Opinion
30 September 2017 3512 comments
Mark Mark
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Suddenly the field has cleared again.

Having appeared to be awash with options and configurations up front, Harry Kane is now surely established as the undisputed primary target in attack.

And while Romelu Lukaku toiled in another four-goal victory for Manchester United, the other contenders for our frontlines have lost some ground.

Alvaro Morata’s early withdrawal against Manchester City has temporarily de-railed his burgeoning reputation and Fantasy ownership.

Confirmed as a hamstring issue by manager Antonio Conte, we must now wait on a further prognosis before we can be clear if this is a setback that will knock the Spaniard out.

Thankfully, Conte appears to be playing down the problem but the Morata bandwagon has hit the buffers for now.

With Sergio Aguero sidelined with a rib injury, Kane and Lukaku seem largely unchallenged heading into the break.

Despite his seven goals in as many Gameweeks, that’s a scenario that flatters Lukaku.

With news breaking post-deadline that the Belgian was struggling with a knock sustained in training, the initial thoughts were that he could miss today’s meeting with Crystal Palace.

He started and completed 90-minutes, but was subdued and failed to deliver the anticipated threat to a beleaguered opponent.

Kane, in contrast, was a menace from the first kick against Huddersfield until Spurs shifted down the gears in the second period.

But, typically this season, Lukaku could and should have matched Kane’s two-goals. He rolled a big chance wide before converting a tap-in from Anthony Martial’s centre.

Maybe the Belgian wasn’t fully fit but, in terms of the “eye-test” and pure performance, Kane demonstrated that he is on a different level at present.

My captain selection – switched to Lukaku overnight – was steered by the fears that Palace would capitulate, with the Terriers perhaps presenting a tougher opponent to Spurs.

To an extent that was true. United had more shots and had five big chances to Spurs’ two.

But Lukaku simply did not expose the Eagles frailty and help himself to the big score that I and many others hoped for and expected.

With United’s schedule now stiffening, Lukaku will doubtless suffer some sales, but those losses would be far more severe were it not for the setbacks for Morata and Aguero.

He may well survive in squads with Manchester City’s Gabriel Jesus perhaps the most viable and “secure” alternative left standing to partner Kane in our forward lines.

With talk of Aguero returning in four weeks or less, a move for Jesus could also be a short-term measure, aimed at capturing Man City’s plum home encounters with Stoke City and Burnley.

But given that they sandwich a Champions League tie with Napoli, it will be interesting to see if Pep Guardiola attempts to manage the minutes of his only out-and-out striker.

Arguably, those jostling with Kane and Lukaku for our attention have failed to build their case heading into the internationals.

Kane looks untouchable, and while Lukaku is nowhere near as devastating, he continues to prove effective. That might be just enough for now.

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

  1. SpiritRising
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    I was all set to use my wildcard after this game week but then I see next week's fixtures and they look quite good so will hold. Just not sure when is best time to use it after this game week as guessing there won't be any double game weeks before the new year. My team fwiw

    Forster Elliot

    Jones Bavies Dunk Naughton T.A.A
    Eriksen Ramsey Richarlison Atsu T Carrol
    Jesus Kane Lukaku

    I originally was going to lose Jesus and get sterling in midfield but now aguero is injured may be best to keep Jesus for now. Maybe injuries will force my hand one week.

    1. SADIO SANÉ
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      yeah just keep til you need it, looks good

  2. KingNidge
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Wouldn't surprise me if Joel Ward hung up his boots after what Rashford did to him today

  3. Everyday im Schneiderlin
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    how long is fellani nailed for ?

    1. KingNidge
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      🙂

  4. Toast
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 15 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    What do you think of this WC:

    Fabianski
    Davies, Jones, Ward
    Eriksen, Salah, Sterling, Fellani
    Kane, Jesus, Vardy

    Elliot, Femenia, Carroll, Mbemba
    0.2 itb

    1. AllanM
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Nothing. 2 weeks till GW8 so not enough info to say if it's good or not.

  5. Everyday im Schneiderlin
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    1ft
    cork to
    a atsu
    b fellani
    c decoure?

