A palpable buzz around Fantasy Premier League continues to grow with the game having officially released its updated version for the 2022/23 season on Tuesday. With fans looking forward to their respective teams’ pre-season fixtures whilst anticipating the arrivals of several talents alongside catching a glimpse of newer additions before the start of the campaign, FPL managers have already begun creating their first drafts as they look forward to locking a formidable team on road to the first game-week of the new season.
Although having failed to gain consistent points in a bid to push for the title last season, Chelsea continue to boast an enthralling roster of FPL assets. Having already secured the services of Raheem Sterling (£10.0m) from Manchester City, the Blues are expected to continue pursuing their targets in the transfer window, with Thomas Tuchel’s squad likely to boast the names of notable players ahead of the commencement of the upcoming campaign.
Mason Mount (£8.0m), Kai Havertz (£8.0m), and Timo Werner (£8.0m) emerge as the most expensive of Chelsea’s assets, with the likes of Reece James (£6.0m), Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) and a raft of mid-priced midfielders following suit. Besides full-backs James and Chilwell, goal-keeper Edouard Mendy (£5.0) establishes himself as a tempting prospect, provided the team retains its defensive solidity this season.
With prices of every registered player having been revealed following the official release, the upcoming campaign is expected to continue delivering intriguing competitions for places across the board. However, while most managers are likely to contemplate drafting in the most noticeable names, the focus for seasoned managers, as ever, remains on drafting in understated assets capable of delivering sustainable points over the course of the upcoming season.
EDOUARD MENDY (GK, £5.0)
A proven asset between the sticks, 30-year-old Edouard Mendy emerges as an exciting prospect for FPL managers keen on drafting a reliable keeper for the upcoming campaign. Having witnessed a notable price reduction from last season, the Senegalese international cements himself as a coveted asset, likely to provide favourable returns throughout the upcoming campaign.
Registering a combined 270 FPL points across the last two league campaigns, Mendy is set to remain a vital part of Tuchel’s re-build at the club, having registered 14 clean sheets at the end of the 21/22 league campaign. Moreover, the shot-stopper ranked the third-best for goals against/90 (0.91) whilst possessing a healthy number of saves (73.7%) amongst goal-keeper in the league last season.
Amongst the feasible proven option in the goal-keeping department this season, Mendy is likely to remain a coveted asset throughout the campaign. Provided Chelsea improve on their tally of clean sheets, the Senegalese boasts the potential to emerge amongst the highest-scoring shot-stopper at the end of the forthcoming season.
BEN CHILWELL (DEF, £6.0)
A highly-coveted asset in defence, Chilwell is expected to retain his place in the starting line-up after having regained full fitness following a year on the sidelines owing to an ACL injury suffered last season. Although having registered only seven league appearances before his unfortunate injury, the full-back contributed with three goals and an assist alongside four clean sheets, at the time, establishing himself as an essential pick amongst defensive options.
An exciting start to the 21/22 campaign saw Chilwell register a commendable number of shot-creating actions (21) alongside a notable number of shots per 90 minutes (2.16) amongst teammates last season. Moreover, having possessed a severe goal-threat from his position, the defender cemented himself amongst the most exciting prospects within a short span of fixtures during the 21/22 campaign.
While Chelsea are expected to undergo a rebuild of their defensive department ahead of the upcoming season, Chilwell is likely to remain a first-team regular moving into the campaign. Provided the 25-year-old delivers favourable returns given the Blues’ relatively easy run of initial fixtures, Chilwell is capable of emerging as an FPL essential over the course o the 21/22 season.
REECE JAMES (DEF, £6.0)
Although having been plagued with injury concerns during the final phase of last season, James finished amongst the top-ten highest-scoring (141 pts.) FPL defenders at the end of the 21/22 campaign. Expected to remain pivotal to Chelsea’s plans next season, the full-back is likely to improve on his tally provided the Blues secure promising results during the initial stages of the upcoming season.
Having contributed five goals and nine assists alongside seven clean sheets last season, the 22-year-old cements himself as an FPL essential moving into the 22/23 campaign. Registering the third-highest number of expected assists (0.28xA) per 90 minutes alongside standing second for passes completed into the 18-yard-box (49) amongst teammates last season, the full-back in likely to continue operating in an attacking role moving into the upcoming campaign. Moreover, having registered the third-highest number of shot-creating (79) and goal-creating (11) at the club during the 21/22 season, the full-back is expected to be amongst the goals next season.
Proven to be a bargain in defence despite his hefty price, James emerges as the most affordable and reliable of top-heavy defensive options moving into the new season. With Chelsea likely to push for a top-two finish, the defender will be deployed to deliver attacking returns on the pitch in the upcoming campaign.
