Scout Notes
5 April 2026 195 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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While Arsenal came unstuck against Football League opposition on Saturday, Chelsea made no mistake.

The Blues were 7-0 winners over League One side Port Vale, sealing a ‘double’ for themselves and Brighton and Hove Albion in Gameweek 33. Both sides then blank in Gameweek 34.

Here are some other takeaways from Stamford Bridge.

CHELSEA 7-0 PORT VALE

  • Goals: Hato, Pedro, own-goal, Tosin, Andrey Santos, Estêvão, Garnacho (pen)
  • Assists: Neto, Palmer, Gusto, Estevao
  • Chelsea XI: Sanchez; Gusto (Acheampong 85), Fofana, Tosin, Hato, Andrey Santos, Lavia (Kavuma-McQueen 78), Estevao, Palmer (Essugo 60), Neto (Garnacho 61), Joao Pedro (Delap 60)

ENZO LATEST

One big-name absentee from the Chelsea XI was, of course, Enzo Fernandez (£6.5m).

Liam Rosenior had confirmed on Friday that the Argentine midfielder wouldn’t play a part against the Valiants due to his international break comments. Enzo will also miss out in Gameweek 32.

So, what chance of a return for Double Gameweek 33?

You take anything that Rosenior says with a pinch of salt, given that it’s unrelentingly positive. Even talking about a player who has transgressed, it’s “top guy” this and “in a good place” that.

But the sight of Enzo at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, supporting his teammates from the sidelines, is hopefully a step towards redemption.

“I said yesterday, the conversations I have with my individual players, with Enzo, with anyone in the squad, when it comes to things like this, stay within. The dressing room is sacred. I made it really clear yesterday what I think of him as a person. He’s a top, top guy. But at the same time, I want us now to focus on the football and achieve what we want to achieve through the season.

“In the right time, in the right moment, which isn’t now, going through what we’ve gone through, I’m sure the discussion will happen in terms of what’s been said between me and Enzo. Enzo and I are in a very good place. I saw him today, had a really good conversation with him today, one-to-one, and things aren’t what people maybe think they are.” – Liam Rosenior

ROSENIOR GOES STRONG

Taking into account the Enzo punishment and the handful of injuries, Rosenior went about as strong as he possibly could for this contest. The two exceptions were Marc Cucurella (£6.0m) and Moises Caicedo (£5.7m), who were among the substitutes. Their omissions may have also been discipline-related after recent comments.

Cole Palmer (£10.6m), Joao Pedro (£7.8m) and Pedro Neto (£7.0m) were all part of a first-choice attack, each getting an hour. Malo Gusto (£4.9m) and Robert Sanchez (£4.8m) were again beneficiaries of the absences of the injured pair, Reece James (£5.6m) and Filip Jorgensen (£4.3m).

Rosenior explained his decision to go strong for this mismatch.

“Our next game is in eight days. I think this is the first clear week I have to work with the team before Manchester City. We played 19 games, 20 games in 10 weeks.” – Liam Rosenior on naming a strong team

PALMER ON HIS FITNESS

There were seven different Chelsea goalscorers on the night – and Palmer wasn’t one of them. He did at least claim the assist for the Blues’ third goal, with his off-target shot deflecting in off a Port Vale defender.

It wasn’t a sensational performance from Palmer, but then it didn’t have to be against League Two-bound opposition. The acid test comes in games like next weekend’s, against his old employers.

Palmer at least sounded some positive noises about his own fitness after full-time, with Double Gameweek 33 approaching.

“Yeah, now I feel good. I feel like I’ve turned the corner. Physically, I feel good now. I can finally shoot again. I can do everything again. So yeah, it’s just about kicking on and performing.” – Cole Palmer

ANOTHER WINGER INJURY AS ESTEVAO IMPRESSES

Chelsea lost Jamie Gittens (£6.0m) to yet another injury setback ahead of the game.

“Unfortunately, Jamie, in training yesterday, picked up what looks like a hamstring injury again. We have to scan him and make sure. It’s a real shame for him, I think it’s the third time it’s happened. We need to help him and we need to make sure he’s okay. I can’t give you a time frame on that at the moment.” – Liam Rosenior

Arguably the Blues’ stand-out player was another winger, Estevao (£6.4m). He’s had his own fitness issues this year, with Saturday’s game being his first start since February.

The Brazilian wide-man got through 90 minutes, assisting Andrey Santos (£4.5m) with a peach of a corner before getting a deserved goal of his own, following up an Alejandro Garnacho (£6.4m) shot that hit the post.

Garnacho added a seventh from the spot, with Palmer, Enzo and Pedro all off the field.

Pedro, who was another to look good against admittedly limited opposition, finished brilliantly from a Neto cut-back in the first half.

It was difficult to take too much away from this game, in truth. A handsome victory, yes, but against a team destined for the fourth tier of English football.

