Scout Notes

Chelsea’s 3-4-3 formation getting best out of Werner and Alonso

CHELSEA 2-0 NEWCASTLE

  • Goals: Timo Werner (£9.2m), Olivier Giroud (£6.7m)
  • Assists: None
  • Bonus: Giroud x3, Kepa Arrizabalaga x2 (£4.7m), Marcos Alonso x1 (£5.7m), Antonio Rudiger x1 (£4.6m)

WERNER DRIVER

Thomas Tuchel appears to be getting the best out of Timo Werner (£9.2m) after he registered a fourth attacking return in three matches in Double Gameweek 24.

Having failed to score a Premier League goal since November, Werner looked a threat against Newcastle right-back Emil Krafth (£4.2m), as he rampaged down the left with Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) all game.

With his new manager deploying him on the left-hand side of the front-three in a 3-4-3 formation, Werner is often finding himself as the most-advanced Chelsea player on the pitch.

This allows Werner to make more runs in behind the defence, which we saw against Newcastle as he was played in time and time again behind Krafth.

In Lampard’s previous system, Werner often found himself isolated as a number nine, or out on the left-wing where he was having to track back.

But the forward is clearly relishing playing higher up the pitch and driving Chelsea attacks, also creating three assists in his last three games.

Tuchel explained after the game that his goal is to get Werner into more advanced positions.

“He did very good (sic) in the first half, second half was too many decisions backwards. I’m convinced Tim was very decisive for us today with an assists and a goal. I’m very happy for that, he really deserved it, he’s been working hard and we could feel this would come. I think he can also play as a double striker, sometimes as a number nine if he’s clever enough to use his speed and runs. His favourite position and his biggest strengths are if he can drift out to the left side.”

Thomas Tuchel

Judging by Tuchel’s comments, and the fact that he has started each of the last four games, Werner seems to be a key part of the new Chelsea side.

With the striker appearing to be back in form in a system tailor made for his style, it could be time to reconsider Werner for our Fantasy Premier League sides.

PARTY LIKE IT’S 2017

FPL managers were treated to another nostalgia trip at Stamford Bridge by the sight of Alonso rampaging down the left.

Frozen out of the team by Lampard, Alonso seems to be back in favour after the arrival of Tuchel, starting three out of the German’s five Premier League games.

Playing in his favoured position of wing-back, Alonso showed just why he can be a devastating FPL asset.

With three centre-backs behind him, Alonso frequently joined in with Chelsea attacks and regularly found himself in the box.

He also wasn’t shy to let fly from range, and had the most attempts on goal of anyone on the pitch.

Alonso’s re-emergence has surprisingly seen Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) left out of the side, a big step-change considering he was one of Chelsea’s best assets under Lampard.

Tuchel has previously said that while he admires Chilwell’s talent, mainly fielding Alonso due to his expertise at wing-back.

“We took the choice for Marcos in a game where we played with five because he was more familiar with the position he played under Antonio Conte. We opted for Marcos against Burnley for his strength in the air then Marcos had a very good match and scored a decisive goal, and from there it was hard to come back. I had a talk with Ben before that match and told him ‘you have to trust me now, I see your potential, I see your talent’.”

Thomas Tuchel

Should Tuchel stick with the back five formation, then it sounds like Alonso is his current first choice. And if the Spaniard can keep delivering four shots in the box every game, then he will be just as good an asset as he was in 2017.

TUCHEL POWER

Chelsea continued their impressive run under Tuchel, with four wins in five games and only one goal conceded.

Added to this, Chelsea also have a strong run of fixtures coming up, as shown in our Season Ticker.

The main threat to any Chelsea asset right now appears to be Tuchel’s rotation, especially with the return of the Champions League.

Only Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m), Jorginho (£4.7m) and Antonio Rudiger (£4.6m) have started all of Tuchel’s five games in charge.

With Kovacic offering little from an FPL perspective and Jorginho’s returns seemingly limited to penalties, Rudiger looks the best option of the three for consistent returns.

