Scout Notes

Latest injury updates on Werner and Pulisic as James stars in Chelsea win

Brighton 1-3 Chelsea

  • Goals: Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) | Jorginho (£5.0m), Reece James (£5.0m), Kurt Zouma (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) | Timo Werner (£9.5m), Jorginho, R James
  • Bonus Points: R James x3, Jorginho x2, Trossard x1

Nearly half of all Fantasy Premier League managers will hang on every word Frank Lampard says in his next press conference following a slight injury to Timo Werner (£9.5m) on Monday night.

The Chelsea forward, owned by 48% worldwide, sustained a dead leg in winning a penalty at the Amex Stadium. Even though he was able to finish the game, the knock reportedly restricted much of Werner’s movement during his Premier League debut.

However, that fact arguably holds encouragement for his owners, as the former RB Leipzig man was still Chelsea’s best attacking asset against Brighton despite those mitigating circumstances.

In a relatively unconvincing team performance, it was Werner’s pace and guile that asked the most questions of the Brighton defence. Even though Jorginho‘s (£5.0m) 22nd-minute pass was marginally overhit, Werner was still quick enough to chase it down and win the foul for the penalty.

It was this contact with Mathew Ryan (£4.5m) in the 23rd minute that restricted Werner for the rest of the match, but even carrying the knock, he still offered exciting penetrative runs. If he is fit and available for the Liverpool game, his owners may enjoy watching him operate against a defence with even more space behind it than Brighton offered.

“We saw (signs of how dangerous Werner can be). We know that. I love the way Timo pops up in different areas. He’s not a front-man who attaches to centre-backs so much. Sometimes he starts from a little bit deeper but when he goes, he goes. We saw that with the burst of pace (for the penalty).” – Frank Lampard

“Timo took a knock when he won the penalty so it’s more of a dead leg, we hope. I would like to think if it is a dead leg we have got a bit of time to get for him to get back (for the Liverpool game), and he obviously finished the game.” – Frank Lampard

“(The dead leg) was from the penalty. The knee of the goalkeeper hit me directly. It was hard and for the rest of the game, it hurts a lot. I (couldn’t) do some movements because of the muscle goes very hard. Of course, (I will be available for the Liverpool game). For games like this, you are always fit.” – Timo Werner

Injuries appear to already be the recurring theme for key Chelsea assets, as Christian Pulisic (£8.5m) missed out on the trip to Brighton, and currently boasts a yellow flag ahead of Gameweek 2. The American midfielder was originally in contention for Monday night, but Lampard revealed that he had suffered a setback in recovering from the fitness issues that troubled him at the end of Project Restart. Pulisic is, therefore, another player to listen out for in the next round of press conferences.

“Christian (Pulisic) was training with us last week but he had a little bit of discomfort a couple of days ago where he was trying to train with us and be in contention for today. He has had to just take a few steps back, so we’ll have to see.” – Frank Lampard

It was obvious that Chelsea missed the driving runs and shot-volume of Pulisic at the Amex Stadium and the absence of Hakim Ziyech (£8.0m) limited how much insightful creativity was on display.

As a result, there was criticism of Kai Havertz (£8.5m) and Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.0m) who were deployed on the right and middle of an attacking midfield trio behind Werner. The latter was especially poor in possession, too pensive on the ball and guilty of either taking too long to find a pass or simply lose the ball entirely.

Lampard has typically been a fan of 4-3-3 but, to some extent, his personnel shortages forced the switch to 4-2-3-1 on Monday, which struggled to offer much threat in the first hour or so. Perhaps when their key men are fit and available, things might be different.

“I don’t really want to pin us down to that one. We have the capabilities to play that way. We have maybe three or four players who would want to play number 10 for us but it won’t always be that simple. I want us to be adaptable and I think when you look at Kai, Reuben, Mason and Ross, we’ve got a lot of players. We’ve got Pulisic and Ziyech coming back. I have to work on that one. I want us to look fluid. It could be a 4-2-3-1 at times, and sometimes a 4-3-3. I want that movement within us. The players are still trying to work each other out a little bit. I thought today we weren’t as fluid as we could have been. We couldn’t find those passes between the lines. If we work on it, I want us to have a lot more movement up-front than we had today.” – Frank Lampard

It was this shoe-horning of Chelsea’s players into a slightly unfamiliar formation that stunted Havertz’s performance on Monday night.

The £8.5m man has already been sold by 45,000+ managers for Gameweek 2 off the back of a largely anonymous display, but some of his owners may be prepared to show slightly more patience.

It was clear that Havertz was not particularly comfortable on the right-hand side of midfield but it must also be remembered that he has only been training with Chelsea for roughly a week.

