Scout Notes

Giroud outshines Werner again as Chelsea regress at both ends of the pitch

Wolves 2-1 Chelsea

  • Goals: Daniel Podence (£5.4m), Pedro Neto (£5.7m) | Olivier Giroud (£6.7m)
  • Assists: Owen Otasowie (£4.5m), Vitinha (£4.8m) | Ben Chilwell (£6.2m)
  • Bonus points: Podence x3, Neto x2, Chilwell x1

GIROUD NOT TO

Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) is fast becoming the key Fantasy Premier League forward at Chelsea as Timo Werner (£9.4m) continues to struggle in wide areas.

The former Arsenal striker scored the Blues’ only goal of the game as they fell to a 2-1 defeat at Wolves, the second in his last three Premier League starts.

And if you go back to the beginning of Project Restart, no Chelsea player has found the net more often than Giroud (eight goals), who is working his way back to the top of the pecking order.

The Frenchman has started each of the last three Premier League matches for Frank Lampard’s side, lasting 90 minutes once and having his minutes managed around the 70-minute mark in two of them.

Any last remaining Werner owners who like the look of Chelsea’s upcoming fixtures West Ham (home), Arsenal (away), Aston Villa (home) might do well to consider his signature – especially considering the German international is without a goal since Gameweek 8 and has blanked three times in the last four matches.

TRANSFER TIMO?

Werner’s biggest problem in recent outings has been how isolated Chelsea have left him on the flanks of the front-three, whether or not Lampard stations him on the left or right-hand side.

Against Wolves, Christian Pulisic‘s (£8.2m) first start since Gameweek 11 pushed Werner onto the right, where even his most insightful of runs were regularly ignored by his team-mates.

So much of Chelsea’s play went down the left-hand side through Pulisic who did provide some cut and thrust but, very soon, it became predictable and one-dimensional.

But the nail in Werner’s FPL coffin came after Lampard switched his wingers, allowing the former RB Leipzig man some time on the left of the front-three, only for Chelsea to send everything down the right-hand side through Pulisic again.

“Pulisic provides us with some width and he’s very good at winning his one-on-ones. He’s had a few issues with the hamstring but he’s trained so he’s straight back in.” – Frank Lampard

It is certainly worth adding that Chelsea sorely miss Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m), Lampard’s side resembling the laboured outfit from the early weeks of the season during the Moroccan’s last injury.

“No (there wasn’t enough) after the goal. We didn’t hang on either. Performance (has changed). It’s what gives you results. Maybe the lads think they’re playing well and the second you think you’re playing well, anything can happen.” – Frank Lampard

CATCHING A CHILL

Despite a recent speight of clean sheets, Chelsea’s defensive credentials have taken a knock in their last two matches.

Between Gameweeks 6 and 10, the Blues conceded just one goal, letting in three since the start of Gameweek 12.

Giving up a lead at Molineux given Wolves’ current state of affairs is also rather alarming.

Before Tuesday night, they were yet to find the net in a game which Raúl Jiménez (£8.2m) had not started this season. 

Not including Fantasy assists, the Mexican was involved in a significant 31% of Wolves’ 109 Premier League goals since promotion before Gameweek 13 – so he has been a huge miss.

Accordingly, when Daniel Podence (£5.4m) cut inside Reece James (£5.3m) and Ben Chilwell (£6.2m) and fired past Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) it ended Wolves’ longest run without a Premier League goal since their promotion in 2018 (296 minutes).

Wolves chose James’ flank as one to target as they wound through the gears in the final third of the match, the right-back escaping a penalty thanks to the VAR, but leaving Kurt Zouma (£5.7m) exposed to a Pedro Neto (£5.7m) run in the closing stages. 

The Portuguese winger came into Gameweek 13 inside the top five best-value midfielders of the season (offering 9.6 points per million spent) and, by netting at Molineux took his attacking returns tally there to four in his last five.

Whether Chelsea’s defence can be trusted against West Ham is, of course, now under scrutiny in the Fantasy community while upcoming meetings with Aston Villa (home) and Manchester City (home) are also somewhat ominous.

Chilwell might have done enough to earn a stay of execution though, topping this game for key passes thanks to his involvement in corners and Chelsea’s persistence on playing the ball down their left-flank, producing his first attacking return since Gameweek 8.

Wolverhampton Wanderers XI (3-4-3): Patrício; Saïss, Coady, Boly; Marçal, Neves, Dendoncker (Otasowie 46′), Semedo; Podence (Vitinha 90′), F Silva (A Traoré 61′), Neto.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): E Mendy; Chilwell, T Silva, Zouma, R James; Havertz (Havertz 71′), Kanté, Mount; Pulisic, Giroud (Abraham 71′), Werner.

Lessons learned from FPL Gameweek 13

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858 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FPL Theorist
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play two (at least one defender) for GW14:

    A. Dier (LEI)
    B. Targett (wba) - double-up with Martinez
    C. Bamford (mun)
    D. Adams (MCI)

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

      A & C

    2. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      bc

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

      Cheers all. Not too keen on the double-up so will probably do A & C.