There were no lessons learned about Sanchez; he had virtually nothing to do as the visitors failed to register a shot on target. Even the defenders’ contributions were mostly attacking: Jorrel Hato (£4.6m) scored the opener from a set piece, while Malo Gusto (£4.9m) crossed for Tosin Adarabioyo (£4.0m) to nod home.

A professional job well done but Manchester City will be an infinitely sterner test of Chelsea’s pre-break vulnerabilities, especially the defensive ones.


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195 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. lilmessipran
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    No news on Jorgensen's injury? I am trying to decide whether I should keep a transfer in case Sanchez gets dropped again

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Nothing new, unfortunately. Didn't get an update in the pre-match presser either. Last update was in mid-March - he'd had minor surgery and was out for "weeks".

      1. lilmessipran
        • 13 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Cheers

  2. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    So, which teams will double in 33 and which will blank in 34 now?

    1. The Philosopher
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      F it. Found the article about it.

  3. Garfield1001
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Has anybody already wildcarded/made transfers and now partly regretting it?

    1. Absolutely Muñozed
      3 months, 7 days ago

      here

  4. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    I cant get 14/15 DGWers without a wc and with the arsenal defeat

    would u still BB if you were with these SGWers, Enzo and bench keeper?

    Dubravka, Thiago(FUL), Bruno(che), Gordon(BOU), Thiaw(BOU), Enzo(??)

    the other 9 should be nailed DGWers

    1. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Yes I'd still BB but would consider replacing Enzo.

  5. Gazzpfc
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Help please

    I was going to fh 34 but makes sense to do it 33 because if I roll this week I will have a full team for 34 with no changes. Roll in 34 so 3 transfers for 35 when I can put in Pedro Semenyo and Oreilly???

    Who will double in 36?

    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Man City & Crystal Palace have a good chance.

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Check Ben Crellins twitter

  6. CoracAld2831
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Which strategy works better for this team?

    A: WC32, BB33, FH34 (TC36)
    B: FH33, DE34, WC35 (TC36)

    Kelleher (Dubravka)
    Gabriel-Timber-Van Dijk (Thiaw, Andersen)
    Fernandes-Mbeumo-Gordon-Rogers-Tavernier
    Ekitite-Thiago (Kroupi Jr.)

    Was strongly considering A at first, but now currently leaning towards B as i currently only have 1 (Dubravka) blanking on 34.

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      When would you bench boost with option B?

      1. CoracAld2831
        • 5 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Now that you look at it more closely, i think would probably rather BB in 36 and TC either 37/38.

        1. CoracAld2831
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 7 days ago

          Meaning like this:

          A: WC32, BB33, FH34, TC36
          B: FH33, DE34, WC35, BB36, TC37/38

          1. PascalCygan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 7 days ago

            Fair enough. Not for me but good a few of us are thinking differently!

    2. Conners
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      B looks like the clear and obvious strategy to me with that team.

    3. DanLFC1
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Ok but what do you do with transfers now? Look to shift Eki for Haaland and more City? That's what I'm thinking with similar team

  7. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    So, which path now given I have all the chips?

    A: FH33, WC35, BB36, TC34/37/38
    B: WC32, BB33, FH34/35/37/38, TC36

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      I’m doing B

    2. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      B

    3. Mata of opinion
      • 6 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Was on B but now switching to A.

    4. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Depends on the team, but if you have 1-2 Liverpool, 2-3 Arsenal & 2 Newcastle, i'm currently leaning on A.

  8. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Kadioglu + Summerville/M.Fernandes or Mavropanos + Minteh?

    1. CoracAld2831
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      The former.

      1. PascalCygan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Same. Had Kadioglu a while and he plays 90 almost every game and can get forward effectively, though his attacking returns have been disappointing. Summerville if he’s fit

        1. Count of Monte Hristo
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 7 days ago

          Cheers both

    2. Well you know, Triffic
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Summerville more explosive if fit

  9. Well you know, Triffic
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    900k with all chips left. What would be the hail mary play?

    Thinking that WC32 may not be optimal but every week counts for me given my poor rank, so there may be little point waiting to WC later.

    Thanks

    1. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      I still think WC32 is the optimal solution, or at least as far as my own team is concerned. If West Ham beat Leeds today then I’m all in on WC32, BB33 & FH 34. Then probably TC 36.

      1. Well you know, Triffic
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        What would you do if Leeds win?

        1. Goodfeathers
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 7 days ago

          Probably the same to be honest. Will just be less happy about it!

          1. Well you know, Triffic
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 7 days ago

            Prepare for ruffled feathers

  10. Fred the Red
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Joao Pedro or Welbeck for the doubles? Other two forwards are Haaland and Bowen.

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      João Pedro – Welbeck's minutes are managed more, may not start both.

