Chelsea are set for back-to-back Blank Gameweeks in Fantasy Premier League due to their participation in the FIFA Club World Cup.
The tournament takes place in February 2022, meaning the Blues’ fixtures against Brighton & Hove Albion and Arsenal in Gameweeks 24 and 25 respectively have been postponed.
Chelsea have been among the most reliable teams in defence this term, keeping a league-high eight clean sheets.
As a result, they boast five of the nine top-scoring defenders in Fantasy, while Edouard Mendy (£6.3m) is the top-scoring goalkeeper.
Those displays have made their key players at the back hugely popular picks.
Mendy and centre-back Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) are owned in around 20 per cent of squads, while wing-back Reece James (£6.3m) can be found in over 36 per cent.
Make early sales?
Those who have doubled up on Thomas Tuchel’s defence will have to carefully manage their benches if they choose to keep their Chelsea players during the Club World Cup.
However, given the Blues' schedule prior to the tournament, many managers might plan an early exit.
Tuchel’s side face Liverpool and Manchester City in back-to-back matches in Gameweeks 21 and 22.
Chelsea schedule GW21-25
| GW | Opp |
| 21 | LIV (H) |
|---|---|
| 22 | MCI (A) |
| 23 | TOT (H) |
| 24 | Blank |
| 25 | Blank |
The potential for points at both ends of the pitch suggests current owners of Chelsea defenders will be happy to hold for now.
Hold second Wildcard?
But managers who are considering a second Wildcard, which is available from Gameweek 21, may decide to temporarily overlook them as a result of that schedule.
The postponed matches have yet to be rescheduled, and Chelsea are expected to have Double Gameweeks later in the season.