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Analysing the FPL assets Lampard has to choose from at Chelsea

Fantasy managers will very likely learn more about Chelsea assets from pre-season than they can from the Blues’ performances in 2018/19.

There has been a regime change at Stamford Bridge this summer, with Frank Lampard being appointed as head coach following the departure of the Juventus-bound Maurizio Sarri.

As a result, there’ll be a different system and style in place in west London next season to the regimented 4-3-3 ‘Sarri-ball’ we have become accustomed to over the last 12 months.

Lampard has already experimented with a 4-2-3-1, a 4-4-2 diamond and 4-1-4-1 in Chelsea’s pre-season fixtures so far and the aggressive press that he favoured at Derby County has been in evidence, too.

READ MORE: What Fantasy managers can expect from Frank Lampard

We Fantasy managers are also faced with the task of preparing for life without Eden Hazard for the first time in seven years.

How well the Blues can cope with their talisman’s exit is uncertain, particularly as their two-window transfer ban is still in operation.

There is still something to be gained by looking at the statistics from last season, however, to see which areas Lampard may need to address and which players could possibly shine following Hazard’s departure.

This latest Numbers Game article is available only to existing Members but those wishing to subscribe and read on can do so by clicking here.

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1,426 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Udo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Good morning all, I've to admit that I'm surprised that very few, almost none have a 2snd starting GK? In particular when applying a premium GK like Ederson. Open for opinions,...

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The strategies are as follows:
      (1) Premium GK + 4.0 -- you pay so much for that premium, so you don't want to rotate him;
      (2) 2x 4.5 -- this combo costs less than (1). The idea is to rotate these 2. Think: Ryan & Pope look good.
      (3) 4.5 + 4.0 -- in the past seasons, many managers weren't satisfied with (2) because they started with GK1 and benched GK2, whilst GK2 outscored GK1.

      So managers who decide to go for (3) just don't want to heaviliy invest for GKs and will use set-and-forget 4.5.

      Hope that helps.

      1. Udo
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks, very well explained indeed!
        My thought is:
        (4) Premium GK + 4.5 - for the "heavy" GW's like 2, 7, 12, 13 etc.
        But maybe I start overthinking here already, and should simple apply (1) myself, as I'm not confident with the other two strategies tbh.

        1. arndff_
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Better rely on your premium GK instead of benching him and start a 4.5 one.

          Also, no point in spending that much money for your GKs -- better invest in other areas.

          In conclusion, just pick one of (1) / (2) / (3).

          Good luck!

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      No need to spend anymore than 10m on two GK's.
      I have a 6m & 4m. The 0.5m saved from a 4.5m GK is needed to strengthen elsewhere.

    3. Flynniesta
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I played with Allison for most of the season in 18/19 and was very happy with the regular additional clean sheet points without having to worry about rotation. Downgrading on my 2nd wildcard had a big negative effect on my end of season rank

      1. Spoox777
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I had Ederson but switched to Alisson just after Christmas.

    4. Marmalade Forest
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The theory is if you have Ederson, then when would you play a second keeper?

      Injury or three game ban - transfer him out, you can’t have him red flagged on the bench.

      Playing a tough opp? In what situation is Ederson not a better option than Ryan? 3 times a year? Not worth the money OTB.

      10.5 is a huge price to pay for keepers who will generally only score 2-6 points a game or 150 over the season, while you could play 8.5 or 9 and get 130.

      Some can stomach £10m on keepers, I have before and will again, others can’t.

    5. Udo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Thanks all! The more I think about it, the more I settle in on strategy (1) with Button. The 0.5 would enable me to upgrade elsewhere as mentioned as well, and/ or make my current 4-4-2 even more flexible.

      1. arndff_
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Well, beware! Button is the most owned 4.0M GK. If for some reason many managers decide to sell him, he may fall in price. So the point is: better sign a 4.0 who's owned by less managers.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          i have read this in years past and am not sore it is correct. A highly owned 4.0 player needs a lot of transfers for a price drop, whereas a lowly owned player needs very few transfers for a price drop.

          Many owning Button are doing the Ryan/Button shuffle - if Ryan is injured or suspended or dropped then your 4.0 keeper starts

          1. arndff_
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I am aware why some managers go for Ryan/Button. 🙂

            As for the price changes, if I am wrong, thanks for correcting me.

            Cheers!

            1. Hotdogs for Tea
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              not saying you are wrong at all, it’s all about the ‘burn rate’ of the transfers against the ownership %

              have i just invented a new FFS term ? ‘transfer burn rate’ ? Jonty Joe - get on this one 😉

  2. Canary_Kid
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) VVD Coleman De Bruyne King
    or
    B) Robbo Digne Deulofeu Wilson

    1. royals forever
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. Spoox777
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B.