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Fellaini

  6. Typo
    • 12 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    would you WC?

    DDG - Elliot
    Bavies - Monreal - Daniels - Mee - Hunmeier
    Alli - Silva - Ritchie - Davis - TC
    Kane - Kaku - Firm

    🙂

    1. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Nope. Looks good

  7. TheBusDriver
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Elliot Foster
    Bailly Bertrand Davies Naughton Long
    Alli Salah Mkhi Moting Carroll
    Kane Lukaku Joselu

    1 FT and nothing in the bank.

    Though I don't think my team needs it, but I'm so close to activating my WC. What do you think??

    1. Davido989
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I think it's a shit team.

      1. Big P
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Yikes

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          It's a proper feud now

      2. arndff_
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Trollin or not?

      3. TheBusDriver
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I'm not talking about Liverpool.

      4. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I agree it's bollocks.

    2. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Just needs a bit of citeh in the middle, no wc.

    3. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Mkhi to Silva and I'd leave. Although could do Bailly to Jones, Berty to City def and Joselu to bench fodder but not sure I'd wildcard - just coming up with moves to maybe do if you decided to.

    4. Frank Koscielny
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Downgrade bailly to jones or switch to Luiz for Chelsea fixtures. Switch Mkhi to Silva/Sane/Sterling

    5. RESULT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I would do 2 changes imo

      miki to Silva or sane
      Lukaku to morata or jesus
      Bailly to Luiz or azp

      Choice is yours

  8. FPL Blow-In
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    If Morata is fit I’m liking Lukaku and Mkhi to Jesus and Sterling. Possibly Eriksen to Hazard or Femenia to Luiz/Otamendi for -4 also.

    1. Frank Koscielny
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I can see getting rid of Mkhi, but Lukaku? Hell no. Even if the fixtures are turning

  9. Optimus.
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    No Goal of the Month entry from Palace is surprising

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Should have submitted all those missed chances v Burnley, and edited it to look like one went in

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I remember North Korea doing that at the World Cup. They didn't show their game vs Brazil live but edited it later and made it look like they won the game 1-0. Because they actually put up a decent performance in that game they decided to televise the Portugal game live, only for it to end up with Ronaldo and co. absolutely destroying them and winning 8-0 or something.

        1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
          • 8 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Haha brilliant. Knew about the Brazil thing didn't know they showed the Portugal one

        2. Epic Fail
          • 15 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Did this actually happen or is it just one of those things that is spread but not actually true?

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      They sent in Andros Townsends shot on target vs Southampton, didn't get a mention unfortunately.

    3. Colonel Shoe 肝池
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      they could put a nice compilation of their defending to a benny hill track tho

    4. arndff_
      • 13 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

    5. Foozeball
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      How much longer can we expect Palace to keep up the non-scoring streak?

      I swear many of us will be upset the moment Palace finally score because we'll all be looking to get defenders playing against Palace XD

      1. Foozeball
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Watch Palace somehow get some scrappy as hell goal against Chelsea just to troll all the CS expectant Alonso/Azpi owners 😮

    6. Everyday im Schneiderlin
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      🙂

    7. Trilogist
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Season*

    8. RESULT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Frank Dr boer going to win
      Scored with a real beauty in the red light area

  10. Rate My Tome
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Are City playing so well at the moment that we don't have to worry about Pep rotating his midfield?

    4 of the top 10 scoring midfielders are City players. If you'd just stuck one of these 4 in your team GW1 and left them there, even with the dreaded rotation, this is what you would have got.

    Points - Points Per Million - Points Per Game:

    Silva - 44 - 5.5 - 6.3
    De Bruyne - 37 - 3.7 - 5.2
    Sane 37 - 4.35 - 5.2
    Sterling 35 - 4.4 - 5.8

    CItys fixtures from GW8- GW15 are incredible. I can't see any reason why they're going to stop scoring goals now, so these kind of stats should continue, even if they are benched some games. I've been set on bringing a City midfielder in anyway, but now I'm finding it hard to find a reason not to bring in two.

    Anyone else thinking along the same lines?

    1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      My only problem is that I'd have to shift one of Eriksen/Salah or lose one of Lukaku/Jesus/Vardy to essentially bench fodder

      Otherwise I'd be all over it

    2. Big P
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah you’re right....there will be the odd game where they come off the bench, but they are all good picks in their own right over a longer period of time

      1. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I can afford to double up and will, Sterling has the advantage of being good of the bench too, they look electric and before his injury I was all set to go Kun and Silva

        front 7 of

        Salah Silva Sterling* Brady
        Kane Lukaku Vardy

        Looking forward to it for gw8 onwards

  11. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Which poster is Andrew Gibson, the mods and cons league leader?

