Scout Notes

Alonso firmly back on FPL radar despite Chelsea’s defensive issues

BOURNEMOUTH 2-2 CHELSEA

Alonso back on FPL radar but Chelsea defensive woes continue 1
Alonso fires in after Giroud had hit the crossbar
  • Goals: Jefferson Lerma (£4.8m), Josh King (£6.1m) | Marcos Alonso (£6.0m) x2
  • Assists: Ryan Fraser (£6.8m), Jack Stacey (£4.3m) | Olivier Giroud (£6.5m), Pedro (£6.8m)
  • Bonus Points: Alonso x3, King x2, Stacey x1,

Marcos Alonso (£6.0m) was the star of the FPL show at the Vitality Stadium in Blank Gameweek 28, netting a brace in an end-to-end contest between two defensively-suspect outfits.

While Frank Lampard doesn’t like the idea of the left-back being Chelsea’s main goal threat, it is a trait that could attract serious Fantasy investment.

“Marcos Alonso has had a big week but I don’t want my left-back top of the scoring charts. I want our attackers scoring goals and they haven’t. [But] I am really pleased with the way he [Alonso] has come back in. We wanted to win, we should have won but it’s a difficult league. It’s that cut-throat part of the season. If we keep having games like this and we are not clinical, it’s tough. The way the season has panned out, we should be pleased that we are fourth but it means nothing at this stage. If we manage to get in the top four the achievement is huge but we are a long way from that yet.” – Frank Lampard

On using a wing-back system, which clearly plays to Alonso’s strengths, Lampard added:

“It is a system that has worked well this season. It gives us some stability with the three centre-backs.” – Frank Lampard

The Spaniard’s gain was Reece James‘ (£5.0m) loss in the first half, as Olivier Giroud smacked the crossbar from the right wing-back’s cross. Alonso was on hand to volley the ball past a helpless Aaron Ramsdale (£4.6m) for his first goal after 33 minutes.

After a couple of very early chances for Philip Billing (£5.0m), Chelsea dominated until the interval but – much to Lampard’s frustration – failed to fully make their advantage count.

Not long after his opener, Alonso looked set to claim an assist but his header down from a corner was vitally nicked away by Steve Cook (£5.0m) as Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.8m) waited for what would have been a tap-in.

The left wing-back then created a glorious chance for Giroud immediately after the restart, with the Frenchman failing to even test Ramsdale from close range. Another vital Bournemouth block, this time from Jack Stacey (£4.3m), then stopped a Mason Mount (£6.1m) cross reaching Alonso for a simple finish.

Alonso back on FPL radar but Chelsea defensive woes continue 2

The Bournemouth comeback began in the 55th minute as Jefferson Lerma (£4.8m) rose above Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) and Andreas Christensen (£4.9m) to beat Willy Caballero (£4.8m) with a header from Ryan Fraser‘s (£6.8m) corner.

Three minutes later, Josh King (£6.1m) had the Cherries in front as Stacey – who is essentially keeping Diego Rico (£4.3m) out of Eddie Howe’s XI – got in behind the Chelsea rearguard to square the ball for the Norwegian forward.

Alonso back on FPL radar but Chelsea defensive woes continue 3
King taps in as Stacey looks to the linesman for confirmation

The FPL forward was operating from the left wing in Howe’s 4-5-1 formation, something which he does with a grimace:

“I’m still learning playing out wide, I do a job for a team but I want to be in the box and scoring goals.” – Josh King

Giroud’s final action was to head over from another James cross, while his replacement Michy Batshuayi (£6.6m) had the ball in the net immediately on his entry but was correctly flagged offside. The France striker may enjoy further minutes in the coming week, however, as Tammy Abraham (£7.6m) struggles with an ankle injury.

As the rain poured down on the south coast, so did Chelsea attacks on the Bournemouth goal. After a host of near misses in difficult conditions for goalkeepers, Alonso beat Ramsdale with a rebound header after the netminder had saved Pedro‘s (£6.8m) initial effort.

Alonso firmly back on FPL radar despite Chelsea's defensive issues
Alonso bags his second despite Ramsdale getting a hand to the defender’s header

The resurgent Alonso then had a chance to make it four goals in two league appearances but headed wide from an Azpilicueta cross as Bournemouth clung on for a much-neeed point.

Lampard was fairly critical of his side’s inability to extend their lead before Bournemouth turned the game around with two goals in three minutes early in the second half.

“We should win, we had many chances. We had a bad 10-minute spell where they scored and that I don’t like. I’m pleased with the character to get a draw but we should win the game. Against Bayern [Munich] we conceded twice in a short space of time, it’s not the first time. Could it be a lack of concentration? Possibly from the players. People talk about the defence but if you are 1-0 up and leave teams in the game than one set piece can change the game. We should score more goals and then we don’t have that problem.” – Frank Lampard

Howe was more upbeat than his opposite number, probably recognising that the Cherries did well to secure a point amid an attacking onslaught from Chelsea as the game drew to a close in poor conditions.

