Scout Notes

Ziyech the catalyst as Chelsea FPL assets appeal in defence and attack

Burnley 0-3 Chelsea

  • Goals: Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m), Kurt Zouma (£5.1m), Timo Werner (£9.3m)
  • Assists: Tammy Abraham (£7.2m), Mason Mount (£6.8m), Ziyech
  • Bonus points: Ziyech x3, Zouma x2, Werner x1

THE ZIYECH FACTOR

Hakim Ziyech‘s (£7.9m) first Premier League start for Chelsea appears to have helped them finally unlock top gear this season.

The Moroccan playmaker has been conspicuous by his absence thus far, with the Blues labouring to their results far too often for those invested in their attackers.

At Burnley, Chelsea were a transformed outfit with Ziyech on the right-hand side of the front-three, hinting that they can do some damage in upcoming meetings with Sheffield United and Newcastle.

“We’re really impressed and really excited (with Ziyech). His work rate off the ball, which someone might not expect of a winger with technical ability, we saw today. Compared to what we had last season, he offers something different.” – Frank Lampard

Taking Wednesday’s 4-0 win at Krasnodar, the former Ajax man already has three attacking returns in his first two starts for Chelsea, netting in Russia and getting a goal and assist against Burnley.

Frank Lampard is still managing Ziyech’s minutes following an early-season injury, Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.8m) coming on in the 73rd minute, but even at this early stage, he could prove a simple solution to frustrated Christian Pulisic (£8.4m) owners.

CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

The 4.2% invested in Pulisic proved to be exceptionally unfortunate in Gameweek 7 as he sustained an injury in the warm-up at Burnley.

The American international was set to make a third consecutive Premier League start since returning from a previous issue, but now faces weeks on the sidelines again.

“He felt a little feeling in his hamstring. We tried to manage him in the week. We’ll have to see how he’s doing in the next 24 hours. Hopefully short-term, we’re talking weeks. It’s a minor feeling that he had.” – Frank Lampard

That stroke of misfortune for Pulisic was exactly the opposite for owners of Timo Werner (£9.3m), who still sits in 20.7% of teams worldwide.

He had been handed a first Premier League benching at Burnley but came into the side to occupy Pulisic’s left-sided position in the front-three.

That led to the German international’s third Premier League goal of the season and sets him up for a potentially profitable meeting with Sheffield United in Gameweek 8.

As we highlighted in our analysis of Manchester City’s latest win, the Blades have given up more chances on their right-hand side than any other this season. Accordingly, João Cancelo (£5.4m) was afforded the freedom of Bramall Lane in Gameweek 6 occupying a similar on-field position to what Werner could next Saturday. And, even if the former RB Leipzig man is chosen to lead the line ahead of Abraham, we know tends to drift in that direction, anyway.

ON THE MENDY

Keeping a clean sheet in their 3-0 win at Turf Moor, Chelsea’s defence is quickly becoming a key source of investment – especially when we consider how rare shut-outs seem to be for big-six clubs right now.

Naturally, the signing of Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) has had a significant impact in this area, as has Thiago Silva (£5.5m) bedding himself into the team.

In the three Premier League matches that they have started together, they have kept a clean sheet in each one.

And, most importantly, the underlying statistics from those games have also been encouraging in terms of sustainability. Chelsea have conceded just one big chance in the matches that Mendy and Silva started together, compared to giving up eight in the four that they did not.

With Sheffield United boasting the second-worst goal conversion rate in the Premier League this season, another clean sheet seems likely in Gameweek 8, while no team has registered fewer shots than their Gameweek 9 opponent Newcastle.

ZOUM CALL

While Silva and Mendy have arguably had the biggest impact on Chelsea’s defence, Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) and Kurt Zouma (£5.1m) remain the key assets to consider when looking to capitalise on it.

Left-back Chilwell was the people’s choice for Gameweek 7, earning more transfers in than any other player but it was Zouma who left Turf Moor with the bigger score (14), thanks to his second-half goal and two bonus points.

Perhaps we should not be too surprised at the centre-back’s third goal of the season considering that, between Gameweeks 1 and 6, Werner and Abraham were the only Chelsea players with more shots in the box and the German was the only one of Zouma’s colleagues with more efforts on target too.

The prospects of both Chilwell and Zouma look especially good for the next two matches.

