Chelsea secured a decisive victory against Burnley in the Gameweek 12 opener, winning without conceding. While Chelsea showcased their strength, Burnley maintained their reputation for being a challenging opponent at home.
Caicedo’s Bench Role and Team Dynamics
Moises Caicedo, priced at £6.1 million, was unexpectedly benched for the match. Andrey Santos (£4.5 million) stepped in and delivered a strong performance. Coach Enzo Maresca explained that Caicedo’s recent international commitments were the primary reason for his absence from the starting XI.
- Caicedo returned late Thursday from national duty.
- He participated in only a light training session before the match.
- This marked the first time Caicedo did not play in a Premier League game this season.
Maresca emphasized that this situation would not be repeated, indicating that Caicedo’s contributions are still vital to the team’s success.
Player Management and Performance Insights
Reece James (£5.6 million) started but was substituted at halftime, not due to injury, but for strategic minute management. Maresca noted the importance of protecting players, especially with a busy schedule ahead.
Trevoh Chalobah (£5.1 million) continued his streak of starting every league match he has been available for this season. Meanwhile, Marc Cucurella (£6.1 million) impressed with his offensive contributions, assisting Chelsea’s first goal.
Enzo’s Breakthrough Performance
Enzo Fernandez (£6.7 million) finally capitalized on his strong positioning this season by scoring Chelsea’s second goal in the 88th minute. His performance was significant, especially after a stretch without scoring.
- Pedro Neto (£7.1 million) also proved effective, contributing with a header to lead Chelsea.
- Neto remains a consistent performer, registering five attacking returns in four matches.
Guiu Shines as Others Struggle
In contrast, Joao Pedro (£7.5 million) and Liam Delap (£6.2 million) struggled offensively, leading to increased speculation about their future in Fantasy Premier League (FPL). Marc Guiu (£4.2 million) emerged as a bright spot, assisting Fernandez’s goal.
With Burnley’s next match against Leeds United approaching, Guiu’s impressive performance may lead to more playing time.
Burnley’s Struggles Persist
Burnley’s trademark gameplay featured resilience but lacked quality in front of goal. They managed 14 goals this season, significantly outpacing their expected goals (xG) tally of 8.74.
- Zian Flemming (£5.3 million) missed Burnley’s best chance to equalize.
- Maxime Esteve (£3.9 million) stood out defensively, earning his sixth DefCon points of the season.
As Burnley looks to improve offensively, Chelsea’s focus remains on maintaining momentum in the Premier League.
