{"id":354964,"date":"2025-12-17T23:00:12","date_gmt":"2025-12-17T23:00:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/354964\/"},"modified":"2025-12-17T23:00:12","modified_gmt":"2025-12-17T23:00:12","slug":"estevao-injury-guiu-poor-caicedo-returns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/354964\/","title":{"rendered":"Estevao injury, Guiu poor + Caicedo returns"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chelsea are the first team to reach the 2025\/26 EFL Cup semi-finals, after a second-half 3-1 surge overcame League One leaders Cardiff City on Tuesday.<\/p>\n

A few noteworthy issues arose for Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers.<\/p>\n

ESTEVAO TO MISS GAMEWEEK 17\"FPL<\/p>\n

The Blues\u2019 starting XI was completely different to last Saturday\u2019s against Everton, with Enzo Maresca making 11 changes. This could have meant Estevao (\u00a36.5m) minutes, had the wonderkid not picked up an injury that will keep him out of the weekend trip to Newcastle United.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe had a small problem, a muscle problem. He won\u2019t be available for Newcastle, and we\u2019ll see for the next one.\u201d \u2013 Enzo Maresca on Estevao, post-match<\/a><\/p>\n

This should secure Pedro Neto\u2018s (\u00a37.3m) place in the St James\u2019 Park lineup.<\/p>\n

POOR GUIU AUDITION\"FPL<\/p>\n

As for Marc Guiu (\u00a34.2m), the cheap striker of choice for most Jean-Philippe Mateta (\u00a37.8m) and Nick Woltemade (\u00a37.4m) sellers, this rare start was a bad display. When he could have laid down a marker for more game-time in the absence of Liam Delap (\u00a36.2m), he flopped.<\/p>\n

All first-half service could be described as generally poor, mind, especially from Jamie Gittens (\u00a36.1m).<\/p>\n

The Spaniard\u2019s 31st-minute shot on target was his sole penalty area touch, stopped at the near-post by Nathan Trott.<\/p>\n

\u201cOff the ball, we were quite good, on the ball, we struggled a bit to create chances [in the first half] for many reasons. Second half we were much better on the ball.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt was a big difference between the first half and second half, the way we attacked also. Cardiff were very organised and intense. In the end, we did enough to win the game.\u201d \u2013 Enzo Maresca, speaking to Sky Sports<\/a><\/p>\n

However, it was another game where Maresca\u2019s wholesale changes weren\u2019t quite going to plan. So he hauled off Guiu and Tyrique George (\u00a34.8m) at half-time for Alejandro Garnacho (\u00a36.4m) and Joao Pedro (\u00a37.3m).<\/p>\n

This worked superbly. Garnacho missed all three big chances versus Everton and soon had another here, but went on to net twice.<\/p>\n

The first came from a defensive error that Facundo Buonanotte (\u00a34.6m) pounced upon, while centre-forward Pedro assisted his stoppage-time clincher and also held up the ball for fellow sub Neto\u2019s goal, soon after David Turnbull headed in a 75th-minute equaliser.<\/p>\n

The least-owned of FPL\u2019s eight highest-scoring midfielders, Neto has accumulated four goals and three assists from his latest nine league outings.<\/p>\n

\"FPL<\/p>\n

Above: FPL player points from Gameweek 8 onwards<\/p>\n

ENZO, PALMER + JAMES RESTS, CAICEDO RETURNS<\/p>\n

Still, some key Chelsea stars were able to get a full breather. Enzo Fernandez (\u00a36.6m), Reece James (\u00a35.6m) and Robert Sanchez (\u00a34.9m) were unused substitutes, whereas Marc Cucurella (\u00a36.2m) found himself suspended for two previous EFL Cup yellow cards, and Cole Palmer\u2018s (\u00a310.3m) minutes are being carefully managed.<\/p>\n

After a three-match domestic ban, Moises Caicedo (\u00a35.7m) played all 90 minutes but was booked again for sarcastically applauding the referee. He\u2019ll therefore miss the semi-final first leg, held between Gameweeks 21 and 22.<\/p>\n

Caicedo\u2019s return is a significant one for owners of James, who has been playing in midfield recently. Is it now a straight choice between the England international and the in-form Malo Gusto (\u00a34.9m)?<\/p>\n

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