Scout Notes

Abraham returns in Chelsea draw but leaves FPL owners with injury concern

CHELSEA 2-2 ARSENAL

  • Goals: Jorginho (£4.9m), Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m)| Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m), Hector Bellerin (£5.4m)
  • Assists: Tammy Abraham (£7.8m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.3m) | Shkodran Mustafi (£5.1m), Lucas Torreira (£4.7m)
  • Bonus Points: Jorginho x3, Martinelli x2, Bellerin x1, Mustafi x1

Despite taking just two shots at Stamford Bridge during Double Gameweek 24, a 10-man Arsenal managed to leave with a point after equalising twice.

A red card for David Luiz (£5.7m) after 27 minutes for a foul on Tammy Abraham (£7.8m) allowed Jorginho (£4.9m) to open the scoring from the penalty spot.

To get sent off the way he did was a shame for him, but he was proud of the team. – Mikel Arteta

Despite having the extra man, Chelsea failed to increase their advantage or dominate the game for the final 20 minutes of the first half.

CHEARS scout notes 6
Hector Bellerin makes it 2-2 late on at Stamford Bridge

While Frank Lampard’s men did take control after the interval, they were sucker-punched on 63 minutes as Arsenal levelled with their first shot of the evening.

Shkodran Mustafi‘s (£5.1m) header clear from a Chelsea corner found Gabriel Martinelli (£4.5m), who ran the length of the pitch before coolly slotting past Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m) for a second consecutive league goal.

The young Arsenal forward will be a tempting option for many FPL bosses looking to free up funds for other moves, though there remains the possibility that he could imminently depart for international duty.

Martinelli was close to being sacrificed by Mikel Arteta after Luiz’s dismissal, though the manager made a fortunate u-turn on the decision. He explained:

With Martinelli I changed my mind because I didn’t want to send that message to the team. I asked them to be accountable.

The home side then looked to have locked up three points after Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.3m) – who impressed in his role on the Chelsea right – found Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m) in the box after a short-corner routine.

CHEARS scout notes 3
Gabriel Martinelli gets the Gunners’ first equaliser

Played onside by Granit Xhaka (£5.1m), the Spanish full-back’s effort beat Bernd Leno (£5.0m) as Chelsea retook the lead after 84 minutes.

That corner was won by Abraham, who ended up hitting the hoardings after contesting the ball with Arsenal substitute Rob Holding (£4.5m).

The collision left the Chelsea striker a passenger for the final minutes of the game, with Lampard giving a brief injury update post-match.

(Abraham) had ice on his ankle but we don’t know (what the injury is) yet.

Question if he has the resources at his disposal to deal with Abraham’s possible absence, Lampard delivered a frank response:

Yeah, I do.

With the Blues seemingly set for three points, Azpilicueta’s countryman Hector Bellerin (£5.4m) marked his return from a long-term injury with a superb left-footed strike in the 88th minute to earn Arteta’s men a point.

The Arsenal boss said after the game:

I am proud. I said to them I believe they can get back in the game and I’m very pleased. Tonight is going to be a great experience for them as in football anything can happen.

Meanwhile, Chelsea chief Lampard was less than impressed with the result amid Chelsea’s ongoing home struggles:

You think you have done enough, you would hope so. We got a detail wrong and the second goal was soft. It was too soft. We have to be real about it. They have had two shots and two goals.

We know the problems at home and they defended their box well. It is the story of creating a lot [but] not unbelievable chances. We need to take them again.

We are looking at it but a lot of the results have looked the same. I don’t like too many stats in expected goals but we [are] bottom of the league in taking them.

While it was 11 versus 11 in the opening half, Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.3m) was the standout player from an FPL point-of-view.

CHEARS scout notes 2
Callum Hudson-Odoi gave Bukayo Saka a torrid time

The midfielder played from the right of Chelsea’s attacking trio, with Willian (£7.2m) flanking Abraham from the left.

Hudson-Odoi made life very difficult for Arsenal’s makeshift left-back Bukayo Saka (£4.5m midfielder), as the Chelsea winger attempted four crosses in the opening 15 minutes. He also hit the top of Leno’s crossbar with an effort somewhere between a shot and a cross.

The £5.3m man only trailed left-back Emerson (£5.5m) for crosses, while he was just behind Jorginho for ‘expected assists’ (xA) among all assets.

Hudson-Odoi did eventually pick up an attacking return for Azpilicueta’s strike though with Abraham potentially sidelined and a tough-looking immediate schedule [Leicester (a), Man Utd (H), Spurs (H)], the budget midfielder may be one for the watchlist at present.

Lampard also hinted that Christian Pulisic (£6.9m) will be back in the frame for a wing role on his expected return from injury in Gameweek 26 or 27.

