Welcome to a hybrid FPL GW24 Scouting Report and #FPLMatchups article where I use my coaching lens to examine players and teams in the premier league to help inform our #FPL decisions.
As always, @FPLMariner, @FPLNima, and I have conversations about all these topics every week on @NetThatHaul. Fantasy Premier League (FPL) 21/22 NTH Match Up Show | GW24 – YouTube
Odsonne Edouard, Michael Olise, and Crystal Palace Attack
Palace’s attack has intrigued me for a little while now. The Twitter chatter on players like Olise and Edouard has increased in the face of the recent double game week announcement, and I wanted to understand better what Vieira is trying to do.
Edouard is so useful to Vieira because he understands his role in helping the midfield press by eliminating the pass back to the 6, or to the CB if the 6 is in possession of the ball. This pressure worked against the naïve Ox and Jones.
We begin to see the inefficiency of Palace’s counterattack here as Olise fails to take advantage of the inside track he has on Andy Robertson. His first step here is soft, and he therefore does not command the space in front of him.
You have to hand it to Olise for this sublime pass beyond Van Dijk and into Mateta’s stride.
Unfortunately, Mateta is not able to control the ball well, and his move is affected by it.
The next set of images illustrates the same concept, and a couple of others as well.
Another ball won and played early through the opposing midfield line. This ball came from the near side of the pitch near Hughes, which is why Liverpool are such a mess. Dream scenario for Palace with 3 attackers running at 3 defenders who are on their heels.
Mateta shows poor awareness in not recognizing the space on his side of the pitch.
The inefficient counterattack begins to break down, but an opportunity arises for Edouard as Mateta continues his run. Shame the Frenchman didn’t see it.
Enter The Gallagher.
Word of caution: Gallagher will not double in GW26 since he is stupidly prohibited from playing against Chelsea.
I personally would have a hard time buying any of these attacking assets, but if you own one, they probably aren’t a problem. The double in 26 could be nice for Edouard or Olise, but if we’re being honest, a matchup against Chelsea without Gallagher is likely to result in a minimal 2 points benefit for the two front men.
[Total_Soft_Poll id=”34″]
Rodrigo Bentancur
I was impressed with this signing for Spurs. From a tactical perspective, he will be able to hold the midfield, and support the attack, while winning challenges. Introducing this motor into Conte’s midfield could be transformational in terms of chances created because Spurs should be winning the ball back sooner.
Dejan Kulusevski
Kulu, on the other hand, requires a conversation. Three conversations, really.
Decision-making
This is just a mindless run. He sees the ball and the direction to go forward and that’s it. It adds nothing to what could be an interesting build-up given how Roma have committed so aggressively to that side.
Awareness
I can’t. Kulusevski needs to ask himself three fundamental philosophical questions here: Why am I here? What is my purpose? Why do I exist?
Finishing.
I admit I may have been less than kind to Dejan, so I thought I’d show one of his goals. This was a pivotal goal in one of the best matches I had seen in a year. You know there is a “but” coming. Despite all the space Kulu has to strike this ball, no pressure in front or to his sides, he gets the technique all wrong and hits a terrible strike into the ground. He leans back, which makes him overcorrect and hit the ball to far down.
The goal is a strike of luck and exposes a weakness in his finishing.
I therefore went back and watched all of Kulu’s goals in Serie A and I noticed something in his shooting technique that is mostly a weakness but is perceived as his greatest strength. Kulu tends to strike the ball flatly, with the inside of his boot. When this works out, he can bend curlers into the side-netting sublimely. Most of the time it results in him leaning and his shooting leg comes too far across his body. The effect of this is that his shot loses power, and the release is flat.
Kulusevski lost his starting spot to Juan Cuadrado at Juve, but I expect him to slide right into a role on the right side for the Italian manager. However, I believe watching him and Emerson Royal is going to be pure comedy. In my opinion, Kulusevski is a poor person’s Jarrod Bowen.
The Rumi Pick of the Week
Watkins has not had a return since GW17. Prior to that it was GW14. With the looming doubles, and excellent fixture I and many other has been talking up Watkins for several weeks now. Now that the chatter has died down, it seems a perfectly FPL time for him to finally emerge.
Watkins is up against a Leeds side who has conceded a grotesque 37 chances (20th) from the center of the field in the last 6 matches compared to 27 from the right and just 11 from the left.
Lastly, I wanted to just drop the #FPLPhilosophy of the week here. We cover this as a way to combat mental health issues and just tap into something deeper before we take our silly FPL game too seriously. I hope it speaks to you.
Thank you, as always, for spending your precious life moments with my thoughts. I appreciate you giving me this platform.
Further Reads from ALLABOUTFPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 24:
FPL Double Gameweek Announcements Tracker & Fixtures to Target
New Premier League Signings and their FPL Impact ~ Should you buy or not?
What to Expect from Frank Lampard at Everton? | Tactical Analysis
Best Budget Players for FPL GW24 and beyond | Salah Enablers
FPL GW24 Ultimate Guide: Announcements, Tips, Differentials, Wildcard Drafts, Captaincy
FPL GW23 Fixture Wise Review & Key Stats That Caught Our Eye
What is FPL CUP? What are the rules? How to win the 2021/22 FPL CUP?
[kofi]
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Latest posts by FPL Lens (see all)
- FPL GW24 Scouting Report: Edouard, Olise, Kulusevski & Bentancur - February 4, 2022
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- FPL GW12 Scouting Report: Conor Gallagher - November 20, 2021
