Scout Notes

What next for Chelsea assets with Liverpool and Wolves fixtures on the horizon?

Chelsea 1-0 Norwich

  • Goals: Olivier Giroud (£6.7m)
  • Assists: Christian Pulisic (£7.3m)
  • Bonus Points: Cesar Azpilicueta x3 (£6.1m), Antonio Rüdiger x2 (£5.9m), Marcos Alonso (£6.1m)

Christian Pulisic (£7.3m) did just about enough to remain on the Fantasy radar for the remainder of the season as he assisted the only goal of Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Norwich.

It means the American still has attacking returns in all but one outing since the Premier League returned in Gameweek 30+.

Whether his 12.8% ownership believe he can continue that form into the last two games of 2019/20 remains to be seen though, considering Chelsea face Liverpool (away) and Wolves (home) in Gameweeks 37+ and 38+ respectively.

Despite Frank Lampard’s men not quite finishing off Norwich on Tuesday evening, Pulisic’s backers have probably seen enough to justify holding him for those fixtures that do appear rather difficult on paper.

Significant Free Hit usage among top 10k FPL managers for Gameweek 36+

The left-sided attacking midfielder did find himself crowded out at Stamford Bridge at times but managed to carve out a number of openings and, on any other day, could have come away with a double-figure haul.

In the 15th minute, he managed to drive through Norwich’s middle and into the box, denied only by a well-timed block by Ben Godfrey (£4.4m).

Nine minutes later, Marcos Alonso (£6.1m) cut the ball back from his trademark advanced position on the left, which Pulisic ran onto, curling it into the side-netting. This is a shot that the American particularly likes taking, scoring with it as recently as the Gameweek 34+ trip to Crystal Palace.

In the 35th minute, Pulisic went close again, this time chesting down an Antonio Rüdiger (£5.9m) cross from deep, juggling the ball and shooting on the swivel – denied by Tim Krul (£4.6m) tipping the effort onto the crossbar for a corner.

Pulisic finally got a deserved attacking return on the stroke of half-time as he drifted into Alonso’s area to take over the Spaniard’s crossing abilities, dropping a perfect cross onto the head of Olivier Giroud (£6.7m).

The mid-priced midfielder was less effective in the second half but still had an excellent chance to get on the scoresheet in the 74th minute. Giroud held his run and chipped a through-pass over Pulisic’s shoulder, which the American hooked towards goal with excellent technique, denied once more by a sprawling Krul save.

“I was delighted with Christian’s movement to run behind on the little angle because that’s what we weren’t doing enough of in the early stages in the game.” – Frank Lampard

Obviously, Norwich have been offering much more than other defences in the Premier League, but there is still plenty of encouragement to take from Pulisic’s latest display. Next opponents Liverpool have conceded in three of their last four, giving up the joint-third-most big chances in that time, suggesting that Pulisic may get more opportunities at Anfield.

Owners of Giroud may consider holding the Frenchman for the same reason as he really should have come out of the win over Norwich with a hatful of goals.

He was afforded eight shots at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening with Chelsea’s attack geared around getting the ball up to the front-man.

Reclaiming his starting berth from Tammy Abraham (£7.4m), Giroud went about his business relentlessly.

In the 19th minute, Jorginho‘s (£4.9m) ball over the top reached the striker following a poor headed clearance from Godfrey. With the defender still in his back, Giroud tried to lift his shot over Krul but hooked it into the goalkeeper’s arms.

Before finally getting a deserved goal on the stroke of half-time, the former Arsenal man scuffed several crosses into the box and nodded a Willian (£7.4m) corner wide of the post afterwards.

Just before coming off for Abraham in the 86th minute, Giroud put a golden chance just wide of the post. Willian got into space on the right-hand side, flashing his cross in front of goal, which the striker tucked just wide of the post.

While some will say that he should have done better to increase his conversion rate on Tuesday night, the fact that Giroud was so central to everything Chelsea did does bode well for future starts, and the possibility of further attacking returns on the quest for Champions League football.

“Oli will always be alive to those in the box. If you’re playing Olivier Giroud you want to get balls into the box, you need to play to his strengths, and he gets a really good goal. But the link-up (between Giroud and Pulisic) is good.” – Frank Lampard

Either way, the fact that Norwich’s defence allowed yet another team’s centre-forward upwards of eight chances in a match is good news for Jay Rodriguez (£5.7m) in Gameweek 37. The Burnley forward has either scored or assisted in each of his last four Premier League appearances.

