Scout Notes

FPL pre-season: Chilwell left out of first XI as Mount excels

The pre-season friendlies wind to a close this weekend, with 18 Premier League teams contesting warm-up games and last season’s top two squaring off in the Community Shield.

We’ll be bringing you goal, assist and line-up information from all of these matches in our Scout Notes articles, which could help shape your Fantasy Premier League (FPL) squad ahead of Gameweek 1.

We’re also keeping tabs on the minutes played in all of these warm-up fixtures, with Premium Members of Fantasy Football Scout able to access this information at the bottom of this article.

We begin with Chelsea and Everton, the Gameweek 1 opponents who were both in action on Friday. A second-string Blues XI were actually involved in another match against Udinese on Saturday morning, which is also covered below.

FRIDAY: UDINESE 1-3 CHELSEA
SATURDAY: UDINESE 0-2 CHELSEA

Match highlights (Friday)

  • Goals: Kante, Sterling, Mount | Loftus-Cheek, Ziyech pen
  • Assists: Hudson-Odoi | Kovacic, Loftus Cheek

Thomas Tuchel split his squad in half for two friendlies against Udinese on Friday night and Saturday morning.

The starting XI in the first of those games looks set to be near enough the side that takes on Everton in Gameweek 1, with Kai Havertz (£8.0m), Mason Mount (£8.0m) and Raheem Sterling (£10.0m) dovetailing very nicely up top.

It was a fluid set-up in the front three but Sterling was in the nominal central role, and the Manchester City man showed some promising early signs of a fruitful relationship with Mount in particular.

“He had chances, was heavily involved in other chances. It was a good performance.” – Thomas Tuchel on Raheem Sterling

Mount was arguably the pick of the attacking trident, creating opportunities aplenty for his two aforementioned teammates but crucially also seeing clear sights of goal himself: his late tap-in and an earlier saved effort came from inside the six-yard box, while he had fired at Udinese goalkeeper Marco Silvestri’s legs when jinking his way into the hosts’ area.

Criticism of profligacy seems to have dogged Sterling for a while, and indeed he has finished with a negative xG delta (the difference between his expected goals and actual goals scored) in each of the last two seasons.

He was wasteful against Udinese, too, with even his goal a fortuitous one as the rebound from a spurned chance bobbled in off his torso.

Still, to be repeatedly getting into such dangerous positions is a positive, with 78 goals in his last five seasons evidence that shot volume can be as important as a clinical streak.

Question marks remain at the back for Chelsea, with two of their starters – Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.0m) and Marcos Alonso (£5.5m) – still reportedly keen on a move to Barcelona and Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) not only omitted from Friday’s first-choice XI but clearly still needing to recapture some match fitness after a rusty-looking display with the second string on Saturday morning.

Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) won’t want to rewatch Udinese’s only goal of the weekend either but Kalidou Kouilbaly (£5.5m) was a positive, deployed again in the left-sided centre-half spot vacated by Antonio Rudiger.

Saturday’s game saw Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.0m) used at right wing-back and play a part in both goals, first finishing well from a Mateo Kovacic (£5.0m) pass and then winning the penalty that Hakim Ziyech (£6.0m) converted.

Armando Broja (£5.5m) was spotted for the first time this pre-season, lasting 45 minutes as the spearhead of the Chelsea attack and seeing plenty of chances of his own.

Chelsea XI on Friday (3-4-3): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly (Emerson 72); James (Hudson-Odoi 72), Kante, Jorginho (Gilmour 84), Alonso; Havertz (Vale 72), Sterling (Kenedy 84), Mount

Chelsea XI on Saturday (3-4-3): Kepa (Bettinelli 67); Chalobah, Ampadu, Sarr (Emerson 67); Loftus-Cheek (Vale 77), Kovacic, Gallagher (Gilmour 77), Chilwell (Kenedy 67); Ziyech, Broja (Hudson-Odoi h/t), Pulisic.

FPL points predictions for Gameweek 3 and beyond 3

EVERTON 3-0 DYNAMO KYIV

  • Goals: Calvert-Lewin, McNeil x2
  • Assists: Tarkowski, Iwobi, Vinagre

Match highlights

Dwight McNeil (£5.5m) bettered his entire 2021/22 attacking output for Burnley in a 28-minute showing on his Everton debut.

The newly signed winger emerged from the bench to first lash home an effort from distance and then nod in fellow debutant Ruben Vinagre‘s (£4.5m) cross.

 “I’m really delighted for him because there is pressure coming in and it’s all happened very quickly for him. To play at Goodison, coming on and impacting the game in the way in which he did – he showed the qualities why we brought him here. 

“I’m a big believer in him. It’s a fresh start at a new club for him and if he carries on like that the fans are going to love him.” – Frank Lampard on Dwight McNeil

McNeil has never hit double figures for FPL attacking returns in a season before so the jury remains well and truly out, particularly as a start is far from assured in Gameweek 1. Washed-up wingers Demarai Gray (£5.5m) and Andros Townsend (£5.5m) did have short-lived renaissances of their own after a move to Merseyside a year ago, of course, so we can’t write the England under-21 international off completely.

Frank Lampard seems set to go into the 2022/23 season in the same 3-4-3 shape that he ended the last campaign with, despite his stated desire to move to a 4-3-3.

That’s good news for FPL defenders Vitalli Mykolenko (£4.5m) and Nathan Patterson (£4.0m), who were pushed high and wide as wing-backs against Dynamo Kyiv.

Patterson is obviously an interesting case given his starting price and current injury to positional rival Seamus Coleman (£4.5m), although we did see Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) used at right wing-back in the win over Gameweek 1 opponents Chelsea in May.

