When building a Fantasy Premier League squad, knowing the set-piece takers for each club can give managers the edge over mini-league rivals.
Ahead of 2019/20, The Scout analyses which players to target.
Chelsea
David Luiz’s (£6.0m) threat from free-kicks and corners makes the Chelsea centre-back one of the standout defenders in FPL.
The Brazilian scored three goals, all from set-pieces, on his way to 164 points, more than any other Chelsea defenders last season.
His underlying statistics show why.
He placed fourth-top for attempts on goal from set-piece situations, including headers, with 29, and his nine attempts from direct free-kicks were bettered by only seven players in FPL.
Chelsea's set-piece takers
| Choice | Penalty | Corner | Free-kick |
|---|---|---|---|
| First | Hazard | Willian | David Luiz |
| Second | Jorginho | Hazard | Willian |
| Third | - | Pedro | Alonso |
David Luiz’s prospects were raised after Marcos Alonso (£6.5m), one of his main rivals for free-kick duties, dropped out of the Chelsea starting XI in the final months of 2018/19.
Looking ahead to 2019/20, the departure of Eden Hazard will have a significant impact on Chelsea’s threat from set-pieces.
Hazard was fouled 42 times inside the final third of the pitch, more than any player in the Premier League in 2018/19.
This meant Maurizio Sarri’s men often had free-kicks in advanced areas, boosting the appeal of their main takers, David Luiz, Willian (£7.0m) and Alonso.
On the spot
There will be a new first-choice penalty taker in 2019/20.
Hazard took four of their five spot-kicks last season, converting all of his attempts.
Jorginho (£5.0m) took and scored Chelsea’s only other penalty and could be the player to profit from the spot following Hazard's move to Real Madrid.
Opportunity for Willian
The dead-ball delivery of Willian is also a major influence on Sarri’s side.
The Brazilian created 29 chances from set-pieces, compared with the 17 of Hazard.
Of the 215 corners Chelsea were awarded, Willian and Hazard took a combined 203, with 111 and 92 respectively.
Having also fired eight shots from direct free-kicks, Willian's influence on set-pieces could grow further this season.
