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. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tuchel is really animated. Adrenaline pumping.

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

      Klopp - lite

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

    Mourinho thankful there’s no crowd right now.

  3. Party time
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Whatever happened to Mourinho 2nd season nonsense talk

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

        Turned out to be a load of BS

    • Ze_Austin
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Why did Son stop there?

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

        Looked up and realised he was surrounded by a bunch of clowns

    • jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sell one for Mee:
      A AWB (have DDG)
      B Cresswell (have Coufal)
      C Stones (have Cancelo)

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

        C,

        Get another City midfielder

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

        Consider getting Lowton for Coufal instead?

    • Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      How is Werner playing ?

      1. jimmy.floyd
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Awful

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That bad?

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

      Son looks like the one good player in a school inter form team. Goes on a bit of a run, looks up, and realises there’s just no point.

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Such a shame to see him wasted in a team like this

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            3 years, 2 months ago

            2 goals away from his highest ever in the league, half a season to go

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

              Imagine how good he’d be in a team that had more than 1 other good player

        2. Gross Blank Point
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A month ago he was a season keeper no matter what. Really wondering now, as there are so many other midfielders cheaper returning points just now

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

            Kane is back in a week and they have a great double in 26 (probably)

            1. Gross Blank Point
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I've kept Kane just for that, but the eye test at the moment is dire, there is nothing about this Spurs team that fills you with any confidence. Big decisions ahead.

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

        Keep sterling & Robbo or sell for Salah & city defender

        1. SINGH
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Will Sterling start?

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

            Against Liverpool?!

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

              Yes

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

        Mourinho so clueless, next one to get sacked

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

          And it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Haha indeed

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

          No..he's doing a great job at taking Spurs nowhere...just like every other manager.

      4. SINGH
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Please Spurs get relegated and fall down the league's every year 😉

      5. Big_Andy_GAWA
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Spurs are bloody dreadful!!!

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

        Very strange Son didn't try to run through the defence or play for a foul.

        Is it a Mou thing or just the team's mindset... wierd!

      7. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Son to Sterling?

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

          Not this week surely?

      8. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Mou made good LB out of Son,if he defends well he can have 2-3 counter attacks.

        Dont know how Mou motivate these attacking players.

      9. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Was set for DCL out Antonio in ... but now with the doubles .... meh.

        1. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Just own both mate. Cant go wrong then

          1. Eh, just one more thing ...
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            It will have to be Wilson out ... but Southampton next with missing defenders .... I think I’ll ditch Wilson as Soton will no doubt tighten up ... and Newcastle are dreadful.

        2. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Exactly same situation here 🙂

      10. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This week only:

        A Pope
        B Martinez

        Thanks

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

          A

        2. HurriKane
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A

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

          Pope

        4. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Thanks fellas

      11. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Spurs dont know how to attack

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          They knew. Before the most over rated manager of current times took over.

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

          The only creative brain in the squad is injured.

          Suppose they could bring lamela with his “someone pretending to ride a horse” style

      12. Bobby
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fifteen minutes for bale to get to the driving range and back

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

        Gonna skip Son, Adams to Antonio (c) it is.

        1. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah ... not going to bother either for the sake of one match ... will do the Antonio transfer instead .... someone wake me up when Kane is fit.

      14. rnrd
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        First thoughts about the new fixtures:
        Before It was announced I was all set on wc25 bb26, now I actually think these new fixtures could be a blessing in disguise not to be blinded by the Bench boost who usually is a bit disappointing.

        A WC in 26 will probably score less than a WC25 + bb26 but the team you get from 27 onwards will be much easier to navigate.

        I have a feeling a BBoosted team in 26 will be very difficult to manage after dgw26 is finished

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

          And BB when ?

          1. The Invincibles
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            For the double in GW 32.

      15. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If you don’t have Son, should you bring him in for this gameweek vs West Brom

        It’s a huge decision given his potential ownership

        Yes or No?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Was yes
          Am no now

        2. The Train Driver
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I like turtles...

        3. Gross Blank Point
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          West Bromwich will win going by this

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

          I think I’m going to risk going without him.

          I’m backing Bruno to outscore him but also need to prioritize transfer on DGW players.

        5. The Ejiptian King
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Probably not.

      16. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        4 days rest between City games over GW23-25

        Assuming if I got a spare transfer, would you use FT on one of Stones or Gundo to another City player like Diaz or Sterling?

        1. OverTinker
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          thinking the same but i will only do stones to Dias when Dias gets his rest in EPL match.

      17. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Amused

        Ben Crellin spreadsheet appears to show United beating WH in the cup as a 75% probability. I assume that's based on bookies odds. Given nature of schedule and likely rotation that seems ambitiously optimistic even before you account for form. Close to a 50:50 game in my book.

        1. n-doggg
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          It’s all on the bookies odds

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

          Really hope united win here for my FH29

        3. Gross Blank Point
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          West Ham are out at 9/2 with some bookies, they seem pretty confident.

        4. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Well 1.30 Man.Utd to qualify so about right

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Complete coin toss in my book not least because there's no way of saying what sort of team either club will put out.

            1. FFSbet.com
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Yes,value on West Ham 3.40 to qualify

        5. PastaFasul
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Lingard hattie to knock United out would be hilarious!

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            On loan so won't play surely

      18. Niho992
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Have 2 FTs. I will keep one.

        Salah or Sterling to Son ?

      19. n-doggg
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Can we all pray for Charlie Taylor to be fit for the double please. What do we think?!

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

          Doubt he'll be fit, really love his assist potential in the double.

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

        Its such a shame those Salah>Son prospectors have been gifted this game to reassess.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          To get Rashford instead?

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

            I'm keeping, but I'd have Maddison if I was getting rid.

      21. Carlton P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Any advice guys?

        Martinez | Areola

        Cancelo l Digne l Chilwell l Targett l Mitchell
        Salah l Sterling l Gündogan l Son l Barnes
        DCL l Antonio l Watkins

        Chilwell > Mee? Or Lowton, can do Antonio/Watkins to Adams and maybe Barnes > Armstrong at some point

        No need to get Pope if I’ve got Areola right??

      22. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Play one:

        A) Stones
        B) Mee
        C) Holding

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Have Cancelo. And playing.

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

          B

        3. Eh, just one more thing ...
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          A

          1. Eh, just one more thing ...
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Ah ... in that case B

        4. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          B
          I’m playing Lawton

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

          Stones

      23. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Chilwell likely to start on Sunday?

        Alonso unlikely to start 3 in a week surely?

        Thanks

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

          We will need goals on Sunday

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

          Dunno. Maybe Alonso and 343 is the plan now.

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

        With Christensen in, Son chances of scoring pts have increased by 100%

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          0 multiplied by 2 is still 0. Son owner.

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

          Yes.

          If Son makes it to 60 minutes he will get 1 additional point more than he has now.