Iwobi was here part of a midfield two alongside Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.5m) on Friday but injuries rather forced Lampard’s hand, so the Nigeria international could still be deployed elsewhere on the opening weekend.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) nodded in Everton’s opener, with summer recruit James Tarkowski (£4.5m) claiming the assist with a raking ball over the top.

Everton XI (3-4-3): Pickford; Tarkowski (Welch 83′), Keane (Holgate 62′), Godfrey (Nkounkou 83′); Patterson (Mills 83′), Iwobi (Warrington 83′), Doucoure (Allan 72′), Mykolenko (Vinagre 72′); Gray (McNeil 62′), Calvert-Lewin (Alli 62′), Gordon (Rondon 72′)

PRE-SEASON MINUTES TRACKER

Who played the most minutes over the March international break?

1,507 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Is Saliba an option at 4.5M, or will he be displaced by White once Tomiyasu returns from injury?

    1. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I think he might be the best option at 4.5 long term. Will nail down a spot.

  2. Oscar Slater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    KDB frustrated with Haaland already.

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      seems to be constantly standing offside and not available for passes

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Haaland just walking around

    Maybe finding it difficult to adjust to the pace

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Best CB partnership in the league probably doesn’t help

  4. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Alvarez wagon about to roll

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Darwin too

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You're man WR .,Hope he keeps a low profile

  5. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Foden coming in for Mahrez

  6. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Grealish was shocking as usual. 100m

    Lol

  7. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Alvarez & Foden on

  8. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Grealish rested for GW1 🙂

  9. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Are there any changes that you would make to this team

    Meslier Rodak

    TAA Van Dijk Cash Zinchenko Williams

    Salah Mount Odegaard Rashford Murphy

    Jesus Kane Greenwood

    Any ideas would be welcomed please

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      You’ll be squeezing Alvarez in very soon, so here you go,
      Rashford, odegaard and greenwood to Bailey, martinelli and Alvarez

  10. Wolfman180
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Grealish after his contribution? Currently in my team but should he be

    1. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Mahrez is much better imo, totally worth the 1m extra

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He started. Gets my nod.

  11. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Firmino CS banked.

  12. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Would you change one of these for Alvarez?

    Toney Bamford Nketiah

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Bamford

  13. Union_Jacks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Perisic starts for spurs

    1. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      And Doherty

  14. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Let's go Darwin!

  15. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Grealish anonymous apart from tiny shin pads and lovely hair

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Haha

    2. FPL_ UP_Down
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Haha

    3. NorCal Villan
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Don’t forget his fabulously symmetrical face

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        he was so confused lol

        1. NorCal Villan
          • 2 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          Pretty sure confused is his default setting

  16. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Will Nunez or Firmino start for Liverpool next week?

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Dont think so

    2. Sif
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      ask again in 30mins

  17. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Kane + Cancelo
    B) Son + James + 0.5 ITB

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      A

  18. Z
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Gralish and Maerez out...not even 60 min....

  19. DARE TO BISCAN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I know, I know. But, what're we thinking about Grealish after that?

    1. Z
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Same as last year.....nothing good

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Nothing’s changed

    3. Pedram
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Solidified my Mahrez > Grealish view

      1. DARE TO BISCAN
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Does look like he's worth the extra mil

  20. Bram
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    18mins
    Nice bit of play. Toffolo plays in Johnson clean through. Keeper saved his effort with his leg as he tried to find the far corner. Offside flag was up anyway

    17mins
    McKenna almost finds Surridge with a neat pass. Good idea

    15mins
    Forest looking bright. Johnson has a cross cut out

  21. TheTruth
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Haaland will be a disaster. He’s too slow. Alvarez is the real striker for City.
    This is like when Liverpool bought Carrol and Suarez and everyone was getting excited about that donkey and failed to see the real quality in Suarez.

    1. Herogrows
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Totally agree

    2. Z
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Lol

    3. DARE TO BISCAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He's in an undercooked Citeh. Playing an on-it LFC, with the best CBs in the league. Bit of a tough debut.

  22. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Alvarez at 6.5? Essential.

  23. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Please ITV grab 2 people off the street & let them commentate on the game cannot be any worse!

    BORING

  24. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Liverpool have been OK but not great. Missing the clinical edge of mane

    City though. This is so poor

    1. Zalk
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Two of the best teams in the world. I don't think we can read too much in to it.

    2. Lord.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Pre-season means nothing

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Exactly! As Allen Iverson said, we talkin’ ‘bout practice

  25. Z
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Perisic starts...what do we think now?

    1. Darwin von Humboldt
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Up Perisic!

      1. NorCal Villan
        • 2 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I see what you did there

    2. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      What do you think?

    3. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Locked in my side

      1. Union_Jacks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Would only swap to Doherty

  26. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    starting to think that cancelo isn't worth it

    1. Wolfman180
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Then turns it on gw1

  27. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on Ake so far?

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      50/50

  28. George Sillett
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    City usually start slow. Not much pre season . Jump on when they inevitably get cranked up. Pool as usual under Klopp well prepared. Good signings and ready to start quickly. City's better squad will ultimately see them through imo.

  29. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Nunez already looking more of a handful than Haaland

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      It's like watching Wout Weghorst vs Josh King

  30. TheTruth
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Haaland can’t even link up with de bruyne… the best provider in the league.

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Kdb has been poor tbf

      1. TheTruth
        • 4 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Because of Haaland. He’s making it difficult for KDB.

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Should be the other way around. Kdb seems a bit off his best today

    3. Josh.E
      • 2 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      kdb's passing has been atrocious