  2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Time to get WBA defenders

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

      I already got one it’s Furlong. Exempt that an own goal against CP I’m pretty satisfied owner:)

  3. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish(c) locked for next gameweek!

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You'll regret it. He is still not there. He plays for Villa

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Quite the opposite now.

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

      Nice to own him still I think.

      But captain, no thanks

    4. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Very tempting

    5. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not great now with the new manager effect

  4. Dog and Fox
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB, Bowen -> Salah, Neto/Podence?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Last GWs points don't count you know that?

      1. Dog and Fox
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Haha, i know. But Salah > KDB, bowen transfer just to get the cash

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not keen to lose Bowen, but Salah is a higher priority than KDB, so I'd probably do it (assuming Bowen downgrade is needed to fund the move).

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

    Wow, Bilic fired even after last nights result

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

      A draw at City away. Terrible result nowadays.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Definitely

    2. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      was obviously gone in the owners minds before last night's game. Deal for new manager already in place even before game kicked off.

      1. OleGGMU
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        The sad reality of the new PL era, pretty daft decision too given they barely backed him in the market and I doubt anyone that comes in will do better against the same opponents and the current squad. Bilic was handicapped before the season began, good manager that deserved better

        1. Party time
            3 years, 3 months ago

            This

    3. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is it still possible that one of AVL games (MCI or NEW) to be moved to DGW19?

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

        Crellin thinks it's unlikely; he tweeted: "Looking at the TV schedule, I think it's more likely that none of the GW 1/11 Blanks will be moved to GW 18/19 as they'd clash with the current fixtures and the contract that the TV companies signed means they get all 10 fixtures at unique kick-off times in the split Gameweek."

        https://twitter.com/BenCrellin/status/1338899503643062273

        1. Runaway
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          this is what I am looking for, thanks..

    4. L'Aeroplanino
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fat Sam in? WBA defense wagon?

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ajayi essential

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

        Has Fat Sam still 'got it' though?

        I'll be watching this unfold from the safety of not owning any WBA at all

    5. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      People with fodder benches, how are you approaching the oncoming blank and double gws? For example I have Riedewald, Ferguson and a 4mill keeper sat on the bench. Is it best over the coming weeks to start moving these to playing assets? Seems a bit laborious and difficult balancing act to get right with other transfers surely going to be necessary. Thoughts?

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm going to start looking to upgrade my bench with FT's and on the eve of the DGW I will bring in a bench GK as well.

        Then WC them all out once DGW is done and dusted.

        Must admit I'm not comfortable doing this however

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

        Depends on how your squad is. I don't see myself removing any of Salah, Fernandes, Son, Bamford or most of my defense any time soon. I think I have the luxury of dealing with my fodder slowly. But I plan to defer the decision a few weeks by rolling FT in 14 and doing a prophylactic Lamptey > Coufal in GW15. And then we'll see if I want to go all in on the BB 19 plan or else just prepare a normal team for it.

        I will play FH in 18 no matter what though. I don't see any other way of dealing with those fixtures adequately.

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          TC is also an option with the likes of Bruno having a 2 away games and a few other decent options too

        2. DGW Sane TC Fail....
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          you think there might be a better free hit later down the line?

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

            Nope. My team would be in an awful spot if I don't FH in 18. I have just Martinez, Son, KdB, Grealish, DCL right now. And removing the likes of Salah, Fernandes to field a team in 18 is not appealing.

            1. FPL Daniel
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Salah has Spurs away in GW 20

            2. DGW Sane TC Fail....
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              I have those plus Kane. Looking at the fixtures i don't know who i would like to free hit in nobody looks appealing at all to me

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

                Just folks that play really...

                I'm planning to lose Grealish and DCL in 16 to start preparing for the DGW in 19.

                1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
                  • 13 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Not really looked into what am going to do just yet. I normally use my FH later in the year when the FA cup causes a few blanks. is that one going to be better than this one is going through my head..no idea what i will do 🙂

        3. In Bale We Trust
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yes, I think I might follow this course. Thanks for the input.

      3. DGW Sane TC Fail....
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        probably wildcarding in 17

      4. abhirup780
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        At that point I'll probably have
        Salah KdB Bruno Grealish
        Bamford Kane Antonio (if fit)/Watkins as attackers.
        Chilwell, double saint and leeds def.
        Bench has only one playing 4.5 def.
        So have to free hit 18
        and play GW19 as normal. No TC or BB.
        Probably won't be removing double Villa as they have nice run of fixtures anyway.

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

      Typo - spate instead of speight

    7. cigan
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I've got 2 FT and no spare cash. Will be using my WC in GW16 so everything I do can be just for the next 2 rounds

      I like everyone's fixtures this week, apart from maybe City/Southampton (and Coufal vs. Chelsea but I'll bench him anyway)
      Walker does make my brain hurt but is surely starting against Saints - so does selling him even make any sense? Looks like the best option to downgrade in order to upgrade someone else tho

      Walker & Adams > Konsa & Bamford?
      Walker & Steer > Lamptey & Martinez?
      Just burn the transfer?

