Pro Pundits

Which Chelsea players should FPL managers buy ahead of Gameweek 7?

Gameweek 7 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) is just around the corner and many of us had earmarked this week in pre-season as the ideal time to load up on Chelsea assets ahead of a fixture run that sees them rank top of the Fantasy Football Scout Season Ticker all the way up to Gameweek 14.

So let’s get started discussing Chelsea assets, starting with the goalkeeping spot.

Edouard Mendy

Firmly first-choice goalkeeper, there is a small risk of the occasional benching in favour of Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.9m) but it is likely to be minimal.

Edouard Mendy‘s (£6.0m) numbers are impressive for a premium shot-stopper, with a minutes-per-save average (25) that is better than most others – Alisson’s (£6.0m) is 38.6 and Ederson’s (£6.0m) is 108 – although that might be a product of the tougher fixtures so far and facing Liverpool largely with 10 men.

His minutes-per-baseline-bonus (BBPS) of 5.5 is pretty good too so he is likely to be in the mix when Chelsea keep a clean sheet: Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m) and Antonio Rudiger (£5.7m) have minutes-per-BBPS averages of 5.6 and 7.8 respectively, to put that in perspective. A decent shout but not one I’m tempted by.

THE DEFENCE

Now, this is why most of you are probably reading this article: the beautiful dilemma that is Marcos Alonso (£5.9m).

First off, I think it is important to determine what is Chelsea’s best XI when everyone is match fit. I personally think it is:

  • Mendy
  • Azpilicueta / Christensen / Rudiger
  • James / Jorginho / Kante / Chilwell
  • Mount / Lukaku / Havertz

Not many of us expected Alonso to start as many games as he has already and it must be said that his performances were decent up to Gameweek 6, both in defence and attack. However, he was poor against Manchester City, as were the entire Chelsea team.

Prior to the Juventus game, it was tricky to determine what clues we should look for to assess Alonso’s prospects of starting against Southampton. Coming off a loss to Manchester City, it was likely that Chelsea would go full-strength in their most difficult Champions League fixture and it was comforting to see Alonso in the starting line-up.

However, he struggled to provide any impetus going forward and it was a bit of the Alonso of old, who seemed to delay most of his passes. He was substituted at half-time and part of this might be due to his yellow card but I thought his display was quite poor overall. Another problem Chelsea are currently facing is providing supply to Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) in the absence of their best crosser, Reece James (£5.6m).

As the above image shows, Alonso has completed just five open play crosses and has been unsuccessful 20 times. The Spaniard’s strength is his goal threat and his positioning in the box, rather than crossing ability from open play where he has always been a bit poor. He has shown improvement, though: a 20% cross completion rate is pretty good. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.6m) has also completed just seven crosses, so I might be reading too much into this statistic.

The above table from last year highlights how much Chelsea are going to rely on James to provide the supply to Lukaku this season. Ben Chilwell (£5.6m) had a cross completion rate of 15%, James 21% and Alonso 5%.

I’ve removed the defender filter and James is still top for successful open play crosses in the Chelsea team last year, by some distance.  

From what I have seen as a Blues fan and even without these numbers, Chilwell is simply a much better crosser of a football than Alonso is and I don’t see how the former Leicester left-back doesn’t get back into the team long-term, health permitting.

Alonso might still start against Southampton but the games after that are anyone’s guess. I’ll provide some brief thoughts on each defensive asset below:

I hope you found the article useful, I could have gone on for another 1,000 words! If you want to hear more thoughts about Chelsea assets, check out this week’s pod of the FPL Wire below:

723 Comments Post a Comment
  1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Price no problem. 2nd best chelsea defender next 5 after rudiger
    A) Azpi
    B) Reece
    C) Christensen

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B

    2. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      B or Alonso

  2. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Mbeumo or ESR?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      ESR

    2. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      ESR

    3. Mortal.Swinbat
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Mbeumo for me

  3. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    TAA Ronaldo to Rudiger Lukaku (-4)? 1FT 1.3m ITB. Cheers all !

    Sanchez (Steele)
    TAA* Semedo Tierney (Livramento Tsimikas)
    Salah Raphinha Sarr Benrahma (Gray)
    Ronaldo Antonio Jimenez

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Could also WC but don’t feel it’s needed? Or is it

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Ronaldo to Lukaku for a hit isn't good

    3. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I like the defender transfer (assuming TAA back on WC). Not sure about selling Ronaldo for a hit...

  4. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Ayling to Alonso?

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nope, Alonso starting spot at risk from Chilwell going forward.