GAYLE FLAT

With star striker Callum Wilson (£6.6m) likely to miss the next two months through injury, Dwight Gayle (£5.9m) returned to the Newcastle attack.

But Gayle’s performance summed up another dismal display for Newcastle.

As the heatmap below shows, Gayle failed to perform Wilson’s role of leading the line for the Toon, and found himself dropping back into midfield to try and help cover Alonso and Werner.

(Gayle number 12, Fraser 21)

Gayle only managed one shot during the whole game before he was hooked off and replaced by Joelinton (£5.7m).

The heatmap also shows another Wilson alternative that Newcastle fans, in particular have called for.

Ryan Fraser (£5.6m) may have only had a cameo appearance at Stamford Bridge, but he was one of the few Newcastle players to look threatening going forward.

And with Newcastle playing a fluid front two, many have called for the Scot to be played in a false nine position.

CHELSEA XI (3-4-3): Kepa; Rudiger, Christensen, Azpilicueta; Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi (James 78); Werner, Abraham (Giroud 20), Mount (Kante 70)

NEWCASTLE XI (4-3-3): Darlow; Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis; Willock (Carroll 79), Shelvey, Hayden; Gayle (Joelinton 64), Almiron, Saint-Maximin (Fraser 72)

1,025 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Does UCL Fantasy not have assists for penalties? I thought De Jong was brought down for Messi’s penalty...

    1. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Should get 2 for winning a penalty

      1. Messiah Hazard
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Extra point for the beauty of the dive

  2. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Evening everyone.
    Any suggestions are welcome and appreciated.
    Team below with 2FT and 0.5ITB

    Martínez
    Cancelo Shaw Cresswell Maguire
    Salah Fernandes Sterling Gündogan
    Antonio Bamford

    Johnstone Digne Soucek Calvert-Lewin

    A) Maguire->Dallas
    B) Soucek->Raphinha
    C) A+B
    D) Other?

    Cheers

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Both

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks

    2. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A and roll 1 FT for the big DGW26

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Cheers

  3. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1 week only who scores more?

    A) Ings(CHE,lee)
    B) AWB(NEW) +4pts

    1. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    2. acidicleo
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. The Senate
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      B

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    5. FPL Pillars
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

    6. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      A

  4. trinzoo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    People here convinced Mer wont play tomorrow and weekend but he is not flagged yet. Any certain news??

    1. trinzoo
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Mee

    2. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Hopefull

    3. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      They’ve been listening to Sean Dyche

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

      Source: Dyche
      Reason: protocol

    5. Robben Mee Blind
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Out tomorrow but not flagged on FPL because flags are for the next gameweek, which presumably he will be ok for with concussion protocol

      1. trinzoo
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Thank you all Gents!

  5. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Obviously the WC you play according to your team strength and approach.

    TC is saved for a double. But which one is key?

    But BB needs to be played before it determines your transfers on the run in. It won't be like last season in gw37 and 38.

    Good luck how ever you choose to go...

    May the wind be in your sails and your mini league positions and rank be what you want and deserve it to be...

  6. acidicleo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    How many DGW will United have?
    When is it likely?

  7. Jersey Boy
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would be good bants if Crellin has got it all horribly wrong

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Most will be playing according to the facts stated... External to thinking on here.

      I doubt he has it massively wrong if you stay in the brown or orange zone.

      Ultimately the over planners can get caught short like in the transition from gw18 to 19.

      Was that FH, BB on here?

      I wasn't following it closely then.

    2. FPL Pillars
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      That could be hilarious

    3. lugs
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      i hope not, going off his sheet i have 11 DGWer's already

    4. Pukki Party
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Previous seasons it's the last option to move fixtures to cl midweeks. I think this season games are easier to move to cl/el midweeks, because of covid and more postponed games. Just a guess though

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    OMG salah

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I miss seeing this in the PL

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Clearly such a fraud . . apparently.