Furthermore, Havertz also produced some promising off-the-ball runs in the first half, the sort of thing that does not always get noticed by a cursive eye-test or in the statistics either.

In the opening exchanges, Werner found space down the right flank and squared a sweeping ball for Havertz, who was arriving in the six-yard box. The ball flashed past him by only a few inches, before the play was called back for offside, but seeing Havertz dash in like a centre-forward is certainly encouraging.

The former Bayer Leverkusen man made a similar run in the eighth minute before Mason Mount (£7.0m) tried to play him down the middle. The Englishman slightly overhit his pass, but had it been spot-on, Havertz would have been clean through in a one-on-one with Ryan.

Then after the goal, Werner found some space on the left-hand side this time and, while he was going up against Tariq Lamptey (£4.0m), Havertz made a promising untracked run into the box, which you can see below.

Source: Sky Sports Football’s YouTube Channel

As you can see, the midfielder was ghosting into the box largely unmarked, almost like we used to see with Lampard during his playing days. Had Werner elected to cut his shot back, Havertz would have been free to fire a first-time effort on goal from a central position. Runs such as the ones discussed here could prove fruitful against a Liverpool backline playing a higher defensive line on Sunday afternoon.

“I liked (Havertz against Brighton). It’s not a game where you come away and go ‘here are 10 vintage moments’ but I thought there were moments of real quality and calmness. It’s a big ask, there’s a lot on his shoulders for the sum. The fact that he’s young, coming to a different league. He plays the game at such a pace, in terms of his quality. I thought we saw a few glimpses of that. We also saw him sprint back 80 yards to make a defensive interception having given the ball away so everything I’ve seen about him in terms of his character was spot on. His quality is going to come through.” – Frank Lampard

While Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.0m) continues to cause issues for Chelsea clean sheet potential, interest in their defenders is likely to increase in the coming days, especially once the Liverpool game is out of the way.

Reece James (£5.0m) put in an exceptional display going forward, netting a stunning goal from distance as he stepped into midfield from his right wing-back berth. His second-half corner helped the former Wigan loanee to an assist for Kurt Zouma‘s (£5.0m) deflected 66th-minute strike.

However, it will be interesting to see how often James will start at right-back for the remainder of the season. His start was partially influenced by an injury to Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) while Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) was declared fit enough only for the bench. When both of those players are fully available and Chelsea get stuck into their European campaign, predicting which of their four full-backs will start each Premier League match may prove more difficult. Furthermore, when Ziyech is back on the team, he is likely to take corners away from James.

Meanwhile, even though it took some time for Brighton to get into the game, it was in the wider areas of defence that they had the most joy against Chelsea’s defence, which still has just one away clean sheet across the 2019/20 and 2020/21 campaigns.

After Steven Alzate (£4.5m) broke through the middle in the 34th minute and unleashed a powerful effort which Kepa batted away, Solly March (£5.0m) was completely unmarked in James’ zone, allowing him the time to line up a shot before it was blocked.

Immediately after half-time, the versatile left wing-back got all the way around the back of James, whipping a cross into the box that cannoned off Aaron Connolly (£5.5m) at the front post and into the side-netting.

Moments later Lamptey had the beating of Alonso, much as March had of James just before. The right wing-back, who continues to look promising as an FPL asset based on his advanced positioning, got into the box only to see his fierce shot blocked by Zouma.

“(Lamptey) was fun to watch. Such energy and enthusiasm for the game. He’s been like that since he came. He’s young and still has much to learn but his approach to football is refreshing.” – Graham Potter

However, Lamptey got a well-deserved assist in the 54th minute, when his pass to Leandro Trossard (£6.0m) found its way into the bottom corner, courtesy of a well-placed distance effort from the Belgian midfielder.

Four minutes later, Trossard’s cross from the right-hand side found an unmarked Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) at the back post. The centre-back made contact but managed to nod his effort wide when he really should have scored.

Generally speaking, Chelsea looked fragile to set-pieces once again at Brighton. That is perhaps no surprise, considering Norwich (12) were the only side to concede more goals from set-plays than Lampard’s men last season (10). Meanwhile, when Trossard’s goal went in, it meant Kepa had conceded nine of the last 13 shots on target Chelsea had faced. Combining those facts with how often Brighton’s wing-backs were able to carve out opportunities in wide areas on Monday night, bodes well for the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m), Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) and Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) in Gameweek 2 – as well as Mohamed Salah (£12.0m) and Sadio Mané (£12.0m).

Meanwhile, there are also some encouragements for those invested in Callum Wilson (£6.5m) and Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.5m) for Gameweek 2, as Newcastle host Brighton on Sunday afternoon.

