Dugout Discussion

Injured James and Antonio miss out as Lampard benches Havertz and Giroud

The final Premier League fixture before Christmas is a London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Bringing Gameweek 14 to a close, Chelsea v West Ham United kicks off at 20:00 GMT.

The Blues will be without Reece James (£5.3m), with the widespread media reports that hinted at his possible, injury-enforced absence proving to be accurate.

The long-serving Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.6m) comes in at right-back and is one of three changes that Frank Lampard has made from Gameweek 13, with Jorginho (£4.8m) and Tammy Abraham (£8.2m) replacing the benched Kai Havertz (£8.2m) and Olivier Giroud (£6.7m).

Speaking of those last two changes ahead of kick-off, Lampard said:

It’s just a rotation and looking at different attributes of players against the opposition.

With Tammy, some energy in the team from the front. Oli’s been fantastic and can come in from the bench.

With Kai, similarly. I’ve got midfield players who are competing, I have to have a good level of competition. Nothing against Kai, he’s finding his feet and he will find his feet.

There is still no Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) in the Chelsea squad despite the Moroccan returning to training at the back-end of last week but another recent absentee, Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m), is on the bench.

West Ham have their own injury problems, with Michail Antonio (£6.2m) absent yet again because of a hamstring problem.

David Moyes said of the forward ahead of the match:

He’s getting closer but not ready for the game. He’s a big miss for us, undoubtedly, but hopefully, we’ll get him back soon.

Manuel Lanzini (£6.4m) misses out with a similar issue.

Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m) has recovered from a minor groin problem to start, at least, with the Paraguayan ousting Issa Diop (£4.3m) from the Hammers’ starting XI.

Mark Noble (£4.6m) also makes his first start in the Premier League since September as Moyes looks to bolster his midfield for this tricky away trip.

Said Benrahma (£6.0m) is the man to make way to accommodate the West Ham skipper.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Jorginho, Kante, Mount, Werner, Abraham, Pulisic.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Noble, Fornals, Haller.

Lessons learned from FPL Gameweek 14

1,979 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chillwell injury serious enough to ship out ?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Looked painful but I guess until scan we dont know.

    2. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Possible doubt but won’t know just yet

  2. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bowen robbed of a fair goal wtf!???

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I know man, what did he do wrong!? Saying that, he didnt complain much when the ref blew up.

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I know. Bizzare really

    2. WVA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It didn't look like a foul to me but he may have caught Silva's foot which caused him to trip but still a dive IMO

  3. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell to TAA or play Lamptey?

    1. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Get on the Trent train out of those options.

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

      Think I'm doing Lamptey to Coufal and playing him instead. Don't fancy losing Chilwell just yet. Lamptey however can go away asap

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        But would probably just play Lamptey of your options

    3. ZimZalabim
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      as a Lamptey owner I can say that he is extremely frustrating to own constantly misses games and in this hectic period is just a pain to own him and have his no shows

  4. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Hmmm My plan was to get Dcl in for Wilson.
    But after Chilwell injury would you do Chilwell to Robertson instead?

    1. Woy_is_back
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      TAA lower ownership no brainer for me. Mostly in dead teams

      1. Henning
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Almost forgot him .

    2. Kun Tozser
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yep and no double for dcl

  5. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wow, Chilwell actually had quite a lot of transfers in for next GW before this game, something like 20k

    Any update on James? I think I read he had a late fitness test which suggests he could be back next match maybe?

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I'm glad the people that make such early transfers have been stung.

      1. ZimZalabim
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        for sure
        bit foolish after whats been happening this season and with games coming thick and fast and mid week cup games just daft to move early before the weeks fixtures are even up.

  6. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    If it’s just a rolled ankle Chilwell should be fine in a couple of games max. Hopefully nothing serious

    1. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Games or days?

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Probably games if it's rolled ankle and strained ligaments

  7. as33
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell and James in my team, happy days 😀

    1. as33
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Best replacements?

  8. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is there much between Coufal and Creswell now?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The width of the pitch.

