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. Sultan-Gemy2121
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    did 2 panic transfers after the leicester game :
    Vardy, Sidibe ---> Aguero,Lascelles
    will i regret this team??

    Henderson
    TAA...Lascelles...lundstram
    Salah...Mane(C)...KDB...Doucoure...Cantwell
    Maupay...Aguero

    Button...Ings...Soyboy...Aurier

    Any more changes need to be done(benching a rested ings feels so wrong)
    thanks in advance

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

      Decent

  2. amit1964
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    hii need help :

    aguero to auba becouse of the rotaition in city team :

    a) yes

    b) no

    thank you

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

      Wouldn’t sell Aguero yet

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

      No

  3. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Soy, Madz, Vardy -> Basham, Grealish, Auba (-4)

    Too knee jerky?

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

      No idea who Basham is. Better def options? Other moves look good

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Prefer Egan/O'Connell if possible. Moves are good.

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Why not Basham?

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Not much in it but other 2 have slightly better BPs chance and attacking potential.

          1. Slitherene
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Thanks!

  4. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Chance of Vardy starting next GW?

    1. Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Pulled a butt cheek - my man needs a month off.

      He was moving slow and out of form before the injury took him out

      Also, 1 goal in 7 weeks is pretty dire

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Of those seven weeks he was out for three?

        1. Camino Aleatorio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Even worse. What's he gonna do with gammy glute?

  5. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Auba + Tammy ➡ Auba + DCL for -4..?
    Yay or Nay?

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

      of cours it is *Vardy + Tammy ➡ Auba + DCL

      😐

      1. Slitherene
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Too late to get on the DCL train, I guess.

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't sell Auba

  6. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Help needed with my next moves

    Currently own Vardy Son Grealish

    A) vardy + son ➡ Auba + Richa/Alli
    B) son + Grealish ➡ Auba + docoure
    C) Vardy + Grealish ➡ Auba + 5.5mid

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      None really, A if any

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate - so keep Vardy and son?

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

      Hold both of Son & Vardy ?

      1. Eleven Hag
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Son and spurs looked poor in last two games - zero service to front men - all they do is cross from Aurrier 🙂

        1. Karan14
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Son could have had a brace easily.

          1. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            That's the worry - Shots which he usually puts away, he is not even getting them on target and he looked short of confidence to me in last two games

            1. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 2 months ago

              That's a different way of looking at it.
              Im keeping till the Villa game and then reassessing.
              Not many other mids I want right now.

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

          Alli plays for same team then ? Sideways. Don't like Richa.

          Vardy to Auba Maybe an upgrade but I'm going to be patient with Vardy if he's fit.

          1. Eleven Hag
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Alli looked more involved last night and much more placed himself the box for aurriers crosses which look the only source of spurs goals atm

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

              Cool
              Thanks for the information

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I wouldn't do any of those at the moment.

  7. Snevitz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Fingers crossed that my ten games worth of Liverpool defenders can help me this week.
    Looks like I'm out the cup vs (what looks on paper) the most horrendous wildcard team I've ever seen.

    1. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Go on share

      1. Snevitz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        It includes Henderson, Jorginho and Perez.
        Allison on the bench.
        KDB captain despite owning Mane.

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

          Ouch.

        2. The FPL Units
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Funny

        3. Eleven Hag
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 2 months ago

          Must be a time traveller, meaning Mane injury incoming tonight

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

          Ooof

  8. sentz05
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Vardy and Maidison out for Aguero and Grealish

    Vardy and Martial out for Aguero and Grealish

    Today because of Vardy price change ...

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely too early imo

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

        No its not.

  9. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Fed up from Vardy...
    Vardy > Auba done...

  10. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Martial and Vardy to Grealish and Auba for a hit looking likely, WC in pocket worst case

    1. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah good moves

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Nice moves

  11. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    I can't seem to find midfielders under 6.5

    Can anyone suggest one for the next 3?

