Scout Notes

Scout Notes – Hazard Hits Back

Eden Hazard bursts back into life just as Fantasy managers’ lose faith, while a Chelsea centre-back misses out on clean sheet points by only three minutes for a second Gamewweek running.

More than 100,000 Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers – close to a quarter of his total ownership – sold Hazard before today’s trip to Brighton.

Not that this was a one-off exodus, with the Belgian losing over half a million managers since Gameweek 19 on the back of an eight-match run in which he’d managed just one goal and an assist.

Almost inevitably, he bit back with a 16-point display involving two goals and maximum bonus as the Blues were left slightly flattered by their 4-0 win at the Amex Stadium.

However well Brighton played for scant reward, there was no disputing the masterclass put on by Hazard.

He thrived in a 3-4-2-1 system forced on coach Antonio Conte by suspensions for Alvaro Morata and Pedro and a hamstring issue that continues to keep Cesc Fabregas on the sidelines.

Hazard and Willian supported lone striker Michy Batshuayi, and it was the midfielders who provided much of the attacking threat.

The Brazilian matched the forward’s four attempts on goal (Hazard had three), while Willian (8) and Hazard (7) both had more penalty area touches than Batshuayi’s four.

Conte has been doing a convincing impression recently of a manager unsure as to his best side and how to set them up.

It looks like he might have stumbled on both the formation and most of the personnel today, with Morata likely to replace Batshuayi, but with Hazard and Willian retained as his attacking partners, particularly as the latter scored one goal and set up another at Brighton.

That could finally usher in the Brazilian as a consistent starter this season, making the 6.7-priced midfielder a real option with Chelsea’s schedule (BOU wat WBA) still attractive until a Manchester double header of both United and City across Gameweeks 28 and 29.

Willian has recorded three double-digit returns in the last eight Gameweeks, having started only five matches in that spell.

He is owned by 7.6% at present, which is a mark of how far Hazard’s star has fallen as the Belgian’s ownership is now down to 6.4%. Their contrasting price tags – with Hazard at 10.6 – has been the major factor. Sure enough, it is Willian who is currently the most bought asset following today’s action, picking up over 10,000 new owners while Hazard has tempted just a third of that so far.

Mixed fortunes at the back

Chelsea have now kept six clean sheets in seven matches as their popular defenders Marcos Alonso (26.3%) and Cesar Azpilicueta (23.0%) continue to set the pace in the overall standings.

But it hasn’t been so sweet for all.

Spare a thought for the 4.2% who overlooked Alonso in favour of the more budget-friendly Andreas Christensen (5.6).

The young Dane was taken off after 57 minutes with a head injury at this afternoon – the second week running he’s missed out on clean sheet points by just three minutes. During Chelsea’s superb recent run of shut-outs, Christensen has profited from just one of them.

Mercifully, the injury was dismissed by Antonio Conte post-match, who indicated that Christensen would return for the midweek Carabao Cup semi-final with Arsenal on Wednesday…

“Andreas had a contusion. We made a substitution, but the player didn’t want to come off. At the same time, when you have the possibility to have on the bench players like David Luiz, it was simple for me. The referee tried to force this substitution. It was a simple contusion. The player is okay. From tomorrow’s training session, he’s ready.”

Nonetheless, Christensen is already the most sold defender, with over 6000 of his owners reacting to their misfortune by trading him out, regardless of those kind fixtures to come.

There was also a bitter blow for the 13.3% of managers with Thibaut Courtois in goal.

The club confirmed that a minor ankle issue, sustained in training, was to blame for the Belgian’s non-appearance today, which meant a first league start for Willy Caballero.

The Argentine looked shaky at times but pulled off one fine point-blank save from a Tomer Hemed header to earn his corn.

Victor Moses was another to enjoy his day out on the south coast, the wing-back adding a goal, an assist and two bonus points to his clean sheet for a season-high 17 points.

However, such is the pull of Alonso in Chelsea’s backline – the Spaniard has 60 points more than Moses – that the Nigerian’s insignificant 69,280 ownership is unlikely to increase by anything more than a nominal amount.

Dark clouds over Brighton

The consensus was that Brighton performed admirably against Chelsea.

But they lost 4-0 anyway.

Chris Hughton’s side have now kept just one clean sheet in five matches, conceding nine goals along the way.

And their attacking form is desperate – the Seagulls have scored only four goals in 12 matches, with half of those coming in the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth in Gameweek 22.

Brighton have broken their transfer record to sign striker Jürgen Locadia from PSV Eindhoven to try and stop the rot, although he is currently recovering from a hamstring problem and played no part today.

But the major casualty of the goal drought has been Pascal Gross.

The midfielder’s ownership peaked at over 1,176,000 in Gameweek 14. It’s now down to 872,000, with more than 112,000 getting rid for Gameweek 24 as the midfielder’s barren spell stretched to one goal and no assists from his last 12 starts.

