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. JIM BOB
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Ben Davies could be a cracking option at 4.7 if he replaces Vert.....

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

      But he won't

      Dier will

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Nonsense. Dier is already playing in the back 3. Simmer or Davies to come in.

        1. Art Vandelay
          • 13 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          *Wimmer

        2. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Dier will replace him by moving over a few feet 🙂

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

      Darn good point

    3. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      At cb you reckon?

      1. JIM BOB
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Yep, left CB. Back 3 of Dier, Toby, Davies

        1. Get up ya bum
          • 14 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          Interesting

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

      ben davies is a full back!

      i think spurs are in a bit of trouble here. yeah they've a few options to step in but none of them are really the type of classy CB you'd want when challenging for the title. i think they'll hit the market

      1. Get up ya bum
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        He can play in the back 3 for sure

        1. JIM BOB
          • 7 Years
          7 years, 5 months ago

          This. Good in the ball, left footed, played there before in Europ.

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

          yeah not saying he can't but it's not his real position. spurs are title contenders, you want/need a top player playing at CB

    5. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      they'll prob go back to 4 atb

      1. JIM BOB
        • 7 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Disagree

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

    Allen > Cout tonight ?

    Won't be able to do it if Cour raise...

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

      I would ...playing Swansea nest at home

      That's almost guaranteed points

    2. United10
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      do it

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

        Thanks guys !

  3. vardys party
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Allen to Schneiderlin? At 4.6m, he could be a cheap differential 5th mid

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

      Very exciting move

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

      Differntial 5th mid?

      You'd hardly use the 5th mid so I wouldn't say it mattered. Could be good though

    3. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      See if he plays yet

    4. vardys party
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Its to fund Haz to Sanchez

    5. United10
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Waste of a transfer imo..id do it if you dont need any other improvements

  4. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Need the extra cash....which one goes for Jaku?

    A - Foster
    B - Valdes

    Have Gibson and Mcauley

    .

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

      Foster ...releases more money

    2. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Values
      Foster has really good Fixtures

      1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Valdes*

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

    Top 10K GW rank 🙂

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

      25,586 🙂

    2. Colonel Shoe è‚æ± 
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      flyin this season tm

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

      A lowly 53,135 for me 🙂

    4. A.T
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Lovely jubbly

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

      wow

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

      Nice one. 4078 here but will drop like a stone tomorrow with only Ibra left.

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

      CONGRATS 🙂

      87 pts (-4) here

    8. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Witchcraft

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

        Magic

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

      You could win it TM!

      Go for it 😀

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

    I need a Liverpool player for next week

    Who do you think will play up front for them?

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

      Firm or Studgy

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

        Firm is unless

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

      Rush or Daglish

  7. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    What happened to Giroud?

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

      Picked up an ankle injury

      1. @fpl_phenom
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        did it look bad like?

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

          nah, he got injured in the first half, and kept playing until the 60th minute

          1. @fpl_phenom
            • 8 Years
            7 years, 5 months ago

            cool thanks, like his upcoming fixtures

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

    best 4.4 midfielder? de roon?

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Carrick maybe

    2. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Rodwell had one half chance while I was watching. But he's probably not even nailed on...

    3. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      De roon attacks much more than carrick and scored again in the fa cup

  9. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    If Lallana and Lukaku do anything, I will break 100 for the very first time. 🙂

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      -outside a DGW, I mean.

    2. Colonel Shoe è‚æ± 
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      alloo doos, hope youre well

      congrats on top score

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Not too bad, thank'ee. Thanks. 🙂

    3. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Sweet. Nice one Mikey boy. Gutted I dropped Costa for GRU and not Kane.

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers! 🙂

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

      Nice, glad to see you back 🙂

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks, WR.

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

      Brilliant

      I need Ibra to score to break the 100 currently on 93

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Ooo! Lovely! 95 - 8.

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

          I don't think I have ever broke a 100 outside a DGW

          Old dudes Rock together 🙂

    6. Delhidynamo
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Congrats Doos! Great GW

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers, mate. 😀

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

      Good stuff Doos. Today was a good day 🙂

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks. Yes, it was, Hooky. 🙂

    8. Adam West - Team Serbia for…
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Congratulations 🙂

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers - Gruyere and bear it! 😉

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

      well i for one will will them on, especially lallana whom i also own 🙂

      1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        Good man. Good luck to us both.

    10. Gnu
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      How's it all hanging MMW? 🙂

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

    Hazard nowhere near the form, from an FPL pov, that he was. Doesn't look very dangerous in the last half a dozen matches I have watched.

    1. Colonel Shoe è‚æ± 
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      ðŸ™

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

      He almost had more points today

    3. jayzico
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      I thought he looked ok. Just outshadowed by a wing back.

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

      One play in the game sort of sums him up right now. Pedro fed him into the box. He looked to have been able to just stop there and have a great shot on goal. Instead, he decided to try to take it past a defender, which led to him to the touch line basically, decreased his positive angle, and ended up in a lame lost shot opportunity.

    5. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      This
      Got rid for going 343 heavy attack
      Don't regret it

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

    GW rank updated

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

    Brunt + Defoe > Alonso + Crouch?

