Fantasy Premier League

Back cheaper FPL forward Werner over Lukaku?

By The Scout 19 Oct 2021
Timo Werner, Chelsea

German outshining Chelsea team-mate for goal threat in Fantasy ahead of favourable fixtures

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Managers on the lookout for a new forward in Fantasy Premier League should consider Timo Werner (£8.6m).

The German started only one of Chelsea’s first five matches this season, earning just a single assist.

But he has since been named in the first XI for each of their last three encounters, scoring his first goal of the campaign against Southampton in Gameweek 7.

Werner's goal v Southampton

Werner has remained overlooked mainly due to the popularity of his strike partner Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m). 

He sits in a mere 2.2 per cent of squads compared with the 36.6 per cent of the Belgian, who is the third most-owned forward in Fantasy. 

Over the last three Gameweeks, Werner ranks third among forwards for Threat in the ICT Index, a feature in Fantasy that can help guide the strategies and selections of managers.

Top forwards for ICT Threat GW6-8
Player Threat Shots Shots in box
Antonio 213 13 11
Vardy 199 12 11
Werner 173 9 7
Aubameyang 148 6 5
Kane 137 13 6
Player Big chances Shots on target Goals
Antonio 2 3 1
Vardy 3 5 4
Werner 2 4 1
Aubameyang 1 3 2
Kane 3 6 1

Inside the penalty area, his 20 touches and seven shots both placed third in his position across Gameweeks 6-8.

Only the two top-scoring forwards, Michail Antonio (£8.1m) and Jamie Vardy (£10.6m), bettered either of those totals.

Werner’s four shots on target also sat third, just behind Harry Kane (£12.1m) and Vardy, with six and five respectively.

Bettering Lukaku for goal threat

Those statistics look particularly encouraging when assessed against Lukaku.

The Belgian managed a mere three shots, with two coming inside the box, in the last three Gameweeks. 

All of those efforts were off target.

Favourable fixtures

Chelsea’s short-term schedule hands Werner the chance to get more goals.

Thomas Tuchel’s side face each of the bottom three teams, Norwich City, Newcastle United and Burnley, in the next three Gameweeks.

Werner looks well-placed to gain more attacking returns, rewarding managers with a differential route into the Chelsea attack.

Remember, the Gameweek 9 deadline is at 18:30 BST on Friday 22 October.

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