Members

How Azpilicueta’s goal threat is affected by Alonso and Hudson-Odoi

Chelsea’s 2-2 draw with Burnley on Monday night was a mostly disappointing result for Fantasy managers who own the Blues’ defenders.

Although he was unable to bank a 15th clean sheet of the season, Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.4m) at least compensated with an assist for Gonzalo Higuain‘s (£9.1m) goal against the Clarets.

That was Azpilicueta’s seventh attacking return of the season, with five of those arriving in the last 11 Gameweeks.

Having played mostly as a centre-half under Antonio Conte in a three-man backline, Azpilicueta has had to re-acclimatise to life as a right-back since Maurizio Sarri’s appointment last summer.

The Spain international has not been without his detractors this season, especially for his limited ability going forward.

Marcos Alonso (£6.3m) had previously suffered criticism from Chelsea fans and beyond, of course, but his weaknesses are very much defensive in nature and Fantasy managers cared little about negative critiques of his all-round ability as a left-back while the attacking returns were flying in at the other end.

It is actually since Alonso lost his ever-present status in Gameweek 24 that Azpilicueta’s output has improved in terms of goal involvement.

Having registered no goals and just two assists up until that point, Azpilcueta has one goal and four assists from the beginning of February onwards.

Azpilicueta would traditionally be the full-back to hang back in defence as Alonso bombed forward but the latter’s frequent absence of late has perhaps freed up Azpilicueta to get forward a little more.

Not that Alonso’s no-shows and Azpilicueta’s increased attacking threat are mutually exclusive: the much-maligned left-back has been on the pitch for three of those five most-recent returns.

Nevertheless, we will use Gameweek 24 as the starting point for our analysis of Azpilicueta’s performances in the Members’ article below.

866 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Homer21
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Kola and Martial benched, KDB cap injured, really need help Kun, Jimmy and Doherty to step up

  2. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    God id love to hit 100. It's been far too long since I hit a century.

    1. Bolivian Seaman
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      this is a football forum not cricket

    2. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Me too but guess I might struggle, see top post

    3. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      same, on 84 with 3 Man City and 2 Wolves starting tonight, should beat the 100 barrier for first time this season now.

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Don’t jinx it!

  3. FPL Pillars
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Sterling (c), Kun, Laporte, Jota, Jiménez. Can these men muster at least 25 points ?

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Absolutely

    2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Sterling will by himself

    3. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Hopefully

  4. Thick Of It
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    I really feel for those that captained KDB, a fair differential pick. He is in my team but luckily (perhaps?) I chose Sterling to captain.

    Good luck in hitting those centuries people.

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      I am one of those soldiers

      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        With Pep rotation is always an issue but to go out on 30 odd mins with an injury for a one pointer is really bad luck. Hope your other players make up for it.

        1. Homer21
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 11 months ago

          Cheers mate, best of luck

    2. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Captained KDB :'(, however currently on 86 with Laporte, Jonny, Jota, Jimenez to go. Century could still be in sight despite captain flop!

      1. Thick Of It
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        A fair chance, a defender goal or assist would certainly help.

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      That’s one of the risks of finding yourself in the position at this stage of the season of needing a differential

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 11 months ago

        Don’t see it that way - injuries could happen to anyone - differential or not.

  5. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Reiks G
    Traustason A

    Christiansen (K) looking silly now having not been involved in any goal.

    1. Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      At least he didn't score a own goal

  6. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Auba had a sinus procedure. Could explain why he was getting ill a bit recently.

  7. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Kola under emery.
    Rubbish pick.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Good ebening

  8. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Didn't Pogba also do an interview apologising after one of our losses earlier in the season, maybe Brighton or West Ham? He's a complete joke.

  9. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Well my DGW BB Mendy punt didn't pay off.

    1. FPL_Gyarados
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      He was magic the first few weeks

  10. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Rosenberg G
    Bengtsson A

    1. Zladan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Berget*

  11. Zladan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    OMG Sundgren!

  12. Sif
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Doherty YC already, eurgh!

  13. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Gona break 100 with that

  14. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    What happened to Jimi - used to be mr Reliable

    1. Baby Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 11 months ago

      Me and Amey put him in this week, that's what happened

  15. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Wishing for a United goal and draw, but then I won't reach 100 this GW 😕

  16. Poseidon.
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Lucky for you City we wanted you to win 🙂

  17. finnish92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Ryan
    Doherty, Laporte, TAA
    Son, Mane (c), Jota, Sterling
    Aguero, Rashford, Gray
    Bench: Lloris, Jwp, Catchart, Valery

    A) Gtg
    B) Gray -> Ings
    C) JWP -> Babel

  18. Tsssst
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 11 months ago

    Have Salah fear as rivals may TC him but already have Mane, TAA and Robertson

    Jimenez > Ings
    Pogba > Salah
    Robertson > Valery

    worth a -8?

  19. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Any news on Jonty guys?

  20. Snapes on a Plane
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 10 months ago

    Mane TC? Yay or nay?