The Scout assesses the standout Fantasy Premier League performers over pre-season action so far.
Ross Barkley (CHE) £6.0m
The midfielder appears to have grasped his opportunity for first-team starts in recent matches.
Barkley has scored in each of Chelsea's last three friendlies, also supplying a trio of assists over the summer.
Notably, he has benefited from a big share of dead-ball duties under new head coach, Frank Lampard.
Barkley scored a direct free-kick in a 4-3 win at Reading last weekend.
What a strike! 🎯💥 pic.twitter.com/bQ1e6i84Eh
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 29, 2019
He then followed that up with a converted penalty against RB Salzburg on Wednesday night.
Barkley's spot-kick in Austria suggests he is now Chelsea's first-choice taker after the departure of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid.
And the 25-year-old now looks to have edged ahead of his rival Mason Mount (£6.0m) for the central support role.
Mount has also scored three goals over the summer, with Lampard using both a 4-2-3-1 formation and midfield diamond in pre-season.
Pulisic shining
New arrival Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) has impressed, too.
The United States international scored twice against RB Salzburg and was also brought down for Barkley's penalty.
Up front, Tammy Abraham (£7.0m) has started two of Chelsea's last three matches as a lone striker. The 21-year-old has a goal and an assist in those encounters.
However, it is Barkley and Pulisic who could be the go-to options for managers looking to take advantage of the Blues' kind early schedule.
Over the first 17 Gameweeks, Chelsea will play only three of last term's top-six sides in a run that takes them to mid-December.
Also in this series
Part 1: Lundstram a value differential
Part 2: Duffy making his mark
Part 3: Adams off to a fast start
