Scout Notes

The FPL Round-Up: Pep on Cancelo, Lampard to rotate and Richarlison update

Arsenal 3-1 Chelsea

  • Goals: Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m), Granit Xhaka (£5.2m), Bukayo Saka (£5.1m) | Tammy Abraham (£7.2m)
  • Assists: Kieran Tierney (£5.3m), Saka, Emile Smith-Rowe (£4.4m) | Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m)
  • Bonus: Saka x3, Lacazette x2, Bernd Leno (£4.9m), Xhaka x1

A much-changed, and much-improved, Arsenal saw off Chelsea to ease the pressure on manager Mikel Arteta.

The result meant a third straight away loss for the Blues, incurring the wrath of boss Frank Lampard, who branded his players ‘lazy’.

Fantasy managers were ill-served by Lampard in the run-up to the match, with injury doubts over full-backs Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) and Reece James (£5.2m) prompting many to sell them on.

As it happened, both started and promptly handed their remaining owners another day without clean sheet points – Chelsea have managed just one shut-out in their last five games.

The team’s most popular attacking player, the 15.3%-owned Timo Werner (£9.3m), made it seven starts without a goal, although his opportunities were severely limited when Lampard hooked him at half-time:

Timo today wasn’t giving us enough with or without the ball and some of it we have to give him time because it is a different league, but also we have to get there quickly. So we’ll see about his tiredness. I will have a conversation with him, but it was a decision I just felt I had to make.

Werner won’t be the only player nervously checking the teamsheet for Gameweek 16’s visit from Aston Villa on Monday either:

I will have to rotate players, I will have to see after Arsenal where players are in their fitness, every individual is different, we will do our best to get the turnaround right.

Arteta has an extra day to plan for the Gunners’ trip to Brighton, with the immediate future of the benched Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.4m and 7.4%) the main Fantasy concern.

In his absence, Alexandre Lacazette (£8.2m), Granit Xhaka (£5.2m) and Bukayo Saka (£5.1m) got the goals, while Emile Smith-Rowe‘s (£4.4m) energy caught the eye.

Tammy Abraham (£7.2m) managed a late consolation goal – his third in two matches – and Bernd Leno (£4.9m) then saved a Jorginho (£4.8m) penalty, but the hosts deserved their win, with the outstanding Saka bringing in maximum bonus points for his 2.4% ownership.


Arsenal XI (4-2-3-1): Leno; Tierney, Mari, Holding, Bellerín; Elneny, Xhaka; Martinelli (Pepe 71), Smith Rowe (Willock 65), Saka; Lacazette (Mustafi 90+2). 

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): E Mendy; Chilwell, T Silva, Zouma, R James; Mount, Kanté (Havertz 74), Kovacic (Jorginho 45); Werner (Hudson-Odoi 45), Abraham, Pulisic.

Manchester City 2-0 Newcastle United

.
  • Goals: Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m), Ferran Torres (£6.9m)
  • Assists: Raheem Sterling (£11.4m)
  • Bonus: Gundogan x3, Joao Cancelo (£5.6m) x2, Nathan Ake (£5.4m) x1

A routine win for Manchester City came with another unremarkable score from the team’s most popular Fantasy asset, Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m).

More than 189,000 managers sold on the 23.8%-owned Belgian heading into the match after a run of just one assist from three starts.

And a further blank on Boxing Day has prompted another 58,000+ to put him in the top three for Gameweek 16 sales, including (presumably) some of the 561,821 who captained him against Newcastle.

With Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) ill and Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) still being eased back from injury, City manager Pep Guardiola handed the striker’s role to Ferran Torres (£6.9m), who steered home the team’s second goal of a predictably one-sided contest.

But it was Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) who had he most penalty area touches (12) on the day, and from one of those he set up Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m) for the opener.

That was the midfielder’s second goal from his last three starts, and although he later picked up a knock, he played it down post-match.

I got a couple of kicks on my foot, but it shouldn’t be that bad. I should be able to go again on Monday.

