Scout Notes

Havertz and Pulisic hitting form but rotation remains an ongoing issue at Chelsea

Crystal Palace 1-4 Chelsea

  • Goals: Christian Benteke (£5.5m) | Kai Havertz (£8.2m), Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) x2, Kurt Zouma (£5.3m)
  • Assists: Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.3m) | Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m), Havertz, Mason Mount (£7.2m), Reece James (£5.0m)
  • Bonus Points: Pulisic x3 Benteke x2 Mount x1

Chelsea made short work of Crystal Palace, with star turns from Kai Havertz (£8.2m) and Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) and another solid shift from Mason Mount (£7.2m).

The victory was a redemption of sorts after Gameweek 30’s 5-2 drubbing by West Brom, and Fantasy managers will have looked upon the attacking intent of Chelsea’s advanced midfielders with interest.

Deutsch Amerikanische Freundschaft

At the heart of Saturday’s victory was the interplay between Havertz and Pulisic.

The pair have struggled, for various reasons, this season, but coach Thomas Tuchel’s decision to use both in attacking roles paid dividends against Palace.

Havertz was again employed as a false nine, a position he’d been handed for the midweek Champions League win at Porto, with Tuchel’s tactics vindicated at Selhurst Park.

“He needs to be in high positions, either half positions or the number nine position. This is not a big difference for me. He got a second chance to show up after Porto and he did that.”

Not that the coach was unequivocal in his praise:

There is still room to improve in finishing, he can be more ruthless, he should have scored more, but it was a good step and a good performance.

Of the six big chances Havertz has had this season, three came against the Eagles.

He opened the scoring from the first one and should have beaten the over-employed Vicente Guaita (£4.8m) from close range towards the end of an otherwise impressive outing.

As for Pulisic, he started a third straight match under the German for the first time, with the coach talking pre-match about finally finding the right position for the USA international:

I think the half positions in the front three could be a perfect fit for him.

He’s certainly finding some late-season form – three of his four goals this campaign have come over the last two Gameweeks.

Gang Of Four

Two other midfielders shone brightly at Selhurst Park.

Chelsea’s most popular FPL asset, Mount (18.1%), set up a goal – one of two big chances he created on the day – and carried a consistent goal threat, as mentioned in the members section.

That was enough for the England international to pip Havertz to the final bonus point award, and his six-point haul on the day took him back into FPL’s top ten midfielders.

Wing-back Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) was another to impress.

His assist for Havertz’s opener was one of a match-leading five chances created and he was consistently deployed well in advance of his team-mate on the opposite flank, Ben Chilwell (£5.8m).

Not that either wing-back will attract many more owners as long as Tuchel continues to chop and change his personnel. Hudson-Odoi has started just two of the last seven matches and Chilwell two of four.

The former Leicester full-back’s start at Selhurst Park meant that Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) was only among the substitutes, which was yet another reminder to his owners in FPL that they need a strong playing bench to accommodate his sporadic luxury appearances.

King Kurt

A thumping Christian Benteke (£5.5m) header meant a second straight Gameweek without a clean sheet for a Chelsea defence that had managed four in a row before that. Given that the Belgian’s effort was the Eagles’ only shot of the game, Fantasy bosses will find the latest shut-out loss particularly galling.

But the 7.8% of managers with Kurt Zouma (£5.3m) in their sides had that particular disappointment offset by a fifth goal of the season from their man.

That’s the most by any centre-half, and only Leeds United’s Stuart Dallas (£5.1m) has more (seven) among defenders, although he’s spent chunks of the season in midfield.

It was Zouma’s fourth headed goal of the campaign – the most by a defender – and three have been set up by Mount, as was the case on Saturday.

The Frenchman may not have even played, however, had Andreas Christensen (£4.7m) not missed out with a minor hamstring injury.

Fun Boy Three

Tuchel is already making a name for himself as a tinkerer, but he seems to have found a nice attacking blend in Havertz, Mount and Pulisic.

Chelsea’s run-in is mixed, with visits from Brighton and Fulham to come over the next three Gameweeks, but West Ham, Man City, Arsenal, Leicester and Aston Villa among their last six opponents.

Factor in FA Cup and Champions League duties and second-guessing Tuchel’s line-ups could be the stuff of madness, but that trio at least have the potential to offer a lot of goal threat for players classed as midfielders in FPL.

Palace, meanwhile, spent the first half on Saturday doing a very good impression of a team thinking of post-lockdown beaches.

The one faint glimmer of hope came from Benteke, who scored his second goal in four starts and earned some praise from boss Roy Hodgson:

He’s doing well. He’s certainly working hard. He’s trying to do the sort of things we’re preaching and asking him to do, and it’s very good he’s starting to score some goals. His goalscoring for the last couple of months has been on a regular basis.

Those managers willing to consider Benteke, or any other Hodgson man, should take into account the fact they will face Leicester and Man City after a Blank Gameweek 32.

