Sleeper – Cesc Fabregas

After three successful seasons with Barcelona, Cesc Fabregas’ return to the top-flight proved pivotal to Chelsea’s 2014/15 title-winning campaign.

Snapped up by Jose Mourinho after former club Arsenal opted against reacquiring him, the playmaker delivered three goals and 19 assists in his first year at Stamford Bridge to leap back into Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers’ plans.

Chelsea’s disastrous defence of their Premier League crown in 2015/16 forced a reassessment.

The Blues simply failed to rediscover their cutting edge and despite replacing Mourinho with Guus Hiddink midway through the season, their big-hitters proved a bitter disappointment.

Having earned just two assists in the first 20 Gameweeks, Fabregas racked up five goals and as many assists in the final 18 rounds of fixtures but it was a case of too little, too late for the Spaniard.

Although he ultimately collected just 133 points, Fabregas was still only two points off Willian as the top-scoring Chelsea player in FPL and comfortably bettered Eden Hazard’s tally of 104 points, despite the latter’s late run of four goals in the final five fixtures.

The Prospects

Last term aside, there can be no doubting Fabregas’ potential as a consistent Fantasy asset.

Indeed, the 2015/16 campaign was the first time in his last seven active Premier League seasons that the playmaker has failed to provide at least ten assists.

Even when adding in last term’s tally, Fabregas has racked up 98 assists over that time frame – that’s an average of 14 assists per season.

Considering that reliable output, Fabregas’ price of 7.5 in Fantasy Premier League may well prove to be a bargain if he can remain a regular starter under new manager Antonio Conte.

With N’Golo Kante on board, Conte’s preferred formation is likely to dictate how we assess the Chelsea midfield. Conte had utilised a 4-2-4 in pre-season but switched to 4-1-4-1 for the Frenchman’s debut against AC Milan, with the new boy screening in front of the Blues’ back-four.

The 4-2-4 is perhaps the less enticing of the two. Kante certainly looks nailed on, which would leave Fabregas, Oscar and Nemanja Matic battling it out for the role alongside the former Leicester ball-winner.

Clearly, the latter formation offers Conte more scope with his central midfield selection and could allow Fabregas to benefit from Kante’s energy, affording him the freedom to dictate matters in the centre of the park.

Identically priced to the Spain international, Oscar is another contender who could also play his way into consideration. The Brazilian netted twice against Milan in midweek – including a converted spot-kick whilst Hazard was on the pitch – and, having started just 20 times last term, will be looking to establish himself as a viable option under the Italian.

Chelsea’s lack of European commitments – due to their tenth placed finish in 2015/16 – also limits the likelihood of rest and rotation this time around and affords Conte the chance to make his stamp on the Blues’ starting XI.

At present, Hazard’s two goals as a sub in a recent friendly against Real Madrid suggests the Belgian is gearing up for a revival under Conte. Should he be utilised through the middle – as he was against Madrid – there’s every chance that the former Lille man will emerge as the most enticing option at Stamford Bridge.

Nonetheless, Fabregas – who is currently owned by 8% of FPL managers – cannot be overlooked. Granted, he doesn’t have the same explosive potential as Hazard but, if he secures a place in Conte’s first XI plans, history suggests he could make a mockery of that very kind price tag.