Having named four value midfield options for Fantasy Premier League managers, The Scout's attentions turn to those worthy of their higher price tags.
Willian (Chelsea) £7.0m
FPL managers should be quick to recognise the potential on offer from Chelsea winger Willian (£7.0m).
With Eden Hazard's (£10.5m) ankle injury expected to keep him out until September, the Brazilian has sprung into pre-season form.
Willian fired a hat-trick and claimed an assist in an 8-2 victory against Fulham. He played only 45 minutes of the match.
He looks set to claim a starting berth in Antonio Conte’s front three, with Pedro (£8.0m) patrolling the opposite flank, until Hazard’s return.
Owned by 8.1% of FPL managers, Willian started only 15 of his 34 appearances last season.
But he still produced a career-high eight goals, three more than he managed in 2015/16.
Crucially, Willian’s average of 191.75 minutes per goal was far quicker than Pedro’s 243.33.
Although he trailed his team-mate for assists by three to 10, Willian was also more creative than Pedro. He supplied 51 key passes to the Spaniard’s 42.
Willian created a scoring chance on average every 30 minutes, second only to Cesc Fabregas (£7.0m), with 21.9, for Chelsea.
His share of dead-ball duties heightens his appeal.
Again, he was second to Fabregas for corners (62 to 74), but his delivery was far more accurate - 37% of his deliveries found a team-mate, compared with 17% from Fabregas.
Tellingly, Chelsea scored 22 goals from set-pieces under Conte, more than any other side.
Handed a home encounter with Burnley to begin their title defence, Willian can profit from Hazard’s early absence to offer FPL managers points from the first kick.
