A lunging Sergio Aguero takes himself out of the equation, while a red-hot Alexis Sanchez submits a renewed and convincing bid for “essential” status. That pair are enough to overshadow a Harry Kane brace, plus further returns for Chelsea’s tri-force of Fantasy assets. Here’s the Stock Check following Saturday’s events…
Alexis Sanchez
A merciless one-man show tore a fragile and depleted West Ham United apart and elevated Sanchez to a new level as a Fantasy asset.
The Chilean continues to relish the central attacking role and, with the goals flowing, he has surely banished Olivier Giroud’s recent renaissance to cement that position.
The devastating 23-point haul delivered a massive blow to his non-owners and with Sergio Aguero’s millions now unlocked, forced them to investigate a route to recruit Sanchez. Even so, with a rise to 11.5 overnight, acquiring his services will still require compromise, creating yet another round of difficult transfer decisions.
Harry Kane
Overshadowed by Sanchez’ performance and points-haul, Kane nonetheless delivered his side of the bargain having topped this week’s Captain Poll.
Orchestrating the 5-0 drubbing of Swansea City, Kane converted a third penalty in the last three Gameweeks, before firing a second from a Son Heung-min assist.
Those goals took Kane to seven in his last six Premier League outings, eight from 11 games in all competitions this season.
It represented an instant reward for early adopters, although they will now feel frustrated having seen Aguero’s suspension drive inevitable traffic they way of the Spurs striker.
Kane’s enjoyed a price rise overnight and his form, coupled with Aguero’s ban, will likely see him established as part of the new front three template.
Christian Eriksen
Both Son and Dele Alli both provided returns in the 5-0 win, but Eriksen surpassed the pair to promote his stock as the Spurs midfield option.
The Dane delivered a brace and an assist to amass an 18-point haul. In any other Gameweek, that would have ensured a significant spike in transfers, although with Sanchez and the hunt for Aguero’s replacement the current priority, Eriksen remains largely overlooked.
Kane’s newfound popularity could also curb interest, ensuring that Eriksen remains an effective midfield differential.
Eden Hazard, Diego Costa and Marcos Alonso
The dominant Chelsea trio all overcame a testing fixture at Manchester City to deliver points in the 3-1 win.
Costa claimed an 11th goal of the season, ensuring that he’s now delivered returns in 12 of 14 Gameweeks – an incredible level of consistency. Again he avoided that fifth booking and now, against the odds, seems on track to pass the Gameweek 19 cut off and avoid suspension.
Withdrawn late on with what appeared to be cramp in his hamstrings due to fatigue, Conte stated post-match that he “expected” Costa to recover to face West Brom in Gameweek 15.
Meanwhile, Hazard regained momentum with a first goal in three Gameweeks, converting a Marcos Alonso pass as the Spanish wing-back fetched a second assist of the season.
All three now look poised to enjoy significant returns throughout December, as the fixtures smile kindly and hand Antonio Conte’s side the platform to cement top spot.
Chris Brunt
Once again deployed in midfield, Brunt chose Gameweek 14 to underline his potential as an out of position prospect.
While deprived of a clean sheet, he nonetheless provided the delivery for Jonny Evans’ opener, before firing a deflected effort from 25-yards.
As indicated in our recent Frisking the Fixtures article, Brunt’s prospects are somewhat dented by a testing forthcoming schedule. However, given his attacking prospects, he arguably challenges and perhaps supersedes Gareth McAuley as the optimum route into Tony Pulis’ rearguard.
Matt Phillips
Elsewhere in the Baggies camp, Phillips continued an unexpected level of consistency with a third goal of the season, returning for the fourth successive Gameweek.
Again, West Brom’s fixtures promote caution. While the home tie with Swansea City in Gameweek 16 promises a further haul, trips to Chelsea, Arsenal and Southampton, plus a Hawthorns meeting with Manchester United, will severely test the Phillips’ momentum.
Lee Grant
The veteran stand-in earned back-to-back clean sheets and a fourth shut-out of the season as Stoke City kept Burnley at bay.
With Mark Hughes expressing concerns on another Jack Butland injury setback, Grant’s stock enjoyed a significant hike.
The fixtures turn against him but, at just 4.2, there is no doubting Grant’s potential as another cheap enabler.
Christian Benteke
The Belgian exploited an uncharacteristically obliging Southampton defence to earn a brace, taking him to four goals in as many Gameweeks.
His first two goals in front of the home Palace fans, Benteke has timed his ascent to coincide with Aguero’s ban to put promote his services as a cut-price replacement.
In Decline
Sergio Aguero
Incredibly, the Argentine is now poised to miss seven matches in all competitions and six Gameweeks due to suspension this season.
A four-match ban, covering the next four Gameweeks, looks guaranteed following Aguero’s horrific lunge on Chelsea’s David Luiz – it could even be extended further.
Having already missed three matches and two Gameweeks early in the season, this latest incident represents a disturbing new development for Aguero as a Fantasy asset.
Already shipped by over 250,000 managers to this point, it remains to be seen if the City striker can be forgiven and can regain his former status as a Fantasy royalty.
Theo Walcott
Hooked off on 65 minutes and drowned out by Sanchez’ outstanding hat-trick, Walcott’s stock suffers a major blow.
Suddenly, with funds flooded by the Aguero sale, Fantasy managers no longer need to risk compromise with their choice of Arsenal’s midfield, easing the route to Sanchez.
Walcott will, therefore, be an obvious fall-guy, although, with Stoke City at the Emirates up next, he has an immediate opportunity to address matters.
Pedro
Another cheaper alternative to suffer a blow, the Spanish winger was withdrawn on 49 minutes and watched on while his replacement Willian scored a crucial Chelsea goal.
The threat from the Brazilian was always present but has now escalated ahead of Chelsea’s favourable run of opponents.
With Hazard, Costa and Alonso the clear trio of top targets in Conte’s ranks, we have to question the merits of holding or investing in Pedro at this time.
Joe Allen
The Welshman returned from suspension for Stoke City but was unable to break into a winning side, taking his place on the Potters bench.
Introduced on the hour-mark, Allen is nonetheless uncertain to work his way into the starting XI for the Gameweek 15 trip to Arsenal, with Xherdan Shaqiri currently occupying the role behind lone striker Jon Walters.
Sam Vokes
The budget striker joined Steven Defour and Matt Lowton on the bench as Sean Dyche shuffled his pack for the visit to Stoke. Andre Gray was restored to the starting XI, having been largely kept in reserve in recent weeks.
While the changes failed to halt a run of dismal away results, an instant return for Vokes is far from certain ahead of the Gameweek 15 meeting with Bournemouth.