We have already highlighted that Werner will face Sheffield United’s weak right-flank in Gameweek 7, which Chilwell will also have the privilege of lining up against too.

However, Zouma can offer decent match-ups in both of the next two outings. Considering his continued threat from set pieces, he might fancy attacking returns against a Sheffield United side that has given up more headed efforts than any other this season while Newcastle have conceded the most attempts from dead-ball situations in 2020/21.

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; C Taylor, Tarkowski, K Long, Lowton; McNeil, D Stephens (Rodriguez 46′), Westwood, Brownhill; Wood, A Barnes (Brady 73′).

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): E Mendy; Chilwell, Zouma, T Silva, R James; Havertz (Jorginho 86′), Kanté, Mount; Werner, Abraham (Giroud 77′), Ziyech (Hudson-Odoi 73′).

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 7

959 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Konsa Martinez double punt About to flop or fly

    1. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ings will ruin that particular party.

  2. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Why is everyone so tempted by WHY defenders? They have are looking solid but no clieanies so far

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

      Have you looked at their fixtures ?
      Everyone was thinking they'd get murdered.
      But they have now found a style & sticking to it. I see great value in hammers team

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WHU you mean? I’m staying clear. Don’t understand the fuss either.

    3. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fixtures.

    4. Digital-Real
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They played, Ars, City, Leic and liv, Wolves and Spurs in those fixtures

    5. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They have had tough fixtures and looked solid.
      Easier fixtures now on the horizon. fingers crossed this will translate to CS

    6. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Most overrated hype is still Lamptey. No hauls at all but kept going up. WHU defenders are cheap and their defence is quite solid.

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

      They looked solid last night I thought, good .2nd goal and a lucky penalty, cresswell has also got a good chance for some attacking returns and their defenders are 100% nailed with no European games to worry about - that was my thinking anyway

    8. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They have 2 CSs so far, and you need to give a bit of context to why there might not be more. Four of the five matches they haven't kept CSs on were vs. ARS, TOT, MCI, LIV. The first match of the season also looks a little bit like an outlier.

    9. CONNERS
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WHY - West Ham Yoonited?

  3. tissae
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you rather:
    A) Zouma (double up with Chilwell)
    B) Dias
    C) Masuaku

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

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

      B

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Big Kurt

  4. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Except Chelsea and Villa, I don't see one team that has decent fixtures in the long term. Is there any point using a FT for Trent or Robbo?

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd, Leicester, Aston Villa, Newcastle all get good from GW10

      1. adstomko
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        So basically, keep LIV defenders...

        1. Amartey Partey
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Liverpool play Wolves in GW11 and Spurs in GW13. Hardly easy fixtures. I’d say their defensive assets are better options from GW14.

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      man city's fixtures better than chelsea's

      1. adstomko
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Rotation risk

        1. djoker_nole
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Laporte wont be benched

        2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Think Dias will be pretty nailed in their back line, I'm eying him up from gameweek 10 for sure

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm holding trent for now. Probably just being stubborn but I want 2 frees for IB.

      1. adstomko
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same here.

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

      The fixtures have been very hard to call, might be best just playing form and picking players you think will do well regardless

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

      Palace only have 2 bad fixtures in their next 10.

      1. adstomko
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        But, it's Palace...

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        GW12 onwards is bad.

        Palace haven't had terrible fixtures for the last few either, but they can't seem to keep a CS.

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

      Zaha seems to be doing ok...

      1. adstomko
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        He's hit 'n' miss though.

        1. Front 442
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Isn't every player

    7. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, when you can get a player of equivalent or better potential for about 2m less

    8. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bound to get a clean sheet soon.

  5. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Do we have “xFPL points” data somewhere in the FFS member’s Opta area?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pretty sure that's in the RMT Players section?

      1. jtreble
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I don’t think RMT is Opta-based though. I was looking for the Opta “xFPL points” data in the member’s area. It seems to be a strange omission - FFS seems to have everything else that Opta offers.

  6. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Early rage transfers done. It's my X's fault.
    Digne - Rodriguez - Saiss ->
    Chilwell - Zouma - Ziyech -8

    1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      oo trip chelsea! could be nice for next 2 weeks

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah might as well go all in on them is what I feel.

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

      Big hit, nice additions

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I feel so excited to watch Chelsea every time. I'm a fan but that's just how I feel, same with Leeds for example.

