Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers woke up to significant news today, as four player prices underwent adjustments ahead of Gameweek 23. Two players saw their values increase, reflecting strong recent form or positive fixture outlooks, while two others experienced price drops, often linked to reduced playing time or challenging upcoming schedules. These changes can significantly impact team selection strategies as the season progresses.
Price Rises: Chelsea Stars Ascend
Trevoh Chalobah Climbs to £5.6m
Chelsea defender Trevoh Chalobah has received a timely boost, with his price increasing to £5.6m. The 19.1% owned defender has firmly established himself in Thomas Tuchel's starting lineup recently, playing the full 90 minutes in his last three fixtures. His performances have yielded a solid points return, including 4 points against Manchester City, 3 points against Fulham, and a productive 8 points in the 2-0 clean sheet victory over Brentford.
The timing of Chalobah's price rise is particularly interesting for Fantasy managers, as he now faces a potentially favourable upcoming fixture run for the next five gameweeks. Chelsea's schedule includes Crystal Palace at home, followed by away trips to West Ham, Wolves, and Leeds, before concluding with a home match against Burnley. This sequence presents multiple opportunities for clean sheets and defensive contributions, which are now more valuable under the new CBIT (Clean Sheet, Big Impact, Team) scoring system introduced this season.
Enzo Fernandez Reaches £6.6m Despite Mixed Form
Joining Chalobah in the price rise is his Chelsea teammate, midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who has increased to £6.6m. Despite recent performances showing inconsistency, the 12.4% owned midfielder's overall impact has been recognised by the price adjustment. Fernandez delivered an impressive 11-point haul in the win against Manchester City but saw his contribution limited to just 1 point against Fulham after being substituted after 65 minutes. He managed a more consistent 6 points in the victory over Brentford, playing 85 minutes.
Similar to Chalobah, Enzo Fernandez benefits from the same positive fixture list Chelsea have approaching Gameweek 23 and beyond. His potential for defensive contributions, now more lucratively rewarded for midfielders under the updated CBIRT (Clean Sheet, Big Impact, Run, Team) scoring system for midfielders, adds further appeal. Managers considering a defensive midfielder or seeking value in the midfield position may find Enzo's new price point and upcoming schedule attractive.
Price Falls: Manchester City & Newcastle Players Drop
Matt O'Reilly Drops to £5.1m Amid Reduced Game Time
On the other side of the ledger, Manchester City defender Matt O'Reilly has seen his price fall to £5.1m. The drop comes amidst concerns over his playing time within Pep Guardiola's rotation-heavy system. While O'Reilly started against Chelsea, logging 90 minutes and earning 2 points, his subsequent appearances have been significantly curtailed. He featured for just 17 minutes as a substitute against Brighton (earning 1 point) and played only 45 minutes in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, resulting in a -1 point outcome.
O'Reilly's upcoming fixture list presents a formidable challenge, featuring tough away trips to Wolves and Liverpool, followed by home games against Tottenham and Newcastle. Despite Manchester City's overall defensive capabilities, O'Reilly's reduced role in the team makes him a risky Fantasy option, even at the lower price point of £5.1m. Managers holding him may need to consider alternatives unless his playing time increases significantly.
Jacob Murphy Falls to £5.9m
Completing the round of price changes, Newcastle midfielder Jacob Murphy has dropped to £5.9m. However, with minuscule ownership currently standing at just 0.7%, his price fall is unlikely to impact the majority of FPL managers' squads. Murphy's inconsistent playing time and overall contribution have likely contributed to this adjustment.
Key Takeaways for Fantasy Managers
The price rises for the Chelsea duo, Chalobah and Enzo Fernandez, reflect growing confidence among FPL analysts in their ability to contribute points, particularly as Chelsea navigates a more favourable fixture swing. Both players benefit from consistent starts and the enhanced potential for defensive contributions under the new scoring systems. Chalobah, in particular, stands out as a relatively budget defensive option with significant clean sheet potential in the coming weeks.
Conversely, O'Reilly's price fall serves as a stark reminder of the importance of diligently monitoring playing time, especially for players in teams with extensive rotation policies like Manchester City under Guardiola. His reduced minutes make him a difficult recommendation despite the quality of his teammates and the defensive strength of the squad overall.
As the season progresses and fixture lists evolve, price changes will continue to be a crucial factor for FPL managers to monitor. These adjustments can reveal shifts in player form, manager confidence, and potential value opportunities. For the latest price predictions and to stay ahead of future changes, managers are encouraged to consult dedicated FPL resources.
With Gameweek 23 approaching, these price movements add another layer of complexity to transfer decisions and team selection. Managers will need to weigh the potential upside of players like Chalobah and Enzo against the risks associated with players facing reduced roles or challenging fixture runs.
