Dugout Discussion

The Dugout Discussion – Leicester vs Chelsea

Saturday’s events conclude at the King Power Stadium, with champions Leicester City hosting potential champions elect Chelsea.

The pre-match chatter is dominated by the stories surrounding Diego Costa. Despite reports suggesting that the striker had been dropped as a result of a dispute and fall-out with the club, Antonio Conte has now offered the official line, blaming a back problem for Costa’s absence today….

“On Tuesday, Diego stopped training with a pain in his back and then in the week he didn’t train with us.”

It remains to be seen if there are further developments in the week, putting Costa’s future Gameweek starts in doubt. The Spaniard was sold by huge numbers overnight, with more than 400,000 Fantasy Premier League managers showing him the exit; over 378,000 of those transfers were in the last 24-hours.

Eden Hazard looks likely to lead the Chelsea attack in Costa’s absence, with Pedro and Willian flanking the Belgian.

Mark Mark created the beast. He's now looking to tame it.

3,043 Comments Post a Comment
  1. GoonerByron
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Could have captained any one of my other players and they would have outscored Giroud.. Annoying but suppose it's not a bad problem to have

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      No unless they all scored 6 😀

  2. klavan
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Sell costa tonight or wait for future news?

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Why on earth would anyone sell Costa tonight? It was last night or wait for more news....

  3. PvA
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    1 bonus point is David Luiz's point ceiling

    1. My Name Is Prince
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Sell, sell, sell

  4. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    My Cup hangs in the balance

    Aguero + 7 points VS Mata, Lallana & Valencia

    Who wins?

    1. Monty PieFan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      It's the Rooney ibra show tomorrow so I think you

      1. Clump
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        *incorrect spelling of Coutinho & Firmino.

  5. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Blimey Charlie, Mark! Hats off, my friend.

    1. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Team link?

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      2nd in Mods League

      1. Shultan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Well done TM! Just saw your score

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Cheers

      2. Lizard Lips
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Whose top though? 😉 Well played dude.

      3. JabbaWookiee
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Touché!! Sorry TM. Jumped the gun there. Kudos dude. You must be buzzing

  6. Shultan
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Are there any kane less teams around the 80-90 mark?
    Few people have posted 3 figure scores but have kane.
    Anyone managed it without him?

    1. GreenArrows
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      81 with only Eriksen from Spurs team! Lallana and Lakaku left to plau

    2. Lawrø
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      79(-4) without him... sort of nearly there 😉

      1. Shultan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Close enough!

    3. Greenbackbøøg…
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Close, 76 no Kane

    4. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      82 with Aguero and Baines to go 🙂

    5. Ridcully
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      77 with Rose as my only Spurs player.

    6. MrInbetween
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      92 Aguero and Ibra to go.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Your link is broken

        1. MrInbetween
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Yeah not sure why seems to be right.
          https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/entry/1117587/history

    7. KneejerkJoe
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      81 without any Spurs. But went Costa to Giroud and not Kane only to fund Siggy to Coutinho this week. Regret it

    8. Blunderland
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      89 with no Kane. Eriksen and Walker though

    9. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      78-8

    10. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      83 with Ibra to play. Erikson as my only spurs player

    11. AndyCook
        7 years, 5 months ago

        88 with Aguero, Lallana and Ibra to go

      • Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        84 with Ibra Aguero to go so could get close

    12. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      75 with 4 to play any good? 😉

      1. makaveli123
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Ban 😉

      2. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        tonnage already posted. if you have tonnage, boast away, if not, don't bother, someone already posted tonnage

    13. Monty PieFan
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Torres ya legend. Joined your league. Prob didn't make the cut but was curious. Thanks for the help bud

      1. TorresMagic™
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        GW5 needed 40, good luck for the season.

    14. Lizard Lips
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      115 is top score in the top 10k, had I stuck with my boring transfers I'd have hit 113!!! So gutted 🙁

      1. the axolotl
        • 12 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        this is what we need, everybody posting scores that they could have got, if they did something else

        1. Lizard Lips
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Good for strategy, play the dull conservative way. It's what makes Ronka the best, people like me are too spend happy!

        2. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Ok, so here's my contribution:

          I would have scored 86 instead of 74 if I went for Kane instead of Giroud last night!!!

          1. Lizard Lips
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            My point was I was moments away from nearly maxing the top score, would have been a first!

          2. Heavy Data
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I played my wildcard last night. If only i had picked

            Valdes
            Alonso(c)/Walker/Kosc
            Antonio/Arnie/Sanchez/Iwobi
            Kane/Hernandez/Crouch

            I would have had 164 points today

            1. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Damn, so close!

