Fantasy Football

Newcastle United defender Jetro Willems could continue red-hot form against Chelsea

Newcastle United pulled off a coup in the summer signing Jetro Willems from Germany’s Eintracht Frankfurt. Willems’ addition was a move that flew under the radar yet his performances have been proof that Newcastle United’s scouting was spot on.

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Willems was a part of Eintracht Frankfurt’s run to the Europa League semifinals last season where they lost to Chelsea on penalties. Now, Willems is a part of a scrappy Newcastle United team that sit 16th in the Premier League, one point above 18th-placed Everton.

The Magpies secured a vital win over Manchester United in gameweek 8 and Willems collected an assist along with 12 points.

Why should you select Jetro Willems for gameweek 9?

Willems has totalled 28 Fantasy Premier League point this season. After a slow start in which he scored just three points in the opening four gameweeks of the season, Willems has been a house on fire of late.

Against Liverpool, Willems scored one of the goals of the early part of the season despite Newcastle United losing 3-1 at Anfield. The Dutchman tallied seven points against the Reds.

One gameweek later, Willems put together a six-point performance in 81 minutes of football. Willems sat out Newcastle United’s humiliating 5-0 loss at Leicester City but rebounded for his 12-point haul against Manchester United.

Can Willems replicate his form and points total against Chelsea? The Blues head into gameweek 9 in fifth place and winners of back to back games. Going to Stamford Bridge won’t be easy especially with the way Frank Lampard’s team has been scoring freely. The good news is Chelsea have conceded goals freely as well.

Chelsea have allowed the Premier League’s fourth-most goals (14). Although Newcastle United’s attack has been non-existent for the most part (five goals), Willems has been a major part of the Magpie’s scoring. Willems has been a part of two of Newcastle United’s five goals.

Willems will set FPL managers back just £4.5 million for gameweek 9. It is a fantastic price for the left wingback who can add more goals and assists to his tally.

Newcastle United may not defeat Chelsea, that’s for sure, but they will play winnable games in the gameweeks that follow. Wolverhampton Wanderers, West Ham, Bournemouth, and Aston Villa are to follow in subsequent gameweeks for Newcastle United. All of those matches ae possible games in which Willems could excel in terms of FPL points.

Jetro Willems exceeding expectations

Willems’ loan move to Newcastle United went under the radar and perhaps that is due to his goals and assists numbers at Eintracht Frankfurt. The Dutchman played just two seasons with the Bundesliga side scoring zero goals and adding seven assists in all competitions.

The Dutch speedster is known for his creativity in the final third and could be invaluable for the Magpies in attack as the season wears on.

It was at PSV Eindhoven where Willems initially made his mark playing 192 matches, scoring 12 goals, and totalling 34 assists. Could he turn out to be one of the Premier League signings of the season come May? He could be one of the FPL signings of gameweek 9.