After clinching the title at West Bromwich Albion on Friday, Antonio Conte makes nine changes to his Chelsea line-up for a home encounter against Watford.
Cesar Azpilicueta then emerges as the Blues’ unlikely Double Gameweek 37 hero, but Eden Hazard fails to take advantage of back-to-back starts.
On the Rise
Cesar Azpilicueta
One of only two Chelsea players to retain their starting berths from Friday’s win at West Brom, the Spaniard is currently the top-scoring player for Double Gameweek 37 on 20 points.
Azpilicueta was shifted out of the back-three and handed a right wing-back berth as Victor Moses was afforded the night off entirely, and he picked a fine time to net his first goal of the season in the 4-3 win over Watford.
With an assist and clean sheet also accrued at The Hawthorns, the versatile defender was the big winner from the Chelsea contingent – only one other team-mate, Michy Batshuayi, managed double-figures (11 points) over the Blues’ pair of fixtures.
Azpilicueta has now served up 30 points in his last three appearances and, with a home clash against Sunderland still to follow, is just seven points behind team-mate Marcos Alonso at the top of the defender standings.
Cesc Fabregas
Named among the subs against the Hornets, the Chelsea playmaker once again highlighted his ability to deliver points from limited pitch-time by emerging from the bench to fire the decisive strike.
As he’s owned by a mere 3% of FPL managers, Fabregas was largely overlooked for the Double Gameweek, yet, like Azpilicueta, he’s upped his output as the season comes to a close – it’s a goal and four assists in five now for the playmaker.
Afforded just 12 minutes off the bench last night, you’d expect him to return to the first XI against the Black Cats, with Conte perhaps now looking to protect N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic’s minutes with one eye on the FA Cup final against Arsenal at the end of the month.
In Decline
Eden Hazard
The Belgian was a surprise starter in last night’s seven-goal thriller, but he was unable to get among the points despite playing the full 90 minutes.
Backed by 304,000+ FPL managers with the armband, the 33%-owned Hazard delivered a mere five points across the Blues’ pair of fixtures as his campaign stumbles to a close.
The winger has served up just a single assist in his last four league appearances, scoring once in six top-flight outings ahead of Sunday’s clash with the Black Cats.
As the only attacker to retain his place from the Baggies win, Hazard’s minutes could be the most in question for the Sunderland match as Conte looks towards the Wembley showdown in a bid to clinch the double in his first season at the helm.
Over 12,700 have already parted company since Friday’s deadline – only Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino has earned more sales among FPL midfielders.
