Timo Werner (ยฃ9.3m) was initially the latest victim of Frank Lampard Roulette as the Chelsea manager makes six changes from the side that won 4-0 at Krasnodar midweek.
The former RB Leipzig forward played 90 minutes in Russia, finally getting his hands on a penalty and assisting for good measure – but Lampard followed through on his ominous concerns about a “tired group”.
Fresh from the conversion of a Champions League spot-kick, Werner owners had been patiently waiting for Jorginho (ยฃ5.3m) to miss a first game since Gameweek 3, so that he could take one in Fantasy Premier League. It just so happens that he joins the Italian on the bench today.
However, there was drama even before kick-off at Turf Moor as Christian Pulisic (ยฃ8.3m) picked up an injury in the warm-up – Werner chosen to replace him in the starting line-up.
Tammy Abraham (ยฃ7.2m) originally came in for the German international as the apex of Chelsea’s front-three at Turf Moor, Pulisic and Hakim Ziyech (ยฃ7.9m), making his first Premier League start for the club. It seems likely that Werner will occupy the left-winger role with Abraham staying in the middle.
Mason Mount (ยฃ6.8m) is back for only his second start since Gameweek 4, joined in central midfield by Kai Havertz (ยฃ8.4m) and N’Golo Kantรฉ (ยฃ4.9m).
For all the concern about which Chelsea defenders would start, that area of the team has provided little in the way of frustration, especially in comparison to the Werner benching.
In fact, the three most popular Blues defenders all start at Burnley today.
Signed by more managers for Gameweek 7 than any other player, Ben Chilwell (ยฃ5.9m) is at left-back once again, Reece James (ยฃ5.0m) is on the right, while Kurt Zouma (ยฃ5.1m) keeps his place in the middle where he is joined by Thiago Silva (ยฃ5.5m).
Interest in Burnley assets is mostly budgetary, with 7.5% currently in possession of non-playing defender Jimmy Dunne (ยฃ4.1m) and central midfielder Dale Stephens (ยฃ4.4m).
Nick Pope (ยฃ5.4m) is still the most fashionable Claret, owned by 11.2%, his backers hoping he can make a slew of saves today.
Burnley XI: Pope; C Taylor, Tarkowski, K Long, Lowton; McNeil, D Stephens, Westwood, Brownhill; Wood, A Barnes.
Chelsea XI: E Mendy; Chilwell, Zouma, T Silva, R James; Havertz, Kantรฉ, Mount; Pulisic, Abraham, Ziyech.
LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 7
- Wolves 2-0 Crystal Palace
- Sheffield United 0-1 Manchester City
- Burnley 0-3 Chelsea
- Liverpool 2-1 West Ham United
- Aston Villa 3-4 Southampton
- Newcastle United 2-1 Everton
- Manchester United 0-1 Arsenal
- Tottenham Hotspur 2-1 Brighton and Hove Albion
- Fulham 2-0 West Bromwich Albion
- Leeds United 1-4 Leicester City