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      JP nailed on

  11. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    FH33 for those without WC?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      I don’t have WC but still have FH to play and have two Leeds players in my current squad. If Leeds will I will more likely FH in 34

  12. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    When will FPL update 33 & 34 game weeks to show correct amount of games?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Probably on Monday or later this evening once this final quarter has concluded

  13. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Leeds first blood – Tanaka.

  14. Sgt. Schultz
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Anyone see the Stach injury. Bad?

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Ankle

      1. Sgt. Schultz
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Thanks Steve

  15. NiiBerry
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 2 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Oh no, but makes the decision to take him out in my WC draft easier.

  16. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    leed, bournemouth getting a dgw and arsenal losing is perfect for those of us without a WC, but with 5 FTs

    bypass week 32, then make the changes

    lets hope they can hold this out

  17. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    How’s that not red down Achilles

    1. tutankamun
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Yes, horrible challenge. Poor refereeing in this game.

  18. Ian Davis
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Which gameweek is the M City vs Palace game most likely to be in?

    1. SIMBOBIANTHEIII
      3 months, 7 days ago

      36

  19. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Stach and Rodon two players you would be considering on WC if Leeds double both off injured.

  20. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    WHU just don’t know where the goal is!

  21. tuturututu
    • 5 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Guys I need some thoughts on this. I have TC and BB chips left, 2 FT and this team:

    Kelleher, Darlow
    Gabriel, Guehi, Virgil, Rodon, Gudmundsson
    Bruno F, Semenyo, Szobo, Wilson, Rice
    Thiago, Haaland, Ekitike

    Considering Leeds wins, the plan is to get O'Reilly in for Guehi for this GW. For GW33 then transfer out Gudmundsson and Ekitike for Van Hecke and JP and use BB chip as I have 15 playing players and 7 players with DGW. Then in gw34 I transfer out Van Hecke and JP and have 11 playing players for that gw. TC in gw36. All good and rational with my plan?

    1. tuturututu
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Is it better to go with DCL or JP for DGW?

  22. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Leeds pen loading

    1. Sgt. Schultz
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      DCL to take

  23. el polako
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Why it’s taking so long?
    It’s clear pen.

    VAR in UK is joke.

    1. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Operators

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Don’t they understand football and rules.

        Single replay and it was clear to me that it was a pen.

        1. el polako
          • 9 Years
          3 months, 7 days ago

          They need 5 minutes and 40 different angles and checks to determine it.

          Joke.

    2. tuturututu
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Endless situations in which they got it wrong. Yesterday a clear pen on Cherki, nothing

      1. el polako
        • 9 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        They just make themselves look incompetent.
        If you can’t make a decision looking at this then you’re in the wrong job.

    3. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      CL and World Cup games are so much more smooth

      English refs ruin the league

  24. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Leeds win good, will put people off wildcarding

    It’s all team dependent though

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      What do you think of my team below, still WC?

      1. Qaiss
        • 10 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Probably because I also wildcarded just to get rid of the likes of Rogers and Ekitike who ruined my season

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 7 days ago

          Cheers

  25. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    So that's it then Haaland , Pedro & either Welbeck or DCL for the double gameweek
    DCL looks like the best pick as I don't think Welbeck starts weekend & midweek .

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      happy with haaland pedro and thiago on bench boost

  26. Baps Hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Interesting to see how many wildcards are going to be "cancelled" in this scenario. Some content creators will be sweating now 🙂

    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Many will have played wildcard already for the coming game week 32 .
      I understand what you mean by "cancelled" but those who have already activated their wild card are stuck with it .

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Once activated and a transfer made, it's curtains to reverse the decision

  27. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Still Wildcard this week, BB next and FH GW 34?

    Kelleher
    Gabriel, Thiaw, Senesi
    Bruno F, Rogers, Wilson, Semenyo
    Thiago, Etikite, Pedro

    Dub, Palmer, Hill, Rodon

    1 ft, 4.3 in the bank

  28. Qaiss
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Daniel Farke btw

    What a man

  29. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Stach sitting with protective boot and crutches

    1. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Yah, not good. Hopefully mostly precautionary, but time will tell...

  30. Fred the Red
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    How's this for a 32WC 33BB draft?

    Petrovic Dubravka
    Cucurella O'Reilly Rodon Hill Van Hecke
    Semenyo Palmer BrunoF Enzo Tavernier
    Haaland Joao Pedro DCL

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Will be close to template

      1. Fred the Red
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Yeah figured.....also have 4 chelsea players on there lol

        1. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 7 days ago

          Would remove Enzo and consider Chalobah instead of Cucurella if fit

        2. RamaJama
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 months, 7 days ago

          Was Rodon off injured today?

    2. OverTinker
      • 7 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      How many players you would want till the end of the season? Because bb can ruin the rest of your season in this case

    3. Fred the Red
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Oh hello! May need to revise the draft lol