Based on Guardiola’s penchant for rotation, that confidence looks ill-advised.

And the manager’s comments on Joao Cancelo (£5.6m), who impressed at both ends of the pitch on the way to a fourth clean sheet in five matches, should send shivers down the collective spine of his 6.1% ownership:

He’s a player with incredible quality, and his regeneration and physicality is incredible. He could play tomorrow!

Newcastle, meanwhile, came to defend, did that well, but not well enough and then left, with their main attacking threat, Callum Wilson (£6.6m) missing out with a knock – and boss Steve Bruce’s desire not to risk him after four matches in 12 days.

The next two will take place over five days and involve visits from Liverpool and Leicester, ensuring interest in Newcastle assets – aside from the 15.7%-owned Wilson – remains the wrong side of meh.


Manchester City XI (4-2-3-1): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Ake; Gundogan (Foden 90+1), Rodrigo (Fernandinho 57); De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling; Torres (Aguero 77).

Newcastle United XI (5-4-1): Darlow; Yedlin, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie (Lewis 66); Murphy, Hayden, M Longstaff, Almiron (Gayle 82); Joelinton (Carroll 71).

Sheffield United 0-1 Everton

  • Goals: Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m)
  • Assists: Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.3m)
  • Bonus: Sigurdsson x3, Michael Keane (£5.1m) x2, Yerry Mina (£5.5m), Mason Holgate (£4.8m) x1

Everton made it four wins on the bounce – three involving clean sheets – with a hard-fought victory over an increasingly desperate Sheffield United.

‘Desperate’ also adequately describes those (few) Fantasy managers still hoping for returns from Blades players, so after a quick mention of yet another blank for the 6.6%-owned Rhian Brewster (£4.5m), it’s back to Carlo Ancelotti’s side for the rest of this report.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) scored the winner, his third return in those four victories, from an Abdoulaye Doucoure (£5.3m) assist in the 80th minute.

The fact that was the first shot on target in the second half spoke volumes as to the attacking play on offer from both teams.

Then again, with both James Rodriguez (£7.7m) and Richarlison (£7.8m) still out for the visitors, that was no great surprise as the 60.9%-owned Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) blanked for the first time since Gameweek 10.

Ancelotti confirmed that Richarlison would not be ready to return against Man City on Monday:

There is no possibility to prepare the team. We have to think about the players who can recover in two days. After that, we have to rotate some players. Richarlison is following his concussion protocols and has to stay out.

That could prompt plenty of Calvert-Lewin sales – he’s currently sixth for Gameweek 16 transfers out – as the striker struggles for goals without the Brazilian in the team.

And with a clean sheet a tall order against Guardiola’s troops, it’s no surprise to find zero Everton players in the top 30 for purchases either, despite such a fine run of recent form.


Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Basham, Egan, Robinson; Baldock, McGoldrick (Norwood 63) Osborn, Ampadu, Stevens; Brewster (Mousset 76), Burke (McBurnie 45). 

Everton XI (4-5-1): Pickford; Holgate, Keane (Coleman 66), Mina, Godfrey; Doucoure, Davies (Gomes 74), Sigurdsson, Gordon (Bernard 55), Iwobi; Calvert-Lewin.

FPL Lessons Learned from Gameweek 15

4,308 Comments Post a Comment
  1. WE GO FOR IT
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KdB to Son - Yes or No?

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

      Yep

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

  2. Weilong7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    With upcoming spurs fixtures.. targett for dier or kdb for son is the priority?

    McCarthy 4.0
    Zouma Dias targett matip 3.8
    Kdb Salah Bruno soucek bissoumma
    Brewster kane bamford

    Thanks all

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

    Why have Kane’s numbers dropped recently and is this a good move?

    KDB, Davis > Soucek, Kane

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

      Got 2ft

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Defending a lead which they struggle to do.

    3. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not owned Spurs players recently, but they have had tough fixtures, and a much better run about to start.

