Best Chelsea FPL Assets to Consider ahead of GW3

The season has finally started and before we know it, two gameweeks are already behind us!

As a lifelong Chelsea fan, I am writing this today, to try and analyze our first two games with respect to the FPL ecosystem and help you guys choose between some of our players for the favourable fixture run starting in GW3.

Next 6 fixtures: Luton(H), Forest(H), Bou(A), Villa(H), Fulham(A) and Burnley(A)

So let us begin by first discussing the team shape that Mauricio Pochettino favoured in our first two games of the season, gradually delving into player analysis.

Link to all our FPL GW3 blogs including buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!

Chelsea Team Shape

GW1- Che 1 (1.93xg)- 1 Liv (1.30xg)

GW2- WHU 3 (1.71xg)- 1 Che (1.61xg)

Chelsea operated in the same system against West Ham as we saw in GW1 vs Liverpool. It was a mix of 3-4-3 and 4-2-3-1 formations, as the wingbacks namely Chilwell was consistently higher up the pitch while Gusto on the right took an equal part in defending and attacking duties.

While the second half of the Liverpool game saw Chelsea dominate, the West Ham game told a different story even though they put up decent underlying numbers. Against the Hammers, the Blues attacked in a 3-1-6 build-up with the 3 centre-backs screened by Gallagher while Enzo started high in between the lines while they attacked, in the right half-space. Ben Chilwell was once again extremely advanced on the left and provided the width for the likes of Chukwuemeka and Jackson to make those inside runs while Gusto provided similar outlets on the right.

Raheem Sterling stood out (maybe not from an FPL perspective) with a slightly tweaked role wherein apart from his usual darting runs into the box, he was tasked with providing creativity from the right half-spaces in the opposition box and also dropping deeper to recycle the ball which would in turn aid in progressing the ball.

Nicolas Jackson once again spearheaded the attack but was unfortunate to come away with another blank, given how quickly he seems to have adapted to the physicality of the Premier League. The xG of both Chelsea and West Ham was slightly inflated due to each side winning a penalty but only the Hammers converted theirs as Enzo Fernandez’s strike from the spot was saved by starting 4.0 mil GK Areola.

Now let us look at FPL relevant players individually, position-wise, to form a better understanding of the dynamics and also help us navigate future gameweeks.

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Chelsea FPL Players To Target(Position wise)

Defenders

First and foremost, if you don’t have Ben Chilwell (5.7) in your team, I would advice you to make him a priority transfer. I would not take the sub off at the 60-minute mark in the last game too seriously, It is a very slight issue wherein Mudryk(Now injured and ruled out) and Chilwell seem to occupy similar positions hence they are not yet being used together by the manager but the Englishman is basically playing as a left winger as mentioned above. His heat map below further strengthens this belief and a knack for goal makes him the most dangerous defender in the game right now.

Rob Sanchez (4.5), showed against the Hammers why he wasn’t trusted much at Brighton. A couple of mistakes and the imminent signing of MLS shot-stopper Djorde Petrovic, who has been heaped with praises by former FPL great, Brad Friedel, makes Sanchez a rather risky transfer in for the upcoming weeks. Thiago Silva (5.0) and Levi Colwill (4.5) should be the first-choice centre-back pairing whether the team sets up in a 3 at the back or a traditional back 4. Both offer similar threats, hence the cheaper Colwill is a more attractive option. The likes of Disasi and Badiashille are riskier propositions and look more like secondary options as of now.

The most talked about 4 million defender, Malo Gusto, is an extremely attractive option due to injury to Reece James.

In Lyon, he was utilized in the build-up phase a lot and averaged 66 passes per game, the most in the position. Not only that, he even had the 3rd highest number of progressive runs, only Nuno Tavares and Gabriel Gudmundsson averaged more. He even recorded the 2nd highest amount of crosses across all positions in Ligue 1 last season, quite a few of which threatened opposition defences. Having said that, he looked like he would have more defensive responsibilities due to Chilwell’s advanced position on the opposite flank (small sample size alert!) and once James returns he will of course be relegated to the bench. All in all, a good short-term option but be wary of the above caveats.

