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

    Mo suddenly on 13pts after being shite. That’s why you go without him at your peril.

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

      Yep, couldn’t agree more

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

      Truth

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

      Very true WR .

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      it averages out over the course of the season, poor performances will more often than not translate to 2/3 points

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

    Salah goal and assist v City. Fixture proof and essential in my eyes regardless of his price or of the price of his teammates.

  3. Avery
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Cancelo lost clean sheet

    1. Avery
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      And zero points

    2. SkyByBo
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Defensively been awful

      1. Hawk
        • 8 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Hasn't been otherwise since he came to City??

      2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
        • 3 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Games like this are exactly why Pep doesn't want to play him at LB. Against a team that will get a decent bit of the ball and that will attack City, he's a clear weakness defensively

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

    KING!!

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

      Power

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

        Vacuum!

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

      Harvest has surely come

  5. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A.) Cancelo, Dalot, Rashford
    B.) Walker, Trippier, Saka

    Which is stronger for first few weeks

    1. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      B

    2. SkyByBo
      • 14 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I'm tempted by walker over cancelo, he's not 2m better when they are both playing imo

  6. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    So where are all the people going without Salah!?

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

      HERE!

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I'll surely ask your time after the deadline 🙂

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

          I guarantee you 100% I won’t have him

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Just a banter.

            Salahless team allows you to have many quality players.

            I'll still confirm though

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

              Haha yeah I’ll be ready for it 😉

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

      Haha getting their heads looked at

    3. Crystal Alice
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      o/

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        If you still go without him come deadline, hats off to you

    4. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Trying to locate the extra 5mill in their team

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

      you guys really got hung up on Salah, You guys wont own Son, Haaland, Kane or some right? What about their points?

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

        in every Salah owners head, they only see Salah hauling and all other options blanking every week? The logic lol

      2. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I have Salah and son 🙂

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

          lol good, but yea my point is, if you don't have Salah you have another premium instead or used funds to boost like 2/3 other positions. Salah is ofc a beats, and perhaps I will have him come GW1 m not sure. But it doesn't overly bother me not having him

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            1 year, 8 months ago

            Yup I Agree.

      3. RICICLE
        • 1 Year
        1 year, 8 months ago

        I’ll be owning Kane as well as Salah, easy enough

    6. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      I’ve captained Son today.

      1. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Me tooo

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

    Salah taking a penalty with Milner on the pitch...

  8. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Cue all No Salah drafters to scramble to fit him back in their teams.

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

      But but Diaz is cheaper

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

        And you can cover him with Robbo

  9. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Seen plenty of salah pens go in, but this was one of his better ones

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

    No Salah in your team? Start over

  11. Avery
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Diego Carlos for Villa
    Nice cross from Young
    https://twitter.com/dav3yavfc/status/1553436915831029760?s=21&t=zt0saMWgCpHJU58fcet5Cw

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

      Thanks.

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

    1-0
    Not the best of goals to concede. Cross from the right comes to Soler who drives it beyond Henderson
    And that's that for the first half. Forest 1-0 down

    1-0
    Soler puts the visitors in front

    GOAL
    Valencia take the lead

  13. SH1M1
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Now that Salah scores a penalty = must have, lol

  14. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Nunez is amazing at heading it wide isn’t he

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

      *assisting

    2. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Agree. He will get lots of cross. More like their target man

    3. The Overthinker
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      He scored from a header

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

    Robertson 😆

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

    Piss poor from Robbo

  17. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Nunes has a proper 50p head by the way

  18. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Haaland watched Man City play and decided thats where he wanted to be. Cant help but think he must not be the brighest football mind to get to that conclusion

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Can help but think people making snap judgements on any player from one game, let alone the fact that it's only their second game and first one of more than 45 mins, might not be the brightest football mind to get to that conclusion

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Nearly a 100 goals each & every season. Missing a number 9 since Aguero left. Good chance of winning every comp they are in… what the problem?
      Or are we writing him off after 1 game v Liverpool?

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 12 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        Feels a bit like Ronaldo at United. Just playing a completely different game to the rest of the team

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

          Minus the hush money

      2. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        1 year, 8 months ago

        They are winning the league.

        1. Hattrick Harry
          • 4 Years
          1 year, 8 months ago

          ManC will win the league by large margin.

  19. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Nice to see Harvey Elliott picking up from where he left off. So talented.

  20. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    City on for a slow start this season?
    they did have a slow start last season

    1. Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Dropped points at least twice in their first 5 games in each of the last 3 seasons, short preseason won't help them

  21. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I know looks like blanking but I Am sticking with haaland

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

    Arsenal gonna win the league

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Even without Partey?

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      jesus gonna score 33

  23. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Had haaland in my team since the game launched

    Can see switching to kane before the season starts

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

      I am gonna try with both

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

    Haaland has been shocking

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Just playing a different game

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

      Who on City has impressed you Bemba?

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Time is needed ...

  25. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    Harland playing 90 is a surprise tbh

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

      Well...he's an animal...

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

    Is it madness to go 4-5-1 with only Jesus up top? Too unflexible? Only way to get me Salah and Son.

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

      Get Kane insted of Son, get 0.5m extra and your team will be more flexible

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

      Now your talking. Jesus is a gift. Only striker worth having, especially if you have Son to cover the Kane points.

      Mitrovic on the bench or punt on Alveraz might be something to consider.

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

      No, that is optimal

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

    Salah and/or Son are the only players worth paying more then 11 mill. Forget the others.

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      Kane

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

      Yep

    3. DycheDycheBaby
      • 8 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      And Kane.

  28. Jump in Micah
    • 12 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    A) Robertson & Rashford
    B) Diaz & Trippier
    C) Saka/Jesus & Trippier

  29. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    People off-loading MCI players from their GW1 team now? 😛

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      1 year, 8 months ago

      For better or worse… my 2 are staying (Grealish & Cancelo). Also not ruling out Kane > Haaland (c) in GW2 either.

  30. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    1 year, 8 months ago

    I think kdb played quite well for this game still?