<p><em>In this edition of Breaking the Template, <a href="https://twitter.com/Hibbo_FPL">@Hibbo_FPL</a> examines <strong>Chelsea’s FPL options</strong> ahead of the much-discussed <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker/"><strong>Gameweek 7 fixture swing</strong></a>. This article will provide FPL tips to help managers to break the template and achieve that desired top 10k finish.</em></p>
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<blockquote class="wp-embedded-content" data-secret="16N2mv77iq"><p><a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker/">FPL Fixture Ticker</a></p></blockquote>
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<h2>Tuchel &#8211; The Data so far:</h2>
<p>The appointment of former PSG manager <strong>Thomas Tuchel</strong> to the Stamford Bridge hot-seat has brought <strong>defensive solidity</strong> which usurped table-topping rivals <strong>Man City</strong>. Since taking charge against <strong>Wolverhampton Wanderers</strong> in Gameweek 20 of last season, Tuchel’s Chelsea rank <strong>best in the division for goals conceded (15) and clean sheets (15)</strong>.</p>
<p>In terms of the <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/opta/"><strong>underlying defensive expected numbers</strong></a>, Chelsea rank second behind Man City for non-penalty expected goals conceded (14.6) and expected clean sheets (11.1).</p>
<p>Impressively, defensive juggernaut Manchester City achieved such dominance despite playing an extra game over the sample period.</p>
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-39163 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-1024x453.png" alt="" width="1024" height="453" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-1024x453.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-300x133.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-768x339.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-610x270.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1-1080x477.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/1.png 1181w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></h2>
<p>The cumulate of Chelsea’s offensive production falls short of the high rear-guard standards set by Thomas Tuchel. The Blues rank a paltry <strong>joint-eighth for goals (37)</strong> which doesn&#8217;t tally with their underlying offensive expected data which ranks amongst the best in the division.</p>
<p>However, the clear <strong>disconnect for Chelsea between expected and actual goals</strong> is not hard to explain. Chelsea’s inability to convert a plentiful supply of chances ultimately led to the Blues recruitment of world-class Belgian marksman <strong>Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m)</strong>.</p>
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-39164 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2-1024x512.png" alt="" width="1024" height="512" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2-1024x512.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2-300x150.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2-768x384.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2-610x305.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2-1080x540.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/2.png 1143w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></h2>
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<h2>The Fixtures</h2>
<p>Across the opening six gameweeks, despite a testing run, <strong>Chelsea’s elite defence recorded four clean-sheets, </strong>earning themselves the elusive <strong>fixture-proof</strong> moniker. The combination of an uptick in the schedule for the Blues and their output so far makes their FPL options borderline <strong>essential</strong>.</p>
<p>The fixtures over the next six gameweeks have huge appeal from an <strong>attacking and defensive point of view</strong>. Over the period, Chelsea rank first overall on <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker/"><strong>Hub&#8217;s fixture ticker</strong></a> with attractive fixtures against promoted duo, <strong>Brentford and Norwich</strong> bookended by <strong>Southampton and Newcastle</strong> who narrowly beat the drop last term.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-39165 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3-1024x311.png" alt="" width="1024" height="311" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3-1024x311.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3-300x91.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3-768x233.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3-610x185.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3-1080x328.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/3.png 1497w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
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<h2>The Rotation</h2>
<p>Tinkerman Tuchel has felt the <strong>wrath of FPL managers</strong> who have likened the randomness of his team selection to their nemesis Manchester City’s <strong>Pep Guardiola</strong>. Assessing minutes is of the utmost importance when evaluating Chelsea options ahead of this <a href="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/fixture-ticker/"><strong>Gameweek 7 fixture swing</strong></a>.</p>
<p>The table below contains the details of the ten players that have accrued the most Premier League minutes since Tuchel’s appointment last season. <strong>Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m)</strong> ranks first for minutes (1,964) although it is noteworthy that he was subbed on once and withdrawn four times.</p>
<h2><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-39166 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/4.png" alt="" width="940" height="325" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/4.png 940w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/4-300x104.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/4-768x266.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/4-610x211.png 610w" sizes="(max-width: 940px) 100vw, 940px" /></h2>
