football royalty Italy.

The Chelsea striker had to make do with a place on the bench as coach Julen Lopetegui opted to play with no recognised forwards at all, preferring instead to use Man City midfielder David Silva as a ‘false nine’.

But when Morata finally made it onto the pitch, he made an immediate impact, scoring Spain’s third goal a mere five minutes after replacing Andres Iniesta.

The strike means that he now has three goals and two assists from four matches this season, explaining why only Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino is ahead of him in the Fantasy Premier League forwards standings.

It was widely anticipated that Morata would take time to adjust to his new surrounds at Chelsea; a theory that clearly played a part in deciding a modest 12.5% ownership.

Chelsea’s tough opening schedule also dampened early enthusiasm – the Blues have already played Spurs and Everton and still have to face Arsenal and Man City, albeit both at home, before Gameweek 7 is done.

But after their shock opening day defeat to Burnley, Antonio Conte’s side are starting to look every inch the defending champions, and Morata has clearly settled into his new role as their spearhead.

His goal and assist returns in both home matches to this point have sparked massive interest. More than 196,000 FPL managers have drafted in the Spaniard and, with 40,000+ making the direct trade, Morata has proved the most popular Harry Kane replacement ahead of Gameweek 4.

Of the strikers with two or more goals this season, only Romelu Lukaku can better his attempts (9), his minutes per chance average (20.9) and penalty box touches (15), while he and Firmino are the only strikers with two assists.

With Eden Hazard closing in on full fitness, Chelsea’s attacking threat – and supply line for Morata – is surely only going to improve, even if the Belgian is likely to regain penalty duties.

And based on current form, the forthcoming visit from Arsenal is not the test of old, which makes the Blues’ short-term schedule more palatable – (lei ARS sto MCI cry WAT bou), Man City notwithstanding.

Should he be given the chance to make hay in Spain’s Tuesday night trip to Liechtenstein, Morata will return to domestic duty for Gameweek 4 with form on his side, Hazard potentially supplying chances and with the fixtures more favourable than anticipated.

Elsewhere…

On a quiet night for Premier League players, Liverpool youngster Ben Woodburn’s superb winner for Wales against Austria demonstrated the wealth of attacking options available to Jurgen Klopp.

Elsewhere in that encounter, Arsenal’s Aaron Ramsey shook off doubts surrounding his fitness to play 90 minutes.

Returning to Liverpool, Sadio Mane played the full 90 minutes as Senegal were held to a goalless home draw with Burkina Faso. They will now play the reverse fixture – a vital clash for the Senegalese – on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Man United centre-half Eric Bailly supplied an assist in Ivory Coast’s 3-0 win in Gabon. Spurs’ Serge Aurier completed 90 minutes for the visitors.

Brighton defender Shane Duffy gave the Republic of Ireland the lead in Georgia, only for Martin O’Neill’s men to have to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Newcastle United’s suspended striker Aleksandar Mitrovic scored for the third match running in all competitions as Serbia beat Moldova 3-0, with Man United’s Nemanja Matic playing 77 minutes for the hosts.

Finally, Everton’s Gylfi Sigurdsson managed a second consecutive full 90 minutes of the season, but couldn’t stop Iceland slumping to a 1-0 defeat in Finland.

1,660 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Pirlø's Pen
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone thinking Jesus is going heavily under the radar?

    Personally loving my pick of him and think he'll seriously push on, those fixtures he has coming up shout City goals to me, and lots of them. Him and KDB seem are the most nailed options for City's attack and we all know the story for KDB.

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      How do you know he's the most nailed?

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Started all 3 so far. Fits Pep's philosophy.

        1. Greenbackbøøg…
          • 9 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Also got hooked when City were in trouble, not a great sign

          1. Pirlø's Pen
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            I have a lot of faith in that he's the most nailed City attacker, pretty much every game he has been fit he's started, same can't be said about Aguero, the only other viable striker in the City team.

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      It's just by getting Jesus, you are sacraficing one of Lukaku, Kane, Morata, Firmino, etc. There are half a dozen elite strikers and can't have them all.

    3. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      He hasn't hit form..yet..
      Doesn't look the same as last season .
      But he is obv a very good striker , playing for a very attacking team ...just needs time

    4. Jigger & Pony
      • 10 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      I think he's the best City option currently. It does mean that you have to sacrifice one of Kane, Lukaku, Morata and Firmino.

      1. Pirlø's Pen
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Optimum forward line till GWK 7 for me is Kane, Lacazette & Jesus. Expensive admittedly.

        1. Jigger & Pony
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          No Lukaku? I fear his ownership. I currently have Lukaku, Jesus and Lacazette. Planning to do Laca > Kane after the BOU game.

          1. Pirlø's Pen
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 6 months ago

            I think those 3 will outscore him. Don't worry about ownership, just pick who you think will score the best. Are you on a WC?

            1. Jigger & Pony
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 6 months ago

              No not playing WC until GW7...

    5. Deli Alli OxenFree!
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      If u forget about price, Jesus is miles ahead of Firmino! Although, they have both been playing slightly deeper & setting up play more; I just think Jesus' goal threat/hunger is way more apparent, & his 'striker-sense' tingles far more, going on great runs & winding up in a scoring position.
      [LFC Supporter; Jesus Owner]

  2. Big P
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Who scores most points over the whole season?

    A) Daniels or Jones?

    B) Zaha, Brady or Ramsey

    1. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Daniels

      Zaha

    2. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A Daniels

      B Zaha

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Impossible to say really.