He is getting better and today could have helped the team (if he had been fit).

Chelsea’s spot-kick specialist Jorginho admitted the draw against 10 men was tough to take:

We feel like we lost the game. We had the game in our hands, then in the last second conceded a goal when we shouldn’t. It’s hard. We need to move forward. I don’t think it’s confidence, because we played well and were controlling the game.

Something about concentration maybe. In these kind of games, you lose in moments. We made mistakes. That is it. These big games are like these. You can win and lose the game in the details.

Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Emerson, Christensen, Rüdiger, Azpilicueta; Kovacic (Barkley 66′), Kanté (Mount 69′), Jorginho; Willian (Batshuayi 79′), Abraham, Hudson-Odoi.

Arsenal (4-2-3-1): Leno; Saka, Luiz, Mustafi, Bellerín; Torreira, Xhaka; Martinelli (Willock 90+1′), Özil (Guendouzi 57′), Pépé (Holding 80′); Lacazette.

MEMBERS ANALYSIS

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1,448 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which two to replace out of this sorry lot?

    Ryan Button
    TAA Soy Lund Kelly* Tomori*
    Salah Mane KDB Grealish Cantwell
    Vardy* Tammy* Ayew*

    *Considering removing

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      WC?

  2. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Don't want to brag but 17 from 8 here 🙂
    Top that for a digital pint of shandy

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      18 from 7.

    2. The Ejiptian King
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      34 (-4) from 8, haven't checked if Vardy, Soy or Williams got any baps though.

    3. pricycle
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      That's pretty bad but not uncommon. Can't remember a week when I've been so pleased to be on 34(-4) from 8... Thank you Ricardo Pereira, you came good in the end

  3. goriuanx
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Shout out to Pope for turning into prime Buffon ever since I sold him.

    The lanky, fish-eyed looking monster.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lol

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He's punished us all for breaking a golden FPL rule.

      Still enjoyed it tonight 😉

    3. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Did you sell him for Fabianski

      1. goriuanx
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yep and then had to sell that fat, midget looking monster too.

        1. Syd.
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          I did the same

          At least McCarthy got me 6 points this week

  4. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    A) Aguero and Grealish (also have KDB)

    or

    B) Mane and Wood (also have Salah)

  5. Better Call Raul
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Dream front 3 now Auba-Aguero-Ings

  6. Babelcopter
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    15pts 😀 Salah (tc), Mane, Trent and Jimmy left.. Worst GW ever so far! So pissed.. I just want use my WC and get rid of everybody

    1. waltzingmatildas
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same. Mane (TC), TAA, Salah and traore. Not holding out much hope now!

  7. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    It’s luck that I kept Pope, as I had more pressing transfers, but I bought him, so not completely luck

    Thoughts?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same boat and I'm classing myself as lucky

    2. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I don’t have him so it’s pure luck and fluke

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You stuck to, albeit down to having other problems, an unwritten FPL rule, enjoy the points.

    4. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Same here

    5. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Couldn’t find a full proof alternative either

      1. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        **Fool proof

  8. Monya Meow Meow
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    My 3rd season playing FPL has taught me an important lesson...

    Don't bother wasting a trade on your keeper

    1. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Traded Pope for Ryan.

      Pope: 2 2 12 8

      Ryan: 3 3 2 1

      .....

      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Yep, hurts like hell

  9. Nightf0x
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Auba or kun ? (Have kdb)

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Do you like stress?

      1. Nightf0x
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        No

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Auba then

  10. Badger Badger Mushroom Mush…
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I think I’ve nailed it..

    Henderson McCarty
    TAA Robertson Lund Cathcart Lascelles
    Salad KDB richarlison Grealish Hayden
    Auba Jimenez Ings

    Boom.

    1. Diedhiou See That?
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice

  11. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    What to do here??

    Henderson
    TAA Lundstram Dunk
    Mane Salah KDB Grealish
    Vardy DCL Greenwood

    McGovern Rico Soyuncu Dendoncker

    1 FT, 2.5 ITB

    Thanks

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      After the GW depending Vardys fitness I might be tempted to do soemthing like Vardy & Green > idk Auba and ?

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

      Vardy to Aubameyang

  12. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy out probably a priority now even if his injury may not be that bad.
    These were some options I was considering.

    1. Ryan -> Hendo. (Leaves 0.8m).
    2. Ryan -> McCarthy + Vardy -> Aubameyang.
    3. Soyuncu -> 4.6m defender + Vardy -> Auba. (Ryan-> McCarthy next GW).
    4. Soyuncu -> 5.8m (Stevens maybe or Digne) or less defender and save..

    Ryan.
    TAA, Williams, Holgate.
    Grealish, KDB, Mane, Salah.
    Maupay, Ings, Vardy.
    Stek, Soyuncu, Lundstram, Dendoncker.
    2ft, 0.9m ITB.

