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. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you have Mee, Cancelo, Dias, Coufal and Dallas which 2 would you bench ?

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

      Coufal and dias

    2. Rains of Castamere
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably bench Mee and Coufal

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

      The two 'D''s... 🙂

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

      Well, that was helpfull 😀

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

        I didn't realise Dallas is at home to Palace. Dias and possibly Mee...

    5. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mee and Coufal

    6. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dias and Mee

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

    Is Everton v villa likely to be gw26?

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

      Depends on whether Everton win their cup game (v Spurs) I'd say. If they win, no

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

        Cheers

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

        sorry - if they win, yes.

  3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Amazing lamela is ahead of bale in the pecking order

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

      Bale is finished

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

      Not sure any change will make a difference to be honest but I see your point

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

      To be fair he's a far better diver.

  4. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So did anyone sell Salah in a rage last night?

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

      nope, but thinking to sell him right now

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Witch doctor wouldn’t let me press confirm

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

        Nobody believed the Witch Doctor follow-up Son curse, yet here we are.

        ... why am I still wanting to bring in Son again?

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Haha it’s a conundrum for sure

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

      For Son? No, not yet but I think it's hard to judge from this match.

      Apart from finishing, we're playing very very well.

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

    And I thought Liverpool were bad last night, this is something else

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

      Spurs are terrible, eh?! Am gonna keep Sam Johnston for this weekend now...!

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

        Sam Johnstone concedes 2 against sheff utd, I wouldn’t be too hasty

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

      To be honest there have not been many good games lately. Leeds / Everton was about the only watchable game this week.

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

        I enjoyed watching City. They should have shot more/had more clear cut chances, but they are a super team and good to watch, IMO.

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

      So boring I think I'm gonna watch Corrie, instead!

  6. Spiritof99
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Folks, some help with next moves please:

    Martinez Lloris
    Dias Cancelo Dallas (Keane Mitchell)
    Salah Bruno Son Maddison Foden
    Watkins DCL (Davis)

    Stuck what to do with the DGW..
    Thinking of offloading Foden and Davis, like the look of Antonio as an option. Any advice appreciated!

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Get Antonio

      1. Spiritof99
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nice one, ship davis and have to offload one of them in midfield which would you pick ? Or move on DCL or watkins ? 2ft 0.2 itb

        1. Gunners in Haaland
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I am considering Watkins -> Antonio

          1. Spiritof99
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Cheers!

    2. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Could you do Foden Davis > Gundo Antonio

      1. Spiritof99
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not enough ITB unfortunately would have to down one of the mids

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

    With dgw 24 and 25, is it now easier to see which teams will have A dgw 26?

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

      dont think so. gotta wait on the cup

      it'll be bgw 29s moved to 26 i think

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cheers!

  8. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone looking to get Ings In?

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Neither him not Southampton seems in form.

    2. Mid budget coach
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I really like his fixtures too, a steal at that price too

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

    Chelsea are so dominant, you know this has a Davinson Sanchez 89th minute sub goal written all over it.

    1. Esalman
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They are still ahead by only one.

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

        How are Chelsea not scoring more?

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

          Final ball has been dreadful. Kovacic keeps running out of talent.

  10. Ninjaa
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    With the funds created by doing Kdb to Gundogan I'm seriously considering keeping Gundogan instead of KDB, especially if he keeps up the form and I had him for 5.5. Thoughts??

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s a fair point, one of the things you’d be paying a greater price for is penalties I suppose.

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

      I think that'll be a popular move, Gundo was outscoring KDB anyway.

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

      Gundogan doing better than KDB ever was this year

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

      No need to sell unless KdB starts to perform better than him. And those funds can't be forgotten.

    5. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I probably won't be in any rush to shift Gundo to KDB. Gundo has the stats, consistent fpl points and looking in great form at the moment

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Possibly losing pens would be a downside

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

        Nor me. He has been a super buy and is one of City's very best performers at the moment...

