Season Review

Team of the Season – Juan Mata

A summer of non-stop football ensured Juan Mata started the previous season in a somewhat sluggish fashion. The Spaniard’s participation in both Euro 2012 and the London Olympics gave him little time for recuperation as Chelsea prepared to get their domestic campaign underway in mid-August. While new Eden Hazard was quick to vindicate the Blues’ decision to shell out over £30m for his services with three opening sets of double figure hauls, Mata had picked up just eight points in the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game by the time Gameweek 5 came around:

Highly priced across the Fantasy games ahead of last season, Mata had taken the Premier League by storm in his debut campaign at the Bridge. Initially under the guidance of Andre Villas-Boas then subsequently Roberto Di Matteo, the playmaker racked up six goals and 16 assists after arriving from Valencia and with 162 points accrued, had afforded Fantasy managers another premium priced option for our five man midfields.

The Statistics

A rest over the first international break of the season and the Gameweek 4 clash against QPR proved instrumental, giving Mata the time to recharge his batteries and address his poor start. Ahead of Chelsea’s fifth league match, his price had dropped dramatically, slipping from 9.5 to 8.9; a sideways move to the in-form Hazard saw the Belgian’s price soar from 9.5 to 10.3 over the same period, by comparison.

As Hazard began to toil, Mata exploded into form. Producing a goal or assist in each of his next six appearances, he set the tone for the rest of the season as he chased down his team mate and eventually surpassed Hazard’s feats across the Fantasy games. Fears of Mata suffering as a Fantasy force from Rafa Benitez’s rotation never came to fruition – his compatriot handed him 22 starts in 26 fixtures, compared to nine starts in 12 league matches under Di Matteo.

An outstanding strand of consistency saw Mata either score or assist in 21 of his 31 starts (Hazard managed 16 hauls from the same number of first XI appearances), with 11 goals, 18 assists and 27 bonus points bettering his respective tallies from 2011/12. Finishing the campaign on 212 points, Mata was joint-third top scoring player overall in the FPL game and second for midfielders, leaving Hazard trailing in his wake on 190 points. Strangely, the Spaniard kept his most explosive displays for road trips, with five of his six double figure returns coming away from Stamford Bridge – indeed, his only 10+ points haul in front of his own fans arrived on the final day of the season.

The Prospects

Having already plied his trade under three managers in his two seasons in London, there seems little doubt that Mata will continue to flourish regardless of who takes the reins next. A price increase across the Fantasy games seems inevitable and with Hazard likely to match Mata’s initial cost, we’re left with a real dilemma when it comes to the Chelsea midfield. With Gareth Bale and Theo Walcott also offering huge attacking potential, balancing the budgets in our five man midfields may never have been this tricky.

While Bale and Walcott have no obvious, cheaper alternative options in the Tottenham and Arsenal midfields, the end of season form of Oscar may hand us a more budget-friendly option at the Bridge. The young Brazilian netted in three of his final five appearances to suggest he’s now starting to settle – a poor overall first campaign, however, should ensure his cost stays in the mid-price bracket.

Chelsea’s Super Cup duties against Bayern Munich, which are likely to afford them a double Gameweek at the start of the season once again, will result in substantial investment in the Blues main assets right from the off. If the club’s forwards situation stays the same, it’s likely that Fantasy managers will load up on Mata and Hazard to begin with, though with room for just one or perhaps two heavy hitters in midfield to begin with, the greater goal threat of Bale and Walcott could sway many from viewing the Blues playmaker as a must-have.

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907 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SW6
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Germany score after 9.1 seconds vs Ecuador 😆

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    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      9.11 to be exact. German engineering at it's best 😀

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    2. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Podolski - You can only hope to contain him

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    3. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      San Moreno vs England (8.3 sec) remains the gold standard

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  2. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Are Cardiff and Swansea guaranteed to be paired? I.e. perfect home/away rotation?

    If so, as I mentioned on the previous page, Vorm(5.0)/Marshall(4.5) could be a great value partnership, depending on William's future that is.

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      They will definitely be alternating between home and away games. Just depends on the fixtures if it works well for rotation.

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      1. Sheep
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Juicy prospect, although Swansea have lost their defensive edge since Caulker left.

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    2. AK ⭐
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Yeah I think. We know Newcastle and Sunderland always have perfect rotation too. And Liverpool and Everton as well. So Cardiff and Swans should have a perfect rotation. I am actually thinking about Taylor and one of Cardiff's defenders..

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  3. Sleep Talk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Anyone on here going to college in California?

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    1. Elniñorules
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Snake Juice / TW. I'll be there in July (for work)

      Sup?

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      1. Sleep Talk
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Exchange year after summer. Have a spot at Santa Barbara, but still waiting for Berkeley who are really taking their time.. 😛

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        1. Elniñorules
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 days ago

          #TeamCali 😉

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          1. Sleep Talk
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 days ago

            Looking forward to it! 😀

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      2. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Where are you now geezer? Saffer geezer?

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        1. Elniñorules
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 days ago

          Derby, UK. You? Ireland?

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          1. Count of Monte Hristo
            • 11 Years
            11 years, 5 days ago

            Edinburgh

            Is Christina form SA? I thought you knew his wifey?