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

      Harry Wilson
      Doucoure
      Jack Grealish (not sure about his price tbh)

    2. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fleck for a nice budget pick.

    3. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Redmond after the liverpool game

    4. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Fleck looks like a good choice for the next 6 although 18% chance he misses week 28.

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

      Thanks all!

  12. TurboTastic!
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Maupay "threat" against bourne, 176. No goal 😀

  13. Chandler Bing
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which one?

    A. Jimenez, Abraham and Alli
    B. Aubameyang, DCL/Maupay and Grealish

    1. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      B

  14. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Keep Pereira or shift?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Shift

  15. CONNERS
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    No way I'm selling Vardy, bought him at 8.9. Plus it's nearly a week and a half until the next game. Nice rest for the FA cup and he'll be back.

    By the end of February, everyone who ditched him will buy him again.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Sell

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      I feel like that hot streak is over. Time to jump ship

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      They have an important semi final against Villa next midweek also.
      If he's fit I expect him to start that game.

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

      He's gone for me.

      1. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 2 months ago

        Did you sell KDB?

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

          yes for Son

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 2 months ago

            Same!

            Son should have had a brace yesterday.

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

              🙁

    5. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Good fixtures weeks 28 to 33, I will probably keep him as Lundstram can play the next 3 for me if Vardy is out.

  16. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Bought Vardy at 9.1, he’s currently 10, if he drops to 9.9 will I lose value?
    Sell price is 9.5 currently

    1. Chandler Bing
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You won't

    2. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      You wont

  17. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    0.2 off Vardy & Martial - Abua Mahrez errr

  18. The Mantis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Please help, my strikers and defence are a mess!

    Ryan (Button)
    TAA / Lund / Sidibe / Dunk (Kelly)
    KDB / Mane / Salah / Grealish (Dendon)
    Ings / DCL (Vardy)

    Thanks

  19. Stoic
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Not feeling Grealish. Can anyone sell him to me ?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Explosive. Generally if Villa score he’s involved. Doing well for someone of his price

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

        Can't find decent mids upto 6.7 for the next 4. He might be the answer. Also he plays in GW 28 a so expect lei to go through

    2. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      He's outperforming vs his price so he's a good pick.

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

        Double edged sword that

    3. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Villa fixtures are terrible, time to move on after Bournemouth

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

      Spurs at home is difficult? Grealish will punish you

    5. Stoic
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      If Villa are knocked out of the cup. I'm getting him in. Making late transfers is the key this GW

    6. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Watch him play, he's great. Everything at Villa goes through him.

  20. marcus2704
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Aguero or Auba?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Going Abua because of price

  21. antis0cial
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Assuming Vardy is out, for -4, Vardy + mads to....

    A) Auba + Grealish
    B) Aguero + Fleck
    C) Auba + fleck

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      A

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

    Better move?
    A. Soy Vardy to Auba Lascelles
    B. Martial Vardy to Auba Grealish
    C. As B to Aguero Fleck (plus cash to upgrade Soy)

  23. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    How about this for a trio of transfers? Realise may be City rotation, but would have good bench back-up.
    Currently:
    Ryan (Button); TAA, Robbo, one of (Lund, Stephens,Kelly)
    Mane, KDB, Son, Grealish, Traore;
    Vardy, Ings, Ayew with 1.9itb

    To Same backline but
    Mane KDB Mahrez Grealish Traore
    Aguero Ings Calvert-Lewin with 0.0 itb.

    Gives 3City and 3Pool, but would need doing today with Vardy likely drop

  24. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 2 months ago

    Which 4.5 SHU defender for the run in?

    A) Basham
    B) Egan

  25. @persecuted_by_mods
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Don't like the way Leicester and vardy are playing in general now, fixtures not great either. Shipping vardy even if he is fit

    • Neo-Viper
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 2 months ago

      Soy and Vardy to DCL and who?