Chelsea’s stars of 2014/15 rise to the occasion at Stamford Bridge as both Diego Costa and Eden Hazard deliver goals to earn Antonio Conte a victory in his first Premier League outing. Here’s the final Stock Check of Gameweek 1.
On the Rise
Eden Hazard
The Belgian’s spot-kick was hugely significant, not least because it saw Hazard deliver in Gameweek 1, but also because it appears to confirm him as Chelsea’s designated penalty taker. That’s something of a puzzle given that Oscar took one in pre-season with Hazard on the pitch. Now with penalties secured, Hazard’s stock, like that of Riyad Mahrez, has enjoyed a major boost.
Diego Costa
Owned by just 7% of FPL managers, Costa’s fine winning strike rolled us back to the 2014/15 campaign and offered a reminder of his clinical finishing ability. His future at Chelsea is far from assured but if he can hint at returning to his debut season strike rate, he may yet enter our thinking. However, an early booking and a reckless challenge on Adrian also demonstrated just why we have to show extreme caution.
Cesar Azpilicueta
The Spanish full-back has significantly improved his attacking game and is now offering just as much from the left as Branislav Ivanovic on the right. Unlike the Serb, Azpilicueta’s starting role has rarely come under question and with no rival for his position, he continues to stand out as the key option in Antonio Conte’s defence. Tonight’s assist and bonus only underlined that further.
James Collins
Slaven Bilic opted for the Welsh warhorse over Angelo Ogbonna, potentially unlocking a 4.5 option in West Ham’s backline. That already brought Collins to our attention, even before his dramatic blast from a West Ham corner. A start against AFC Bournemouth should be guaranteed but it remains if he can hold off Ogbonna in the long-term.
In Decline
Andre Ayew
The Ghanaian’s West Ham bow lasted just 34 minutes before he gave way with a thigh problem. That was a blow to his 9.5% ownership who must now wait anxiously to see if he can recover for Sunday’s potentially profitable meeting with the Bournemouth defence. With Payet a likely starter, Bilic won’t need to take a risk with his new signing.
Michail Antonio
Charged with containing Hazard, he was always in for a testing evening. Seemingly consigned to a right-back role with Bilic collecting options on the flanks, Antonio was hooked shortly after conceding the early second-half penalty. His start against AFC Bournemouth could be in doubt – his fragility against top class opponents certainly isn’t, nor is his reluctance to continue as a full-back.
Sofiane Feghouli
The 5.5 midfield option is another in the West Ham treatment room. He missed tonight’s encounter with a hamstring problem which materialised in training according to Bilic.
Oscar
We thought he was on spot-kicks, clearly he is not. That’s a major dent to his appeal and with Cesc Fabregas breathing down his neck, the Brazilian’s owners will rarely be able to rest easy.
