Dugout Discussion

Pulisic benched as Lampard switches to a 3-4-3 against unchanged Spurs

The final match of Gameweek 18 takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Chelsea the visitors to north London.

Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT.

The team news is straightforward from a Spurs perspective: Jose Mourinho has named an unchanged side for the third game running.

The Chelsea starting XI requires a bit more explanation, however.

Frank Lampard has benched Christian Pulisic (£7.3m) for the first time in the Premier League since Gameweek 9, with Jorginho (£5.0m) and the injured Emerson Palmieri (£5.5m) also making way from the side that lost to Bournemouth.

Marcus Alonso (£6.0m) gets his first start since Gameweek 10, with Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) and Fikayo Tomori (£4.8m) also recalled.

All of that would seem to suggest that Lampard has switched to a 3-4-3, with Tomori joining Kurt Zouma (£4.7m) and Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) at centre-half.

Mason Mount (£6.5m) and Willian (£7.0m) appear to be flanking Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) in attack.

Mount, Pulisic and Abraham were three of the four most-sold FPL assets of Gameweek 18.

Lampard’s side have lost four of their last five Premier League games and haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road in 2019/20.

Spurs, by contrast, have won four of their five league games under Jose Mourinho since the ‘Special One’ first took charge a month ago.

Dele Alli (£8.8m), Son Heung-min (£10.1m) and Harry Kane (£10.9m) are averaging 8.0, 7.8 and 5.4 points per game respectively under their new manager.

Kane is the fourth-most-popular captaincy pick of Gameweek 18, while only three FPL assets were bought by more managers than Son in the run-up to this weekend.


Spurs XI: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Dier, Sissoko, Dele, Son, Lucas, Kane.

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Rudiger, Alonso, Kante, Kovacic, Willian, Mount, Abraham.



1,997 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    My 3 biggest fantasy trolls:

    1. Son
    2. Sterling
    3. Sané

    1. Jamb0
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      For me Pulisic is unrivalled

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pulisic for me

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      ^this
      Never managed to own any of them during their hot streaks. Sane TC for a 3 pointer in DGW tops it.

  2. mojoindojo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Rough: 8 from 6 including captain today.
    Smooth: Capped Rash instead of Son.

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      That's smooth alright.

    2. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      This is y I like to spread the risk and balance the team

  3. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Willian is a sick player

    1. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Innit blad

    2. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      he carried Chelsea that one season, alone

  4. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    3rd announcement in the ground to stop the racist abuse.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Must be a few Bulgarians over.

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Or English. We are just as bad

      2. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Isn’t calling Bulgarians racist a bit... erm... racist?

  5. SAY MY NAME
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    just woke up to find my triple spurs with Son captain hasn't gone too well, 0 points from 3 players, and had bets on spurs and man utd to win, at least i had a good day yesterday

    Son > Salah i'm thinking

  6. zon
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Willian is on fire. Might get him as a one week punt for Son.

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      3 week

      1. zon
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        What

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who wud replace Son for spurs, is it Pamela?- cud be gud luck for next 3 gud fixtures

    1. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Eriksen?

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lamela * 🙂

    3. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      is Lamela fit? But he will come in when fit yes, probably at Mouras expense tho

    4. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Anderson I think

  8. Railwayman
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Have Mane and no City players, so Son to:

    A) Salah
    B) KDB

    1. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I did to KDB, sold him before and was a big mistake...

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      KDB first

    3. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      b

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      B

    5. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thanks lads, KDB is the smarter transfer to do.

    6. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      KdB no brainer

  9. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Mourinho state of mind already rubbed in to the team...

  10. Postman Ty
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Rose literally just tried to grab Mount with two hands to stop his run off the ball.

  11. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    If I didn’t already own Rashford I might be tempted to get Pogba in as a massive punt/differential.

    But as it stands I may just go for Alli as there’s nobody else that grabs my fancy except Salah who I can’t afford

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Talking about a Son replacement by the way

    2. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      in the same conundrum. I have martial and Salah or Mane are just too expensive.

