Cole Palmer Returns With 14-Point Haul Against Manchester United
It is almost as if Cole Palmer is deliberately taunting Dream Team managers after a turbulent stretch of fixtures. The Chelsea midfielder was among the most transferred-out players ahead of Gameweek 9, and the gaffers who ditched him watched on in horror when he banked 14 points against Manchester United on Halloween.
The 24-year-old midfielder proved his enduring value by scoring a penalty in the 64th minute after a VAR review revealed a moment of madness from Lisandro Martinez. Beyond the goal, Palmer registered two shots on target, two tackles, and 10 PPM for three bonus points, making him the top-performing midfielder for the Gameweek at the time of writing, with only Tottenham centre-back Jan Paul van Hecke above him among all assets.
Why Dream Team Managers Sold Cole Palmer After Gameweek 8
Many Dream Team bosses sold Palmer as a direct result of his Gameweek 8 disaster. He was sent off against Spurs last weekend and consequently suspended for the Blues, missing the Carabao Cup trip to Liverpool, which ended in penalty heartbreak for his club.
Expectations were high in Gameweek 8 because double headers are few and far between for Chelsea this season without European commitments. Because of this lack of extra fixtures, Palmer earning a zero score came as a heavy disappointment to fantasy managers who relied on his usual output.
Unfortunately, some gaffers would have ditched Palmer under the false impression he was not eligible to face Michael Carrick's side, not realising his suspension was served in full at Anfield. This misunderstanding of suspension rules led to hasty transfers out before his masterclass against Manchester United.
The Standings Among Dream Team Midfielders
Despite his recent red card and suspension, Palmer remains at the summit of the fantasy standings for his position. Xabi Alonso's strongest weapons currently rank first and joint-second among Dream Team midfielders as the season progresses through its autumn schedule.
MOST POINTS AMONG DREAM TEAM MIDFIELDERS
- 96 pts - Cole Palmer
- 91 pts - Morgan Rogers
- 91 pts - Rayan Cherki
- 91 pts - Pascal Gross
- 89 pts - Marcus Tavernier
It is unlikely Palmer will finish as Gameweek 9's absolute top midfielder as nine teams are scheduled to play in Europe in midweek, not forgetting the clash between Newcastle and Everton. However, his total of 96 points keeps him clear at the top of the midfield charts.
Transfer Trends Ahead of Gameweek 10
Looking ahead, Gameweek 10 is a simple one as all 20 top-flight clubs will play just once before the campaign pauses for the November international break. Hilariously, Palmer is currently the most popular recruit for Gameweek 10, ahead of Chelsea's trip to Sunderland.
The Black Cats sit bottom of the table with just five points to their name and have to be considered favourable opponents at this moment in time. Managers are rushing to bring the Chelsea star back into their XIs just a week after abandoning him.
Morgan Rogers is the second-most popular transfer target at present for fantasy bosses. The England international waltzed through Manchester United's defence to score his sixth goal of the season, adding to the five assists he has already provided, putting him level on 91 points with other top performers.
The Challenge of Chelsea's Fixture Schedule
The appeal of Palmer and Rogers is clear, especially when they are not on the wrong side of a fixture deficit. Fantasy managers must constantly weigh player form against the number of matches each club plays during specific weeks.
However, Chelsea's lack of European fixtures will come to the fore again in Gameweek 11. Many Dream Team bosses are adverse to the constant squad shuffling required to move Palmer and Rogers in and out of their lineups at the right times, proving that managing a fantasy team remains a tight call week after week.