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Why? Obviously gametime may be shared at some point but this week for example, Alonso was the earliest sub (HT) for Chilwell

        1. Philosopher's Stones
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          He was the earliest sub because he was playing very poorly

          1. Top Lad Dakes.
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Ohk fair, wasn’t watching. Cheers x

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I did but I wouldn’t recommend it

  5. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Worth a -8?

    Bamford, Jota & TAA -> Lukaku, Raphinha & Rudiger

    1. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Decent if long term moves. No if WCing soon.

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yes imo

    3. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Haha I was thinking the same moves with no WC.

    4. Tinfoil Deathstar
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Tempting - but I think wait for more news about Trent.

      Considering same moves out but Cancelo in instead of Rudi (already own Christensen)

  6. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Most overpriced player v most underpriced? On current form I'd go with Kane and ESR

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

      One of those is beyond question. The other is open to debate: ESR, Gallagher, Douglas Luis, Livramento, Antonio!

    2. _figu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Firmino over, Antonio/Raphinha under

  7. OptimusBlack
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    If you have
    Antonio CR7 Vardy
    Who to loose to get Lukaku
    A- TAA & Antonio > Lowton Lukkau
    B- Ronaldo > Lukaku
    C- Keep it like that

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      c

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Thxx

  8. Diamondgeezer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Reece James in the England squad. Hopefully Southgate knows something we don't about his injury.

    1. Sterling Archer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      a few injured/not fully fit players in the squad, feels a bit pointless. plenty others who could play considering the opposition

  9. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best move here?

    A) Trent -> Alonso
    B) Trent/Barnes -> Alonso/Raphina (-4)
    C) WC now

    If A/B will either do CR7/Jimenez -> Lukaku/Auba (-4) or WC next week

    Sanchez
    Trent*, Shaw, White
    Salah, Greenwood, Benrahma, Barnes
    CR7, Antonio, Jimenez

    Steele, Veltman, Brownhill, Tsimikas
    Bank 0.0m, 1FT

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'm curious why you are still hot on Alonso?

      1. Jinswick
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I just think he has the most upside of the CHE boys - Rudiger is the safe play I guess

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I think he does as well but the issue is will he start. I would go with the safe pick if I had the choice again

  10. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is Chris Wood good option? (NOR)

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

      For that one game, yeh.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah I think so.

    3. Rassi
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lol! Didn't notice this. Yeah, I think he is.

  11. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso is a rotation risk but the benefits when he plays could be huge.Do you think it's worth to own him with a playable 4.5 defender sub?

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

      If you're happy with the back-up, sure.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I had the same thinking before the UCL game, not so convinced now. Most likely transfer him on my WC in GW8

    2. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      cheers

  12. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    On a Wc, pick one from each category-

    Sarr vs Saka
    Mbuemo vs Gray vs ESR

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Saka and Mbuemo - long term picks

      1. slowandsteady
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I've had a similar dilemma. Was between Sarr/Saka/ESR for a medium term pick. Went Saka as best balance of form and fixtures. I've missed the Sarr train and jumping on now with the fixtures he has coming up (excl Leeds), feels like I'm chasing points gone by.

  13. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    A bit unclear on what to do before WC in GW8.

    A. TAA to Azpi and play Brownhill or Livramento
    B. TAA and Bamford to Azpi and Wood/Jimenez (-4)

    1FT 0.1ITB
    Foster
    Alonso Veltman TAA*
    Salah Benrahma Raphinha Jota
    Ronaldo Antonio Bamford*
    (Bachmann Brownhill Livramento Ayling*)

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'd go with A and play Brownhill. Chance of a return there.

    2. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Id go Bamford > Wood & Play Livramento

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Problem is I may only have 10 players if Alonso doesn't start. Need a minimum of 3 defs in the team and only have Veltman and Livramento.

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

    Taken a -4 hit this week due to injuries, not taken a hit all season so far so I'm happy. Am I G2G with this for this gameweek?

    Can bring in Lukaku/Dias in the next week or two as I have 4.1m in the bank.

    Sanchez
    Rudiger - Marcal - Williams
    Salah - Jota - ESR - Gray
    Antonio - Cr7 (c) - Toney

    Steele - Livra - Sissoko - TAA

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I may be tempted to play Livramento over Williams

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

        Just asked that on another comment, I can't decide.. feel like Norwich clean sheet odds must be slightly higher?

  15. Liberate HK - antichinazi
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    RMT this week (taken a hit)
    Raya
    Rudiger Shaw Tierney
    Gallagher Raph Salah Sarr
    Antonio Ronaldo Lukaku (C)

    Steer Gilmour Williams Livramento

  16. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Probably WC in GW8

    a) 4.5m forward to Wood (NOR)
    b) Ayling to Chelsea defender (SOU)
    c) Jota to Son (AVL)

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  17. Pukki Pies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone know if Tuchel give another press conference before the weekend, or is last nights as much information as we're going to get? Interested in the Reece James news. Hard to believe he'll be fit for the weekend, but if I transfer him out for a hit and then he plays, that's gonna hurt!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Presser tomorrow.