    1. Slam
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Want to copy his ideas as well? 😉

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I'm a point ahead of him so don't think so 😀

        1. Slam
          • 10 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Congrats that's a good start! 🙂

    2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      The wonderful GreenWindMill

      1. Team Cruel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Oh cool. Which one is Applebonkers in that league?

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Can't remember. Oh, yes - Doug ... won't come.

  12. Colonel Shoe 肝池
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    richarlison's name bothers me more than it should............. 😕

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah, bit Charlie Richardson isn't it...

      1. Colonel Shoe 肝池
        • 14 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        doesnt sit right at all..............its the fingernails on blackboard of the name world

  13. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    WC Team so far.

    Elliot
    Azpi Davies Cedric Maguire
    Salah Richarlison Silva
    Morata Kane Lukaku

    Any big changes needed for now?

    1. the snazzy viking
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      You can afford that?

      I'm poor

      1. ooooo
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        With Pereira Carroll RLC and 3.9 on bench though. looking to get some funds from double risers

        1. the snazzy viking
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Oh right, other than the bench the team looks perfect

    2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Probably need a bench for the Xmas period

    3. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Oh I see nvm

      Doubt Morata will double rise - Jesus might?

      Get RLC off bench in case drops

  14. hogree
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone have any solid ideas on any double-risers over the IB?

    1. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Kane and Davies probably will.

    2. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Can't see any that you wouldn't want on a WC

  15. Slam
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Only 8 pages worth of posts now, whereas last season I'd have something close to 30+
    A coincidence I'm finally having a good season? 😉

    1. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Something else I think ☺

  16. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    People seem to be writing off David Luiz. Seems a good option to me at that price. Any reason why?

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Hair.

      1. Sánchez
        • 13 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Fellaini + Luiz to ... ?

        1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Azpilicueta and Cork.

          1. Sánchez
            • 13 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Good solid haircuts

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 16 Years
              8 years, 2 months ago

              😀

              1. Sánchez
                • 13 Years
                8 years, 2 months ago

                Abe Simpson would agree with this method of selection.

                Johnny Unitas had a haircut you could set your watch to

                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 16 Years
                  8 years, 2 months ago

                  Brilliant!!! 😆

      2. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        As a curly haired chap younger than 25 whose hairline is receding rapidly left I'm very jealous of Mr Luiz

        1. My Name Is Prince
          • 12 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          The youth is wasted on the young...

          1. Klopptomist Scott Jelly
            • 8 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Is this alluding to the fact I am wasting my youth on a FPL website? 😛

        2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 16 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          😆

    2. ooooo
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      not sure if he is nailed or as nailed as azpi

    3. Sims
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      city defs davies offering better value atm. cant have too many top defs with big strikers doing well

    4. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's fine value, but it's a competitive market and funds can only stretch so far - especially for us sticking to 3-4-3.

    5. My Name Is Prince
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Reckless man, that red wasn't a black swan...

    6. Karan_G14
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Otamendi & Davies over Luiz.

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    What to do? 2 free transfers. 0.7 in the bank.

    Foster, Elliot
    Alonso, Mee, Naughton, Simpson, Tuanzebe
    Alli, Eriksen, Antonio, Salah, RLC
    Kane, Firmino, Abraham

    1. Sahil Yadav
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      You need some City cover. And Alli+Erik is too much

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 8 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Agree. Lose Alli and get both Sane and Sterling for Antonio and Alli?

    2. Rik Waller
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Can you do Alli Firmino to Sterling Jesus?

  18. purple.emu
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Activated my WC and now regretting it already! Ranked 86k and now gonna mess it up.....

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I think its a decent time to do it. Lots of fixture swings, not least Chelsea looking at great fixtures right through to gw27!!

    2. George Sillett
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Thinly disguised brag post.

      1. Hooky
        • 10 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        Wafer thin

  19. Tommyg
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Hazard got to be considered on his fixtures alone. Looks to be fit enough now, possibly playing up front. I'm almost willing towc to get him in.

    Am I the only one?

    1. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Him playing up top aint a plus.

      1. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        You may have a point.

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I'd want to see him play better than that

      1. Tommyg
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        He has crystal palace next. You don't need to play well.