And although there will be a Double Gameweek (involving Southampton away) after that, they still have to face Liverpool, Arsenal and Aston Villa before the season’s end.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; van Aanholt, Kouyaté, Cahill, J Ward; Eze (Schlupp 59), Riedewald (McCarthy 59), Milivojevic, Ayew (Townsend 76); Zaha, Benteke.

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): E Mendy; Rüdiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Chilwell, Kovacic (Ziyech 83), Jorginho (Kante 61), Hudson-Odoi (James 76); Pulisic, Mount, Havertz.

657 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Manumana
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Kane enough Spurs cover. Or would u say do Bruno to Son ?

    Thanks

    1. Kitman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      eager to find out the answer to this too!

    2. krumcake
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I think I would do it. Any other way to get Son?

      1. Manumana
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Only if I did Salah to Son. On I'd be looking at a -8 reshuffle. Not keen on either

    3. ViperStripes
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You need Son even for a hit

  2. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    For next gw, bench

    A) Rudiger (have Mendy)
    B) Coady

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger for me. Chelsea defense is elite. Wolves on the beach.

      1. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Uhh I am confused.. you mean start Rudiger right? His question asks who to bench

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

    3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A

  3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pick one. I have Maddison and Kane.

    A) Gundo + DCL to Son + Iheanacho for -4
    B) Gundo + Raph to Moura + Lingard for -4
    C) Gundo to Lingard

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A + Raphinha to Lingard possible?

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        No. A will exhaust all of my funds.

        1. Holmes
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          B + Dom to Nacho then

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Ok. Thanks.

  4. krumcake
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bottomed.
    Which chip would you use in GW32? Either BB or TC.

    Leno
    Rudiger Fofana TAA
    Lingard Son Salah Jota
    Kane Lacazette Ihenacho

    Forster Gundogan Lowton Coufal

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      TC

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

      TC Kane

  5. corderz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mahrez > Son?

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes

  6. Zlatan F.C
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Hey guys. When is the best time to play bench boost?

    Currently have Forster(TOT) Holding(FUL) Coufal(NEW) and Vydra(MUN) on the bench and thinking if i should play it GW32

  7. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Antonio or Cancelo

    Who's the priority to ditch this week?

    Nacho looks close to essential

    But Cancelo is Pep routlette and to Man City care anymore they are so far ahead. Who to replace him with? Shaw, Philips, TAA?

    1. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would ditch both for TAA and Nacho for a hit, if budget allows.

    2. Big Hippo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Antonio > Nacho looks like an easy move

  8. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    This weekend's game against Sheffield United is definitely being moved from its Saturday 3pm slot so it doesn't clash with the Duke of Edinburgh's funeral. Discussions ongoing with broadcasters and a new time will be announced soon.

  9. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best defender up to 4.6M for the next few weeks? Coufal, Holding, Masuaku?

    Cheers

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

      Probably holding isn't it. Philips also

      1. Catastrophe
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Cheers. Is Holding nailed? Will already have Phillips. Thanks!

  10. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    DGW Bus Team is set. Bench adequately sorted so as to provide best cover. Keeping a FT rolled over so that I'm in a position to make emergency moves as needed for the later BGW.

    Johnstone (Leics are definitely hit and miss, but maybe the save points will provide succor?)
    Cresswell, Masuaku, Azpi, Holding
    Bruno, Lingardihno, Salah, Jota, Son (C)
    Kane

    Martinez, Brewster, Wood, Targett

    If Cresswell fails to make the XI, there's some chance Brewster is given a start since with the team doomed it's time to get him firing for next season. But then... if not, maybe Wood features? Azpi likely going after this GW, and depending on Cresswell's injury etc ....

  11. bigdip
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Team G2G? (Plan to use my BB)
    Mendy (Forster)
    Coady, Fofana, Shaw (Rudiger, Phillips)
    Fernandes, Son, Salah, Jota, Lingard
    Kane (c), Iheanacho (Vydra)

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      G2g.

  12. Runaway
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    How does this move look for next two GWs (WC34):

    Auba + Cancelo > Salah + Fofana for -4 ?

    Team atm:

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Shaw Rudiger
    Auba Bruno Son Lingard
    Kane Nacho

    Pope Watkins Raphinha Veltman
    1 FT, 0.7 ITB

    1. aleksios
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Go for it.

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Not sure on Lei defense, would rather get coady over fofana

  13. aleksios
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Save ft here?
    1ft 2.7itb.

    --Leno
    --Alonso--Azpi--TAA--Coady
    --Salah--Son--Jota--Lingard
    --Kane--Nacho

    --Forster--Fofana--Gundo--Wood.

    Thanks guys.

    1. Runaway
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      looks great, I would save

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

      I would play Gundo over Alonso. Rest is good

  14. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    JWP to Lucas for free or DCL and JWP to nacho and son -4??

    Advice much needed thanks!