Meanwhile, Willian owners may have come out of Gameweek 36+ frustrated at back-to-back blanks but, like many of his colleagues, the Brazilian was unfortunate not to get something at Stamford Bridge.

His corners were not all up to scratch but had Kurt Zouma (£4.7m) and Giroud could have produced better efforts on the end of two of them, Willian would have been looking at a pair of assists, each of them putting comfortable efforts wide or over the bar.

As already mentioned, Giroud was responsible for costing the Brazilian an assist just before he was subbed, while Willian’s direct free-kick in the 88th minute was repelled by Krul.

As the 2019/20 season winds to a close, it was encouraging to see strong Fantasy displays from two cult heroes of the game in Alonso and Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.1m).

Each of them kept a clean sheet against Norwich, although that is not too much of a surprise, but they also shared in the bonus and were unlucky not to get attacking returns too.

Alonso was by far the more advanced of the two, but Azpilicueta still provided plenty of creativity overlapping with Willian on the right.

He put in several crosses for Giroud and played an exceptional switched ball over the top for Alonso at the back post in the 76th minute. The left-back was unable to steer his header either side of an advancing Krul but reminded Fantasy managers of the advanced positions he is capable of taking all night.

In the 65th minute, it was Alonso who nearly got the assist for Azpilicueta’s effort, the left-back’s cut-back whizzing past Pulisic, Giroud and Willian for his right-sided counterpart to curl a first-time effort just over the bar.

That said, investment in either of these options between now and the end of the season would be a bold decision, with Liverpool and Wolves waiting.

The clean sheet kept on Tuesday evening was just Chelsea’s second of the Premier League restart, and their 49 goals conceded this season is the worst in the top half of the Premier League table.

Chelsea XI: Kepa; Alonso (R James 80′), Rüdiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Loftus-Cheek (Barkley 66′), Jorginho, Kovacic; Pulisic (Hudson-Odoi 81′), Giroud (Abraham 86′), Willian.

Norwich City XI: Krul; Lewis, Klose, Godfrey, Aarons; Tettey (Stiepermann 78′), McLean; Hernández (Idah 78′), Rupp (J Martin 89′), Cantwell (Buendía 71′); Drmic (Pukki 78′).

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FPL Lessons Learned From Gameweek 36+

1,072 Comments Post a Comment
  1. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    BB37+ or BB38+ ?

    Allison - Martinez
    Maguire - Doherty - Saiss - Keane - C.Taylor
    KDB - Mahrez - Foden - Bruno - Martial
    Auba - Jimenez - Ings

    1. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      38 may have unforeseen rotation. Go 37. Thats the week your 3 city are likelist to all see starts too. Foden likely to be benched for 38

  2. I AM THE FPL MONSTER
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) % KDB starts todays?

    B) % Sterling starts today?

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A) 50%
      B) 100% 😉

    2. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      30, 80

    3. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      50
      40

    4. drughi
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      this is just guesswork, no one knows in here

    5. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Not even Pep knows

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Pep decided weeks ago that the Cups are priority, he's told us but many don't want to listen or had teams locked in and didn't want to free hit.

    6. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      60
      35

    7. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      1.5%

      5%

    8. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      28% , 67%

    9. Lucy2019
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      30
      30

    10. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      50
      75

    11. linkafu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      70
      90

    12. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      20%
      75%

  3. Jonny HOW SON?
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best one week punt?

    A) J Rod
    B) Ings
    C) Jimenez

    1. Tempestic
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wood

      1. linkafu
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        This

    2. LewanGOALski
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jimmy vs CPL could be great

      1. FPLtfs
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        6-8 points max though

    3. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Jota's the one you want.

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Fantastic pick. He looked great. Surely he will start next game. Can see a big haul from Jota.

    4. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B
      A
      C

    5. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      JRod

  4. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you bench one of two Wolves players (CRY) in favour of a Burnley defender (NOR)?.

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I would play the two that have the biggest goal threat

  5. grennans2
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Last transfer of the year as I will be using FH for GW38+. Only 5 points off the lead in my ML so it could be an important one! 

    Any suggestions on a 1 week punt for GW37+? 1FT, 0ITB. Is the safest bet just to bring in a Burnley defender (NOR) and bench Saiss so as to spread the risk?

