Diego
Costa is set to return to the Chelsea squad for their
Nissan Super
Sunday clash with Hull, but is he the most important player in their
title hunt?
The striker was left out of last weekend's 3-0 victory against Leicester
after a reported bust-up with manager Antonio Conte, who said the Spain
international was absent due to a back injury.
The Blues have maintained their seven-point lead at the top of the Premier
League table, so just who is the most important player in their squad?
The Soccer Saturday pundits are on hand to give their views ahead of the
weekend, while we've also analysed the Opta stats used to power Sky Sports
Fantasy Six-a-Side.
Paul Merson says...
It has to be Costa, Chelsea can't win the league without him. People will
point to the fact that they've won the two games without him 3-0 but it's in
the long-term that he's important.
He's going to be a lot more important as the season gets harder, with the
likes of Liverpool and Arsenal coming up. When it becomes a fight you need
him up front as a focal point.
Phil Thompson says...
I would still stay Eden Hazard. I know Costa is scoring the goals but for me
Hazard has got his mojo back. He's got his pace and personality back and
he's back to the form his was in before last season.
He's everything Roman Abramovich wants from his side, getting you off your
seats when he gets the ball. At Chelsea that's very important thing. He's
just been wonderful.
Matt Le Tissier says...
Goals win games so Chelsea's most important players is Costa. I think it
would make it a lot trickier to win the title if he left because it's very
difficult to bring in a top-class centre-forward in this window.
Hazard is also important but they've got more cover in that area with Pedro
and Willian so it would be easier to cope.
Charlie Nicholas says...
I would say it is Thibaut Courtois and the reason I say so is they've had a
couple games where they've been questioned and he's come up with the
answers.
Costa, Hazard and Fabregas are more valuable in attacking senses but when it
comes to the big moments in the big games it will be Courtois who will
decides whether they can win the title.
They've got a few really big games coming up and for me, if he carries on
keeping clean sheets, Chelsea will simply win the title.
Sky Sports Fantasy Six-a-Side stats say...
Just a point sits between Diego Costa and Eden Hazard in Sky Sports Fantasy
Football rankings, but the more in-depth stats used to power Fantasy
Six-a-Side tell a different story.
Top Fantasy Six-a-Side points scorers
Player
Points
Azpilicueta 1333
Hazard
1255
Cahill
1236
Costa
1111.5
Alonso
1027
The Blues' ability to keep 12 clean sheets, four more than any other side,
was undoubtedly key to their 13-match winning run, with 10 wins to nil in
that sequence.
As Charlie points out, Courtois was the man between the sticks, but the
Belgian has made just 37 saves this season, the least of any goalkeeper to
have made 16 or more starts, so those in front are clearly doing an
effective job.
Cesar Azpilicueta stats
Total
Team rank
Chances created 12
8th
Passes completed 1140
1st
Tackles
36 2nd
Interceptions
44 2nd
Clearances
86 3rd
Aerial duels won 43
2nd
Goals scored
0 11th
Cesar Azpilicueta's role is considered the most important, with 36 tackles
made, second only to N'Golo Kante with 38, while no other player has
completed more passes, while the Spaniard performs well in the majority of
categories other than goalscoring.
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