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

      Most seasons I find KDB not worth the price unless DGWs or crazy good run of fixtures

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He was underpriced last season and kept him all season

  11. FantasyHero
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Chilly was Chelsea's best player
    Wonder what reason Tuchel has of not playing him

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

      Alonso a better wing back.

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This

      2. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lol

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

      They're doing ok without him

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

    Is Chilwell finished? W
    hy he is not playing?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Finished or not, constant rotation.

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

      Doing ok without him

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

      New manager hates his dress sense?

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

      Alonso a better wing back.

  13. Tingate
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Areola
    Justin - Cancelo - AWB - Dias - Coufal
    Salah - Sterling - Fernandes - Saka - Soucek
    Bamford - Antonio - Watkins

    2FT - 1.6M ITB

    A) Use 2FTs to get Grealish in for Saka/Soucek
    B) Just move Areola > Sanchez and deal with a benching headache

    Thanks!

    1. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B
      Great team you have

  14. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is it worth bringing in Antonio for Fulham and Sheffield Utd even if West Ham doesn't have DGW? Would also give me a benching headache. Already have Soucek and Coufal

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

      I think so ... I brought him in tonight before price rise for Wilson.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Selling Wilson before Sot?

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

      Are there any other DGW strikers you fancy?

      1. DV8R
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No, already have Bamford and DCL

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

    A clean sheet here if it happens would give Chelsea 5 cleanies in the last 6

    The fixtures going forward are simply glorious too for defence right up to 34. The only blot on the horizon is DGW26 which would be United Liverpool.

  16. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Opinions on addinh Reece James next week?

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

      Big rotation risk with CHO.

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

      not sure the question. i reckon im selling for mee

      1. Nespinha
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Why sell him?

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

          fear he's a massive rotation risk. benched last 2
          playing against a "good" team tonnight who TT expected more of a game from

          CHO can play RWB when less defending expected

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nope still a rotation risk

    4. Casual Player
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’ve got him - wouldn’t add. Confused as to whether I should still sell.

  17. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    random observation: How and why is Kovacic not wearing soft-ground studs for this game?

  18. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Two worst teams in the league go at it this weekend.

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

      Spurs vs Baggies

  19. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Spurs: 2 shots. 1 on target

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

      Biding their time.

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

      50% isn't so bad.

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

    Wont get Son probably, so without idea who to C next GW ? Bruno, Antonio ? Anyone else ?

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

      I am seriously considering Antonio.

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

      Bruno (c) Antonio (VC) for me currently

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same here

  21. stu92
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    2FT and 1.5ITB, I want to start preparing for the upcoming DGW/BGW. Will wait and see how tonight goes, but thinking of Son > Man City.

    Martinez Johnstone
    Robbo Cancelo Stones Targett Coufal
    Salah Bruno Son Raphinha Soucek
    DCL Bamford Antonio

  22. BIG TONES
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Robbo to Alonso?

  23. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    How has Alonso played so far? Done enough to keep Chillwell on the bench?

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

      Nope

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

    Dallas or Rudiger?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dallas - Prepare for DGW25

  25. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    People still confident captaining Son for West Brom?

    1. The Orienteer - find me in …
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Might be a good differential?

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

      It’s West Brom so he could haul ... as a non-owner, I won’t be transferring him in for that game.

      Son without Kane seems to be like an itchy nostril without the sneeze.

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

      switched

  26. Muchentuchel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    thanks Zambian for another Son blank!

  27. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So for dgw24 with already Dias, Cancelo & Gundo in my team and 2 FT I can get Vardy+Mitchel+Barnes to Barnes/Wood+Lowton+Rodriguez for a hit. That should be enough for gw24.
    Dgw25 Rodriguez to Raphina( own Dallas and Bamford now).

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

    Would you do soucek to raphinha gw25 ?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Strongly considering this

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

        Cheers

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Np 🙂

  29. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fingers crossed for a formation glitch so Soucek comes on for Chilwell.

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

    Chelsea 15 shots vs Spurs 2