<p>Under this microscope, <strong>Antonio Rudiger (£5.7m)</strong> catches the eye with a second-place rank for minutes (1,890) but, most importantly, he has neither cameoed <strong>nor been withdrawn</strong>. <strong>Edouard Mendy (£6.0m)</strong> ranks third for minutes (1,845) however he could be deemed an expensive rotation risk with <strong>Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.9m)</strong> in reserve.</p>
<p><strong>Andreas Christensen (£5.0m)</strong> represents a cut-price route into Chelsea’s defence despite ranking seventh for minutes (1,416). The Dane has been afforded <strong>greater security of starts</strong> this term, starting <strong>five matches</strong> from the opening six notably only rested after an international triple-header with Denmark.</p>
<p><strong>Marcos Alonso&#8217;s (£5.9m)</strong> run of six consecutive starts is completely at odds with his tenth place ranking in this sample for minutes (1,270). As we will see later in the article, the Spaniard&#8217;s per 90-minute production tops all defenders in the league and with Alonso perhaps looking first choice, he&#8217;s hard to ignore.</p>
<p>Given the strength of the <strong>Chelsea defence</strong>, their assurance of minutes, and value from a price point of view the focus from a fantasy perspective should be <strong>double defence</strong>. In terms of attack, <strong>Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m)</strong> leads the line with <strong>three goals in five</strong> and is an automatic pick given his captaincy potential and the dearth of alternative attacking options.</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-39195 size-full" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/6.png" alt="" width="801" height="651" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/6.png 801w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/6-300x244.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/6-768x624.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/6-610x496.png 610w" sizes="(max-width: 801px) 100vw, 801px" /></p>
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<h2>The Defence: Attacking Production</h2>
<p>A glance at the attacking data for Chelsea’s defenders since Tuchel took charge makes for stark reading.</p>
<p><strong>Marcos Alonso (£5.9m) </strong> ranks <strong>top amongst his colleagues for shots (31), shots on target (14) and expected goals xG (3.52)</strong>. Furthermore, the Spaniard ranks <strong>first for expected assists xA (2.95)</strong> and <strong>expected goal involvement xGI (6.5)</strong> which is highly impressive given the limitations on his game-time.</p>
<p><strong>Reece James (£5.6m)</strong> ranks second in this sample for shots (21), key passes (28), and ranks third for expected goal involvement (3.8). Unfortunately, The England international suffered an <strong>ankle injury against Manchester City</strong> with a time-scale for return to play as yet unknown.</p>
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<p><strong>Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.0m)</strong> is an interesting prospect, ranking <strong>first for both big chances created (4) and expected points (96.5)</strong>. It is noteworthy that any protracted period of injury for Reece James will boost the attacking potential of Azpilicueta, who can deputise at right wing-back.</p>
<p><strong>Antonio Rudiger</strong> ranks third in this sample for expected goals xG (1.57), bettering all the over orthodox centre-backs in the sample. Notably, <strong>Andreas Christensen</strong> ranks last in this sample for expected goals xG (0.02) and second last for expected goal involvement (0.3).</p>
<p><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" class="aligncenter wp-image-39167 size-large" src="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/5-1024x198.png" alt="" width="1024" height="198" srcset="https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/5-1024x198.png 1024w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/5-300x58.png 300w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/5-768x149.png 768w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/5-610x118.png 610w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/5-1080x209.png 1080w, https://cms.fantasyfootballhub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/5.png 1404w" sizes="(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" /></p>
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<h2>Ownership Opportunity</h2>
<p>The cumulative ownership of the Chelsea defence currently amongst top 10k teams totals 38%, although Blues defenders have topped the wish-list for FPL managers ahead of Gameweek 7. <strong>Alonso and Rudiger</strong> <strong>have been bought by more than 500,000 managers</strong> meaning only owners of double Chelsea defence will truly break the template.</p>
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<h2>Conclusion</h2>
<p><strong>Romelu Lukaku</strong> is an automatic selection of whom a case could be made to set and forget as your FPL captain over the next five gameweeks such is the level opposition. <strong>Antonio Rudiger</strong> has an impressive game-time record under Tuchel and a <strong>smattering of goal threat</strong> which makes him my second Chelsea selection.</p>
<p>While <strong>Marcos Alonso</strong> is worthy of the moniker fantasy gold when given regular starts I have concerns over his historical game-time and rotation threat. Therefore, my final selection is the steady <strong>Cesar Azpilicueta</strong> who boasts very respectable attacking output and the best minutes under Tuchel.</p>
<p><strong>Chelsea and Manchester City are elite-level defences</strong> and both back-lines are very much in vogue as the fixtures ease. However, rotation is inevitable and constructing a back-line consisting of three or more of their players without consideration for minutes would be akin to building a defence on quicksand.</p>
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<h2><b>Check out our Fantasy Premier League 2021/22 Ultimate Guide</b></h2>
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