The Seagulls lost two key men to injury on Monday, Adam Lallana (£6.5m) forced off inside the first half, before centre-back Ben White (£4.5m) sustained a knock in the second.

“I’m not sure (about the injuries) yet, to be honest. We’ll have to wait. Hopefully, they’re not too bad but it’s too early for me to give you anything.” – Graham Potter

Brighton and Hove Albion XI (3-5-2): Ryan; Webster, Dunk, White (Groß 79′); March, Alzate (Jahanbakhsh 79′), Bissouma, Lallana (Connolly 45′), Lamptey; Trossard, Maupay.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa; Alonso, Zouma, Christensen, R James; Jorginho (Azpilicueta 85′), Kanté; Mount, Loftus-Cheek (Barkley 61′), Havertz (Hudson-Odoi 80′); Werner.

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1,294 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Playing_the_Numbers
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Guys, some help please.
    1) What are the chances of Greenwood to start GW2? Are there any updates? Is he going to be punished for having broken Covid-19 protocols while on England duty in Iceland?
    2) Is Saliba expected to start GW2

    1. Alonso The Great Midfielder
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      1) unsure
      2) needs some time so i guess maybe he play at cup first. im.gonna ditch him because going to drop

  2. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Awesome work David, loved this one.

    Didn't notice the runs he was making, and it's making me consider him more carefully for GW3, especially if Pulisic is still unfit. Great insight.

    But as you say, his deep position and "largely anonymous display" is concerning... Something to monitor against Pool.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      The movement was there, just not the timing or sharpness. Havertz was always going to take time and was never going straight into the #10 role with what it requires defensively

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        From what I saw in his goal highlights from last season, almost all his goals come from off the ball runs to arrive late in the box. So it's probably what we need to focus on as much as his work on the ball. Something to keep an eye on...

        1. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Agree and that connection with the other attackers will take time. If this was a friendly, I would have been encouraged by the movement

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Yes a far more balanced view of Havertz. I think a week or two's patience could be rewarded - certainly I wouldn't use a hit to take him out.

  3. Olphey
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Currently own Salah and thankfully captained him GW1. My pre-season plan was to transfer Salah to Bruno GW2 (have Aubameyang, and potential Auba to KDB GW3).

    Given Salah’s GW1, would you abandon that transfer? Or stick with my pre-season aim, which was to capitalise on a good GW1 fixture for Salah and then move to Bruno for decent upcoming fixtures?

    1. Olphey
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Ps I already own Rashford, who I benched GW1

      1. athebrook
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I had the same plan including Rashford on the bench and Auba to captain this week, but sticking with Salah now. As the article suggests, no reason to think he'll struggle v Chelsea. Yes it was two penalties and yes it was Leeds, but his attacking stats in GW1 were awesome. Plus, Palace's defence was better than I expected and so no reason to think United will smash them and already have Rashford to provide some coverage if they do. And saving the transfer gives more flexibility going forward.

    2. Wild Card this!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Had same plan and sticking to it.

    3. aaroncfc
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Selling a player after a hat trick on the first game of the season is ludicrous IMO. He is fixture proof

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I wouldn't move Salah out. Especially against this Chelsea team.

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        He loves a Chelsea match too doesn’t he

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Has scored 5 in 13 against them

    5. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      What’s the phrase? Want to make the football gods laugh, show them your plan?

  4. Riggs
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    A) Adams OUT -> Martial IN
    B) Alli -> Rashford IN
    C) Alli -> Fernandes IN
    I have 3.0 ITB so no problem with either of these moves.

    1. AlcarUGA
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C for me.

    2. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C.

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      C

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      You saved 3 for a reason right? Bruno

      1. Riggs
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Yes. I saved 3 for a reason. But I am tinkering between Martial replacing Che Adams. Or Bruno IN and Alli Out and 0.5 in the bank.

  5. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Alli to Mahrez? Or not nailed? Don't know what to do with Alli.. Maybe Greenwood?

    1. zizoo10
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      jrod seems to be the guy

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        All ready have DCL. Fixtures of ManU seem to nice to ignore

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Monitor team news and get Greenwood

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Mahrez could be a great pick

  6. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    James Rodriguez goals and assists per minutes played is actually very good, if nailed and injury free could be a bargain

    Bayern 2,759 14 14

    Real 5,379 29 28

    Monaco 2,631 9 13

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Eye test sealed it for me

    2. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Man he just looked quality!