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            1. Elniñorules
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 12 Years
              11 years, 5 days ago

              Ah, beautiful city

              Hehe she resembles Salma apparently, that's the connection 😉

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              1. Count of Monte Hristo
                • 11 Years
                11 years, 5 days ago

                So she/he says 😉

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                1. Ginkapo FPL
                  • 12 Years
                  11 years, 5 days ago

                  To be fair his grav used to be of his wife which is where all the confusion started, so we do know what she looks like and the resemblence isnt without basis.

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    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Possibly, why!?

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    3. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      SPRING BREAK!!!! WOOOOO!!!!!

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  4. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    So, a lot of English & Irish on this site...

    Let the banter commence!! 👿

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    1. 4vets
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      I wish the Irish all the best 🙂

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        OMG!! Lying in our faces!!!

        Typical of the English!!

        Lets get him!!

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    2. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      England 5-0

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      1. r0nh
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        I will actually predict a boring 1-1 draw.

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        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 12 Years
          11 years, 5 days ago

          Split the difference

          England 9-2 Ireland

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  5. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Was Cahill drinking a relentless as he walked down the tunnel? 😆

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      😆

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  6. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Has anyone got a list of high profile GW1 absences? Thinking Russia might be a bit blunter without Dzagoev, and there must be others.

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Quite a few Norway lads missing, I believe.

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    2. mikess
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Korokin, Shatov, Rose, Ince, Berisha and Henriksen

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      1. SW6
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Shatov 😯 😆

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        1. mikess
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 days ago

          He's Shat hot

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      2. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Russia, England and Norway the biggest losers then. Bonus German in for Dzagoev GW1 then for me.

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        1. mikess
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          11 years, 5 days ago

          shame Hermann is classed as a forward

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          1. Ginkapo FPL
            • 12 Years
            11 years, 5 days ago

            Yeah just saw that was trying to partner Holtby with him in the mid. Funk will have to do for one week 🙁

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            1. mikess
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              11 years, 5 days ago

              very defensive, rather punt on another dutch mid

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              1. Ginkapo FPL
                • 12 Years
                11 years, 5 days ago

                Replacing Berisha too 😀

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  7. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Fancy new England Nike kit.

    Looks a bit like a USA strip.

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    1. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Well 'new England' does mean U.S.A. 😉

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      1. Count of Monte Hristo
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        The Maine objective here is to put in a Patriotic performance, not Conn the paying fans, win the game and get down the Rhode.

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  8. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Man of the Match: The Ox

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    1. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Quite a strong team England have put out

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  9. In Tommy We Trust
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    From a distance we look like Ze Germans in that kit

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      That's where the comparisons end 😉

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      1. In Tommy We Trust
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        For sure 😆

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    2. SW6
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Not a fan myself. It's got nothing on this beauty http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/02516/Michael_Owen_2516038k.jpg

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      1. In Tommy We Trust
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Classic 😉

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  10. crystalpalaceRus
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    oh hey i was at this stadium 2 days ago

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  11. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Considering England's population & economical strength (compared to most countries), are they the biggest under-achievers in world football?

    #grabspopcorn

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Yes.

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    2. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Nah, our population is so dense we have no room for football pitches to play on 😀

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  12. r0nh
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    😎

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    1. r0nh
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      One chance, one goal!!

      Super-duper 🙂

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      1. Sheep
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Our Cbs are crap.

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  13. Thomass
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    What a goal long!

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  14. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Shane Long time no see!

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  15. Parm
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Great head that.

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Classic cross, classic goal

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    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Giant leap. Only 5 ft 10 aswell.

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  16. Muniains Tears
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Muniain is in the spain u21? I'm in!

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    1. Parm
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Classed as a forward though.

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      1. Muniains Tears
        • 12 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        Awful classifications as always in the UEFA games. Delfouneso forward, rose mid. :X

        Dzagoev seems a nice pick though. Will be joining the league probably, if me and my friends dont go for a draft based league.

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  17. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Long 😎

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    1. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Part of Ireland are you from?

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      1. Optimus.
        • 13 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        bang in the cente...longford

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        1. Hybrid.power
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          11 years, 5 days ago

          People live in Longford?

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          1. Optimus.
            • 13 Years
            11 years, 5 days ago

            surprising isnt it 😉

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  18. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Quality goal.

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  19. Thomass
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Where do we all live?

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      1. SW6
        • 11 Years
        11 years, 5 days ago

        😆

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    1. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      Kildare

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    2. Sheep
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      On the Dingle's farm.

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    3. Thomass
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      You lads are funny

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  20. In Tommy We Trust
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    So it looks like we might need to rip the seats up tonight then 😉

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    1. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      😀

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    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 11 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      😆 😆

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  21. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    This is embarrassingly tragic. We need these 3pts 😐

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  22. Jimmers
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Confusing - Setanta's cameras are on one side of the stadium, ITV's are the other!

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  23. crystalpalaceRus
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    shane long to palace.

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  24. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Long-wagon. Cheap, at a decent West Brom side, no more Lukaku.

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    1. Muniains Tears
      • 12 Years
      11 years, 5 days ago

      I had him for those 5 great GW's of his this season, thanks to a Never Captian Nicky Butt Funny-Feeling-Friday punt advice.

      Great pick.

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  25. Thomass
    • 12 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Lampard goal

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  26. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Super Frank at it again.

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  27. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    GOLAZIO.

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  28. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    What a stupid goal. Bleh.

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  29. SW6
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    Lampard!! 😀

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  30. Sheep
    • 11 Years
    11 years, 5 days ago

    What a pass from Carrick. Quality.

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