We bring you the key Fantasy Premier League (FPL) notes from two of Friday’s friendlies involving Chelsea and Brentford, including an exciting first outing for Estevao (£6.5m).
CHELSEA 2-0 BAYER LEVERKUSEN
- Goals: Estevao, J Pedro
- Assists: Palmer, Antwi
Debutant Estevao was the star of the show as Chelsea opened their pre-season with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen on Friday.
The Brazilian tapped home after Cole Palmer’s (£10.5m) shot hit the woodwork and fell into his path.
He could easily have returned again, too, having racked up seven shots and three chances created.
“He is very young. He needs to play and for sure, he is going to help. He is a fantastic player.” – Enzo Maresca on Estevao
Above: Estevao’s shot map v Leverkusen on Friday, via Sofascore
Palmer, who regularly drifted into dangerous positions, went off at half-time, with Estevao taking over the No 10 role.
Substitute Joao Pedro (£7.5m) rounded it off late on, firing home in injury time.
Elsewhere, Jamie Gittens (£6.5m) was thrown on in the second half, but Christopher Nkunku (£6.0m) and Nicolas Jackson (£6.5m) were both left out of the matchday squad amid transfer speculation.
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill (£5.0m) is likely to miss the entirety of the 2025/26 season after sustaining a long-term injury.
Trevoh Chalobah (£5.0m) took his place at Stamford Bridge on Friday, but it sounds like the club are already in the market for a new centre-back.
“It is a priority for me, yes. Levi is a fantastic player; what we achieved last season was because of him. He played all games and I love him. We are going to miss him. We are trying to find different solutions. We will see [signing a defender].” – Enzo Maresca
Chelsea return to action on Sunday, as they host AC Milan, before turning their attention to Sunday’s Premier League opener against Crystal Palace.
On Friday’s evidence, they look more than ready.
Chelsea XI: Jorgensen; Gusto (James 64), Acheampong (Anselmino 76), Chalobah (Tosin 45), Cucurella (Hato 45); Caicedo (Essugo 45), Santos (Rak-Sakyi 76); Estevao (Antwi 67), Palmer (Neto 45), George (64); Delap (J Pedro 64)
BRENTFORD 2-2 BORUSSIA MONCHENGLADBACH
- Goals: Carvalho, Damsgaard
- Assists: Collins
Caoimhin Kelleher (£4.5m) was a surprise absentee for Brentford on Friday, having picked up a knock in training.
Kevin Schade (£7.0m) also missed out for the second pre-season friendly in a row.
Both players will be monitored over the coming days.
As for the on-pitch action, Fabio Carvalho (£5.0m) and Mikkel Damsgaard (£6.0m) both got on the scoresheet for Keith Andrews’ side.
Carvalho, who has impressed in pre-season and attempted four shots here, volleyed home after a set-piece was headed across goal by Nathan Collins (£5.0m).
A couple of minutes later, a loose pass was intercepted by Damsgaard, who made no mistake.
Notably, Damsgaard’s set-piece deliveries were a real threat throughout at the Gtech Community Stadium.
Elsewhere, Keane Lewis-Potter (£5.0m) lined up out-of-position as a left winger. He put in some decent crosses and came close to scoring, only for his effort to deflect wide.
Igor Thiago (£6.0m), however, looked isolated for large periods and registered just one shot which was blocked by the opposition.
Brentford play again tomorrow against Gladbach at the training ground, with some of those who didn’t play on Friday expected to feature.
Brentford XI: Valdimarrson; Kayode (Hickey 82), van den Berg (Ajer 62), Collins, Henry (Roerslev 82); Jensen (Milambo 75), Yarmoliuk; Carvalho, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Thiago (Henderson 75)
