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. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Don’t know why people think kane has much to do with it, were already playing awfully before he got injured

    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kane would have probably scored that late Vinicius chance though and scabbed an undeserved draw.

      1. WE GO FOR IT
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Even in the first half, the few times Spurs did manage to break, decision making and final ball was awful. Kane would've done much better. Without Kane, they are hopeless.

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      With Kane, at least there is some hope. He is literally THFC. Without him, they are a bunch of lads running around trying to not concede a goal.

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

      Well Kane actually performs over the pitch, including assisting & scoring.

      Take him away and bound to be much worse.

    4. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      That was tactical. Get a goal and defend. Now they can't create chances at all.

  2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Better option:
    A)kane to antonio but then have to bench one of salah or gundogan
    B)Play both salah and gundogan

    1. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  3. lewis1290
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    should i go watkins -> werner for a differential ? someone pls reply

    1. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Go with your guts. You only live once

    2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

    3. yosim
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      isn't Watkins sort of a differential already?

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        every four or five weeks

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Still didn't look great tonight. But Chelsea still finding their feet.

    5. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Watkins has some real tasty fixtures coming up, and is in form. Surely you could be looking to take in DGW players instead.

  4. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you play Mee over any of these?

    A. Cancelo
    B. Coufal
    C. Maguire

    1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably not. B), if any...

    3. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m playing Mee over a city defender.

  5. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2 FT:
    Thoughts on these transfers over the next two weeks:
    Forster -> Casilla
    Phillips -> Lowton
    Son -> Rodriguez
    Watkins -> DCL

    Can hold my wildcard for later and play the BB in GW25 with this squad

    1. JAYPEE
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Martinez Casilla
      Dias Stones Justin AWB Lowton
      Salah Sterling Fernandes Soucek Rodriguez
      Bamford DCL Antonio

    2. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What’s the point of Cassila? Messier is 1st choice.

  6. pablo discobar
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who will be top of captain poll for gw24? Gundog? Dias? Ederson?! Digne? Or a single GW player?

    1. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope lol

      1. pablo discobar
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Good call tbf

      2. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Pope TC?? Lol.

        1. mezza
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Someone on here must do it

          1. Pompel
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Actually strongly considering it unless Kane is back and shows some form before dgw26

  7. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bit ironic question considering my nick but which Burnley defender should one get for the DGW?

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gotta be mee.

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

        It's always about you

  8. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone happen to remember the website that tallies your captain performances? There's a lot more info than that presented, but that's the piece I'm looking for.

      1. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ah, yes. That's the one I was thinking of. Thank you!

      2. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Great website. Thanks

  9. waldo666
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Was all set to get Shaw for TAA this week but probably should get a second City defender for the double?

    1. Londongeezaa
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn’t.

      High chance City defenders get rotated so will only act as single gameweek players.

      1. waldo666
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Valid point, cheers.

  10. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Suddenly concerned about owning 2 Spurs even though it's WBA next.
    anything worth using my 1FT? Rudiger/Shaw/Rashford/Soucek/Raheem/Gundo in for one of my Spurs players? 2.5ITB

    Sanchez
    Cancelo Dier Dallas
    Bruno Mo Son Grealish ESR
    DCL Bamford Wilson
    (Johnstone | Lewis Dias)

    (not decided which ATT to bench yet)

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd keep Son and ship Dier.

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Roll the transfer, you're fine for next week.

    3. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Really starting Dier over Dias? Brave

  11. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I play Adams against Newcastle instead of Soucek or Barnes?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd bench Adams of those 3 this week

      1. aborg
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No.

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No

  12. Captain Blanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Does anyone know where I can find stats on total chips used in top 10k/overall?

    1. Tambling5
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I've just got TC left. Last time I saw stats, most had two or more left.

  13. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Have to check out how the fixtures look but now own Dias Stones AWB Coufal Mitchell

    2m itb after doing Robbo to AWB
    Would you do Mitchell to Burnley defender and play 4 at the back?
    Keepers are Martinez and Areola so don’t think it’s worth going Pope

    Was hoping to go Sterling to Son for a punt but hardly seems worth it, especially if I need to reverse the transfer.
    Maybe Gundy over Sterling for the double for fear of rotation?

  14. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What is a realistic and reasonable number of DGW players in GW24 and Gw25

    With careful planning and not using chips I can get around 4-5 in each

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thinking 6-7 as most will already have 3 city

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      3 City, rest are all gambles.

  15. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on DGW 25 BB

    Martinez Casilla
    Stones Dias AWB Justin Lowton
    Salah Sterling Fernandes Rodriguez Soucek
    Antonio Bamford DCL

  16. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to get rid for Son?

    A) Maddison
    B) Grealish (Have Watkins)
    C) Salah

    Thanks.

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D None

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't lose any of them for Son atm.

      1. EmreCan Hustle
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Even if I captain him?

        1. waldo666
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Even then, I've just taken the armband off him myself.

  17. Salah_Fingers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Please pick 1 to bench :

    A - Justin
    B - Coufal
    C - Dallas

  18. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    McCarthy to Mendy?

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mendy although What about pope?

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      McCarthy has a double in 25.

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

      Pope is the GK you want now

  19. Alex_thekid
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Alonso cs and Son blank = me knocked out of the cup match devastated lol + Salah c blank and him going with Cancelo

  20. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who play in dwg 24, 25 ??

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Read the last article

  21. Better luck next year
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Best replacement for Chilwell?

    A) United defender
    B) Burnley defender
    C) Other?

    1. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

    2. jdp219
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      In general, or for dgw24?

      1. Better luck next year
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Medium term

  22. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Difficult times in FPL... I have zero idea what to do!

    Not happy with my team but there are no players that I want to bring in.

    1. Better luck next year
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here mate. Remember to be patient, usually works in these times.

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

      The results are so random, largely down to who mentally and physically has a break. I like my team as well . . .

  23. CRO KLOPP
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WC BB and TC still available (FH used). I am thinking like this:
    W23: Save FT
    W24: BB with Fabianski Coufal Maguire and Bamford ,dgwk players: Dias Stones Mee Lowton Gundo DCL
    W25: WC with 3 Leeds,Ings and second GK that has fixture in 29,the rest all dgwk players (Kane maybe fit)
    W26: Ings to dgwk attacker,11 dgwk players with 3 Leeds and GK for 29 on the bench ( maybe TC then)
    3 FT until 29 with 4 players already,so with 2 hits I could get 9 players

    Is this good plan or I miss Something?

  24. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Do I still get (S)on?

  25. fedolefan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wait, just realized that Jorginho took the pen with Werner on the pitch. What happened there?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Werner ain't on pens then

  26. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I think I can get away with benching Chilwell this week and rolling a transfer?
    Making one transfer (Johnstone > Pope)

    Pope
    Dias Dallas Coufal
    Salah Bruno Gundogan Raphinha Soucek
    Bamford Watkins

    Martinez Stones DCL Chilwell
    Using 1 FT, 2 FT next week. 5.5 ITB

    Have I got my benching correct?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just had another thought.
      I could sell Chilwell and buy a Burnley defender and play Martinez and bench Dallas?

  27. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who's ditching mo salad?

    Worth binning him for soucek?

  28. n-doggg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which one to play:

    A. Mee
    B. Digne
    C. Stones