Further Read: Top FPL GW3 Differential Picks to Consider Ahead of Deadline

Midfielders

Enzo Fernandez (5.0) was handed penalty-taking responsibilities against the Hammers, which unfortunately for him, was saved. Now he could easily take the next one as well, but there is no guarantee due to no prior data. The positive is that with the arrival of Caicedo and Lavia, Enzo will have more time in the attacking third with reduced defensive responsibilities. We have all seen what he is capable of in terms of creativity and he could yet still be a great enabler in the game.

I would stay away from the likes of Caicedo, Lavia, and even Gallagher in terms of FPL due to deeper positions on the pitch and their respective roles which require more defensive work. Gallagher could temporarily slot into the injured Chukwuemeka’s spot right behind the striker but that is again conjecture. The likes of Mudryk and Madueke are also touch-me-nots as of now due to not having established a starting spot in the team.

The midfielder worth considering is the former FPL legend, Raheem Sterling (7.0), who has gained a new life under Pochettino. The winger was given a slightly tweaked role, as mentioned above, and surprisingly even after that had the most touches in the opposition box in GW2. With Luton up next, who conceded 4.1 xG away to Brighton in the first week, are the best opponent he could have asked for. He was extremely unlucky to not get an assist at the very least against the Hammers and could have come away with a good haul. An in-form Raheem Sterling at that price could be absolute gold dust.

Further Read: FPL GW3 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis, and Matchups

Forwards

With 0 attacking returns so far, Nicolas Jackson (7.0), has his owners sweating already. But, the favorable fixture run and the eye test seem to point towards getting Jackson in. He seems to have been adapting well to the Premier League and looks to get into dangerous positions whenever Chelsea are attacking.

With an xG of 1.14 in the first two games and 3 big chances, Jackson could make a mockery of his price tag if he gets going. Getting that first goal will do his confidence a world of good as well. Keep in mind though, that there are murmurs that the Blues might still get another attacking signing which could affect Jackson long-term. Add to that the return of Armando Broja in training last week, which could once again have a long-term effect but in the short term I don’t see Broja posing any sort of threat to Jackson’s minutes.

Further Read: Best FPL Defenders/Gabriel Replacements for FPL GW3

Conclusion- Best Chelsea FPL Assets ahead of FPL GW3

To conclude, there are a lot of intriguing options for FPL and the next run of green fixtures could well be the best time to have at least two of them if not three. My top 3 to get given the current scenario would be the following:

1. Ben Chilwell (5.7)
2. Nicolas Jackson (7.0)
3. Raheem Sterling (7.0)

While it is team structure dependent so I would put in the caveat that if you are unsure on Sterling, the second defender after Chilwell, be it Colwill or Gusto is also a good option given Caicedo’s arrival and the easy fixtures. You can’t win the lottery if you don’t buy the ticket!

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Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW3

Top FPL GW3 Differential Picks to Consider Ahead of Deadline
Top FPL Gameweek 3 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
FPL GW3 Tips & Preview – Breaking Down The Key Dilemmas
FPL GW3 Scout Picks Based on Stats, Analysis, and Matchups
Best Chelsea FPL Assets to Target ahead of FPL Gameweek 3
FPL GW3 Transfer Tips- Players to Buy/Hold/Sell Analysis
Best FPL Defenders/Gabriel Replacements for FPL GW3
FPL GW3 Transfer Targets & Watchlist Based on Eye Test & Stats
FPL GW2 Stats Summary
FPL GW3 Ultimate Guide: Tips, Differentials, Captaincy & More

Link to all our FPL GW3 blogs including buy, hold, sell analysis, differentials, captaincy metrics, transfer targets, and more. Completely free to access as well!

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