    4. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Fixtures

    5. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cause they are more concerned about defending that scoring. Jose is happy with a goal. Dropped 10 points in 4 games playing like that. I'm hoping this changes from the Fulham game onwards.

  4. Tambling5
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lots of WC teams picking Taylor as two good fixtures next two GW, but won't you all want to transfer him before DGW with fixtures of WHU and Liverpool both away. Those with two Burnley picks that I've seen even more so? Curious as I didn't pick him for that reason, as will need to use any transfers to perhaps move Spurs players then.

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No need to transfer out for the double, West Ham attack not that great

      1. Tambling5
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        They've scored every week since week1 apart from Chelsea (a) including against Liverpool and ManU. Can see Taylor scoring 2 and 1 or 0 quite easily! Still I guess if playing in next two games getting clean sheet would compensate.

  5. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Repost sorry

    Would you take a hit here with 3.2itb?

    Martinez
    Dias Dallas Taylor
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish Soucek
    Kane Wood

    - Coufal Brewster 3.9

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Nah gtg

    2. SpaceCadet
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No need.

  6. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play one
    A) Ramsdale (bur)
    B) Martinez (che)

    Captain
    1) Son (FUL)
    2) Salah (new)

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A 2

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks

  7. ClaireT
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Which 3 would you guys bench from this lot?

    Martinez, Fabianski
    Coufal, KWP, Dallas, Taylor, James
    Raphinha, Bruno, Salah, Grealish, Bissouma
    Watkins, Vardy, Bamford

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I have a similar team and I am benching (in order) KWP, Coufal, and "Bissouma" (my equiv)

      1. ClaireT
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you 🙂

  8. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I’m struggling here. Best move this week with DGW in mind?

    A. KDB -> Mane
    B. Grealish -> Maddison
    C. Watkins -> Wood

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A out of those
      -Teemu

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thank you my superior

    2. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  9. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start Dallas or Soucek?

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dallas

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers, thinking the same. But still hurting from benching soucek this gw for zouma.

  10. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sorry for the repost; Bruno in Grealish Out, who to sell ?
    A) Robbo > Stones or 5.0m Def
    B) DCL > Rodrigo, already have Bamford

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DCL to Bamford

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He already has Bamford. B out of those for me

    2. Sloane426
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B

  11. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mendy
    Robbo,Dallas,Taylor,Dier
    Salah(C),Bruno,Zaha,JWP,Raphinha
    Kane

    Button DCL,Wilson,Douglas

    Good to go for GW 16?

    0 ft and 0 ITB

    Done Grealish and Chilwell to Bruno and Taylor.

  12. Camino Aleatorio
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Most likely to be Rested GW-16?

    (A) KDB - looks worn out to be fair, but team is fragile
    (B) Bruno - can save the day in 30 minutes, OSG would be tempted
    (C) Mane
    (D) Salad
    (E) Kane - seems due but team isn’t scoring
    (F) Son - same as Kane
    (G) Firmino
    (H) Vardy

    Seems all need to play. Spurs are close to Crisis. Pool has problems. I say A, G, and F

    F might be a strategic change up and 30 minute sub

    1. Magpies4ever
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would say Mane Firmino and Vardy most likely, KDB rarely gets rested and son and Kane seem to be crucial to spurs, same with Bruno for united

  13. Magpies4ever
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Choose 1 to bench
    Coufal, Soucek, C Taylor, Ayling, DCL
    Any thoughts appreciated!

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Between Coufal annd Soucek - I'd go with Soucek, just.

  14. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Matip>Dallas?

  15. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best mid option under 5.3m?

    salah son bruno soucek xxxx
    kane dcl bamford

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lookman or Saka?

      1. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks bud. Would you do kdb brewster > kane saka for free this gw?

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I would I am personally holding KdB instead of getting Son for this GW. But only because I have Kane. Kane is the one to own IMO.

          1. SpaceCadet
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks

      2. SpaceCadet
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Also own son

  16. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Thoughts?
    Dallas + Bissouma >> Taylor + Martinelli (-4)?