“It’s a glass half full day, we were 1-0 down and it’s hard to come back against these types of teams. We showed great spriit, we just couldn’t carry on great starts to both halves. We were too deep after the first 20 minutes but I was very pleased with the response. I had no idea from my angle if Josh King was onside or not, you just hope and pray as we were well on top at that point. We need to get points. We have lost some narrow games so hopefully this is a turning point.” – Eddie Howe

Jorginho (£4.9m), who was substituted after 64 minutes as Lampard moved to a more familiar back-four formation, will miss Chelsea’s next two league games after picking up his tenth booking of the campaign.

Bournemouth XI (4-5-1): Ramsdale; A. Smith, Aké, S. Cook, Stacey; King (Stanislas 67′), Billing, Lerma, L. Cook (Gosling 81′), Fraser; C. Wilson.

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Caballero; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Tomori (Willian 64′); Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho (Barkley 64′), James; Pedro, Giroud (Batshuayi 72′), Mount.

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502 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Summary of the week so far:
    - ones having Pope/Guita are doing good
    - ones having NEW defender are ok
    - ones having both are doing great
    - ones having any goal scorers/assisters feel lucky and/or genius

    Rest is waiting for their WOL/MUN/EVE assets to save them.

    Most boring GW ever!

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      That last statement have been used often this FPL season tbf...

      1. Runaway
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 28 days ago

        Indeed GW26 was even more boring I guess 🙂

    2. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Great feeling when you get points in a low scoring week compared to getting hauls in high scoring weeks. McCarthy, Fernandez and Deeney doing the business for me so far.

  2. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Predictions?

    Everton 2-1 MUFC
    Spurs 0-2 Wolves

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      0-2
      2-2

    2. FPLtfs
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      spot on

    3. FOO FIGHTER
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      I doubt we will see any cleansheets in both fixtures.

    4. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      0-0
      2-2

    5. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      1-1
      1-0

    6. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Both games 1-1

    7. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      2-2
      2-1

  3. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Who wins this H2H do you think?

    a) Traore, Aurier, +4 points

    b) Bruno and Boly

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      B

    2. Holding Matip
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      A

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      A if Traore plays, B if not

    4. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      B

  4. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    (1 FT) Ryan Button (2.1 ITB)
    Robertson Egan Soyuncu
    Mane Salah Perez Maddison
    Aubameyang Ings DC-L
    Lascelles Holgate Doncker

    A) DC-L -> Jimenez
    B) Holgate -> Doherty/Alonso
    C) Save FT?

  5. nkhoughton
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Firmino or Vardy for Auba?

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Sold Firmino for Auba today
      Probably can’t argue with either

    2. Holding Matip
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      You mean Auba > either? No in that case
      If you mean the other way, I'd keep Vardy of the two, but would be looking to get rid of both

  6. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    I hope Villa win the Cup today.

  7. NestorC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    8p on the bench waiting for Martial no show...
    2 weeks ago had 6 7 7 on the bench, it's important to have a strong one...

  8. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    19 with Saiss, Dendo, Jimmy, Bruno and DCL to go. 2.5k green up to 136k. Will I get to 30 points?

    1. Holding Matip
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Yes

    2. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Dendo might not start!

    3. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Can see 20 points there

  9. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Is he actually? I am considering benching him and starting Soy.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Reply fail concerning "Ings scoring goals" 🙁

      1. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 28 days ago

        Ings is obviously carrying an injury otherwise why not start him plus manage his minutes 😀

        So frustrating because I got him in GW27 thinking he will actually score goals...

  10. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    I see x and x to y and y posts.
    Where y and y are like 6 mill extra.

    6.5 and 6.5 to 6.0 and 12.5

    The answer to a question like this will always be yes.

  11. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    With just a 20k drop from a -8, things not looking to bad with Jiminez Bruno and Richarlison to play

  12. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Any chance of B Williams starting for United?

    1. Holding Matip
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      I think he will, they tend to play with wingbacks against stronger opposition so he'll play LWB with Shaw LCB

      1. kamdaraji
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 28 days ago

        most likely to be benched

  13. Quackadoodz
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Chance of Traore starting tonight?

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      no chance of starting tonight. maybe in the afternoon

      1. Quackadoodz
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 28 days ago

        Time difference. Cheeky one thought, mate

        1. Quackadoodz
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 28 days ago

          Though*

    2. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      50/50

    3. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      Doubtful

    4. caldracula
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      20 minutes

  14. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    Can't believe I moved up by 14k places to 403k overall with only 18 points from 8 players. This is actually my highest rank this season and have all chips excluding TC still left. Still have Digne (Traore first on bench if out), DCL,Saiss and Jimenez to play. Can still achieve a top 100k finish. The only way is up!

  15. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    A) Traore > Sarr
    B) Perez > Bruno
    C) Bertrand > Alonso

  16. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 28 days ago

    I don't mind donkey meat in my beefburgers tbh.

    Ings > Giroud done.

    1. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 28 days ago

      I reckon the donkeys might but as long as it’s not me x

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