      Robertson over VvD (B)
      Digne or Coleman (A or B)
      KdB over Deulofeu (A)
      Wilson over King (B)

      B wins over A

  3. Jackie Moon
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please.

    Fab, Button
    Robertson, VVD, Digne, Zinchenko, Lundstram
    Salah, Siggy, Fraser, Pereyra, Dendoncker
    Kane, Wilson, Greenwood

    Been unsure whether to go with King over Wilson and upgrade Pereyra. Kane with no Sterling is also worrying me. Any thoughts?

    1. arndff_
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      The scary thing is you own only one MCI asset: Zinchenko.

      I'd buy a MCI attacker for sure.

      1. Jackie Moon
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I am worried about no City attack! Still can’t decide if I take out Kane to fit Sterling in. I don’t think any of the other City attackers appeal as much. Unless Sane nails down a spot.

    2. Canary_Kid
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Looks great, like the Kane pick. I also may be going without mci attack until gw3

  4. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Bottomed on last page

    Please fill in the gaps for this 3-4-3 front 8

    Salah Perez Dendoncker xxxxxxx xxxxxxxx

    King Deulofeu xxxxxxx

    A Sterling Milivojevic Haller
    B KDB Townsend Aubameyang
    C Any other 26.5m combo (if so who)

    Any ideas would be welcomed and appreciated

    1. Jackie Moon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like A. Not convinced by KDB and Kane is a better option than Auba I think.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Sterling, Siggy/Rich, Jota.

  5. KUN_DE_BRU_YNE
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Best 6.0£ mid ??

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      +1
      Yarmalenko maybe 😮

    2. Jackie Moon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Pereyra. Maybe Townsend. Or Grealish, but I don’t know much about the promoted teams to be honest.

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Yarmolenko, Schlupp is worth monitoring

    4. Jimmy Boy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'd go for Yarmo or Pereyra, possibly a punt on Doucoure. It's a minefield at that price though

    5. gaurava1216
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Ndombele.... watch and see assist master

  6. Amey
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Every time i tinker with the team since day one of launch i end up thinking about 5 at the back (523)

    I want Zappacosta to be the starting RB for Chelsea & i have the team i love 😮

    Going with 5 Defenders aka
    Robbo Taa Digne Zappacosta Zenchinko ....
    What do you guys think ??

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      You think Zappacosta starts ahead of Azplicueta?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Hello mate.
        Azpi is playing at CB as per my knowledge.
        I maybe wrong though

        1. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I think that's more due to the players they have available currently.
          I'd assume Luiz, Rudiger would be preferred and likely Zouma/Christensen as back ups once the season starts.

          Happy to be wrong about this, but not what I'm expecting.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers mate.
            Fingers crossed !!

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Most people here don't like 5 atb ( tbh i also don't have guts to 100% go for it)
        So wanted to know what others think about getting 5 Defenders + 5 attackers you like.

        1. King Kohli
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'm seriously considering it but with a view of rotating the 5th defender with Dendoncker based on fixtures.

          Not too bothered about formations and just going to get players I think will score well.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah.
            It's frustrating that i just don't like any Midfielders around 6/7m mark.
            Better of selecting 5 attackers i like & going in with strong Defense.

            I will have to find 3 4.5m Midfielders though.
            Donkey + 2 😉

        2. HamezMace
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'm against 5 at the back for a couple of reason,

          1. Usually this means you have two 4.5m strikers - none of which are nailed (I know there is hype around Greenwood, but I don't think he'll start PL games regularly) and I don't like not having a bench.

          2. Typically people going 5 at the back are doing so across 3 teams (Liverpool, Everton and one other) 1 goal conceded and it's a double whammy. I know TAA/Robertson/Digne are all capable of attacking returns, but it's more of a risk.

          3. This is a bolt on to my first point, no flexibility, by investing greater in defence it'll be a lot harder to upgrade one of your 4.5m non playing strikers to an early bandwagon...any of the 6.5-8m strikers will still be out of reach without hits.

          4. I don't want to watch PL games every weekend, hoping for a 0-0 draw.

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thank you for detailed reply 🙂
            I will be going with 3 4.5m Midfielders as of now.
            Agreed with rest of the points.
            Trying to squeeze Wilson instead of king is forcing me to do this.
            Confused

    2. Azathoth
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      It would be great if Otamendi was nailed....Then you could have a ZZ TOP defence
      Zapacosta - Zichenko - Taa - Otamendi - Pereira.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        The majority of those aren’t nailed

      2. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Lol
        From RAM last season to ZZ TOP !!

