Dugout Discussion

Alonso, Azpilicueta and Pulisic benched as Chelsea host Fulham

Thomas Tuchel has hit Fantasy Premier League managers with another bout of rotation as Fulham come to Stamford Bridge on Saturday afternoon.

Despite a midweek rest, Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) still cannot get back into the team, left on the bench for Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) to make a second successive Premier league start.

César Azpilicueta (£5.9m) is also among the substitutes with Reece James (£5.0m) reinstalled at right wing-back and Andreas Christensen (£4.7m), Kurt Zouma (£5.3m) and Thiago Silva (£5.6m) staffing the back-three.

Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) retains his starting berth in goal with Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) on the bench.

Mason Mount (£7.3m) starts in central midfield alongside Billy Gilmour (£4.3m) while Jorginho (£4.7m) and N’Golo Kanté (£4.9m) are among the substitutes.

Christian Pulisic (£8.3m) is the headline attacker to miss out, named on the bench with Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) and Timo Werner (£9.2m) either side of Kai Havertz (£8.2m).

Fulham line up in the same 3-4-3 formation as Chelsea, Ademola Lookman (£4.8m), Josh Maja (£5.2m) and Ivan Cavaleiro (£5.3m) leading the attack.

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Mendy; Christensen, Thiago Silva (c), Zouma; James, Gilmour, Mount, Chilwell; Ziyech, Havertz, Werner.

Substitutes: Kepa, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Kante, Anjorin, Hudson-Odoi, Pulisic, Abraham.

Fulham XI (3-4-3): Areola, Andersen, Adarabioyo, Aina; Robinson, Lemina, Anguissa, De Cordova-Reid; Lookman, Maja, Cavaleiro.

Substitutes: Rodak, Odoi, Hector, Ream, Tete, Bryan, Onomah, Carvalho, Mitrovic

Gameweek 34 so far…

Danny Welbeck (£5.5m) was the star man as Brighton defeated Leeds in the 3pm kick-off.

He won the first-half penalty converted by Pascal Groß (£5.8m) before scoring the Seagulls’ second.

Brighton face Wolves and West Ham in the next two Gameweeks, two sides with particularly obliging defences right now.

Saturday afternoon was one to forget for those with Leeds assets.

Stuart Dallas (£5.3m) came away with just the one point after conceding twice and having to drop back into a left-back role in the second half.

Meanwhile Patrick Bamford (£6.5m) blanked for the third league match in a row and came off in the 58th minute for a solitary FPL point.

Bonus points

  • 3 – Danny Welbeck
  • 2 – Lewis Dunk
  • 1 – Pascal Groß

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428 Comments Post a Comment
  1. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Lovely Veltman CS and collective Leeds blank as expected

    1. gooberman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Pleased with that as well having no Leeds players. I have Veltman 1st on my bench but Im confident that Holding wont play.

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      No Phillips was massive. Wouldn't have expected it to go the way it went if he'd been playing.

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Sitting on my bench.

  2. DavidMunday815
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Apologies that the live blogs have caused some inconvenience this afternoon. Just to confirm, we are canning them for Chelsea v Fulham and Everton v Aston Villa due to issues caused for some users. We wanted to try something a bit different to make sure everyone remained informed on the Gameweek 34 action without social media but if our solution is too problematic, we'll leave it for now 🙂

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Cheers, on iPad or mobile, forum is unusable with the pages jumping constantly.

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Thank you!

    3. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Thanks David. It was ok for BHA/lee on my desktop but for CRY/mci earlier on my android smartphone, pages were just jumping all over the place so I stopped watching. Kudos for trying something new though. 🙂

    4. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Thanks for listening to the feedback.

    5. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Dont let the haters discourage you guys! FFS doing a great job!

  3. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Can we establish Tuchel as the new roulette master now?.. good God.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Tombola.

      Both teams have an important UCL fixture next. Not surprising in the least really.

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        So why is Chillwell playing over alonso

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          That was a big surprise for me. Must really want us to tie up top four.

  4. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    With Alonso's benching, it makes it 3 to no-show (Others being Gundo and Dias). Now, would probably have to content with TAA, Jota and Shaw coming off the bench.

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      You’ve got lucky in my opinion

      Those 3 will get big points

      1. RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Ya pretty dang good 3 off the bench.

      2. Bob_the_builder
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Feel like United and Liverpool would be a dull affair with both sides playing to avoid losing rather than winning so I don't expect much from the game.

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Well a 0-0 will possibly get you 18 points

          1. Bob_the_builder
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Yes that's true but I feel like it has 1-1 written all over it with random point scorers.

