Diego Costa delivers his biggest haul of the season as Chelsea put four past Southampton at the Bridge. Eden Hazard scores a fouth in four Gameweeks, while Marcos Alonso and Gary Cahill atone for the lack of a clean sheet with further attacking returns.
On the Rise
Eden Hazard
Reinstalled to the Chelsea first XI along with Diego Costa, the Belgian delivered yet again after firing the opener against Southampton.
Having emerged from the bench to see off Spurs with a goal and assist at Wembley, Hazard’s early strike means he has now produced points in six of his last seven league appearances.
That form has taken him above Dele Alli into second spot in the FPL midfield standings and the Blues’ schemer looks an assured target for many Wildcard rebuilding programmes.
Hazard has netted 11 times in front of his own supporters – more than any FPL midfielder – and the schedule from Gameweek 36 onwards (MID, wba & WAT, SUN) looks far too inviting to ignore.
Diego Costa
The Chelsea striker cast aside the recent malaise that brought him just two goals from the previous ten, delivering his best tally of the season and first double-figure return at Stamford Bridge.
The second most transferred-out player for Gameweek 34, Costa was shown the door by over 136,000 FPL managers, only to net twice and provide an assist in an emphatic performance against the Saints.
Hazard remains the star attraction as a route into Conte’s attack, yet Costa – sitting in 29% of squads – has the potential to damage non-owners if he can build on last night’s output.
He was the top transfer target overnight – attracting more than 8,000 new owners.
Marcos Alonso, Gary Cahill
It’s 11 league matches without a clean sheet now for Chelsea.
Yet Alonso and Cahill continue to lead the FPL defender standings thanks to their penchant for points at both ends of the pitch.
Transferred out by over 65,000 managers last week, the Spaniard teed up Cahill for the Blues’ second, taking his tally to five goals and as many assists for the season.
While Alonso remains our Chelsea defender of choice across those favourable fixtures, the Blues’ skipper – who has also now scored on five occasions – could offer a double-up option for those looking to use their Wildcard to load up on the league leaders for the run-in.
Cesc Fabregas
Surprisingly preferred on the right of the front three, Fabregas’ assist for Costa’s goal maintained a remarkable run of consistency at Stamford Bridge.
The playmaker has now produced returns in eight of Chelsea’s last nine home league matches and has been named in the first XI in each of their last four at Stamford Bridge.
Given that the Blues play at home three times – against Middlesbrough, Watford and Sunderland – in the final trio of Gameweeks, Fabregas, at just 6.9 and owned by 1%, could prove a decent, if nonetheless risky, differential.
Manolo Gabbiadini
The January signing supplied the assist for Southampton’s opener and continues to appeal as a mid-price Wildcard option ahead of their Double Gameweeks 36 and 37.
Gabbiadini now has four goals and an assist in six outings, producing points on four of those occasions. After rising quickly to 6.9, he now sits at just 6.4 and boasts only a 3% ownership.
Given that the Saints have home clashes against Hull City and Stoke City on either side of their back-to-back doubles, investment in the Italian looks set to accelerate. He was second only to Costa for transfers in overnight.
In Decline
Pedro
A run of nine straight Gameweek starts came to an end as the Spaniard dropped to the bench for the Saints’ encounter.
Pedro’s form has hardly been the most convincing – just a single assist in six before last night – but after being named as a substitute in the weekend cup win over Spurs, many expected him to return to Conte’s teamsheet.
He did at least emerge from the bench to earn an assist and may well return to the starting XI at Goodison Park this weekend. But the doubts now hovering over his pitch-time could well persuade would-be suitors to steer clear.
Nathan Redmond
Prior to last night, no outfield player had started more league matches for Southampton this season than Redmond.
Named in the Saints’ first XI in 28 of the opening 31 Gameweeks, the winger was among the subs as Puel handed Sofiane Boufal the chance to impress.
Having netted three times in six before last night, Redmond – at 5.9 – looked like offering a cheaper route into the Saints’ midfield than Dusan Tadic. Yet with James Ward-Prowse, at 5.0, starting each of the last nine, the 6%-owned Redmond could be best avoided.
