FPL watchlist: Don't turn your back on David Luiz

Chelsea centre-back is being overlooked but The Scout says fixtures make him a worthwhile investment

As Fantasy Premier League managers can now select their 15-man squads, The Scout analyses standout budget and premium players in each position.

David Luiz (CHE) £6.0m

A kind opening schedule hands the Chelsea centre-back the chance to continue where he left off last season.

David Luiz ended as the fifth-top scoring defender in FPL, combining three goals and two assists with 16 clean sheets.

And his all-round potential for points can reward early investors in 2019/20.

Promising start

Over the first 17 Gameweeks, Frank Lampard’s men play just three of last term’s top six sides in a run that takes them to mid-December.

Managers have been somewhat reluctant to consider David Luiz, however.

Only 9.6 per cent of managers currently own the Brazilian, making him the 14th-most popular defender in FPL.

Attacking threat

Yet the underlying statistics highlight his attacking potential.

Only five FPL defenders bettered his total of 34 shots on goal last season.

He also had a share of set-pieces, firing nine efforts from direct free-kicks.

A new era without Hazard

Fantasy managers must reassess their tactics when investing in Chelsea this season after the departure of Eden Hazard to Real Madrid. 

The Belgian was their top-scoring player in FPL on 238 points in 2018/19.

However, David Luiz was their second-top scorer, tallying 164 FPL points over his 36 appearances. 

And Chelsea's extended run of favourable opponents hands the South American the platform to establish himself as a big source of points once again.

See: The Scout's 2019/20 FPL watchlist