    Have zero Chelsea coverage.

    Would leave a team of;
    Heaton
    Rose Alonso Baines
    Sanchez Alli Lallana Phillips
    Kun Ibra Crouch

    Subs; Robinson Chambers Pieters Clayton

    £2.4ITB

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

      I wouldn't

    2. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Knee jerk x2

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

        Have no Chelsea defender though!

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

      Not for me...Defoe's matching Ibra and Costa for forward points...why would you ship for 2-metre Peter?

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

        It's purely to get Alonso in really

  13. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Need to ditch Origi - but no extra funds available. Want to hold Haz for another GW, so looking at

    A) Origi -> Crouch
    B) Origi -> Gray

    Cheers!

    1. Rate My Tome
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      A if you plan on going 3-5-2.

      If you are planning on ditching Hazard next week, then is your bench not strong enough to hold and upgrade Origi to Defoe/Lukaku?

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        7 years, 5 months ago

        That's surely an option, though would be Holebas coming on

  14. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Chambers or Friend?

    1. Eden ACCOUNT CLOSED
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Friend wing back today and only left back at boro

  15. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    So who is the best front 3 to have now.
    Kane Ibra Costa ?

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

      It will differ every GW.
      Last GW so much hate for kane, this week they all love him.

    2. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Costa situation Unclear
      So,
      Kane Ibra Lukaku

  16. ViperStripes
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Big decision to make this week but with fringe cheap players and I'm sure lots in the same boat. i.e.

    A Get in Defoe and play 3-4-3 for foreseeable future or
    B upgrade Allen and stick with Anichebe bench fodder
    C Anichebe > Crouch and at least get some extra cash for WC
    D sort out my dire defence either Ake or Holebas to go

  17. ILOVEBAPS
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    To sell or not to sell Costa? Hull up next and no other Chelsea.

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

      Pray he sorts his differences with Conte out

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

      Tough one. Is he just injured or is there some tension between him and Conte? I am getting rid (most likely)

    3. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      .3 fall this time mostly
      Don't want to take that and a very likely chance of not playing.

  18. F4L
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    People sticking with Giroud for the time being?

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

      Only if fit a lot will depend on updates during this week

    2. Rate My Tome
      • 7 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Waiting to hear more new about his injury. Can easily be turned in to Defoe for me if need be.

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

    3-5-2 is the way to go!
    Sanchez 1 goal kane 3 but difference is only 6 points.

    1. Klopp For The Kopps 😆
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      6 is not Only 😀
      Takes 2 Assists or a Goal from MID

  20. Dynamic
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    It seems like 1st in the world will be about 60 points clear of second in the world after the game refreshes tonight.

    Crazy!

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

      I've always rated Knut Haebek

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

        Those Knut's are always around this time of year but soon dissapear from the shelves

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

    Fpl statistics have 10 players rising tonight.

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

    Consistency > random big scores

    I'm going back to what made me do well in the first place

    1. Get up ya bum
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      Consistent good scores eh? Hmmm interesting concept.

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

        All about balancing higher owned and differntial players to get decent GW ranks each week. I'd say a GW rank of 1m is good because that means you're hitting the top quarter each week. It adds up

  23. XABI 15
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    110 (-4) with Ibra to go. Fair to say this is my best ever week and first time over 100, gameweek rank of 1400

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

      Well done Sir

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

      Congrats

    3. XABI 15
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      thanks both

  24. FPL Virgin
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Why isn't Alonso's price going through the roof?

    Are people reluctant to swap their premium defender?

    1. F4L
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      hes rising pretty fast atm

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

      Costs 6.5 milliom

    3. SC not pearls before swine
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      He's already risen .6 from his low and there's a little negative momentum after his one and half blanks. I imagine he'll be up a couple by next weekend though.

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

    If Man Utd continue their run by beating Liverpool, the table will be really, really tight

    1. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 5 months ago

      will make it really interesting if united and everton win

  26. NIGHTHIKER - I Kane, I Shaw…
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    84 with no Spurs players. anyone else manage to pull something out of the bag after having no kane or eriksen?

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

      87(-4) without Kane and Ibra to go. I brought in Eriksen for a hit which ended up being worth it as I don't see Lallana doing anything.

  27. EDEN THE MAN
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Costa out?

    Could get him back easily in two transfers if he picks up form

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

      If you've not already transferred him out, I'd keep him unless you hear that he won't be playing against Hull.

  28. Gabriel Agbonlahor
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    Grant (Pickford)
    Alonso Holebas Brunt (Ake) (Amat)
    Sanchez Firmino DeRoon Snoody (Capoue)
    Aguero Ibra Giroud

    Have exact cash for all option. But, which one is better for long term. Eriksen or Alli?

    A) Snoody & Brunt âž¡ Eriksen/Alli & Chambers
    B) Snoody & Firmino âž¡ Eriksen/Alli & Lallana
    C) Snoody & Giroud âž¡ Eriksen/Alli & Defoe

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

    12 if captained.

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

      Oops. Reply fail.

  30. @fpl_phenom
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 5 months ago

    think im gonna dump hazard for Stanslas after hull game, and go for 3 premium strikers, thinking Ibra kane Lukaku

    would any of you go different given form and fixtures?