Brighton’s short-term fixtures (sot WHU stk SWA) are sound enough for Gross to recover, although his, and the side’s, form suggests otherwise.

At the back, Hughton’s move to a three-man defence brought Connor Goldson (3.9) into the line-up.

Such a bargain basement price creates a situation that needs monitoring.

But given Brighton’s early capitulation – they were 2-0 down after six minutes today – it will likely be an experiment abandoned almost as soon as it began.

2,531 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Harmonica1967
    • 6 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Wait until the weekend finishes, but Christensen and Richarlison to Alonso and Milivojevic for free?

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Not bad

    2. El Muñeco
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      If Mili will be 5th mid and you have decent-ish 3rd striker

      1. Harmonica1967
        • 6 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Rolling with 442 for a few more weeks until the CL starts up again. Milli would be 5th mid. Crouch is bench fodder. Dunk would be first off the bench pretty much every week

  2. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Christensen to Luiz?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Same answer I gave on the previous page,

    2. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      No, too sideways

    3. the axolotl
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      lol. hot patato

      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        *potato even 😳

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          You say tomato, and I say tomahto

          I say potato and you say patato 🙂

    4. El Muñeco
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      I think Luiz will be a similar rotation risk

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

    I need a new 5th mid, which one would you choose:

    RLC ---->

    A) J.Allen (5.1m)
    B) Milivojevic (4.6m)

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

      ibe

      1. El Muñeco
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        +1

      2. Akeem
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I already have Daniels and getting Wilson soon, don't think I want 3 BOU players.

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

      B

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Fraser

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

    What would you prefer?

    A - KDB and Christensen
    or
    B - Vardy and Arnie?

    1. Akeem
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. El Muñeco
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B

      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

      B coming out on top. Willian over Arnie, or is Arnie worth it?

  5. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Mkhitaryan is a top player if managed correctly. Smells of KDB/Salah again.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      He'll end up in my team sooner or later if he joins Arsenal. Just need to get some budget to upgrade Lingard.

      1. El Muñeco
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Could be a decent prospect at Arsenal - they've needed extra creativity to support Ozil for a while now. Iwobi struggling to do so

  6. Jolly Good
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Christiansen 2 weeks in a row subbed at 57 hurts 🙁

    Still keeping ...

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

      today was worse. the ref, THE REF

  7. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    6 years, 2 months ago

    Early thoughts on DCL + Eriksen > Vardy + Walcott/Mkhi/Pogba/Silva (-4)?

    Depends on Carabao Cup, transfers and injuries, but would allow me to bench Masuaku and Wilson.

    1. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Hennessey
      Alonso, Azpi, Otamendi, Masuaku
      Salah, Eriksen, Sterling, Mahrez, Arnie
      Firmino

      Speroni | Zeegelaar, Wilson, DCL

      1FT. 2.1 ITB

    2. MTPockets
        6 years, 2 months ago

        makes sense, although could leave a headache for following gameweeks.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          True. Would likely leave me with Wilson 1st sub most weeks. I expect he'll only disappoint if I put him in first XI anyway though.

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            That's the spirit 🙂

    3. Yellin' in my Ear
      • 8 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Any update on LMS score as it stands

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

        93 is the safety score

    4. Rik Waller
      • 6 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Is the Pickford bandwagon already over? Fixtures are not great while Burnley's are turning very tasty

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

      Is Son > Mahrez tonight a good move, yay or nay?

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Potentially.

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

        surely you gotta wait

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

        Nay

      4. Akeem
        • 8 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Nay

    6. El Muñeco
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      6 years, 2 months ago

      Have exact money for Christensen and Eriksen to Alonso and Mahrez (-4) so has to be done tonight.

      Yay or Nay?

      Alternative is to wait and potentially keep Christ and just do Erik to KDB

      1. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Decent moves

      2. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Yay, worth the risk

      3. michudagawd
        • 11 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Looks good.

      4. UshFPL
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Yay

      5. NestorC
        • 7 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        I have a similar problem, just for Azpi and Lingard out

      6. El Muñeco
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers lads will risk it and hope for the best

    7. RubberDucky
        6 years, 2 months ago

        Saw some chatter about Kane being ill.

        Is this a strong rumour or just BS?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Where did you see it?

          1. RubberDucky
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Twitter chat during city game

            • michudagawd
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Alasdair Gold @AlasdairGold
              8h8 hours ago

              Harry Kane was also ill earlier this week and missed one of the training sessions out in Barcelona. But the striker trained yesterday at Hotspur Way with his team-mates and has recovered, so is available for selection tomorrow.

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

            He is flagged on fffix

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

            Wishful Kun vice captain owners I would guess!

