Dugout Discussion

Chilwell benched again and Zouma missing entirely as James makes line-up return

The final fixture of Gameweek 22 sees Jose Mourinho face another rematch against his former employers, as Tottenham Hotspur entertain Chelsea.

Kick-off in north London is at 20:00 GMT.

This is the third game of the Thomas Tuchel era for the Blues and the early volatility of his team selections has given way to something more settled, with the German making only one alteration from Gameweek 21.

Reece James makes his first start under his new manager, replacing Olivier Giroud.

That will prompt a tactical reshuffle to accommodate the returning wing-back, with Callum Hudson-Odoi presumably moving into a front three alongside Timo Werner and Mason Mount.

Ben Chilwell is again only among the substitutes, with Marcos Alonso starting down the left flank.

Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Tammy Abraham are also on the bench but there is no place in the squad for Kai Havertz or Kurt Zouma, both of whom had been injury doubts.

Mourinho, who is once again without injured striker Harry Kane, makes three changes from the Spurs team that began the 1-0 loss to Brighton on Sunday.

Serge Aurier, Eric Dier and Carlos Vinicius are recalled to the starting XI, with Joe Rodon, Davinson Sanchez and Gareth Bale making way.

Only Kane was sold by more Fantasy Premier League managers than Son Heung-min in the run-up to Gameweek 22, with the Korean blanking for the fifth time in seven matches in that dismal defeat at the Amex.

The reverse fixture of this game finished goalless, with Hugo Lloris collecting maximum bonus en route to a double-digit haul.


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Aurier, Alderweireld, Dier, Davies, Hojbjerg, Ndombele, Sissoko, Son, Bergwijn, Vinicius.

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Silva, Rudiger, James, Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Werner.

1,112 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chilwell to:
    A) Justin
    B) Shaw
    C) Lowton
    D) Rudiger

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You going to try stock up on dgw 24 and 25 players?

      1. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not really, I think theres way more value in DGW 26 players. Though Burnley defensively I might consider

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      D out of those

  2. kennethrhcp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    R.James... keep or sell?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      See how he plays tonight first

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Really didnt expect the start and was nearly set on selling him

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't think today can tell you whether he's in the starting XI vs. "easier" teams or not.

      Could be that for a "top" tram they need a proper defender to cover the defensive side, whereas when we have far more possession someone like CHO is adequate.

      You need more games to judge that. Hold if decent cover, as SHU is a good fixture - otherwise potentially sell.

      1. kennethrhcp
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I've good cover if he was dropped again.

        Like neves said see howntonight goes 1st

    3. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Have to keep for the next 2 games at least, unless you're really keen to get Chelsea defenders which are not really essential imo.

  3. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    "... but there is no place in the squad for Kai Havertz, who had been an injury doubt, or Kurt Zouma."

    Bad phrasing. They were both injury doubts.

    1. Skonto Rigga
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Changed, your majesty.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers! Poor Zouma, doesn't deserve to be dropped 🙁

  4. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    171,898 sold Bednarek so quick and his ban has been overturned.

    1. Alan The Llama
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rage sellers. If someone got me a minus 7, I think I'd do the same.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have him 2nd on bench. Had thought of transferring him out tomorrow, but will stay.

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

    Could Werner now become an option?

    Sterling, DCL to Son, Werner?

    Allows me to get Gundogan for double gw

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wait until after you’ve watched him play

    2. teneighty
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If he finds his confidence I think he'll start bringing in the points. But want to see more from him before I consider getting him in my team.

  6. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    For us with no FH it will be tough in Wc(gw25) to have Lee and Sou players,11 players with double games for dgw26 and a descent bench for blank gw29.Early thoughts?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cold shower !!!

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm not even thinking about it yet. Will deal with it come GW25 or so.

    3. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Quite glad I wildcarded early, easy to navigate these with a transfer or 2, free hit 29, those with all chips the real winners

  7. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With dgw news would you do :
    Robbo to
    A) Shaw
    B) mee
    C) digne

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mee

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

    23 Captain poll?

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Antonio, Bruno or Son?

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

    Can’t help but see a 0-0 result in this spurs Chelsea game, let’s see

    This Chelsea team has a massive benching headache each week...all too familiar to us fpl managers

    1. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I see a Tottenham win.I expect passion and hunger to win.

