This feels wrong, horribly wrong. Writing this on the day after Frank Lampard was sacked. It’s not a day to be jovial about anything, not even Gameweek 20. Chelsea face Wolves on Wednesday and need a win. You also need some more fantasy points because the world goes on. With the potential of a new manager it’ll be even harder than in past weeks to predict who is going to play.
In any case, this report will still act as your one-stop shop for getting the best out of Chelsea players for Gameweek 20 in Fantasy Premier League.
New Manager Bounce?
Is there a chance that Thomas Tuchel oversees Chelsea on Wednesday evening? Every chance. What team will he play? That’s a bit trickier.
When a new manager comes in it is normal for teams to pick up form, at least briefly. Whilst confidence rises, players are more motivated and the honeymoon period is embarked upon.
It could be different with Chelsea. Their best players this season have been younger additions to the squad under Lampard. It’s hard to gauge how reliant Tuchel will be on these academy graduates. It’s also even harder to determine the mindsets of those that have seen their first trusting manager move along.
Nevertheless, if Chelsea are able to get a vital three points at Stamford Bridge, they’ll be relying on some familiar faces during Gameweek 20.
Zouming back into contention?
Despite not playing in Chelsea’s last two games, Kurt Zouma is still fifth on the scoring charts for defenders. With any Chelsea operator on Wednesday likely to value defensive solidity over attack, Zouma might be recalled for Gameweek 20.
He was a dominant force for Chelsea during their successful spell this season and bagged himself an impressive four league goals. Since then he has dropped off. There may be a lot of uncertainty surrounding the side and the selection but if Zouma plays, he’ll continue to be a threat in both boxes.
Pulisic Redemption?
One of the other Tuchel talking points is that he will look to revitalise a misfiring Christian Pulisic. The American has been poor this season and has struggled to regain any of his post lockdown (the first one…) form.
Even since the 22-year old has gotten over some of his early season injury scares, he hasn’t looked the same. However, it was Tuchel that gave him his first taste of success and limelight at Dortmund. If the German manager can get anything like the same out of Pulisic again, Chelsea fans will be happy and so will trusting Fantasy managers.
The winger may only have one goal and a relatively meagre 33 points this year, but at his best he is a game winner. If he can shake off the Lampard blues then he might be a good choice moving forward. Also, being selected by just 2.2% of sides means he could be a difference maker.
Gameweek 20: Pick of the week?
No, sorry. Not this week. It’s too hard to predict anything that Chelsea are going to do to make this worthy of a section. So, here’s a few things to keep an eye on as the Tuchel, Chelsea reign gets under way.
Who is playing upfront?
Chelsea’s embarrassment of riches in the striking department means that having any of their forwards in your team could be risky. It is likely that Timo Werner will be given a good shot as a striker which could be deflating for any of the 3.9% of you that have Tammy Abraham.
However, Chelsea could also go with any number of two striker formations and include the duo with each other. If this is the case and they can get firing then it will put a new dynamic at play for fantasy football managers.
Could Havertz be usable again?
Again, another opportunity comes now for Kai Havertz. The German will be hoping to regain some of his Bayer Leverkusen form as he mixes with a coach from the same nationality.
Not only is Havertz worth keeping an eye out for as a midfielder, he could be another option for Tuchel further forward. If this is the case then he might well prove to be a good addition to your team.
His return of 41 points this season is mediocre at best. But, as a striker his output could improve which would score you more points than picking a mainstream striker.
Although his 8.2m price is still too much for his current showings, it could be better value from Gameweek 20 onwards if he improves in the coming weeks.
Written by Tom Coley (@tomcoley49)
Edited by Dan Hill (@idanknow05)