FPL pre-season watch: Set-pieces lifting Chilwell prospects

Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) has the all-round potential to be a big success in 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League thanks to his ability of taking set-pieces, and producing assists from them.

The Chelsea full-back has been handed a share of those duties by new head coach Mauricio Pochettino.

Chilwell immediately produced a return in the Blues’ 2-0 win over Fulham in the Premier League Summer Series, supplying the corner for centre-back Thiago Silva’s (£5.0m) headed goal.

Pochettino’s preference for attacking full-backs in a 4-3-3 formation during his spell at Tottenham Hotspur suggests Chilwell and Reece James (£5.5m) can reward managers in Fantasy with returns at both ends of the pitch.

James’ late return to action due to illness lifts the appeal of Chilwell as Chelsea’s go-to defender for a favourable run of opponents from Gameweek 3.

According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR) five of their subsequent six matches score only two.

Chelsea's GW 3-8 fixtures

Everton’s James Tarkowski continues to look a standout pick at the £4.5m price point.

The centre-back helped his side to a third successive clean sheet and supplied the assist for Amadou Onana’s (£5.0m) decisive strike in Saturday's 1-0 win against Stoke City.

Tarkowski's assist for Onana v Stoke

Everton enjoy a kind start to the new campaign too, with three of their opening four matches scoring only two in the FDR.

Aston Villa pair Ezri Konsa and Matty Cash (both £4.5m) are also in form, each scoring a goal in a 3-3 draw with Brentford.

Villa kept nine clean sheets after Unai Emery was appointed head coach last season, the third-best tally in the league.

A kind early schedule suggests Villa's backline regulars can offer value from the start of the season, with three of their first five matches scoring two in the FDR. 

Villa's GW 1-6 fixtures

Elsewhere, promoted pair George Baldock and Jordan Beyer furthered their claims as the go-to £4.0m-priced defenders in 2023/24 Fantasy. 

Sheffield United wing-back Baldock scored in their 3-1 win at Derby County, while Beyer netted Burnley’s opener in a 1-1 draw with Spanish side Real Betis.

Baldock's beauty v Stoke

As guaranteed starters for their clubs, Baldock and Beyer’s ultra-low cost means they can sit on managers’ benches to be called upon in emergencies.

Dalot produces attacking returns

Finally, Manchester United’s Diogo Dalot (£5.0m) has shown the attacking potential that can help him secure the right-back berth ahead of Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£4.5m).

The Portuguese scored in a 3-2 loss to Borussia Dortmund as Erik ten Hag rested the majority of his regulars.

Dalot's strike v Dortmund

Dalot’s late return to training due to international commitments over the summer has allowed Wan-Bissaka to start most of the Red Devils’ friendlies.

But his effort against the German side suggests Dalot can overtake his rival in Ten Hag’s plans for the new campaign.

Also in this series

Part 2: Eze pick of mid-priced midfielders?
Part 3: Managers moving to Nunez