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. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Completely forgot there is a Brighton vs Arsenal game

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

    No KDB, No DCL, No James, No Coufal. Will only have 9 players and 1 is Brewster

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

      I have 8 plus Keinan Davis.

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

      Brewster hattie you are all good!

      1. Studs Up
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        He first need to score one before he can do a hattie lol

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

      Perfect time for Brewster to make himself a hero.

  3. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Well playing 1 at the back is the modern line up eh?

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

    Ings back too. Don’t fall for it guys.

  5. dansmusen
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If Robbo is out tomorrow i am down to 8 players max

  6. Fodderx4
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    best case scenario for me is 9 starting and 2 off the bench!
    How are the rest of you looking?

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

      8 starters and Brewster off the bench

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

    mark down to one defender, if liverpool play. cripes!

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

    If Maupay scores AFTV will be gold

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

      Off bench, 89th min winner

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

    Wtf is this Brighton line up lmao

    Potter is an idiot

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

      Does the worst rotation in the league

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

      It's crazy line-up.

      No way for this kind of rotation.

  10. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufail indeed

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      expected. New baby, Fredericks back fit, 2nd game in like 2 days

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That makes perfect sense - but then leave him out of the squad to stay home with the kid, don’t bench him.

  11. The Hunt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio fit but now no longer essential 😯

  12. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lol still on 11 starters somehow

    Didnt think brewster would start

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

    Johnson wagon up in flames !

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

    Leeds team?

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

    West Ham
    Fabianski, Fredericks, Dawson,Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Fornals,Lanzini, Yarmolenko, Haller

    Southampton
    McCarthy, KWP, Stephens, Bednarek, Bertrand, JWP, Romeu, Walcott, Djenepo, Ings, Adams

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

    Ings starts and Antonio comes back in bench. Good options for DGW19.

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

      I’d like to see 30 mins from Antonio

  17. schwing
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If Gross hauls after returning 2pts/11minutes for the last 3 GWs I will be seething

  18. asdf_1
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Kdb, cancelo, stones, dcl, coufal owner here.
    Beat this

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

      kdb cancelo dias dcl coufal

      and have kilman and dale stephens too

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

      All those + Welbeck

  19. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Brace yourselves for tomorrow....

    https://twitter.com/peterrutzler/status/1343966013503713281

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

      Only have Son so not fussed

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

      Ffs

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

      Omfg

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

      Oh Christ. Season could be in jeopardy of being paused again at this rate

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

      Spurs v Fulham...

    6. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Oh rip. 3 from Spurs in my team.

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

      Good grief!

    8. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Oh wow....

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

      Oh no...

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

      This is usually a reliable source too

      1. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks....oh you mean The Athletic 😀

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

          🙂

  20. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Brewdog in for KDB. Time for some action.

  21. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I'm so anxious ings will haul

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

    Ings is starting :O

    Well that's my DGW striker right there!

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Between him, Martial or Rashford for me for the 7th attacker spot

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

      What happened to the old Ings, the one who take months to recover from a cold!

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

      Vardy over him for me

  23. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KWP
    Bamford
    Taylor

    All start for me

    Phew....

  24. FPLtfs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio on the bench. If there is a dgw he might be worth a punt.

  25. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Has the Fulham v Tottenham match been confirmed as postponed?

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

      Looks like it’s Postponed!

      My mini league rival C on Kane and VC on Son!

      Big fat Zero for Captain!

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

    LOL Spurs game in danger now

    lmaooooo

    Fulham's Premier League match with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night is in doubt after a number of positive COVID-19 tests at the club, Peter Rutzler can reveal.

    https://theathletic.com/news/fulham-tottenham-coronavirus-cases-latest/5AgGHiSdSfVj

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

      oops just got the notification from the Athletic

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hilarious...

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

      Yesterday I felt snug for doing Vardy -> Kane .....

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

      lmao. It's actually hilarious at this point. All we need is the Liverpool game off now. I have Bruno VC so feel comparatively safer.

  27. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Antonio back on the bench

  28. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    So'ton and Leeds cs's will be rank killers for non-owners.

  29. Party time
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Welcome back into my team Danny Ings

    • Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Spurs game likely cancelled

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

        nice

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

        Yes please

      3. Scholes Out For Summer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        misinformation. How is "in doubt" equal to likely cancelled

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

          This.

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

          I think the word you’re looking for is exaggeration, stop trying to be so 2020

          1. Scholes Out For Summer
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            lol ok sir

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

        How come?

      5. Party time
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Hahahahhahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahahahhaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhahahahahahaha

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

            What should we do without gentlemen?

            1. Party time
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Twerk

          2. Mr. O'Connell
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            cases in Fulham camp. Mourinho will make sure it gets played. These rules favour big clubs.