    4. Zebrahimović
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A because i think Daniels will stay fit longer than Jones and get a few goals.

  3. Boom Xhaka-Laca
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Excluding price completely,

    A) Bailly

    or

    B) Valencia

    1. Totalfootball
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Valencia

  4. Zebrahimović
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Sorry to do this RMT rubbish but i've got 2ft and 0.3ITB and am thinking what to do with this bunch.

    Good to go til i think about bringing in Kane GW5? What would y'all do?

    Foster / Elliot
    Alonso / Jones / Cedric / Naughton / Mbemba
    Eriksen / David Sylva / Mkhitaryan / Carroll / Atsu
    Lukaku / Morata / Firmino

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

      Normally I'd say not using a transfer is a waste but not sure what I'd change here! Who are you benching?

      1. Zebrahimović
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Next GW Carroll/Atsu/Mbemba/Elliot

  5. Don Broly
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Fabianski (Elliot)
    Jones Cedric Davies Alonso (mbemba)
    Mane Antonio Mkhi Alli (chalabah)
    Kane Firmino (Quaner)

    G2g??

  6. Humlesnurr
    • 7 Years
    6 years, 6 months ago

    Why does the great template master choose salah over manè?

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

      Money money money

      And positionally Salah has been more on the end of things than Mane

      1. Catenaccio FC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        I guess for the 0.5 saving.. I think Mane is going to slightly have more points at the end of the season.. We just hope that the 0.5 saving is gonna worth it.. Definitely 0.5 is crucial at this stage.

    2. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Same attacking position and FPL output so far...0.5m cheaper.

      0.5m goes a long way at this time of the season.

    3. Humlesnurr
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Fair enough 🙂 gut feeling says manè will step up as the go to guy.

      1. ***00tennis***
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Mane injury prone-need to check Salah inj record, season long maybe Mane outscores but season long doesn't mean to much in fpl does it......for me defo Salah for now. Yes he misses many chances but with his pace and heat map he is always there or there abouts in the box for tap-ins etc no?

  7. JohnnyMagrinho
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Quick question...

      Vokes to remain starting ahead of Wood?

    • PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      What do I do with this lot?

      Foster (elliot)
      Kola bertrand Maguire (mee,rangel)
      KDB Mane Richarlison Mkhi
      (RLC)
      Kaku Mounie Laca

      0.4mil in bank, 1 tf.

      I have been toying with this WC...

      Foster (elliot)
      Bertrand Jones Maguire (Cedric) (Mbemba)
      Erikson Alli Salah Pogba Mkhi
      Vardy firmino (Ayew)

      What do you thing?

    • gos19
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Any transfer ideas? 1.0 itb and 1 ft

      Foster Elliot

      Suttner Jones Danilo Stephens Long

      Willian Mhki Eriksen Carroll Salah

      Kane Lukaku McBurnie

    • I Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Kompany not even on the bench for Belgium. Injured again?

    • PocketZola
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Foster (elliot)
      D.Luiz Maguire Cedric (Mee, Mbemeba)
      Salah Pogba Ali Mkhi Richarlison
      Kane Firmino (Ayew)

      Potential WC, what do you think?

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Ayew might be under threat from Bony?

    • gos19
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Any transfer ideas? 1.0 itb and 1 free transfer

      Foster Elliot

      Suttner Jones Danilo Stephens Long

      Willian Mhki Eriksen Carroll Salah

      Kane Lukaku McBurnie

      1. Weasel51
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Danilo > McGuire

        1. gos19
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          i think i need to get rid of willian too with haz on the way back, so should i do danilo, willian -> maguire and a less than 8.4 mil midfielder or danilo, willian -> alonso and atsu?

    • Who are all Lukakus
      • 7 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      Foster Elliot
      Bertrand Daniel MONREAL Mee Hunemeier
      KDB Micky WILLIAN Atsu Carroll
      Kane Lukaku Firmino
      2FT, 0 itb

      I am willing to take a mini wildcard (-4 with 3 transfers). Dont like KDB, Monreal and Willian anymore. Any suggestion please?

      1. Who are all Lukakus
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        To alonso, salah and brady sounds good?

        1. Who are all Lukakus
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 6 months ago

          Or cedric, salah and pogba? That would be triple MU attack. Not a problem for a MU fan though.

    • ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 6 months ago

      A) Abraham + Pogba + Alonso
      B) Lukaku + Atsu + 4.5 def

    • @FPL_Chess
        6 years, 6 months ago

        ♖ FPL Chess ♘
        { mini-League code 7741-3334 } : 700+ players. Everyone welcome.
        https://fantasy.premierleague.com/?autojoin-code=7741-3334

      • fastgun2111
        • 10 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        Any transfer ideas?

        Got myself into a pickle. 0.0 ITB and 1FW

        Forster
        Daniels | Valencia | Kola (Mee, 4.0)
        Wilian | Ramsey | Salah | Eriksen
        Mounie | Lukaku | Jesus

        Have the same forward line as the leader in my ML so I'm thinking about doing Jesus to Morata GW7, But right now I dont like Willian and Ramsey.

      • Fire Chief Moe
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 6 months ago

        When wildcarding, who rakes into account how long til there next wildcard and uses the Season Ticker to determine who to pick. For example ive got it on GW 8-19 atm and see teams like Palace, Everton at the top and Chelsea defence which would lead me to pick players like Zaha/Benteke, Keane, Siggy, Alonso, Hazard, Morata. Is this the way to do it?