  9. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McCarthy
    Chilwell, Robertson, Targett
    Salah(c), Bruno, KDB, Grealish, Lookman
    Adams, Bamford

    Forster, Lewis, Coufal, Brewster

    2ft 1.8 itb

    I've had Lookman for two gw. Should I

    A give him one more chance against Southampton at home

    B bring in Soucek

  10. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Soucek almost

  11. TOLV TUMS
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Fun and useless fact:

    Ben Chilwell is the second player in PL history to be substituted off on his birthday having played less than 10 mins, after Paul Gerrard for Everton away at Southampton in January 2000.

    Thank you, twitter.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      so pointless fact, but i agree with you. thank you, twitter 🙂

  12. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Soucek so good

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      for what?

      1. TOLV TUMS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        he's buried in my bench so hopefully not much this week 🙂

  13. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Glad to see James didn’t start so I can cash in on cresswell haul from my bench

  14. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A) Grealish and Werner out to Salah and Che Adam's
    B) Lamptey and Chillwell out to Robertson and Matip?

    I'm playing WC kn gw16

    Do I -4 chillwell out?

    I have no defense subs to come in.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      wait for news. if he is out than maybe, why not

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

      Grealish off back of 2 assists and most chances created (8) in PL away game last 5 seasons. Ok

  15. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell and James owners 🙁 Me included

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Me too

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Time for a couple hits

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        naaah.. if you have 3 defenders play them

    3. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Add Ings and Konsa to my list

    4. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yup. Hoping their injuries aren't serious so that I can hold on to them for the DGW.

  16. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Creswell a good replacement of Chilwell if he’s out for weeks..?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      not for me, i prefer zouma or dias depending on strategy

      1. LewanGOALski
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Zouma already here

  17. Sheffield Wednesday
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    1FT 0itb
    Chilwell* Robertson Vestergaard Cresswell 3.9

    Chilwell(6.0M SP) >> ?

    Something to consider is I have no defenders for GW18 and I already have three Villa players.

  18. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell, James & Lamptey owner 🙁

    At least I have 2 FT and 90 points this week - very annoying though with GW19 fast approaching

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      lamptey will be back imo

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I really really hope so - but I’d much rather a chelsea player back given Brighton don’t have a DGW

  19. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Downgrade Chilwell >>

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Taylor to fund Watkins > Firmino

      Or Chilwell > TAA?

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        The option that is not Firmino.

  20. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Wtf happened on that disallowed Bowen goal? Not watching the match.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not watching either but definitely a goal.

    2. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Silva dived, ref bought it and var bottled it.

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ugh.. Ffs.

  21. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Just for 1 season I would like the ability to see future results. Would be fun

    1. BeWater
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would you mess up a few things on purpose to make it look close or finish world No1 by 300 points?

  22. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Noble off at half time for Lanzini ot Benhrama

  23. jaywills
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chances of Matip playing vs Brom?

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Dunno, how good is your tip?

    2. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      50 - 50 he will either play or not.

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Matip will be in.

      1. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Never gets old

  24. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Observations so far. Cresswell is getting into some good crossing positions. Outside chance of an assist. Soucek making a nuisance of himself in the box as usual.

  25. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Coufal and Cresswell GTFO out my team. Useless.

    1. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How many players you have in your team ?

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Check my link

    2. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Coufal got 8 pointer last week. What do you expect for that price? Return every week?

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes because every other defender returns weekly

    3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      The parody that is Fudgy, please never quit, I think I’d miss your posts

    4. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Decent score this week!

  26. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cresswell's delivery has been so bad in this game.

  27. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Guys you don’t even know if Chilwell will be fit or not for next GW. Keep calm 😉

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah true. Got to wait for news on both him & James now.

  28. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chillwell injury isnt the worst thing tbh

    Possible route for a pool full back now. Was looking impossible to git one in for me otherwise

  29. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Chilwell to Matip or Dallas? Extra cash will help upgrade Mitchell/Dunne.

  30. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Injuries beginning to mason mount up, glad I invested a few quid into my bench !

    1. Monklane
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I see what you did there.