    Current team

    Martinez
    Robertson Dallas Dier
    Salah KDB Bruno Soucek
    Kane Bamford Watkins
    ----------------------------------------------------------
    Button Stones Bissouma Ferguson
    1ft, 0.3M.

    Could play Martinelli over Watkins this GW and will give me 8 players in GW 18.

    Thanks.

    1. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      benching stones? i know its a harder fixture but man city def on bench always a risk

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Would you bench Dier? Spurs have looked weak sometimes.

        1. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Dont trust Mourinho's Defense ? LOL

          1. EmreCan Hustle
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            They haven't played like a Mourinho defense recently have they?

            1. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              More trusted than rest of 19 teams

  17. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On WC16 and TC19 most likely:

    A) McCarthy -- Robertson -- Cancelo -- Coufal

    B) Martinez -- Robertson -- Stones -- Balbuena

    Rest of defense:
    4.0 -- Dier -- C.Taylor

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

  18. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Alright then, Salah (C) VS Kane (C), go!

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah for me. Up against Newcastle left where they've been more susceptible than their RHS.

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm leaning Kane - just brought him in, actually. I think Spurs are going to be a little pent-up after this weekend and Kane likes his scoring boots

    2. Starky22
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Salah
      KDB has outscored Kane in 5 of the last 6 GWs....
      Trust the Egyptian King

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        If only we were buying past performance instead of future 😉

  19. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Start bednarek or alioski? Got meslier as keeper

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bed - spread risk

  20. KEN YA DIG IT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Morning guys, start DCL or Soucek?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      DCL

  21. TOLV TUMS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Evening, y'all - McCarthy (WHU home) or Martinez (CHE away)?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      McC - home game and Mings suspended for Villa may make a difference

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Oh, excellent point, I'd forgot - thanks

  22. davies
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    DCL >

    A) Kane (Vardy in 19 for -4)

    B) Vardy

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane, based on that strategy. Vardy seems very likely to be rested. Just did same - not that that's worth anything 🙂

    2. Ibralicious
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kane and keep in 19

  23. MagicMessi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play Pogba or Siggy again ?
    Thanks

  24. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Meslier nyland
    Zouma Alioski Taylor Bednarek Dunne
    Kdb Salah son grealish Fernandes
    DCL Bamford Brewster

    2 FT 0.0ITB

    Kdb to Neto & bank the other FT? United defence is uninspiring & do struggle particularly at home

  25. Vasshin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Who to start among
    1. McCarthy and Martinez
    2. Justin and Coufal

    Thanks

  26. TOLV TUMS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Didn't watch Spurs today - anyone want to weigh in on how Kane looked?

    1. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I saw him on the teamsheet and then playing somewhere near Lloris for the majority of the match

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Hahaha that's outstanding news, thanks

        1. The Big Fella
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I was debating selling KDB and getting Kane but I have changed my mind and will get Aguero if I sell KDB.

  27. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is it mad to sell KDB and pick up Aguero from GW 18 when their fixtures change?

    1. TOLV TUMS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      You'll get different opinions but I think he'll be the route into city attack at that point

      1. The Big Fella
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I just think with outfield players, the only rotation proof one really is KDB and he is on set pieces and plays as a number 10 at the moment. The problem is, he is not returning with points. Aguero on the other hand will bang them in for fun with this fixture list but is prone to being rotated (Jesus won't have COVID forever and he is clearly happy to play Torres there too) and of course injury prone.

  28. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    (A) Kane + Raphina
    (B) Rodrigo + Mane

  29. The Count of Monte Cristo
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On WC16 and likely TC19:

    A) Cancelo + Coufal

    B) R. Dias + Balbuena / Justin

    Is the security of minutes from Dias worth the downgrade from Coufal?

  30. drughi
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Play adams or soucek ?

    1. The Count of Monte Cristo
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. The Big Fella
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      B