Dugout Discussion

Hazard deployed as a false nine as both Aguero and Sterling start

Gameweek 27 came to a conclusion earlier this afternoon with two matches held at Old Trafford and the Emirates, so our focus now switches to the EFL Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester City.

Kick-off at Wembley is at 16:30 GMT.

Both of these sides blanked in Gameweek 27, of course, as a result of this tie.

Pep Guardiola has made only one change to his starting XI from the side that beat Schalke in midweek, with Oleksandr Zinchenko starting instead of Ilkay Gundogan.

That alteration means that Aymeric Laporte will move back over to centre-back, with Fernandinho pushed forward into his usual central midfield position.

Sergio Aguero and Raheem Sterling start in a front three with Bernardo Silva again.

Leroy Sane is among the substitutes, though Gabriel Jesus hasn’t recovered from injury to make the bench.

Eden Hazard starts as a central striker in Maurizio Sarri’s usual 4-3-3, with Gonzalo Higuain only among the substitutes.

Marcos Alonso is not part of the match-day squad, so Emerson Palmieri starts at left-back.

Both of these sides return to Premier League action on Wednesday evening: Chelsea face Spurs at Stamford Bridge, while City take on West Ham at the Etihad.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Rudiger, Emerson, Jorginho, Kante, Barkley, Willian, Hazard, Pedro.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson, Zinchenko, Laporte, Otamendi, Walker, Fernandinho, Silva, De Bruyne, Bernardo, Sterling, Aguero.

1,786 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Bouncebackability
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Now we have three days of pondering on Peps line up after 120mins here..

    1. Infamy, Infamy
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      2 days. Deadline on Tuesday.

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

      Can we assume that Sane will start?

      1. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I think it's a stronger possibility than it was before

  2. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Willy Caballero £4.7 0.1% ownership could get a run in the first team now and might be worth a punt?

    1. DV8R
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Question is, will he play once Sarri is sacked?

      1. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I dont think he will be sacked until the end of the season at least.

    2. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lucky 0.1%

    3. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      I won't be touching anything from Chelsea for the foreseeable.

    4. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      There's no point getting him now but around 31 maybe though he's pretty crap keeper

  3. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Cannt wait to hear Sarri post match

  4. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Poor Hazard.. once again..

    1. tucaoneo
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hala Madrid

  5. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Don’t be daft lads, Kepa’s not going to drop himself is he

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      lol

    2. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Brilliant haha

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Haha 🙂

    3. Les Bleus
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      😀

  6. Ohhh Shola Ameobi
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 2 months ago

    Kepa needs sent to the reserves by Sarri, or his inevitable successor. Can't have that kind of attitude in any sort of positive dressing room.

    1. MTPockets
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yep Azpi/others should have just walked him off the pitch.

      • Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah that was the height of insubordination and Sarri has to drop him to send out a message imo.

      • Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Shocking! Caballero coming on could have been super effective with him knowing many City players and saving 3 in the league cup final a few years ago.

    2. Monklane
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      just when you think you've seen it all.......

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        You see more.

    3. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Was pretty much set on Firmino > Aguero but will he start on Wednesday...

      1. Bury94
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Who else could start?

        1. Les Bleus
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          We said the same thing about Auba...

      2. Bouncebackability
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Mmm. It is the conundrum isn't it.

      3. FPLGeezer
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Jesus isn't fit. Sterling could play through the middle and he looks likely to be rotated for Mahrez and Sane

      4. F4L
        • 9 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        surely will get at least 60 if Jesus is out

      5. Paul Psychic Octopus
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Maybe neither will start.

    4. as33
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Hey, thinking to do: Anderson>Sterling and Firmino>Laca? for -4 is it worth it?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Definitely not

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

        Only if you think Sterling starts.

      3. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Liverpool beat Watford 5-0 corresponding fixture last season though probably Silva still manager

      4. Majestic Chanka
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Insane

        Laca might be benched and Sterling likewise

    5. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Sarri has summoned the Italian Mafia to take care of Kepa.

      Meanhile Roman Ab has summoned the Russian Mafia to take care of Sarri..

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Meanwhile, Kepa has summoned the Galician mafia to have his back

    6. F4L
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      surprised Higuaín didn't take a penalty.

      1. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Kepa dont like him

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

      Sarri still get the sack?

      Lost yes but not embarrassed. He needs time and his own players but this is Chelsea...

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Own players like Jorginho?

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly.

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Needs to play them in correct positions for a start and without Jorginho being ineffective.

    8. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Conundrum sorted, simply stay away from city players

      1. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        reluctantly, for now

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Agreed

    9. Bow Locks
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      The donkey Cup.

    10. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kun to Kane it is then

      1. LǝgleSs e|even
        • 8 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Lol Giroud and Barkley having a fit in the stands..