      McCarthy
      Robbo Chilwell Walker
      Salah Bruno Son Grealish
      DCL Wilson Adams
      (Steer; Lewis Bissouma Coufal)

    8. Damsko
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      2.2 ITB, 2 Free transfers. Thinking of upgrading Kilman to James, but not sure what to do with the second free transfer. I could do Che Adams to Watkins, or even Grealish to Rashford or Son. Any suggestions?

      McCarthy

      Coufal Dallas Chilwell

      Salah Bruno (C) Grealish KDB (VC)

      DCL Bamford Che Adams

      Bench: Steer, Soucek, Taylor, Kilman

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

        Kane has 16 goals and 2 assists in 10 matches against Leicester.

        https://www.transfermarkt.com/harry-kane/bilanz/spieler/132098

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

          Yeah would love Kane back, sold him right before the City game. Cheers for that!

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

        If you don’t know what to do just roll FT

      3. cigan
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        just do 1 transfer innit

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

          Could do but will go for Che Adams to Watkins and then Kilman to James.

    9. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best captain except Fernandes?

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Salah or Kane

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

        Grealish

      3. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kane

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

          https://www.transfermarkt.com/harry-kane/bilanz/spieler/132098

          16g 2a in 10 matches against Leicester.

    10. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      @SteveMadeley78
      Slaven Bilic sacked by West Bromwich Albion.
      Sam Allardyce in advanced talks to take over and expected to be in charge on Sunday against Villa. #WBA

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Fat Sam...seriously?

        Feel like I'm back in the noughties or even the 90's

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

          Not like he has an outstanding reputation for managing teams in the relegation battle or anything.

          1. thegaffer82
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            10 years or so ago, yes.

            Football has moved on somewhat since then

    11. riot
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What midfielder would you pick with 9.1 to spend? Considering KDB + Jota - Son + 9.1. Have Salah Bruno Grealish

      1. cigan
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Would just get someone like Soucek or Neto and use cash elsewhere

    12. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Grealish bin in GW16?

    13. BEEZUS
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best sub 5m defender for GW14+15?

      Own Martinez, Justin, Aying, Taylor already.

    14. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Can someone explain why half the teams aren't playing in week 18?

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cos they play in 19 instead

      2. cigan
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cups probably

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

          If it's the FA cup, surely all teams would play that weekend.

    15. Flynny
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Think I can get to this dgw19 bench boost team with a couple of hit. Is it along the right lines?

      Clearly the Fulham attacker is a weak point....

      Have included a few with good single fixtures like kdb and son

      Meslier johnstone
      Chilwell James dallas kwp soucek
      Salah kdb Bruno son soucek
      Bamford antonio decordova-reid

      Thanks

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

        Why not use the free hit for the DGW and use transfers to right the team for week 20 onward?

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Cos I don't have many gw18 players

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ignore Antonio

      3. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Soucek in defense and midfield? You miss him in the attack 🙂

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

        Looks fine to me. If you can, you could downgrade KDB and upgrade Reid, maybe get TAA or Robbo as well, but that would probably require more hits.

        1. Flynny
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Yup. Kdb has a fantastic single fixture in 19 - Palace at home I think.....so I'll keep him I think

    16. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The FFS ticker still not updated for the most important event this year 🙁

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

      Lol why was Bilic sacked?

    18. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      My bus captain is currently KdB lol.

      But Salah, Son and Fernandes all have a chance to change my mind. Much less set on this week's captaincy. The games will decide it.

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        KDB has a lot of work to do before he gets considered as my captain again... but unlike many others I'm certainly not flogging him.

        Salah, Kane & Bruno all seem better options this week for the captaincy. I'll be selecting one of those for sure (initial thought is Salah)

      2. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        KDB is mine bus captain too. If I had Kane he would have been mine C

    19. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Narrowed it to 2 options.

      FH in GW19 and transfers for GW 18 or

      FH in GW 18 and transfers for BB in GW 19 and probably WC in GW 20.

      So, which you prefer, 1 chip or 3 chips?

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Im doing 2, but I’ll try to avoid using WC in 20

    20. Goodricke
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bamford or DCL.

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

      Thoughts on this saucy 4-5-1 as a way to get 5 big hitters?

      McCarthy
      James | Cresswell | Targett | Dallas
      Salah | KdB | Bruno | Son | Soucek
      Kane

      Steer | Brewster | Mitchell | Davis

      Pretty much no bench mind...

      1. DGW Sane TC Fail....
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        i think it leaves you too thin mate and you got to remember this, EVERYBODY is juggling the big hitters to gain the most points. it's all about the juggling not the owning 🙂

    22. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I must seriously out of the loop this season - where the hell does all this DGW19 business come from? Nothing on the ticker ........

    23. PlayUpPompey
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anyone know why the upcoming DGW doesn’t appear in the fixture ticker?