Fantasy Premier League

Sanchez scare fuels Hazard rush

By The Scout 9 Nov 2016
Eden Hazard, Chelsea

Chelsea' star is on form and closing in on a million FPL owners as injury concerns for Arsenal midfielder mount

Related Articles
Firmino chip helps manager claim GW11 prize
FPL Dream Team: Chelsea dominate in Gameweek 11
Kane adds to FPL forward options

By the time a ball is kicked in Gameweek 12, Eden Hazard (£10.1m) could be residing in over one million FPL squads.

His five goals in four Gameweeks have sent the market into a spin, with almost 200,000 FPL managers swooping for the Chelsea man since Saturday's deadline.

It marks a rapid turnaround for Hazard as a Fantasy asset.

The Belgian actually ranks fourth for total transfers out this season, with more than 795,000 managers showing him the door.

That decline in ownership fell between Gameweeks 4-7, a period in which Hazard's output dried up. The Belgium international returned just eight points over four outings, as Chelsea were held at Swansea City, while slipping to defeats against Liverpool and Arsenal.

Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur
Alexis Sanchez has suffered over lost over 57,000 owners ahead of GW 12 with doubts surrounding his availability for the trip to Old Trafford

The Hazard revival has coincided with Antonio Conte's switch of tactics for the Gameweek 7 trip to Hull City. Liberated by a 3-4-3 system, the 25-year-old has blasted 49 points in the four fixtures that followed.

With set-pieces, including penalties, to add to his substantial new threat from open play, Hazard has become a near-essential FPL asset.

The clamour to acquire his services has had an immediate effect on Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez (£11.4m), despite the Chilean ranking as the top scoring FPL player prior to Gameweek 11.

Hazard's 19-point haul in Saturday's dismantling of Everton immediately set Sanchez's stock on a downward spiral. This was exacerbated by a fourth blank in six home matches following Sunday's 1-1 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

News of a training camp injury with Chile has sparked further Sanchez sales. He is an early doubt for the Gameweek 12 trip to Old Trafford having suffered a calf problem.

Raheem Sterling, Manchester City
Raheem Sterling has been sold more than any other FPL player following five successive Gameweek blanks

More than 57,000 FPL managers have shown Sanchez the exit since Saturday's deadline, turning to Hazard as their likely replacement.

But Manchester City's Raheem Sterling (£8.1m) has been the major casualty of the scramble for the Chelsea star.

Rested from the matchday squad for the 1-1 draw with Middlesbrough, Sterling had failed to return a goal or an assist in his previous four appearances.

Over 95,000 have lost patience with the City man, as heads are turned by Hazard.

Liverpool v Watford
Phillipe Coutinho has continued to attract investment and is now the most owned FPL asset found in 46.4% of squads

With the form of Liverpool pair Philippe Coutinho (£8.7m) and Roberto Firmino (£8.7m) driving further market moves, Tottenham Hotspur's Son Heung-min (£7.3m) and Arsenal's Theo Walcott (£7.8m) have also suffered further losses.

Son's prospects are dented by the return to fitness of Harry Kane (£10.7m), though his starting role seems more secure given the likely absence of Dele Alli (£8.2m) for the Gameweek 12 home derby encounter with West Ham United through injury.

Equally, Walcott's pitch time could be more assured should Sanchez face a spell on the sidelines.

It remains to be seen if Hazard can maintain his irresistible form to justify this current transfer trend and, crucially, whether the assets sold or under threat can rediscover the consistency to keep pace with the Chelsea man. 

Latest Videos

More Videos

Video is currently not available.

22 Nov 2024

Fifteen years ago today: Spurs 9-1 Wigan

Jermain Defoe scored FIVE times as EIGHT of Spurs' goals in this incredible win came in the second half

Your details have been submitted successfully.

You have already entered this competition. Please check your email for further information.

Your details have been submitted successfully.

Create a Premier League account

Continue

You are logged in as

Enter your details