Scout Notes – Gameweek 17 – Monday

Cesc Fabregas grabs a goal and assist as Chelsea ease past Stoke 2-0. John Terry also finds the net as the Blues earn a fifth clean sheet in six, though Eden Hazard gives Fantasy managers cause for concern after limping off in the dying minutes at the Britannia.

Consistent Cesc Delivers Again

Sold by over 356,000 FPL managers due to his one-match suspension against Hull the previous weekend, the Blues playmaker returned to form with a vengeance last night. Handed the role in “the hole” as Oscar dropped to the Blues’ bench, Fabregas bagged a goal and assist to steer Chelsea three points clear of City at the summit and take his personal tally to two goals and 12 assists in the first 17 Gameweeks. Now up to third in the FPL midfield standings, the Spaniard has earned his owners points in 11 of his 16 appearances for the Blues – Eden Hazard has managed a goal or assist in nine of his 17 league outings by comparison.

Hazard Concern for Blues

Forced off with an ankle problem towards the end of last night’s encounter, the Belgian had been the victim of numerous clumsy challenges by the home side throughout. Hazard’s assist in last night’s win – just his third away from home all season – ensured he remains ahead of Fabregas in the FPL standings and kept his form ticking over ahead of Friday’s home clash with West Ham. Bearing in mind he has scored in each of his last five at the Bridge, any update on the Belgian’s fitness will be eagerly awaited by Fantasy managers. Encouragingly, Mourinho failed to mention any problem during his post-match briefing, whilst Hazard is reported to have replied “don’t worry” when quizzed by reporters on his weekend availability.

Blues Backline in the Points

Last night’s victory means Mourinho’s side have now served up five clean sheets in the last six Gameweeks. The Blues boss reverted to his first-choice back-four as Filipe Luis dropped to the bench but despite his tinkering, Chelsea head into the upcoming trio of quick-fire Gameweeks in their most resilient form of the season – they’re up to eight shut-outs for the campaign now, joint-top with Southampton.

John Terry grabbed his first goal of the season to send his side three points clear of City. The Chelsea skipper headed into last night’s match as the only member of Jose Mourinho’s regular back-four without a goal or assist to his name but needed just two minutes to rectify that record after nodding home the winner. Priced at just 6.3 to Branislav Ivanovic’s 7.2, Terry now sits just five points behind the Serbian – an ownership of just 7% in the FPL game highlights his differential potential.

Costa’s Toils Continue

It’s a single goal in four appearances for the Blues popular striker, whose two-point return proved a bitter disappointment for his 59% of FPL owners. From Gameweek 8 onwards, Costa has managed just 24 points – granted, he missed three of those matches through injury and suspension but his inability to produce the goods is having a significant effect across the Fantasy games, with many managers captaining him on a regular basis. Costa was drafted in by over 360,000 in the previous three Gameweeks as a result of Sergio Aguero’s injury but many may be thinking twice after a weekend that saw a number of budget and mid-price forwards continue their fine form.