  10. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rodrigo to Bamford with FT as 8th attacker? Would mean DCL and I would probably captain Bamford in 25 so would need to get him in anyway

    Kinda want to save FT though

  11. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Pieters nailed for Burnley?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dunno. Already have Lowton so no need for me to get any more Burnley.

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

      Not if Taylor is fit.

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

      No, Taylor close to return

      1. MIGHTY JOE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers guys

  12. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I can't see a way to get any Burnley defenders for DGW24, as my defence has really good fixtures in gw24

    Martinez (bha)
    Cancelo & Dias (double)
    Digne (double)
    Shaw (wba)
    Coufal (SHU)

    Any ideas will be appreciated

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

      just don't get a Burnley defender

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

      How many defenders will you field?
      If three then I think you've answered your own question

  13. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Bamford the best captaincy option for 25 as things stand?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not on current form, no.

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

      Possibly if he can continue recent returns

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

      Rather C Bruno

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Him or Bruno

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

    Who to bench

    Barnes, Soucek or DCL

    (Playing Gundogan, Salah, Bruno, Bamford and Antonio)

    Thinking Soucek as I can't bench three hauls in a row, right?

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      DCL

  15. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Start DCL (mun) or Gundogan (liv)

    Rest of the team:

    De Gea
    Dias Coufal Lowton
    Salah Bruno Son Maddison
    Bamford Antonio

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gun dog

  16. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Werner will score in this game

    1. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If he does, you're greater than the witch doctor

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That’s been said a lot over the last 22 GWs.

      Most times, to no avail.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Werner looked a decent bet in game week 5.

        And possibly 7 and 8.

        .... He'll score again, don't know when...

  17. Goat
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With so much money itb is it a good idea to bring Pope in for my sub keeper since I haven’t used bench boost?

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

      That's what I'm doing

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

      Sounds like one.

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

      Yeah I'm thinking that rather than a defender

    4. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I will do this trade tomorrow.

    5. Lazaretti
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Robbo + Peacock -> Pope + Mee (-4)

    6. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m 100% doing this

  18. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Werner almost bloody scored lol.

    1. x.jim.x
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      “Almost” is the story of his season

  19. DannyDrinkVodka
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have no idea when or how to play my BB now

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      BB 26

      FTs before then, load up on Villa, Spurs, City, United, Leicester

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Eh?

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

      GW26?

  20. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone thinking of sticking to Gundo after KDB returns? I think the current template of Gundo + 2 City defenders is so much better value tbh

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

      Of course, he started scoring even before KDB got injured

    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm sticking until I see reason to move

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm thinking of ditching 1 defender.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cancelo?

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Never. Stones.

    4. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      To be honest, KDB being back could make him better if he's making chances.

      Especially if he's in penalties.

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

    A city midfielder, with less of the usual pep roulette headaches, in form and bringing in returns. Why not keep?

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

      Reply fail to Alisson above

  22. ivantys
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Weak effort by Son

  23. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I still have Kane... should i just keep at this point?

    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why would you keep him, there are doubles for Bamford, DCL & Ings as well as great fixtures for Antonio

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

      Only if he's back this weekend.

  24. MoSalad
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    J Rod not nailed anymore?

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

      Rested for United if it's the Everton one.

      1. MoSalad
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah good point there’s a Burnley one too haha!! Was considering him for the double.

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Do something Son!

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

      Too early for a red card.

    2. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Reminds me of my teens and what my dad used to say all the time...

      1. teneighty
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Did it work?

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

    So I have WC/BB/FH/TC still

    In my team I have

    3 x City

    2 x Everton

    And 2fts.

    Do I load up for 24/25 with fts, WC 26

    Use either BB/TC in 24/25?

    (my head is going to explode)

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

      No BB26?

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have the same.

      WC gw 25
      Fh 29
      Bb 26
      Tc TBC

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

      BB26 you prob wont need to use wc before that to have good bb team.

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

        Glad iv kept my chips. But its so confusing at the minute

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

      You'll be stuck with Leeds for 26 unless you WC 26, which means you can't BB. Could just WC 24/25 and BB 26 with 1-2 Leeds.

  27. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Positively surprised by Tuckel and his lineups

  28. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Reece at wing back might be too hard to ignore, post doubles.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      There is no post doubles this year. More doubles to come

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

      Until he is benched at the weekend

  29. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    "Tottenham cockerel is getting wet"

    "Here's Alonso on that slippery surface"

    - Peter Drury 2021

  30. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Werner should have shoot instead of sliding