Scout Notes
5 April 2026 195 comments
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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. g40steve
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Subbing nipples

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

    GW32 WCers(followed by BB33), who do we want to win here then?

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

      You support Hammers hoping Areola is fit. I "support" Leeds now.

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

        Rodon and Stach injured makes your lives more difficult if u have to get Leeds players. Bowen is obvious and M Fernandes(z?) close on BB. Don't remember spelling, sorry.

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

      I'm not a wildcard player
      But Bowen plus 3 of Garner ,KDH, Tarkowski & Pickford is the best option .

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

        And this is exactly what we on FH33 don't wish.

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

    Finlay Herrick debute

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

      1st pen save

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

        2nd

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

    The ref is now finding a coin with 2 heads to avoid the which end are the penalties taken at issue .

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

    Great moment for the young lad!

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

    The kid saved it

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

    0-0 now

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

      0-1

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

        for Leeds

  8. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Horrible PKs

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

    Bowen bottled it

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

    Go on, Herrick! Great start for the youngster.

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

    1-1

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

    1-2

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

    2 all

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

    2-3

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

    Adv Leeds rubbish pen

  16. brianutd-why always we? 20
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Leeds and Bou doubles worth a punt

  17. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • 8 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Does this mean Leeds and Bournemouth double??

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Aye

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • 8 Years
        3 months, 7 days ago

        Cheers mate thought so

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

    Leeds off the post

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

    Do we want Leeds v Southampton semi final ?

    1. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Definitely

    2. Nomar
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Absolutely we do!

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

    GW32 WCers in heaven

  21. Babit1967
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    DCL to Bowen then looks a good move & can bring back DCL on FH 33 ?

  22. Mr. O'Connell
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    GTFI DGW for Rayan

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

      4 points !

  23. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Pens up.

    City, Chelsea, Brighton, Bournemouth, Leeds, Burnley double incoming!

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

      WC gw 32 followed by BB with only players from these teams not good for the rest of the season, right?

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

        Wait, you don't want Rayan, Tavernier, Hill, Rodon, Stach, Anthony, Van Hecke, Welbeck, Mitoma, Chalobah, Enzo, Palmer stuck in your team getting 2pters for the rest of the season?

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

          Maby Haaland, Semenyo, O’Reilly, Pedro, Palmer, Chalobah, Verbruggen, Van Hecke, Hill, Senesi

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

            I was being facetious tbf hehe. But said it a couple of weeks ago, that this DGW feels kind of meh.

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

          Rodon and Stach are injured

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

            Those two being out makes Leeds worse. Specially Stach

      2. Moon Dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 1 Year
        3 months, 7 days ago

        I'm probably gonna add Bruno & Gabriel if he's fit. No other SGWers I'm worried out not having...

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

    What a match! Hahaha! Crazy.

  25. Under my Cucurella
    • 10 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    With this squad and all chips remaining, which looks like the best chip strategy?

    Verb Dub
    Gab Timber VVD Andersen Hill
    Bruno Cunha Gordon Wilson Rayan
    Haaland Pedro Thiago

    3FT 0.1ITB

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

      With all chips intact, I don't know. No regrets for wasting my TC on Gabriel.

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

    Is there no summer time in UK now? Time difference to EET seems to be 3 hours.

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

      Aye, it's BST time now. It's 8pm, sharp, in the UK at this moment. Clocks went ahead March 29.

  27. threeputt
    • 16 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    aw man thought a wc32 set up for a bb33 & a fh34 was gonna be a no brainer before all the cup games.
    Raya (1) Dubravka (2)
    Virgil (1) Thiaw (1) Gabriel (1) Van Ecke (2) Senesi (1)
    Rice (1) Fernandes (1) Cunha (1) Semenyo (2) Wilson (1)
    Thiago (1) Pedro (2) Ekitike (1)
    dgw plays in brackets so 19/30 poss
    I also have 4xFT & a TC available & £3.8m itb, too much of a good thing, great for football Arsenal losing f...ed ffl up

    Still WC32 best ? help please !

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

    WC32 not looking very promising now. Though the issue is I have all the chips left. Still go through with it or is there another optimal plan to use all the chips?

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

      WC35? And BB 36

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

        TC Haaland for his pen goal vs Burnley in DGW33

  29. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Put Stach & Rodon in last night on wildcard lol.

    1. WVA
      • 9 Years
      3 months, 7 days ago

      Are they both injured long term? Not even flagged

  30. WVA
    • 9 Years
    3 months, 7 days ago

    Will Haaland have two home games in DGW36 for TC?

    BRE CRY