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My Chelsea U-Turn

An excellent result against Tottenham in GW28… so the question is, can they now gather momentum?

My plan whatever the result in this game was to bring Higuain in for Aubameyang.  He played reasonably well, had a few chances hitting the post from a sliced effort being one of them.  That said, I’m turning my head towards Hazard.

Yes he got taken off after 59 mins (to the dismay of his FPL owners), but I wouldn’t be worried about that.  I think it was noticeable he had tired legs as his exploits of the EFL cup may well have caught up on him.

He is their main man, make no mistake about it, and I have a feeling the early substitution will have a positive effect when he turns up at Craven Cottage.  We all know on his day, Hazard can score against anyone.  I don’t think we can point the finger at him for any of Chelsea’s recent failings.  He has at times looked frustrated and that is understandable.

He has already matched last season’s tally of 12 goals (scoring 16 in the season before that), and now could be the perfect time for him to add to this tally starting with Fulham (a).  This is followed by Wolves (H) GW30, Everton (a) GW31, a prospect of a mouth-watering DGW32 Cardiff (a), Brighton (H) and West Ham (H) GW33.

I think it’s been quite a shame that after his brace against Huddersfield in GW25, Chelsea have had to face Man City twice (including the cup final) and Tottenham.  Though delving a bit more into Hazard’s hauls this season, I’m willing to chance that more hauls are lurking just around the corner with the kind fixtures approaching.

Concentrating on double digit hauls only, Hazard has 7 so far and this is how its reads:

GW 4 Bournemouth (H) 2-0 win 1 goal, 3BP 11 points

GW 5 Cardiff (H) 4-1 win 3 goals, 3 BPS 20 points

GW 7 Liverpool (H) 1-1 draw 1 goal, 3 BPS 10 points

GW 8 Southampton (a) 3-0 win 1 goal, 1 assist, 3 BPS 14 points

GW 17 Brighton (a) 2-1 win 1 goal, 1 assist, 3BPS 13 points

GW 19 Watford (a) 2-1 win 2 goals, 3 BPS 15 points

GW 25 Huddersfield (H) 5-0 win 2 goals, 2 BPS 15 points

The main point of my exercise here was to point out the hauls tend to come in games of less difficulty, contrary to the fact we know he can score against any team.  I think the underlying issue is that perhaps Chelsea haven’t performed this season as they would have hoped.  Obvious factors such as the striker issues, Sarri’s vision not being implemented effectively also.  Though with Higuain leading the line, I believe they will now kick on and definitely take a top 4 spot.  Let’s not forget, he wasn’t deemed to be at his fitness peak when he arrived in January and has only had the 4 league games to date.  Adapting to life in the Premier League is never going to be easy, but under the circumstances, he’s done very well.

I think Higuain is going to be the most obvious of transfer moves FPL managers could make as Aubameyang > Higuain (for example) is an easy decision to make.

I think one of the keys to success is not holding on to previous failings.  I captained Hazard earlier in the season 3 weeks on the trot and got no returns.  It was hard to take and my rank and ML positions suffered at the time.  Though I’m going to grab the bull by the horns in this game week.  Hazard comes in for Son, with Aubameyang making way for Vardy.

Good luck to you all once again this week.

Cheers

Pep Pig

Pep Pig Football fanatic! Played football all my life, now coach and have played FPL since the 2006/07 season. I have been on the site for years but I didn't become a member before 2017/18. It's made a massive difference to my approach to the game.

44 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Thanks for the effort mate!

    Having already Vardy from the previous week (rash to Vardy) I will stick with my initial plan which is bringing higuain in for Auba.

    I think higuain will excel against Fulham, he is a great asset and is the ideal he for him to start firing!

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Thank you mate. Nice moves on both accounts pal 🙂

  2. andrewe63
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Wasn't Hazard the ultimate troll before BGW's appeared on the horizon.

    Blind faith?

    1. Bird Raymond
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I'm going to want him anyway for the blanks, so may as well bring him in and captain him this week against a team that has conceded 63 goals in 28 games.

    2. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Far from blind faith mate. It would be easier to see if Hazard hauls this weekend, then make the move. The idea was to get on before any hauls. The troll word is used far too often when a "captain pick" doesn't score. He's had a very good season considering how inconsistent Chelsea have been at times. Though I am quietly confident Chelsea will kick on now at the business end of the season

      1. Hand of clod
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Another consideration here with Hazard is all he has to do is score 1 goal and its pretty much guaranteed maximum bonus. I will be amazed if he doesn't come away with some returns against Fulham. Hell, even i could score against them!