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

          Son & DCL> Kun & Milojovecic for a (-4)? Yea or nea

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

            as long as you don't plan on playing Mili

        3. Scotty B
          • 11 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Lanzini out for a while?

          1. Ambrosiana Inter
            • 6 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Is he.
            ?

            1. Scotty B
              • 11 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Lanzini is likely to miss matches against Wigan and Crystal Palace in January. West Ham take on Brighton and Watford at the start of February.

        4. Ambrosiana Inter
          • 6 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          I look at Elliot going down and I don’t care he is 4.6 and bought for 4.5..also I have rlc that will eventually go down but he s 4.6 and bought him for 4.5.
          I like it when u don’t have to rush to ship players falling in price

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

            preach

          2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            I doubt you bought Elliot for 4.5m

            1. Ambrosiana Inter
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Had him since begin of season 🙂

              1. Ambrosiana Inter
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                Ooops 4.0 sorry

        5. UshFPL
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Thoughts? 1 FT. 0 ITB

          Pope
          Alonso Jones Mee
          Salah Son Sterling Lingard Arnie
          Kane Firmino
          (Elliot Maguire Masuaku DCL)

          Thinking of doing DCL->Niasse if he gets his move.

          1. NestorC
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            see first where he ends

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

          What is better

          A) Azpi to Alonso

          B) Lingard to Mahrez

          cheers

          1. Akeem
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            B

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

            B

        7. SuperMane Returns
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Firmino/Lingard to Kane/Milivojevic (-4) for next GW, to leave Kane/Kun upfront worth it?

          1. Akeem
            • 8 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Firmino plays Hud next, while Kane plays Mourinho's bus...

            1. SuperMane Returns
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Good point mate. I'll hold.

        8. Jsadler95
          • 7 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Wilson or Diouf?

          1. UshFPL
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Wilson

          2. Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
            • 12 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Wilson

        9. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          2FT + 0.0 ITB.

          What transfer(s) do you recommend? Lingard > Arnautovic and downgrade elsewhere?

          DDG 4.0

          Jones Otamendi Alonso Mbemba 3.9

          Sterling Salah Son Lingard Milivojevic

          Agüero Kane Quaner

          1. UshFPL
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Yeah, downgrade Ota to Stones or Maguire perhaps

        10. The HurriKane
          • 10 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Adrián
          Ota Dunk Alonso
          Salah(C) Sterling Lingard Arnie Albrighton
          Firmino Kane

          Pickford Ogbonna Kenny Quaner

          1 FT and 2.2 ITB

          A) Save and GTG
          B) Any suggestion??

        11. LǝgleSs e|even
          • 8 Years
          6 years, 2 months ago

          Getting stressful, Salah TO Madrid and

          Liverpool transfer alert: Real Madrid star Toni Kroos wants to work with Jurgen Klopp

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            These are bullshit rumours man. Allow it.

            1. LǝgleSs e|even
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Thanks Berbs.

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

            Kroos to Liverpool lol. Get real

          3. Jsadler95
            • 7 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            They're rubbish rumours don't worry.

            • 8 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            You really want attention, don't you

          4. Horlicks esq.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Quit your jibber jabber. You sound like the Daily Star.

        12. RubberDucky
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Eriksen > Mahrez ?

            I already have Vardy? (No Kane!)

          • drughi
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            Chances of gomez starting on monday ?

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

            Best Lanzini replacement?
            Got 0.9 to spend

          • Horlicks esq.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            6 years, 2 months ago

            putting this out there:

            Sell Kane?

            1. Count of Monte Hristo
              • 10 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              If you want.

            2. RubberDucky
                6 years, 2 months ago

                Did this before boxing day. Still crying.

              • Spectrum-FFS Doubles Champ
                • 12 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                For sure the more that sell the better

              • UshFPL
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                Why? He's in top form. Chasing Aguero's hat trick points is futile

              • F4L
                • 9 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                pff, did that weeks ago. 17, 17, 3, 13 since 😎

                • 8 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                United and Arsenal at home are the type games which Kane usually thrives on. Wouldn't put money on him blanking against that Liverpool defense, either. 'Sell at your own peril' 🙂

            3. Dybala10
              • 6 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              Who are people looking at bringing in for Lingard?

              Have around 8.0 and can't think of many better options than Walcott and the Ox.

              (Own Richarlison and Arnautovic).

              1. UshFPL
                • 7 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                I'm giving him another week or two

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

              "Behind fear is the person you want to be". Kane owners, you know what to do this GW

            5. Jim Moriarty
              • 7 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              How many points would you 'cash out' on so to speak with Kane tomorrow. I'd take 9 as it stands so with captain 18.

              ?

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

                -2

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

                Irrelevant really. We can't do anything about it now

            6. Deulofail
              • 8 Years
              6 years, 2 months ago

              "Don't mention the VAR. I did it once but I think I got away with it!" - Lineker

              1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
                • 6 Years
                6 years, 2 months ago

                😀

                1. Deulofail
                  • 8 Years
                  6 years, 2 months ago

                  And another!