  13. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    LMS Update (847 teams)

    Current safety score = 17
    Top score = 49
    LMS average = 23.83 (-0.94) = 22.87
    Players played = 7.64/12.75
    Captains played = 1.06%

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      38 and sat on the hall of fame 😀

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Nice work with Alli. Got martial instead 🙁

        1. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Annoying! Got rid of Perreira. But happy overall, see how last minute TAA to Mane TC goes. See you next week ;). I could go the whole way hehe

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      1% managers inactive!

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Vardy, Aguero & KDB

        #1 in LMS atm captained KDB - https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/4210755/event/24

    3. Sz21
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      On 16 atm.

      Looking at my worst GW of the season rankwise with just a Liv triple up to come.

  14. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Next Wednesday

    Man City v Man Utd

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Hopefully my sides are healed from too much laughter to be able to go again!

    2. goriuanx
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I only just saw their result. Embarrassing but unsurprising. Always nice when an entitled club come down to earth for a few years.

  15. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    SHU
    WAT
    BUR
    NEW
    LEI
    BHA
    CRY

    No, not a great fixture run, but the GK points ranking. Wow!

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Ez

      1. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Congrats on getting 4th place.

  16. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    The way this gameweek is going I’m worried even with salah tc mane taa to go!

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I would be laughing for a year if they lose both games 1-0

      1. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Strangers things have happened

  17. FCSB
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy Greenwood >> Aguero Martinelli

    Is it worth -4 ??

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Why not just Vardy to Aguero?

    2. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      How nailed is Martinelli?

  18. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bottomed. For the next 4 GWs would you rather have:

    A) DCL -----------> wat, CRY, ars, MUN
    B) Deeney -------> EVE, bha, mun, LIV
    C) Deulofeu -----> EVE, bha, mun, LIV
    D) Wood ----------> ARS, sou, BOU, new
    E) Maupay -------> whu, WAT, shu, CRY

    1. LIARS POKER
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      DCL

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Deeney would be my punt, on pens too

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A but just to stick up for him, Maupay really could have had a brace but for incredible goalkeeping yesterday

  19. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Any tips for this lot then?

    McCarthy
    TAA | VVD | Lundstram
    Salah | KdB | Martial | Grealish | Cantwell
    Aguero | Vardy

    Button | Williams | Greenwood | Reid

    1FT, 0ITB

    Thanks

  20. david31058
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Gazzaniga dropped, Pope off the bench - cheers!

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Lovely jubbly 🙂

  21. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    25 from 8, triple Liverpool left

    pretty much grey circle overnight

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      When you're getting a microphone to work...

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Who's team is this?

      1. Now I'm Panicking
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        A random he is team-shaming.

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Classy

      2. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Someone in LMS

  22. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one for Vardy?

    Aguero or Aubameyang. Aguero probs the obvious answer

  23. Monkey Hanger
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Do the right thing.

    Take Ole to the vet and put him out of his misery.

    1. Syd.
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He’s has a big pile of pooh that needs to be sorted out and it’s going to take time

      What are they going to do bring in another manager and sack him this time next year. People also need to remember that his best players are all injured

  24. ZakyJ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Ok so I have Kelly, Vardy, Abraham and Gazza

    Do I WC?
    Transfer 1 (Hendo Pope)
    Do I take a -4? (Aguero and hendo/Pope)
    Different -4, or -8?

    If I'm doing it I probably want to do it today!

    Please please help

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      No wildcard.
      Don't do it today.

      Wait until after West Ham v Pool game and get 11 starters.

      1. ZakyJ
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        If I'm bringing in Aguero and Hendo both go up in price today though

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          If some of your players are injured, suspended, ill, etc between now and next deadline any savings made won't be worth it because you'll end up taking hits. Can always move Vardy to Jimenez, Ings, DCL etc.

          1. ZakyJ
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Appreciate the responses but if anyone else gets injured I'll probably just WC as it would be too many, right?

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              Try getting through with any 11 you can get. Wildcard much more valuable before a bigger DGW.

  25. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Tammy and Vardy with only 1 ft. Yay.

    1. ZakyJ
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Add Kelly and Gazza and you're me

      1. Dacra
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Kelly too here.

  26. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Teemu Pukki baby!

  27. Mo Salah No Mane
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    15 from 8
    Definitely a green arrow right?

    On the upside Haller got an assist
    Haller Ole Haller Ole Haller Ole *singing*

  28. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Evening all! Do we have any more news on Fabianski likely return?? Henderson as my sub keeper so praying he doesn’t come back for the Liverpool match! Haha

  29. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    20 points overall lead now.

    Saving TC chip too.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Congrats