    Martinez
    TAA - Doherty - Saiss - Lascelles
    Salah - KDB - Mahrez - Fernandes - Pulisic
    Ings - Greenwood - Jesus

    1. Rasping Drive
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Personally I would play both Wolves defenders. In situations like this, I prefer to bet on one team keeping a cleansheet rather than 2.

    2. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      KdB to Martial

  6. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best GK for Gw38 would be Martinez right?

    1. Pieterke30
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Or Ederson, Pope, Fabianski

      1. InvertedWinger
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Ederson wastes a City spot if planning with transfers or FH for that week. Martinez, Pope standout for me

        1. Pieterke30
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Sure. Was just answering to that GK question. But I agree with you.

          1. InvertedWinger
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Oh yea thats fair

          2. AC/DC AFC
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Possibly even Pickford picking up points last game at home.

            If he's not pickling it on the line.

            1. InvertedWinger
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Could see a situation where BOU need a win to have a shot at survival and EVE have nothing to play for though

  7. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I know it's early days but can I get a RMFHT for gw 38

    Pope
    Robertson VVD Digne
    Salah KDB Dilva Foden Richarlison
    Aubameyang Ings

    martin nketiah diop 3.9

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Needs a lot more relegation battlers

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        In for who ? 3 city is needed for that trashing of norwich, salah up against a weak newcastle side. Maybe richarlison could make way for someone. Auba and ings good last fixtures and may be in golden boot race

    2. InvertedWinger
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Too early but I do like it overall, just not the biggest fan of that midfield. Rich not looked all that good since the restart, KDB tends to be deeper playing with Dilva and Foden would be a doubt to start. Id want Sterling

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Kinda agree with you on richarlison he may go for willian/pulisic. Richarlison and KDB > Willian and sterling maybe ?

    3. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Looks good! I'd want to find a way to upgrade VVD to TAA though personally.

      1. drughi
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        cheers there may be an option, it is richarlison downgrade that is needed for more money or auba>jesus

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I like Auba to Jesus, although I made a conscious effort to avoid suggesting shuffling the City players as there's a lot of unknowns at this point.

  8. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Hello all, bench order good for next GW?

    Pope
    TAA C.Taylor AWB
    Salah KDB Bruno D.Silva
    Auba Greenwood Jimi

    Martinez Saka Saiss Cathcart

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Saka could cover KdB. Arsenal at Villa makes sense.

      Both teams playing less than 3 days after Wembley, Manchester City with more travel too.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        All a tad uncertain depending on how this condensed week and Cup games play out.

    2. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Wouldn't be benching Saiss myself.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Who to bench for Saiss?

        1. Flaming Flamingo
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          I'd go Taylor, though I recognise it's not an easy call.

          1. Botman and Robben
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 months ago

            Its trick, Taylor against Norwich looks a great chance of a CS.

            1. Flaming Flamingo
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Go with your gut!

            2. Nightcrawler
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 8 months ago

              Taylor is a confirmed clean sheet

              Id bench AWB

  9. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Was Vardy to Jesus a good move you think?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Possibly if Sheffield Utd defense is solid again and Jesus isn't penciled in to start in the semi final.

  10. seanmcging
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Playing around with my FH team following the Chelsea team news yesterday & after putting in Alonso for Doherty I thought I'd try to get Boly for one of my bench fodder, so with 1 minute to go I removed my 2 x 4.3M defs & went for Kelly & Boly, but Kelly ended up in my team & Boly 3rd on my bench just as the deadline closed, I nearly had a heart attack. I have Egan to come in for Kelly if he doesn't play, but watch Kelly play for Palace for the first time in months 🙂

  11. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I am starting to panic with my Foden captain pick... Most of my ML rivals have Sterling (C) 🙁

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Surprised how popular Foden is as a cap pick if I’m honest. Not a bad option but I wouldn’t even consider him cap material

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        That's because of surety of starts. He's as likely as any City to start tonight and when he does at home he has large haul potential.

  12. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    With no hits looking at this team for 38 final week?
    Thoughts?

    Pope
    Diop TAA Digne
    Salah Martial Bruno Dsilva Foden
    Auba Jesus

    1. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Very strong

    2. tokara
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Antonio

  13. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    I was planning to get Ings Vs Bournemouth home but maybe Rodriguez can do the job too?

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      *away

  14. PapaWengzz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    A) TAA, Taylor > Doherty, Tarkowsi (-4)
    B) Taylor > Bardsley/O'connell

    Also have Lascelles so definitely need to replace Taylor