        3. Lawrø
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          If I had done Costa --> Kane and captained Alonso I'd of been on 109pts

          🙄

      2. Shultan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        You knee jerked out alonso, i have no sympathy

      3. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        ML rival would have been on 112 had he not made a transfer yesterday. Instead on 98 with Aguero & Jones to play, still ridiculous.

    15. cyclopropane
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      93 with lukaku to play. v pleased

      1. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Me to. Ibra and Origi to play. Halleluja

    16. Kaneyonero
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Having triple spurs attack paid iff today but I feel I need to let off one attacker for someone else. Kane, Eriksen or Alli for who?

      1. Shultan
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Why would you when all 3 are doing well, one has a quiet GW but then hauls the next

      2. GreenArrows
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Alli imo but otherwise will tell you different

    17. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Baines or Alonso?

      1. Syd.
        • 15 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Both would be nice

        1. Danstoke82
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Also have Rose though. Those 3 too expensive?

          1. My Name Is Prince
            • 11 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            That's the burning question, innit?

          2. AndyCook
              7 years, 5 months ago

              No Hazard or Aguero makes all three easy

        2. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Alonso but there are other factors to consider, for one, would buying Alonso inhibit you in another position, in that case Baines. Alonso gets clean sheets 95% of the time, is the highest scoring defender on average, basically plays as a left mid and scores every now and then, if you can afford him buy him but make sure you have the options to bench him vs Liverpool and Arsenal as I don't think he'll get cleanie's then.

          1. Danstoke82
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Great feedback many thanks!

        3. Shultan
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Do you have hazard, if so id sell after hull & then get banies.

          1. Danstoke82
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            No unfortunately no Hazard. Infact I have zero Chelsea coverage

      2. We Will Klopp you
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        If Ibra doesn't play I get 6 points from Gibson and I support Liverpool so win, win.

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Unlucky, lose lose 😉

          1. We Will Klopp you
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Lol

        2. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          he will and he will get a brace....
          amen!

      3. Mr Flibble
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        In case no one else has posted it yet - high scoring benchwankery

        https://fantasy.premierleague.com/a/team/248069/event/21

        1. the axolotl
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          now that is some epic benchwankery 🙂

        2. Kaneyonero
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          37 pts :O

        3. My Name Is Prince
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Oh dear...

        4. Saïss Doesn't Mat…
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Is he/she really in the top 10k?? even ghost teams dont have a bench like that lol

          1. Lawrø
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            It was intentional, he knew they wouldn't play

        5. tajulariff
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          and he will get all the points!! 37 auto-sub..

        6. We Will Klopp you
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          That is beyond painful, must have thought Alonso wasn't playing and Ake would take Alonso's place only reason for it, not sure about why he benched Heaton to play pickford vs low scoring Sutton of all teams, that is inexcusable.

          1. Fitzy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I think you missed the point of the post.

            1. We Will Klopp you
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Ah yes, apologies, ignore my post

      4. NATSTER
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        There is a hope to catch up when your two remaining players are Kun & Ibra.

        Tough fixtures though.

      5. Ha.
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Would appreciate a response... If Antonio rises, I'll get 0.1m on SV. Is it worth holding out for this, even if my target transfer also rises 0.1m?

        1. Ridcully
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          You will still have the same amount left in the bank if they both rise, so money wise it doesn't matter when you do it. The only advantage of waiting is more time for injury news or similar to be reported.

        2. Shultan
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Yes because you money ITB is the same but you have more time

        3. MTPockets
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Not really sure what you're asking, but Antonio's at +4.6% and gw hasn't finished so a gamble.

          • Point-one short
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Yes, worth waiting as SV will be 0.1 higher if both rise and you wait to buy.

        4. Blunderland
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          After Baps 89(-4) with Ibra to go. What's everyone else on?

          1. Kun Tozser
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            65 Ibra, Kun, Baines to go

          2. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Come back tomorrow night

            1. Blunderland
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Rather have the points in the bag

          3. Business Cat
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            88(-4), Ibra + Lallana

          4. Jack Burton
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            65 with Ibra valencia and Pogba to play you win I think

          5. Hooky
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            104 with Ibra left

            1. Jack Burton
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Wow well done

              1. Hooky
                • 9 Years
                7 years, 5 months ago

                Bloody Siggy and Pieters let me down though 😉

                1. Jack Burton
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 8 Years
                  7 years, 5 months ago

                  Shame ha ha I had pieters as well but I think you will get over it pretty quickly

          6. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            94 with Jones, Ibra and Lallana to go.

          7. odannyboys
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            see you in 24 hours

            1. Blunderland
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Again...rather have the points in the bag

          8. Firminooooo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            93. Origi and Ibra to play.

          9. Ridcully
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            77 with Lallana, Pogba and Ibrahimovic left.