      1. Pukki Pies
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        ta.

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

    Who would you prefer to play this week?

    1. Williams (Burnley A)
    2. Livramento (Chelsea A)

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Livramento. Saints could hold & he's decent going forward.

      Williams is a walking 1 pointer per GW...

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        This is the reason what swayed me to suggest Livramento over Williams

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

      Williams.

  19. Rassi
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Chris Wood anyone?

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

      I love that pick for this week, not so much long term.

      1. Rassi
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        I think their fixtures look pretty god till gw14/15 when I plan to play my WC.

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

      If I had Bamford and was going to WC in GW8 I would go for Wood.

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I prefer Edouard.

  20. Back of the Garnett
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Here goes, probably onto WC draft #134,789... any thoughts appreciated

    Ramsdale - Foster
    TAA - Rudiger - cancelo - White - Livra
    Salah - Raph - ESR - Sarr - Luiz
    Lukaku - Antonio - Toney

    2.5 ITB for Sarr >> Grealish next week although... with TAA out am I best with Grealish now then having the FT after IB to put out any fires??

    Cheers all!

    1. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I've found 'booking in a transfer' never works out well. There's bound to be another move that you'll want to make and all of a sudden you're on the back foot again. (TAA be out for longer, Cancelo could be hit by random Pep roulette, ESR might miss game time to other Arsenal mids like Pepe, etc.)

      Set yourself up for a great GW8 team too and you'll be able to roll a transfer and be in a position of strength for GW9 onwards.

      1. Back of the Garnett
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        My thoughts exactly, almost never manage to play a planned transfer due to injuries.

        I am worried about the amount of players in my squad who might not feature over coming weeks (TAA, Raph, ESR, Grealish, Rud, Cancelo)... seems like a disaster waiting to happen

        1. The Invincibles
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          I'm also wildcarding and have similar thoughts. The only player I would be thinking of booking a transfer for is TAA, as his fixture run isn't great, so if needs be you can stick with someone like Dias until you feel like getting him back.

          1. Back of the Garnett
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            Reverted back to a previous wildcard, what are your thoughts on this...

            Thinking this gives me more cover with James back imminently

            Ramsdale - Foster
            James - Rudiger - Cancelo - Dias - Livra
            Salah - Raph - Saka - Grealish - Luiz
            Lukaku - Antonio - Toney

            likely to play a 4-3-3 with saka coming on for whoever is rotated out of defenders/grealish

            Eventually Grealish&Def >> TAA & IF mid

  21. BeWater
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Sanchez Steele
    Rudiger White Livramento TAA Ayling
    Salah Sarr Benrahma Jota Greenwood
    Antonio Ronaldo Scarlett

    A. Play Livramento and roll a transfer
    B. Use FT on something

    I have my WC left.

  22. winchester
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Hello lads, have 1ft and 2.1m itb. use WC now or gw8? Are trent and shaw confirmed out?

    sanchez
    taa* shaw* livramento
    benrahma salah greenwood sarr
    cr7 antonio asm

    foster esr tsimi amartey

    a) tsimi/ama -> rudiger
    b) tsimi/ama -> alonso
    c) use WC

    1) bench esr
    2) bench benrahma
    3) bench greenwood

    1. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A1

      1. winchester
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers

  23. Jullepuu
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on taking a punt on Son while TAA is out? (On a wildcard)

  24. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Shaw could actually start this week couldnt he...

  25. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    If Luke Shaw is declared fit for the weekend, would you keep and save transfer/use elsewhere? Rudiger would be the replacement

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Presuming you've other fires, absolutely. Especially if WC8, wouldn't want Shaw for too much longer...

  26. ResultatFar
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Jota to:
    A) Raphinha
    B) Saka

    for a -4?

    1. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      both but A if i had to pick

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      both are good options for a hit as long term picks

    3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

    4. GoonerByron
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Struggling with which of these 2 for 1 slot on my WC also…

  27. Boom XhakaLacaSaka
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Gtg?

    Foster
    White Azpi Shaw
    Saka Salah Raph (c) Sarr
    Antonio Toney CR7

    Sanchez Brownhill Digne B.Williams

  28. I Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Definitely keeping Reece James now.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'm starting him

    2. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Would you bring him in on a WC over Alonso?

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      After 1, 0, 0, 1 good luck

  29. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else got a benching headache this week?

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

      Not me. A bench consisting 2 broken players and Livramento make decision-time pretty simple.

  30. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    When will Ole have another presser?