Scout Notes

Penalty-taking El Ghazi outperforming Grealish as goal-scoring run continues

Chelsea 1-1 Aston Villa

  • Goals: Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) | Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m)
  • Assists: Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) | Matty Cash (£5.0m)
  • Bonus points: Giroud x3, Cash x2, El Ghazi x1

A GREAL G

Anwar El Ghazi (£5.8m) is making a strong case to replace Jack Grealish (£7.8m) in Fantasy Premier League teams after scoring for Aston Villa in their 1-1 draw at Chelsea.

The Dutch winger now has five goals in as many appearances since Gameweek 12, the most of any colleague during that time.

Crucially, the penalty-taking El Ghazi has vastly outscored Grealish over the last five matches – an impressive feat for a man who can offer a £2.0m saving on top of his points potential.

In that time, the cheaper of the two has scored 42 points, averaging 8.4 points per game.

Meanwhile, Grealish has contributed just two attacking returns since Gameweek 12, both of them assists, for a total of 19 points (3.8 per game).

ROTATION PROOF?

Anyone considering El Ghazi can take additional comfort from Dean Smith’s comments after the draw at Chelsea.

Despite a gap of just two days between Villa’s Gameweek 15 and 16 matches, he made just one change to his team – and even that was enforced. Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) missed out due to suspension so Ezri Konsa (£4.7m) and Kortney Hause (£4.4m) were paired together at centre-back for the first time this season.

That meant El Ghazi, Grealish, Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) and Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) comprised the front-four once again and, it must be said, none of them looked as if they were suffering from the busy schedule, each putting in a gut-busting shift.

“I’m a big believer that you want to play every game. That’s what footballers want. If they doing well, keep playing them. I didn’t name the team until today but I wanted to check they were alright but I’m still yet to see a player carried off the pitch due to exhaustion.” – Dean Smith

Smith may not be entirely accurate with the second half of that quote (I’ve seen plenty of players forced off with exhaustion and/or cramp and I’m close to half his age) – but his commitment to keeping the same team is encouraging for Fantasy managers.

His squad was possibly helped by the postponement of a Gameweek 11 hosting of Newcastle, as that afforded them 12 days of rest at the start of December – a luxury few other clubs have enjoyed this Christmas.

Either way, looking ahead, it will arguably be much easier to predict the Villa line-up and invest with confidence compared to many other teams – perhaps until they suffer another bad patch of form.

Villa’s short-term fixtures could play a part in that as they face Manchester United (away) and Spurs (home) in the next two Gameweeks – perhaps warranting pause before jumping straight into signing El Ghazi.

LAMPARD LOTTERY

By contrast, Frank Lampard wreaked havoc with Fantasy teams on a day where Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) were handed an unexpected Blank Gameweek.

Three of Chelsea’s four most-popular assets, Kurt Zouma (27.0%), Timo Werner (14.0%) and Reece James (12.8%), missed out on a place in the starting XI against Aston Villa as Lampard managed the minutes of his squad.

Zouma and Thiago Silva‘s (£5.6m) absences was simply down to the volume of games played recently but in the case of James, he was left out of the squad because of a “minor” hamstring problem suffered after recent issues with his knee.

Despite playing the full 90 minutes, Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) still caused some Fantasy anguish. After losing over 855,000 owners over the last four Gameweeks, the left-back now has the same number of assists in that time (two) than he did during the first 12 league matches of the campaign – and he nearly scored a wonder-volley in the closing stages.

Meanwhile, it was noteworthy to see Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) start a second game in two days and manage to last 90 minutes each time – perhaps suggesting he can offer a robust route into Chelsea’s attack for matches against Fulham (away) and Leicester (away) in Double Gameweek 19.

“Christian was really bright which is great when he’s played two games close together, fitness-wise.” – Frank Lampard

That said, Fantasy managers should keep an eye on any breaking news coming out of the Manchester City camp in the next few days.

Their trip to Everton, originally scheduled for Monday, was postponed due to an outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases, putting their Gameweek 17 trip to Stamford Bridge in jeopardy too.