  7. GAMBIT
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Kane, Maddison > Martial, James?

  8. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    long term

    A) Mitrovic + JRod
    B) Jiminez + 5.5 mid (have asm, most likely doucoure)

  9. Ribus
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Son ->
    A) Bruno
    B) Rash

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Bruno

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

    Avoid Salah at your own will 🙂

  11. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    If this convinces people to keep havertz im all for it

  12. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone knows when Villa will announce Emi?

  13. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Interesting article. I can’t say that I am not tempted to drop Havertz for James Rodriguez. Convinced Havertz will do well but may need time.

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I won’t own him in ffs until he plays the 10

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

    Salah and Sterling best cap rotations this season...

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Salah and KDB*

      Sterling too big rotation risk in easy games

      1. Tinkermania
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I agree with Brosstan. But Kdb will start getting rested in easy games now because he had a great season.

    2. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m on salah/Sterling this year..

  15. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    i've just pulled the trigger on ings+alli > martial+jRod -4 because i just cba thinking about my team anymore. bring them fantasy world cup vibes jrod baby lesh go lesh go

  16. Just a fountain
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    1. Boomford
    2. Bumford
    And why?

  17. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Hendrick over ASM?
    Please help.
    Fund issues

  18. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Nice article, though there could have been more balance when discussing Havert's good and bad points

  19. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Keep Werner? Or do -4 for Werner and Alli to Martial and Puls/Harvetz

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      -4

  20. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Davies or Dier or Lamptey?

  21. Vpan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    3-5-2 with JRod

    or

    3-4-3 with DCL

    ?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      JRod for me but both good

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

    Who has activated free transfer without proper data for GW2 :-0

  23. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Bench 3 of these players:

    A) Soucek
    B) Bertrand
    C) James(che)
    D) Dier
    E) Egan
    F) Pereira

  24. OrmskirkFC
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    I'm working out a trade in a draft league- who gets the most points this season: Aubameyang and Abraham or Rashford and Callum Wilson?

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Can you pick someone even moderately decent from waivers?
      If you can then Auba side

      1. OrmskirkFC
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Bamford is still available. I'd obviously rather keep Auba as I think he could be the highest scoring player but my strikers are just so unreliable for minutes- Aguero/Abraham/Batshuayi.

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

      Rash and Wilson

    3. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Fair trade ; I’d want auba

  25. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Ings to Martial for a hit?

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Not for a hit.

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Go for it if you are going to captain him

  26. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Which option looks better here?

    xxx 4.0
    TAA xxx Digne Saiss xxx
    KDB Bruno Havertz Klich xxx
    Martial Jimenez Brewster

    A) 4.5GK, Robbo, Ayling, Bissouma
    B) 5,0GK, James, Ferguson, Foden

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      A has all nailed players.

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I know mate. B is exciting though, don't you think?

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 6 months ago

          Yes but B might make it difficult for you to field 11.

  27. Canali
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Opinions...
    Werner -> Martial
    I don't necessarily think Werner is a bad pick for the next few weeks, but getting in Martial now could avoid a price hike

    Sensible or should I forget about the price increase (which is inevitably coming in the next day or so)

    1. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I hate making a decision like that because of .1, dreadful idea IMO

      1. Canali
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        I am inclined to agree, just those inner demons... and real possibility of Werner blanking in GW2

  28. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    Werner and Alli to Jimenez and Rashford (-4) seems really nice! Just wouldn't have any Chelsea players anymore.

    1. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      GW3 onwards - no Werner no green arrows

      1. Tshelby
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        Auba can make place in gw3?

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      Sounds decent

  29. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    The knee jerking transfers are hilarious. Looking on FPL stats the following players in my squad are falling with triple red arrows:

    1. MCCarthy
    2. TAA
    3. KWP
    4. Auba - he is the stand out captain choice this week. People are geniuses
    5. Son
    6. ASM
    7. Ings

    World record low team value incoming whilst still Scoring loads of points. My least favourite part of the season

    1. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      It's very unfun at this point where you feel punished for nothing at all just because other people are morons

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        10000%

        The fact Bamford was the first riser tells you everything

        People selling Auba, Son, Werner and TAA is mind boggling

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      I’m shocked at Ings, still terrified not owning him

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 6 months ago

        If his last minute header had gone in he’d no doubt be rising in price

        People are clueless

    3. BobbyDoesNotLook
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 6 months ago

      100%. I hate that I need to think about the value at this point of the season when it is all about the legendary casuals ruining the market.

  30. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 6 months ago

    On my wc if i pick gabriel willian and auba it keeps saying too many players from arsenal and wont give the transfer option hmmm had to chrck 5 times if i had any other arsenal player while chasing price changes didnt see it very annoying hope it resolves