        2. Gudjohnsen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Liverpool must win the game. A draw does nothing for them.

          1. Bob_the_builder
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            The pressure is mounting and a loss to United is going to make it harder to capitalize on the good fixtures ahead.

    2. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Wow thats a big bench.

      1. Bob_the_builder
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Been preparing to play BB. Would get rid of Alonso and Gundo this week for Digne and Zaha once the games have been played.

        1. RogDog_jimmy
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Sounds smart to me.

  5. Karan14
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Best option out of these?

    A) Bowen
    B) Raphinha (if fit)
    C) Harrison
    D) Eze
    E) JWP
    F) B.Traore
    G) McNeil
    H) Any other below 6m?

    Need to downgrade Jota to a sub 6m mid to upgrade my 2nd GK for BB this week.
    The options aren't too inspiring but it is what it is. Need to start the player for next 2 gameweeks can bench after that.

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Be interesting to see if WH get their mojo back immediately after the Chelsea match. If so Bowen is interesting. Does Traore have the extra fixture ?

      1. Karan14
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Yeah I do like the look of Bowen. Has good stats and some good fixtures coming up.

        That's Bertrand Traore from Villa.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Bowen or JWP for me

      JWP I suspect for extra fixture and Brighton away as we've seen is becoming a really tough fixture.

  6. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Tuchel u stupid idiot risking Chillwell in a game they dont need him for wheb u have Real madrid on wednesday

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      This is actually surprising to me. Rotation in general makes sense but Chilly is clearly better than Alonso so I assumed he’d get the rest.
      I supposed with Azpi and Rudi out that he wanted some first choice in there. Chelsea still need to win in the league for top four.

  7. MrZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Stay strong defenders, i need dave to sat tight on the bench

  8. IamthenextTeemuPukki
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Who scores more?
    A.) Saka/Jota/Bruno
    B.) Watkins/Mount/Son

    Differences between my team and ML rival.

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      B imo

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Hmmm. I’d chose b too

  9. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Why is Azpi constantly benched ffs. Got him cause he’s nailed and he doesn’t start half the time. Worst transfer I’ve ever made

    1. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Madrid game.
      It's expected. Alonso benching is unexpected

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Same here, atrocious

    3. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Tell me about it =[

      Chelsea rapidly becoming too risky to pick

    4. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      This and when he starts they ship 5 lol

  10. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    How did Castagne look last night?

    Good option for double gw?

    1. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Decent but short term play given fixture run after DGW BGW.

      Looks good for attacking returns but Leicester defence isn't that great for cs. United could of course be one of those specialist top United 0-0 affairs. Newcastle have goals in them.

  11. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Mount starting is a real puzzle to me.

    He's pretty much the hub of the Chelsea attack - surely there must be a formation that allows him a rest before RM.

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Precisely this - I benched him along with many others for this reason. Tuchel is a mystery. Encouring for the dgw though!

  12. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Bamford coming on for alonso awesome serves me right for enjoying the bamford sub

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Karma is a bitch

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Oh yes it is!

  13. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Alonso on at half time of a 0-0 game to provide attack / rest Chillwell.
    Scores and assists.
    13 points.

    There. That’s what i want.

    1. Bob_the_builder
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      I wouldn't mind that 😀

  14. mad_beer ✅
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    22 points on the bench so far this week. Go me. 😐

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Dunk?

    2. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Wow. Need some rotation!

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Cunning to have put JWP second bench 🙂

  15. michael_mac11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Kurt Zouma looking himself today very shakey

  16. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Werner glaring miss

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Is the Pope catholic?

  17. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Hav G

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Mount A

  18. JBG
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Wow awful defending by Fulham.

  19. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    LMAO am confused with this Chelsea squad ',)

  20. Roy Hudd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Yes Havertz!! Get in sunshine

  21. Bob_the_builder
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Jota to JWP for a -4? (essentially a -2 because of the extra game) Both have great fixtures in the next 2 GWs.

  22. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Fulham are awful >:(

    1. JBG
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      They really are.

  23. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Take a shot every time Werner misses the ball. Who's game?

    I'm drunk already.

    1. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      lool

  24. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    are you keeping Bruno after after gw36? thanks

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Too early to tell

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        that fact is that this decision will impact my next move

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      No

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        cheers

  25. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Wrong to consider DCL for the DGW? A punt that can really pay off. Do not see any other DGW striker that appeals much.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      not wrong at all, nice fixture gw36 too

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Exactly my thinking. With their dismal CS record an attacker from Everton might work better than a defender.

