Scout Notes – Chelsea Impress in Defeat

Chelsea are knocked out of the Champions League, as expected, but their performance in Barcelona is a reminder that their key players still have much to give as the season nears its completion.

The 3-0 scoreline flattered Barca as individual errors – in particular from goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois – scuppered an otherwise excellent team showing by the Blues, who out-shot their opponents 14-8.

Coach Antonio Conte made two changes from the side that beat Crystal Palace at the weekend, with Antonio Rudiger and Victor Moses replacing Gary Cahill and Davide Zappacosta.

That meant a second straight start up front for Olivier Giroud at the expense of Alvaro Morata, who only replaced him after 67 minutes last night, which in turn could be a significant development if the 1.5%-owned Frenchman retains his place for Chelsea’s domestic run-in.

Giroud’s inclusion has brought a genuine balance to the attack, freeing up Eden Hazard and, in particular, Willian.

The Brazilian was again excellent at the Nou Camp, firing in two shots and causing the home defence all manner of issues with his direct running.

Hazard was more subdued, but still managed three attempts and produced two key passes as Chelsea offered a consistent threat throughout the match despite going a goal down in just the third minute.

The most likely Chelsea player to score on the night, however, was Marcos Alonso.

The wing-back hit the post with a free-kick, one of a match-high four shots he had in an eye-catching attacking performance.

Blues defenders have been consistently sold by Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers during a six-Gameweek spell in which they’ve kept just one clean sheet.

Alonso has been no exception – he’s lost around 400,000 owners in that time frame – but his offensive threat remains undeniable, and it would be a surprise if he is not part of many Wildcard plans despite his budget-busting 7.2 price tag.

Short-term, there is little Fantasy interest in any of Conte’s players, however.

They have a blank Gameweek 31 as they’ll face Leicester City in the FA Cup quarter-finals and follow that up with a huge home match against Spurs once the international break is done.

After that, though, their assets should return to our radars.

If Chelsea get past the Foxes and into the cup semi-finals, they’ll have two double Gameweeks to come.

The first, likely to be in Gameweek 34, would involve trips to Southampton and Burnley, while the second would probably feature home matches with Liverpool and Huddersfield in Gameweek 37.

Fixtures at home to West Ham and away at Swansea City and Newcastle round out their generally attractive league schedule.

On paper, Chelsea’s form – they’ve lost three of their last four matches in all competitions – doesn’t warrant investment in their players.

But the defeats came against both Manchester sides and Barca, all away from home, and last night’s performance was as positive a showing as a 3-0 defeat can be.

The defence remains a concern and Hazard’s 10.6 price means he can’t afford too many more off days – he’s served up consecutive blanks in the league – if he is to find a way into our Wildcard midfields.

Willian (7.0), however, offers value and fine form, while Alonso has the potential to deliver returns at both ends of the pitch – since returning from a two-match absence in Gameweek 28, only the Brazilian and Giroud have fired in more attempts than the wing-back’s six.

And if he continues to be handed starts by Conte, Giroud could be an interesting differential option up front, particularly as Harry Kane and Sergio Aguero are currently injured, and the latter is likely to be a rotation risk when Man City finally wrap up the league title and can concentrate fully on their Champions League ambitions.