The Fantasy Football season is upon us once again, the time when your average armchair football fan attempts to challenge the rest of the world with their knowledge of the English Premier League.
Before a ball is kicked, supporters are already excited about Chelsea’s big name signings making an impact this season. This year we have four new players in the Blues squad that could score some big points.
Atletico Madrid trio Diego Costa, Filipe Luis, and Thibaut Courtois (returning on loan) arrive at Stamford Bridge this season along with Barcelona’s Cesc Fabregas to aid Jose Mourinho in his pursuit to bring the league title back to London.
Will any of these new Chelsea stars be among the high scoring players in this year’s Fantasy Premier League? We suggest a player for each position (goalkeeper goes under defence) before tipping a budget option then a player worth of a punt.
Here are FIVE Chelsea players to consider in your Fantasy Premier League team.
[ffc-gallery]CLICK ON JOSE MOURINHO TO SEE THE LIST!
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Defence
Chelsea’s defence is one of the hardest places to find value, as Jose Mourinho could start with almost anyone in his talented back-line.
The gaffer could go with any two of Gary Cahill, John Terry, and Branislav Ivanovic in centre-back... while also being able to shuffle his full-backs between Filipe Luis, Azpilicueta and, again, Ivanovic.
However the best pick would have to be none other than captain John Terry. Priced at £6.5 (£0.5 cheaper than Ivanovic), the former England international had a long rest not involved in the World Cup and will come back raring to lead the Blues in their rather uncomplicated first few games.
While the Blues regularly get clean sheets, Terry has also managed to score at least one league goal every season since 2000, and we expect him to grab a few again this year.
Midfield
In the Chelsea midfield we are also spoilt for choice with their vast array of talented stars, but two names stand out in Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard.
Fabregas is a world class player capable of scoring goals and providing assists... the Spaniard laid off more than 10 league assists every season since 2005. However with Mourinho possibly playing the £9.0 priced midfielder in a much deeper role, his attacking output could be reduced.
Therefore Eden Hazard, albeit more expensive at £10.0, is the more explosive option after earning 202 points last season. Hazard was Chelsea’s main creative outlet in their last campaign but with Fabregas and Costa now in the fold, we could see Hazard break the 20 goal mark cutting in from the wings.
Forward
The past few seasons fans were extremely uncertain who manager Jose Mourinho would deploy up front for the Blues.
However this season it’s clear that £32million man Diego Costa will lead that line for Chelsea, and priced at only £10.5 could even be considered a bargain when compared to the likes of Man United’s Robin van Persie (£12.5) and Liverpool’s Daniel Sturridge (£11.5).
Guaranteed to start with a huge pedigree for goals, we expect to see the Brazilian-born striker find the net on a regular basis... especially with the abundance of creative midfielders playing behind him.
Unless Costa gets injured, it’s hard to see Fernando Torres (£7.5) and legend Didier Drogba (£6.5) get any place in anyone’s squad.
Bargain Buy
Chelsea don’t have many cheap players, but their best value must be Serbian international Nemanja Matic.
Priced at only £5.5, the defensive midfielder is expected to start as the Blue’s anchorman behind centre midfielders Cesc Fabregas and one of either Oscar and Ramires. Matic may be playing “too deep” in a Fantasy League perspective, but in just 17 league appearances last season the 26-year-old managed to get four assists.
If you’re low on cash and looking for a Chelsea player, Matic is your bargain buy that guarantees you starts.
Worth a Punt
Classified as a midfielder, Andre Schurrle usually plays further up front for both Chelsea as well as the German national team... and to great effect.
Schurrle scored eight goals in the league last season as well as three in the World Cup this summer, but his downfall is Mourinho’s tendency to deploy the £7.5 priced winger/forward as an impact substitute.
But with no shoe-in for a player on the Blues’ right wing as well as an impressive first campaign last season, the gaffer could offer Schurrle the regular playing time that could supply consistent Fantasy points.