    3. adstomko
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Can see Everton beating United.

    4. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Chelsea's fixtures turn for the worse after the next two, not sure why you'd remove Rodriguez with 3 plum fixtures in the next 4 and a full strength squad

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I have not thought about this, haha! It was impulsive. But it still feels good! Feels like Freedom.

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

      I have done a -4
      Will do Pulis.t to Ziyech for -4 again around deadline if Ziyech is walking

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Pulisic is so brittle, Ziyech looked very good to be fair so that sounds a solid move fella

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

          Thanks buddy.
          I'm in a loop this season.
          I pledge to never bring the glassman in again 😆

          1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            haha next time he scores you will get him in a flash!
            He's a great player I hope injuries don't ruin his career.

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

              You can bet on that. Like him asa player but that's not a good reason 😀

        2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I agree. Ziyech is on another level.

    6. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      epic knee jerk

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sounds like a compliment coming from you

    7. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      CL to come yet 🙁

      It's not gone well for me this year making early transfers

      1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Well I have to say same here. But just gotta do something to turn this season around.

  7. HippY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Today is the day I wish I had Ings. Tomorrow will be the day I wish I had Bamford. I can feel the anxiety creeping up on me 😀

    1. adstomko
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Got both *smirks*

      1. HippY
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Can't have them all I suppose, but those are the ones that are making me sweat lately

        1. adstomko
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I don't have Kane, you can laugh at that one.

          1. HippY
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Must be a rollercoaster of emotions when Spurs are playing 🙂

            1. adstomko
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Absolutely! I'm trying to not think about their next 2 fixtures.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Hat trick Bamford tomorrow night as usual

      • The Mandalorian
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ings isn't highly owned and Bamford has difficult fixtures. I doubt either will hurt our ranks. I plan to get Bamford at some point.

    3. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bit annoyed by another Foden benching, at least he is very cheap....
      Worth holding for their insane run after the Liverpool and Spurs games?

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        For me yes

      2. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yep, I might get him for GW10 and accept he will be benched from time to time.

        He can easily score off the bench like he did last weekend

        1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          At 6.5 i can stomach teh benchings. don't expect him to do much in the next 2 games, hopefully pep and city work out how to attack again soon!

      3. ivantys
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I reckon he starts the harder games which is the next 2, which was probably why he started the first 5 as all of the teams were top half sides, except Leeds.

        1. Hattrick Harry
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Why do you think Leeds is not top half side?

          1. ivantys
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Was referring to last season's then realized Sheffield were also top half lol

      4. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Got unkucky with the fact he wa apparently under the weather.

        I'm holding for now since other issues to fix & as Man City aren't exploding as it is, spending £6.5m or so on one of their best (form) players isn't much of an outlay.

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Mahrez's absymal display should only help his case

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I feel like I read that sentence every time Mahrez plays. Yet somehow, he still gets a starting spot here and there.

        2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Oh was he ill? must have missed that

            1. tokara
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Thanks for sharing

      5. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Chances that he starts next match?

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

        got rid for Zaha.

    4. tissae
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Pulisic to Ziyech a solid move or too risky?

      1. adstomko
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Risking an injured player?

      2. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Wait and see how long the injury is i guess but Ziyech looked good yesterday

    5. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cancelo or Dias who is more secure?

      1. Toblerone52 - Zlatan Ibra-H…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Dias probably more secure but Cancelo has a better attacking threat

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

          Ta, looking forward

      2. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I'm going Cancelo around GW10 I reckon.

        Both actually look good in their own way. Dias will pick up plenty of bonus and (maybe) be a bit more nailed. Cancelo has attacking threat and is a bit of a bap magnet too

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

          Cheers just looking at fixture swing coming up.

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

      Ryan
      Chilwell, Cresswell, Dallas
      Salah, Son, Ziyech, JRod
      Ings, Bamford, DCL
      Bench: Butts, Barkley, Justin, Fergie

      4.7 itb
      Current plan is either Ziyech or JRod to KDB and Ryan to Ramsdale for gw9

    7. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      My team:

      Martinez
      Robo—Saiss—Chilwell
      Salah—Barkley—Son—Zaha
      Werner—DCL—Jimenez

      Ryan—Mitchell—Anguissa—Dunne

      1.1ITB. 1FT

      Need suggestions. Willing to take a hit this week or next... Want to get rid of Saiss and Robo