  12. Chaps Before Baps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    LONG TERM

    A) Maddison
    B) Grealish

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maddy long term fo sho!

    2. Sailboats
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

    4. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      a

    5. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maddison. Grealish short-term, although that McGinn injury won't help them at all.

    6. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maddy.

    7. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Maddison

    8. Chaps Before Baps
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wow! Thanks for the responses. Landslide

  13. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Special one back to basics.

    Poison will slowly begin to seep in.

  14. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    43000 transfers out for Son already.

    Wait or there is no way this conduct will be recinded?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Fool them once...

    2. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No way imo

    3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Depends how many son tears are captured in the newspapers

    4. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      It won’t be rescinded, that’s for sure

    5. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Ban will stay

    6. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      3 game ban

  15. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So got 1 point from 3 players today, including captain.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same.

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      1 from 4 here

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Same here

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        + Dendo 2 pts since Pulisic didn't start

    4. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      0 from 3 with captain here!

    5. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Net 0 for two including captain lol

  16. XabiAlonso
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bring back poch

  17. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone want to give me a wildcard for Christmas?

  18. FC Hakkebøf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son + Pulisic to Salah + Cantwell?

    Cantwell will be rotated with two defenders..

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      seems sensible

    2. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Another possibility is Son + Pulisic to Alli + Mahrez

    3. All For One
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Those are the transfers I was gonna do, but might just do Son to Grealish.

  19. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son Allí KdB Mane Grealish
    Vardy Ings Jimenez

    A) Son to:

    1. Richarlison
    2. Pogba

    B) Son and Jimenez (-4) to:

    1. Salah and Greenwood
    2. Aguero and Cantwell
    3. Kane and Cantwell

    1. FC Hakkebøf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Why would you want pogba? Rich could be a good pick though

    2. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Madders

    3. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Would just pull out of Spurs now, don’t invest. B1 but wrong to take a hit for a non-starter

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Its a hit for salah tho

  20. thomashl
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Best move?

    A) Hold, bench Son, play Cantwell
    B) Son -> ? maddison?
    C) TAA Son -> Tomori Salah (-4)

    Pope
    Kelly TAA Lundstram
    Mané KdB Son* Grealish
    Ings Vardy Rash
    (Button - Cantwell Soy Diop) 0.4itb

  21. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Kane sighting.

  22. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Time to get Digne back in considering the fixtures?

    1. Regin
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Just get holgate to save money. Or sidibe

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Have the money to spare. His added attacking threat is what I am factoring.

  23. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    3 - Willian (60)
    2 - Alonso (36)
    1 - Tomori (28)

    1. Railwayman
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tomori my second sub, why on Earth didn't I play him before Soyuuuuuuuu

  24. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Time to get rid of Alli.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wouldn't judge based on this game.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No Son makes him more nailed though

  25. Tempestic
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    From what i’ve seen of this game Eriksen is the worst player on the pitch. What’s happened to him?! Delivery’s been awful and keeps giving away the ball

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Wants out thanks to cheapskate Levy. Gone for free come summer

  26. UKG
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Dreadful game week. Alli captain fail. Should have known!

  27. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Funny how England is taking the fight against racism internationally. Stones in glass houses much?

    1. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      They just elected Boris.

    2. thomashl
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Don’t bring John Stones into this

  28. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Anyone fancy Aguero for next game or still unsure over Jesus rotation? Aguero could be a huge differential with City back on form

  29. Londongeezaa
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    People waited 96mins to hear “Kane with a chance” in the commentary.

    What a poor show from Spurs today. Outplayed from the off.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Tactical error from Mourinho. After 15 mins he should have switched to 3-5-2. Matched Chelsea.

  30. bombayblues
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son to Salah or Mane?

    Forward 8:
    Son. Alli. KDB. Cantwell. Dendo
    Abraham. Vardy. Rashord