          10. Yank Revolution
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            94(-4) w 3 to play.

          11. GreenArrows
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            81 with Lallana and Lakaku

        5. tattywelshie
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Best boro defender?

          A. Friend
          B. Chambers

          1. Nomar
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            B

          2. The Enlightener
            • 10 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Toss up, probably. I have both because they are so darn cheap/great value. Wish I played both today, instead of one.

        6. Pinky Blinders
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          I agreed with Sanchez and his glove throwing after the Bournemouth draw but what the heck was he getting all mopey about today when Wenger brought him off? Friend, your squad is up 4-0 with only ten minutes of garbage time left, what is the problem? I don't know, for some reason this is disturbing me more than anything else I saw today. Not sure it bodes well.

          1. BROOKLYN GOONER
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Clearly, he thought he could've gotten 1-2 more for his captainers--_that's_ an FPL asset!

            1. Nomar
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              This. I like that attitude!

          2. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Said the same earlier.

            If ifs not just him simply being childish, maybe its his way of getting attention from other suitors for a move away or a bigger deal at Arsenal.

            1. Pinky Blinders
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Yes that would be my logical conclusion as well. These 28 year olds seem to be prime targets for China money.

          3. Kaneyonero
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            He's not happy with Giroud and Wengers decision to play him. He's an absolute donkey. French wenkers

          4. Shultan
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            As long as he is fit sanchez wants to play! I like this attitude from my captain always hungry for more

        7. makaveli123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Costa to be assessed throughout the week. Guess he will drop 0.2 or 0.3 before the press conference. #decisions

          1. Syd.
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            The only thing to get assessed is his attitude

            1. makaveli123
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              And his real age

        8. Syd.
          • 15 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Liverpool v Manchester

          Sky really are a bunch of Penguin Tossers

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Yeah, everyone knows only Utd v Liverpool matters 😉

            1. Syd.
              • 15 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah both only bitch now about who has the biggest history

            2. Fred54
              • 9 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Its actually advertised as Merseyside V Manchester and when I saw it I thought that's a bit weird and disrespectful to Everton who are in Merseyside area and then if finally dawned on me its Everton V Citeh too. So yeah its true 'Manchester' automatically triggers United for me too.

        9. arndff_
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Keep Costa for next GW?
          A) YES
          B) NO

          Thanks! 😀

          1. Sweetboi
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Monitor

          2. Danstoke82
            • 9 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I'd say no. Can't see this whole saga being resolved this week

          3. BobB
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            I would keep Costa. Chances are they will keep him focused until the end of the season - chance of prem winner medal

          4. Shultan
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Im waiting!

        10. Fred54
          • 9 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          MY GK/Def this week.

          10
          11, 21, -3

          1. makaveli123
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            2
            7 0 2

          2. Limited & Mediocre Mana…
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            10
            21, 11, 5

        11. Valar(Keith)
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Anyone else have noone playing tmrw? Need to buy acouch

        12. Evans
          • 11 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Which midfielder to bring in when you already own hazard and Lallana

          A) Couthino
          B) Pedro

          I'm tempted with Couthino as Liverpool play Swansea and they're absolute garbage at the back.

          1. arndff_
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            You're absolutely right about SWA, but Coutinho was injured for a long time, so watch Liverpool's game tomorrow and decide wisely.

            1. Evans
              • 11 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Yeah ..it's tricky

        13. PvA
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          No Kane
          No Alonso (sold yesterday)

          68 points with Aguero, Zlatan and Lallana left 😎

          1. diesel001
            • 7 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            Still a decent score - what's your overall rank?

            1. PvA
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              4m 😎

          2. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 15 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            It was 78 earlier.

            1. PvA
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Typo

          3. arndff_
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            After two GWs with RED arrows in all leagues I play, today I'm very happy with my points : 84 with Jones, Lallana and Ibra to play tmrw. It's already the highest result I've achivieved this season.

        14. Earl Hebner
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          106 with Aguero to play!
          Kane in for Costa last night, green arrow finally after rank drop from 8k - 103k in last couple of months

          1. arndff_
            • 12 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            What's your team, mate? Show it, if you can. 🙂

            1. Earl Hebner
              • 7 Years
              7 years, 5 months ago

              Heaton
              Alonso Holebas Cedric
              Phillips Hazard Antonio Sanchez (c)
              Kane Aguero Carroll

        15. johanfool
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Crouchy! Proper footballer; no virgin 😉

        16. Klopp's Kids
          • 10 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Got 87 without Kane so far, really surprised. I can imagine many have already broke the 100 mark this week! Congrats if you have 🙂

        17. S.Agueroooooo
          • 8 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Can only do Costa > Kane tonight.. wait? And not be able to do the move?