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        😆

      3. yakirh
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks

      4. Patch
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Omg that is insane

        Wtf!

      5. trikster102
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks. I missed it live. Didn't know what everyone was talking about.

      6. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        JT would have dragged him off!

        1. Paul Psychic Octopus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Willy should have pulled off Kepa himself.

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Ooh matron

      7. Yank Revolution
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Shocking-- the only excuse Kepa has is if he was trying to say he wasn't injured, but there has to be a better way to do that!

    11. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Just logged in to FPL and realised Kepa is in my squad.
      Thought I’d sold him weeks ago

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        He wouldn't let you.

    12. Forza Papac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Kepa just secured himself a loan move to Vitesse

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        He'll get to know Pulisic well at least.

    13. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Mahrez will haul against West Ham.

    14. LǝgleSs e|even
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      First Kamara, now Kepa..

      These K's never learn..

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        checking out my team ....

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

      Reckon city they can win 3 trophies atleast....playing well & getting luck of the draw with cup opponents!
      Chelsea 1st major test in carabao cup & so far easiest oponents in FA cup

    16. -GK22-
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Lol players don’t look bothered lifting the trophy.

      1. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Lol.......

    17. TAT
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      These 120 mins makes things difficult. Should I still consider the Son/Rash > Sterling/Barnes (or Rondón) move or not?

    18. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Poor Zinchenko didn't get to lift the trophy 😆

      1. Mysterion
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        At least he can point to KDB when he's telling the grandkids about it 😉

      2. Ógie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        And classed as a mid in fpl also.

        The man can not catch a break. 😉

        1. Mysterion
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Here's that link if you're still curious, Ogie http://fplstatistics.co.uk/Home/Engines

          1. Ógie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers Mysterion

    19. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Agüero to play mid week?

      Jesus to return?

      Pep to play false nine?

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        Do you still guess? People gave up a long time ago.
        Best bet is to simply ignore city assets

        1. Richd
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Lol

          How’s that working out for you ? 😉

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Pretty well thanks

          2. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Have had City assets, always scored better without them

    20. chaser123
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      Best Rashford replacement?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        I'm looking at Zaha.

        1. chaser123
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          What about Rondon?

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • 14 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Not for me.

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        He prob only out for Palace game. No-one.

        https://youtu.be/8jmUk6T-4sA

    21. conorbon
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 2 months ago

      As a Chelsea fan I am absolutely appalled at Kepa, needs a heavy fine and to be dropped for the rest of the season. We get a list of unjustified abuse from fans of other clubs in my opinion but disgraceful behaviour like this doesn’t help our image.

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        You're right. Even my missus said it's not unusual for Chelsea players to rule the dressing room!

        1. conorbon
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Took away from a much improved performance. Big Willy C in goal for Spurs game

      2. MTPockets
          5 years, 2 months ago

          The sheer arrogance of it. He has to be dropped or it's game over for managing your team

      3. Lucky Z
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        In fact Sarri did not do 4th substitution in ET which could possibly decide the game (e.g. Giroud's one header) as he was keeping this for GK switch

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Kepa had pulled up twice with cramp in ET. He had subbed Pedro & Willian, and was never going to sub Hazard off. No space for Giroud.

          1. Lucky Z
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Just example. Kovacic => Jorginho

      4. Emiliano Sala
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 2 months ago

        who is safer ? sterling or kun ? the way pep was celebrating with raheem I think he may be safer. manager really loves him

        1. Lucky Z
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Kun is more essential. For Sterling he has rested Sane and also Mahrez

        2. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          Aguero.

        3. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          There’s that ‘loves him’ chestnut again lol. Just give up, like seriously, you’re taking how he celebrated with players as an indication of who will play? Haha

        4. tucaoneo
          • 5 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          How can he not love Kun given that hair

        5. MTPockets
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Sterling's fitter but has competition, but Jesus is injured. So no idea

          • Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            I have Sterling. But with Jesus injured, Sterling playing so many minutes, and City having two spare wingers as back-ups, I would have to say Kun.

        6. conorbon
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 2 months ago

          On my wildcard, thoughts chaps?

          Ryan, Steklenberg.
          Bednarek, Bennett, Diop, Lacelles, Lindelof.
          Moutinho, Pogba, Sane, Hazard, Sterling.
          Jiminez, Vardy, Kane.

          Leicester have good fixtures and I’m hoping that Sane and Sterling rotate well.

          1. GreennRed
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            Good players but very light at the back. Downgrade one of your mids or forwards and upgrade the back. Not sold on Hazard on current form.Have you bench boost left?

          2. Paul Psychic Octopus
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 2 months ago

            If you're playing your WC now, have you got a plan to navigate the blanks and DGWs?