    3. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      As Kante has just returned to the UK from Asia tour due to knee injury...if injured still in August, how will it affect Chelsea?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Kante should be fine for CS potential i guess.
        Cheers for the information

    4. Udo
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Zappa & Zinc aren't reliable starters? Are you sure you are willing taking that risk, without knowing the rest of your team?

      1. Amey
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yeah.
        They are doubts tbh.
        Will have 3 4.5m Midfielders on the bench.
        If we get some indications that they are nailed, i think I'm going to go with it

  7. Hungry Hippo
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else worried that Joshua King wasn't playing in the Bournemouth friendly last night?

    1. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      it will be earthquake in the FFS template if he's not first choice anymore 😀
      Nothing sure though. Might have to wait for more information & listen to the one of yhe most untrustworthy Managers for that

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Think I read somewhere that he was injured (ankle).

      1. HamezMace
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        You might be thinking of Perez? He missed Leicesters game with a twisted ankle

    3. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      they did pay quite a lot of money for Solanke of course 😉

  8. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson
    Robbo,VVD,Laporte,Coleman
    Salah,Sterling,Perez,Fraser
    Jota,King

    Comment mates? Appreciate on the comment.

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      you might want to squeeze a bit more money out at the back, Laporte to Zinchenko and downgrade your goalie to upgrade Jota

    2. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      U sure you're in budget?

  9. Udo
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Still not sure on which to start?
    A: Vardy & Brooks
    B: Willson & Maura

    1. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I like B

  10. Hot Fuzz
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Hi guys, is the anyone thinking that it feels scary only to have 2 high priced players especially with a very budget forward line? In a scenario of kun or Kane auba etc exploding and every dude and his dog jumping on a bandwagon what do we do? Sell mo or sterling? To be able to afford it? Just feels not flexible enough.. Some of us using even a 451 or 541 formation which is even scarring any ideas how to tackle this.. Cheers

    1. Lebowski85
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Stay strong and dont knee jerk. Premiums offer peace of mind of course, not always value for money though.

      So you need to Moneyball it & remain calm.

  11. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    A) Sigurdsson & Adams
    B) Moura & Deulofeu?

  12. GgeorgeG
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please.
    A, B, C or D? Subs are lowest possible.

    Thanks in advance.

    A) 5-3-2
    Ryan
    TAA David Luiz Robertson Walker Ake
    Sterling Salah KDB
    King Jota

    B) 3-5-2
    Pickford
    TAA Robertson Ake
    Fraser Perez Sterling Salah Siggy
    King DCL

    C) 3-5-2
    Ryan
    VDD Robertson Ake
    Fraser Perez Sterling Salah KDB
    King DCL

    D) 3-5-2
    Ryan
    VDD Laporte Ake
    Fraser Perez Sterling Salah KDB
    King Jota

    Any suggestions most welcome!

    1. SamBlue
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      C or D looks good to me.
      I like the VVD Laporte DEf with Ake (good early fixtures)
      Fraser I'm not personally keen on having picked an alternative myself. KDB, news is he is back and ready to show his talents, but internal hernia or something is problematic.
      King and Jota...who else, right? FWDs this year are being listed among the mids so, the selection is limited if you have Salah, Mane, or Sterling on your team.

      Good luck

      1. GgeorgeG
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks for your insight!

  13. SamBlue
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    RMT Please!

    3-5-2
    Ryan
    VVD – Digne – Laporte
    Pérez – Sterling – Salah – Sigurdsson – Kanté
    King – Firmino

    I am bound to change this as more information comes with the closing of the TW. All comments and criticisms welcome. Cheers.

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I think Firmino unfortunately is almost a no-go at the price. Good team otherwise

    2. BooYaKasha
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Downgrade Firmino and upgrade Kante (not good enough for starting 5th)

  14. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Who outscores who? Surely B, right?

    A)Moura vs Villa+City

    B)Fraser vs Sheffield+Villa

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B yeh

    2. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      I'm starting to consider Moura for the first few weeks. Not bad fixtures at all

  15. KujaliaFC
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Will Benteke start?

    1. poulteren
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      no

  16. Offside
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    I suppose if you have two 4.5 goalkeepers that will score 100pts (70 at home) then you rotate them to get 140+ pts from 9m.

    Ederson with 4m is 169pts from 10m.

    You can probably use the 1m to buy 30-40 pts elsewhere but locking in 169pts for 6m is less hassle.

    If you miss the hatricks you won’t do that much better than locking in a value team. So save transfers to captain hatrick boys?

  17. Offside
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Ederson

    TAA Laporte Robertson Digne

    Salah Maddison Sigurdson Fraser Zaha

    Wilson

  18. lumzy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

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