    1. Indpush
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  15. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Which two to get
    A) Bruno
    B) Jota
    C) Lingard

    1. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Quite the price difference there in it

    2. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Messi and Bruno

    3. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If you went B and C it depends on what you do with the funds for not getting bruno

      1. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Would be getting Trent and would allow 8 attackers

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Value, fixtures & form say B & C

  16. gawa11
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Bale out, Son in - no brainer?

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Only if you don't own Lingard

    2. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yes get off bale train crash

  17. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Would you BB this week?

    Mendy / Forster

    TAA / Castagne / Rudiger / Coady / Coufal

    Salah / Fernandes / Son / Jota / Lingard

    Kane / Iheanacho / Vydra

    1. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why not

    2. FPL_Motty
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hmmm. Forster against spurs is weak, vydra against utd is weak also. The rest OK. If youve saved this long wouldn't it be better in a possible big dgw 35?

  18. Maeki2
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Who do i get rid of, have 2 ft.
    Dias, Cancelo
    Gundo, Bale

    Bale has double gw next but already have Son and Kane. He does not even seems likley to play.

    Could replace with any of TAA, robertson, jota, lingard. What to do?

    1. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Bale to Lucas?!

      1. Maeki2
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        They have blank the week and i have 3x city and 3x spurs so need to get rid of some

  19. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Mount to Son and GTG?

    Mendy
    TAA/Castagne/Shaw
    Salah/Bruno/Mount*/Jota/Lingard
    Kane/Nacho

    Foster/Rudiger/Holding/Davis

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

      Personally I'd play either rudi or holding ahead of castagne. Double up if you believe in Chelsea (surely they can't mess up again). Or holding looks assured of another clean against Fulham who can't score. Leicester leaked goals and west brom have improved their attack recently

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger over Castagne perhaps

      Castagne hasn't shown much in attack at all and I'd back the Chelsea cs first. There was something almost inevitable about the Palace one shot one goal routine but that doesn't invalidate Chelsea defensive strength generally.

    3. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks for the ideas. As Castagne is my WC newcomer/punt, I will probably give him game or two and get rid if needed. Feel like Lei have to finally do better in terms of def.

  20. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Contemplating an upside chasing Hokey Cokey in 33/34

    Son Kane to Mo Vardy
    Bruno Vardy to Son Kane

    Would prefer Maddison by a distance but no easy -4 with both him and Mo in 33

    If nothing else it should send my TV plummeting 😉

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

      It worth doing that for vardy when u could probably just get nacho and keep kane / bruno etc?

      1. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Dubious on the face of it

        But Mo in for 33 means a hit whichever way I go. Not wholly sold on him given United in 34. Could just get Maddison for free in 33 to pair up with Nacho.

        Very down on Vardy generally but equally I'm hugely sceptical of Palace defence - more so than Newcastle. If Maddison doesn't show much this week or in the semi then I might just cross my fingers and hope it's one of those weeks when Vardy does something.

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Me too brought in Vardy for DCL. Upside chasing let's go!

  21. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Gundo to Lucas Moura for -4?

  22. Sz21
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thinking Bamford/Watkins -> Ihaenacho + Raphinha -> Lingard (-4).
    1. Who would you sell for Ihaenacho- Bamf or Watkins?
    2. Raphinha -> Lingard worth a -4 along with the above move?

    Martinez.
    Shaw, Stones, Rudiger.
    Fernandes, Jota, *Raphinha, Son, Salah.
    Kane, *Bamford.
    Steer, Dallas, *Watkins, Burn.
    1ft, 0.9m ITB. No chips left

  23. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    What gets more points this week...?!

    A) DCL + Lucas

    B) Nacho + Son -4.

    Cheers!

    1. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

  24. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Best Gund replacement (7.4)?

    (have Lingard Jota Salah Son)

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maddison or Greenwood

    2. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Maddison if he shows some form in the cup this weekend.

  25. as33
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    KDB or Salah to loose for Son? FT

    1. Steiger
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      KDB as Man City blank in 33.

    2. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lose KDB definitely

  26. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lingard Essential on WC? He has hurt my rank honestly till now.

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      People say his stats are not good enough, but he'll be in my team 100%.

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        It's one of those like gundo earlier in the season, everyone has them or will get them, if he flops you're in the same boat as everyone else

      • artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Lingard is on fire. I would still get him in. After all there aren't that many midfielders who are sustaining high earning performances, so not much to lose.

      • Pep bites Kun
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mine too. Had him pencilled in for later fixtures gw34-38 (bur, EVE, bha, wba, SOU), but should have moved sooner for Gundo.

        He's a buy for me and certainly for the sweet run.

    3. artvandelay316
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Is losing Bruno for Son sensible or madness?

      And which option is the best?

      A)
      Pope > Lloris / Patricio / Leno
      Cresswell > TAA
      DCL > Nacho

      B)
      Stones / Cresswell > TAA
      Bruno > Son
      DCL / Bamford > Nacho

      C)
      Pope > Lloris / Patricio / Leno
      Bruno > Son
      Gundo > Maddison/Jota