“It’s something we’ll discuss considering we’ve got them at the weekend. It’s something I’ll have to pick up with the medical team and the Premier League.” – Frank Lampard

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): E Mendy; Chilwell, Rüdiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Mount, Jorginho (Havertz 72′), Kanté; Pulisic, Giroud (Werner 72′), Hudson-Odoi.

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Targett, Hause, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; El Ghazi (J Ramsey 81′), Grealish, B Traoré (Davis 87′); Watkins.

2,089 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Whats the point of having a bench when the bench doesn't play either 😆

  2. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    BB in DGW now isnt option.

    1. FPL.team
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why? Mine is still on.

  3. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Spurs game in danger getting called off... WOW

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

      of*

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

      why

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

    Spurs game in doubt lol posted source in previous page

  5. Esalman
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Walker-Peters, Taylor, Ward-Prowse, Bamford

    All start?

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

      Ues

  6. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Need something good from soucek because he will be in for dias

  7. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I need Matip & Kilman to save my game week ... sitting on a -4 and I haven’t had any of my starting 11 play a single minute yet ... now that is scary 🙂

  8. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bit concerned over Balbuena not even being in the squad. Was a good cheap option for the DGW and don't fancy transferring him out.

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Purely rest mate - Dawson does not get in front of him lol.

  9. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Only the elite FPL players have Son (c) with KDB (vc)

  10. The Wanton Trader
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy, Cresswell, Alioski, Raphinha, Bamford and Brewster.

    Ppphhheeewww...! 🙂

    Still only going to be able to get 10 out this week, but got to be happy with that...

  11. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    10 is the new 50....

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

    Great to see the GOAT back (Ings)

  13. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kane C Son C KDB C in tears

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

      Definitely a lot of Kane/Son(C), KDB(VC) out there

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

    For DGW

    1) Justin/Cresswell, Raphinha

    2) Lowton/Balbuena, Barnes

    ?

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      1

  15. Red Red Robins
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio on the bench, thoughts on dropping DCL for him DGW?

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

      I did it for my wc

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Needs a game r two first to make sure he doesn't break again.

      1. Red Red Robins
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Fair point, gives me a fair bit in the bank too tbh

  16. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This is pure chaos. Love it

  17. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Another start for the 4.9m Arsenal midfielder Martinelli. He could be of interest.

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Smith-Rowe at 4.4m equally interesting!

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

    This is just funny now.

  19. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Have triple Spurs...

    1. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Have to laugh or you'll cry.

      I'm popping the champagne if I manage to get 9 out...

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

      Same. Absolute disaster if it doesn't go through

  20. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Looks like I’ll have 7 starters now with Brewster off the bench. If I come out with more than 20 pts I’ll be delighted

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

    Salah (C) Bruno (VC) still surviving may it stay that way

    1. The Wanton Trader
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Snap!... and no Spurs either.

  22. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    and why is spurs game in doubt?

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      COVID 19

    2. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      outbreak of covid at fulham.

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

      fulham a lot of positive cases

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

    Mousset starts so Brosstan should be very happy. He’s essential apparently.

  24. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    On the plus side, at least everyone will be in the same boat.. bar the minority who get lucky with their bench!

  25. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal noooooooooooooo

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

      Those 3 points from Riedwald on bench look tasty.

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

    Even with four usually playing subs, I'm only going to scrape 9 or 10 players, with some of those only subs.

    What a crazy week.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      any Spurs ?

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

        Yes, Son, that's why I think it will only be 9. Yikes.

        1. Hotdogs for Tea
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          think I am down to five lol

          This lot killing me ...
          DCL, Kilman, Matip, triple Spurs (captain & vice), Wellbeck, Coufal

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

            Ouch, that is brutal! May we both rise from the rubble of this gameweek!

  27. Plagued by indecision
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    All the covid chaos notwithstanding it is fun to have four simultaneous kick offs to follow.

  28. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Team finally have played 11 players this gameweek already won. Green arrow!

  29. Party time
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb to Son doers are the smartest

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

      FPL Blackbox will be a joy to watch this GW

      Absolute chaos right after WC1 deadline!

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

        Not if spurs is postponed. Mark will be the jammiest manager of all time

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Until the Liverpool game gets called off to