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      He's an option I guess but Everton have been looking fairly dull and the double blank last time against WBA and Southampton when both were at their worst isn't encouraging.

      Looks like the second striker spot will be tricky from 36 if you don't want Bam. Wood is a very sane option.

      Contemplating a massive punt here losing Bruno for Kun on 2 FTs 🙂

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Which front 3 for dgw 35 if FH?

        Kane, Nacho, DCL?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Have Watkins in place already and not tempted to move him on. Villa are fairly awful right now but he's ticking over.

          And well Palace is good enough in 36 and Spurs defence has some of the worst stats around so may keep him for 37 too.

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Keeping him too, but considering DCL for him on FH in dgw 35

        2. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Bah misread - didn't see FH

          Think I'd go Kane Nacho and 5 in the middle or even 4 at the back. Defenders are often great in DGWs though hard to pick the fixtures this time for that unless you go Everton.

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Which 5 mids? Bruno, Greenwood, Salah, Zaha and Siggy?

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              Like that pick

              I'd have JWP as an option too - not sure I see too much between him and Zaha Siggy. The Liverpool fixture isn't that red nowadays for attack.

          2. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Shhh 😆 defenders!

          3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Will you go Everton defense over Everton attack?

            1. pingissimus
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              Dunno

              Waiting on tonight a bit. May swap out Konsa for cheap Everton. Don't think I'll lose that way anyway and it's one FT.

              Also have Raph to replace but that would take 2 FTs and not sure yet if I want to do that. If I do it may just be JWP over Siggy.

              1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 8 days ago

                JWP and a cheap Everton def might work well. I have to choose between DCL and Digne. Earlier thought was Digne but I am now leaning towards DCL. Let's see how they play tonight.

            2. RamaJama
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              No

          4. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            But Everton don’t keep that many cs... considering Digne, but on TAA, Castagne and Shaw on FH

            1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              The exact three to have

              1. RamaJama
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 8 days ago

                Also on FH? Which team are you on?

                1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 8 days ago

                  I am not on FH. I have this defense right now:

                  TAA Rudiger Coady Konsa Struijk

                  Will monitor Rudiger's fitness and move either him or Coady out. Have 2 FTs. Planning to use the second for Bamford to DCL.

                  1. RamaJama
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 8 days ago

                    Sounds like a good plan

                    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 8 days ago

                      Thanks! Keep posting your FH team combinations. Some collective constructive suggestions might help.

                      1. RamaJama
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 8 days ago

                        Cheers!

        3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          I am planning to play those three. Is Cavani an option?

          1. RamaJama
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Think he’s on risk not starting both

            1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              I agree. DCL Nacho seem to be the best two options playing double.

          2. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Don't see him getting both sadly. His not being nailed is such a loss to FPL.

            1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 8 days ago

              True

      2. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        reckon aguero will start the remaining games? newcastle gw36 is certainly a tempting fixture.

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          In nothing to lose territory here 🙂

          Will be losing Bruno in 36 in all probability but struggling to see where to put the money. Kun would be a fun play for 36.

      3. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Bruno out Kun in is a huge punt for sure.

        I will see how Everton play today. Planning to transfer Bamford out for DCL. Don't see too much of a risk there considering how Bamford has been playing. Plus he has Spurs Burnley next compared to West Ham, Villa, Sheffield for DCL.

        Wood with Fulham Leeds is an option too.

        What about Cavani?

        1. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          cavani doesnt have a game 36 so depends how your team is shaped up. i like dcl because of sheffield gw36.

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Yes. Totally agree. Plus DCL might be a great differential.

  26. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Took Mount out for Siggy... thought for sure Mount would get rested

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Means he’ll miss one of the dgw games, probably

    2. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      same here, sold for lingard. still, I think it is the first time this season I sell a player who then gets a return so wont complain 🙂

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Mount starting is a puzzle for sure.

    4. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      As did I- gutting

  27. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Do we think Martinez, Targett and Watkins will get more than 2 points each today?

    No, not at all!

  28. JBG
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Chelsea would probably have conceded by now if they still had Kepa as 1st choice, ffs.

    1. RogDog_jimmy
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Hopefully a Mendy save point incoming.

  29. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    2-0

    1. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Yarney (OG)

      1. RamaJama
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Great, no Mount assist?

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Not unless he’s moved down 5 divisions.

    2. JBG
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Yes, that is what the score in Ascoli v Empoli ended up being.

  30. Kabayan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    If you're on FH, who are the sgw player(s) that you will keep?

    1. RamaJama
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Kane, Salah, TAA