  9. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Liv

    Erp

    Salah FC

  10. SAUCY SALAH
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Ok definitely not going without Salah!

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      helper for Salah goal?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Leipzig

      2. SAUCY SALAH
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Defender backpass

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Non owner and considering buying. Especially if they have a double in 26

  11. JONALDINHO
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Can’t wait for everyone to sell Mo.

  12. The Senate
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Oh Sabitzer oh dear oh dear

  13. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Liverpool are so inconsistent, they’ll probably win here And then lose to Everton

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Defo

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Like when they anhialited palace 0-7 and then couldn’t beat West Brom at home

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Sometimes they click, sometimes not at the moment. They've played fairly well but the final ball has been missing ; literally just issues of timing . . and then you've calamity's at the back making things look bad.

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Reminds me of the start of the Klopp era. Bottled the ‘easy’ games when teams sat back but always turned up on the big games

    3. Salan
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Rigged PL matches. Not in CL.

  14. The Senate
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Barca have a direct free kick, god knows how

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    OMG mane

  16. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Upamacano has been awful

    1. The Senate
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      he embarrassed himself v United as well

  17. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane and salah double up on

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      In EPL FPL?

  18. BeWater
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    These guys are making Davinson Sanchez look a player.

  19. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Mane through on the defensive slip and bounce but nice composure..

  20. JONALDINHO
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Not going to lie as a Liverpool fan I wasn’t expecting this performance at all. Defence still looks shaky but the attack has been far better. Trent and Jones putting in quality displays and Salah and Mane look on top form

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      We played well on Saturday until VAR intervened . . . there's such a fine line between this team clicking and not . . and Leipzig have allowed us to play.

      1. JONALDINHO
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        True but the press has looked much better and we’ve been far more direct. Have a feeling Leipzig could grab a couple the last 10/15 mins with fatigue setting in like at the weekend

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          When the bench comes into play is where we have issues . . . to be fair fatigue wasn't the issue, it was an absurd VAR call followed by a misunderstanding between a new defender and GK.

  21. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    To afford DCL to Ings I need to take a hit elsewhere.

    Considering Grealish > Raphinha

    Rest of midfield is Fernandes, Salah, Gundo, Sterling

    Gundo > Raph won’t release enough cash

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Decent moves without knowing your chips or strategy

      1. ViperStripes
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Got TC and WC left

        1. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 8 months ago

          Depends also on the DGWs coming up. But looks good as it stands

  22. Bushwhacker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Leipzig playing like Liverpool of late.

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Exactly

  23. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Best move?

    A. Antonio >> Kane / Ings
    B. Soucek >> Salah

    McCarthy
    Dias Dallas, Cancelo, Tarko
    Son, Bruno, Gündo, Raphina
    Bamford, Antonio*
    (Pope, DCL*, Coufal, Soucek)

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      For WC, BB and TC

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        Got*

  24. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    PSG 2
    At Barca 1

  25. rokonto
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Is it possible Liverpool could have another double gameweek apart fron gw26?

    1. The Senate
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      not without postponements, they play Leeds during FA cup semi weekend and Burnley during FA cup final weekend

  26. The Senate
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Damn I should have gone for M-CAPpe instead of Angelino.

  27. wulfrunian
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Would you start Dunk or Dias?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Dias

    2. Warby84
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      I’m playing both

  28. CoracAld2831
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    Thinking of saving a FT for GW26?

    Areola
    Cancelo-Mee-Cresswell
    Son-Soucek-Salah-Fernandes(C)-Gundogan
    Barnes(V)-Cavani

    Johnstone-Mitchell-Stones-Richarlison

    No WC left
    BB and TC yes

    What do you think?

    GTG or not?

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Anyone from Leeds...two games?

      1. CoracAld2831
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 months ago

        What about DGW26?

  29. Freshy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    last minute added Kabak to my CL squad

    1. MagicMessi
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Who's your cap ?
      Only have Salah and Messi from today

  30. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 months ago

    1 3 PSG

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 months ago

      Glorious watching Koeman and Barca fail . . .