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Steady on Rob Green

  3. The Overthinker
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    He's In my team this week, but I would go with sterling captain

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I've got both and I am edging towards Hazard at the moment. It's literally a coin toss at the moment

  4. weaver93
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    is this worth a -4??
    Kun- Higuain
    Son- Hazard...
    Kun and Son looking tired..

    cheers

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      It could really pay off mate if Chelsea build on the win against Spurs. Perfect place to start on Sunday. Good luck

      1. weaver93
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        cheers fella

    2. Jim Moriarty
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Their energy levels have SonKun

  5. Amey
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Nice.
    I've got Higuain this gw. Think he'll be good

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I'm sure mate. Another plus is Sarri stamping down on Kepa so

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Yep
        I liked it tbh. Managers deserve respect

  6. avfc82
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Good article.

    I was happy for Sarri after the Spurs win. Felt some of the criticism towards him has been unjust, and he showed he does have a plan B at Wembley.

    Now is the time to kick on though, and if you're going to invest in Chelsea, this is the week to do it.

    I'd love to bring in Hazard, but can't see a way of doing it with a midfield 5 of Salah, Sterling, Pogba, Fraser and Brooks. Fair play to those bringing him in though, he should do well.

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Thanks mate. I agree with your comments about Sarri. The Kepa incident was madness and you could see the shock on Zola's face also. So I'm glad he dropped him and put him back in his box 🙂
      I can see obviously why your midfield won't be changing as Salah, Sterling and Pogba should be going nowhere.

  7. ColdRainyNIght
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Just read few newspapers predicting Hazard to be rested, any comments?

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      https://www.football.london/chelsea-fc/players/eden-hazard-chelsea-injury-news-15904946

      Check this link mate he says he's fine. Just replied to the other comment too.

      1. ColdRainyNIght
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        They have important game vs Dinamo Kyiv, he coulld well be rested

        1. Pep Pig
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          With that not being until Thursday there is plenty of time for rest. I'm not here to sway you mate. From a personal perspective he's in my team and got the armband. If you have any doubts at all then act on your gut buddy

  8. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Best move here? 2.2m ITB

    A Digne to TAA
    B Son to Hazard/Mane
    C Save

    A Son - > Hazard/Mane
    B Deeney - > Barnes
    C Save FT

    Patricio Fabianski
    Robbo Doherty Digne Pereira AWB
    Salah Sterling Son Pogba Felipe
    Jiminez Rondon Deeney

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I replied to you mate but it's below.... whoops

  9. Pep Pig
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    I think bringing Hazard in is the best of those options. I expect the Merseyside derby to be tight again

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I've gone Higuain as he is very less owned.
      Will get hazard before gw 31 deadline
      And yes merseyside derby will be great.

      Everton would love to stop Liverpool's charge on the title for sure 😀

  10. Tev
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Can't seem to even sniff a green arrow at the moment. Time for a differential Hazard (C). Thoughts?

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I can't see why not mate. He's currently mine. My only headache was to give it Sterling or Hazard. Good luck mate

    2. Andy'81
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I've got it on Haz as well for now, it's still concerning that he was taken off at 59 minutes against Spurs midweek so if he is still fatigued then theirs no way he gets to play the full 90 against Fulham.

  11. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Lost count of how many pressers I have waited for regarding Pep, Kun and Jesus.....

  12. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Does the recent comments from Sarri concern you regarding Hazard availability for FUL?

    "Sarri confirms that Chelsea have no significant injury concerns, but will have to make 3 or 4 changes to his starting 11 as fatigue begins to set in. He also mentions that he will continue to set his team up to play aggressively against smaller / weaker teams..."

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      The fact he came off when he did is a plus as far as I see it. A few others need resting so personally think he's ok mate

      1. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Good, cause ive already taken the hit to get him in for son >.<

        Great article as always!

        1. Pep Pig
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 29 days ago

          Hey mate thank you. Good luck

      2. Hymie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

        Who are the others? I'm eyeing off bringing in all of Haz, Luiz and Higgy this week. Just found out Patricio is being given a rest so Fab can also come in.

  13. TheTeeGees
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Great article, cheers.

    Think I'm going Auba-Higuain.

    Also looking to bring in another planning for GW31 & 33. Which do you prefer:
    Deulofeu - Maddison/HBarnes/Pedro (maybe even Kante?)

    I have no other Chelsea in my squad atm but have Perreira from Leicester.

    Cheers!

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      I like Maddison and Barnes mate. Though if Barnes plays with the same attacking intent again as on Tuesday night he'd be a no brainer for me. Thank you buddy and good luck

      1. TheTeeGees
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 29 days ago

  14. Delph & Safety
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Do you think Sané to Hazard for a hit would be worth it?

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      Taking the blanks into consideration Hazard has more games and should be outscoring Sane for sure

  15. barcaa7
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 29 days ago

    Kun and Son to Vardy and Sterling(c) for -4
    yes or no?

    1. Pep Pig
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 29 days ago

      A fantastic move for sure mate

  16. Get up ya bum
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 28 days ago

    Tl:dr hazard is a good player and does best against worse opposition

  17. FOMFF
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 27 days ago

    In retrospect, looks like a great move! My recent moves transfers of Rondon, Maddison & Luiz all stink of point chasing!