        1. dark91
          • 9 Years
          8 years, 2 months ago

          Mkhi and Lukaku had CPL today

          1. Tommyg
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            8 years, 2 months ago

            Think mkhi has had his day for me, but see what you mean.

    3. andymck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's just such a frustrating player to own for me. Never going to be a captain option either so I don't really want to pay 10.5

  20. ooooo
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    How long will mbemba be nailed for?

    1. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Google 'Dummett injury', last I heard was maybe Nov.

  21. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    So hard to tell if Sterling is nailed or not 😆 between the suspension, Jesus rotation, and Aguero injury. Would like to think he is

    1. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      I just can't risk it with any of them apart from KDB whom I don't want anyway. I'm staying away.

      1. grumpyman
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I'm nervous about owning City players too. But whoever owns the right ones over the next few months will prevail. Bloody pep!

    2. Slam
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Depends how long Aguero is out for

    3. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Silva was brilliant again today and took up some very nice positions. Most nailed of the bunch too which saves a transfer down the line.

  22. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    King going up tonight and that 0.1 could come in useful for final tweaks. Do we think he is nailed, or not?

    1. Zebras
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Nailed but idk how likely he is to rise 0.2 to benefit from him

    2. My Name Is Prince
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      You need him to rise 0.2 to get 0.1, no?

    3. My Name Is Prince
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely not as nailed as Carroll though....

  23. Zebras
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Predictions for spurs home to Bournemouth?
    (Weary non-Kane owner)

    1. Slam
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Kane, Alli, Eriksen, Davies could all get injured by then

    2. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      He's the most expensive player for a reason. Find a way.

    3. Netley Lucas
      • 10 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      The wembley goals are coming, 4-0.

    1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Go clean on. 😉

  24. England23
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Thoughts? Looking at Mhiki to silva depending on how the IB goes

    DDG
    Kola Azpu Davies Simpson
    Eriksen Mhiki Hazard
    Kane Firm Okazaki

    Subs: Elliot Mbemba Romeu Chalaboh

    Cheers guys

  25. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Brady to Richarlison (despite hard fixtures)? Yes or No.

    1. We Will Klopp you
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      No, seems unnecessary, Brady has set pieces and good fixtures gw8 soon and then soonish, might even do well tomorrow

    2. kalmoffit
      • 12 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

  26. Everyday im Schneiderlin
    • 11 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    please FILL MY HOLE

    Foster
    jones bdavies daniels
    (hole) mikhitaryan eriksen salah
    moratta kane firminio
    elliot kiko mdemba cork

    £5.2 in bank
    a atsu
    b decoure
    c fellaini

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      b. very good team.

      1. Everyday im Schneiderlin
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        cheers mate 5.2 leaves me enough to do moratta to aguero in future

    2. jimmy.floyd
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      A

      1. Everyday im Schneiderlin
        • 11 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        cheers bud

  27. We Will Klopp you
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    1. Kane, Mr explosive
    2. Lukaku, Mr consistent

    The two players that I can truly say are season keepers from hereon now barring injury, no player can leave you hiding behind a couch like they can. Kane for his explosiveness and finishing prowess, Kaku for his ability to grab a goal, even if the ball comes off his backside (and his ownership)

    1. Sims
      • 9 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      kane is explosive as well as consistent. 3 blanks don't undo 3 seasons

      1. Sims
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        4 blanks*

      2. We Will Klopp you
        • 9 Years
        8 years, 2 months ago

        I know just trying to differentiate the two but yes kane is consistent + explosive and consistently explosive when he really gets going

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 11 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      agree but need a weak 3rd striker or midfield to afford these two up front.

  28. Cuchu
    • 8 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Which one you would rather have in your team Groß or Abraham? Opting to have Groß would mean that my 3rd striker would be 4.5 bench fodder.

    1. Big P
      • 8 Years
      8 years, 2 months ago

      Tammy

  29. Sahil Yadav
    • 9 Years
    8 years, 2 months ago

    Holding my WC.. Got 2 FT and 1.2m itb

    Foster, Elliot
    Kola, Davies, Cedric, Mee, Mbemba
    Alli, Salah, Mkhi, RLC, Carroll
    Kane, Lukaku, Jesus

    What should i do? I had Mkhi->Richarlison and Joselu to Vardy in mind.
    But would like to have a Chelsea and City cover as well