Dugout Discussion
11 September 2021 1713 comments
Skonto Rigga Skonto Rigga
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After a relatively quiet August, the Thomas Tuchel rotation has begun in earnest this evening.

Chelsea take on Aston Villa in the eighth and final Premier League fixture of the day, with kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 17:30 BST.

International break minutes and forthcoming UEFA Champions League involvement looks to have influenced Tuchel’s team selection, with the Blues boss making six changes from his side’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

Thiago Silva starts after avoiding a FIFA ban, while deadline-day signing Saul Niguez makes his first appearance for the west London side.

Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Trevor Chalobah and Hakim Ziyech are also recalled.

Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta all drop to the bench, while Reece James is suspended and N’Golo Kante is injured.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has almost matched his Chelsea counterpart, making five changes from Gameweek 3 and seemingly sending his troops out in a wing-back system.

Two of the alterations are enforced, with Emi Martinez and Emi Buendia ruled out because of quarantine rules.

Jed Steer lines up in goal, with Ollie Watkins starting for the first time this season and lining up alongside Danny Ings in a two-man attack.

Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn also return to the starting XI.


GAMEWEEK 4 LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Steer, Cash, Targett, Konsa, Mings, Luiz, McGinn, Watkins, Tuanzebe, Ings, Ramsey

Subs: Sinisalo, Sanson, Traore, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Bailey, Archer.

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Rudiger, Alonso, Silva, Kovacic, Lukaku, Chalobah, Niguez, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Havertz

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Jorginho, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Mount, Chilwell, Azpilicueta.

  1. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    WC this lot?

    Pickford
    TAA Cresswell Shaw
    Mahrez* Bruno Benrahma Greenwood Jota
    Antonio* DCL

    4.0* White Amartey* 4.5*

    No salah Ronaldo and Lukaku

    Gulp

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Think so, yeah.

    2. Arvin-ation
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I think I probably would. Bit mad without Salah, Ronaldo or Lukaku

    3. Union_Jacks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      How have you ended up with a team without those 3?

  2. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    People actually transferring out Antonio ?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      They get Edouards points if they do it before 7pm.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I am, but still have WC

    3. BenDavies
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Can't waste a precious striker slot. Antonio --> Bamford for me. Great fixtures for Leeds too

      1. Carlton P
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        This. Will get Ant/DCL for Ings the following week

    4. Pep bites Kun
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ronaldo effect. We'll possibly see more wc's in the next 2 than last week. cr7 hedgers will move I reckon.

    5. caldracula
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Happy to play Ayling

  3. BenDavies
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Saul is very out of sorts this game. Maybe needs a while to adjust to a faster league. Looks awful.

    1. caldracula
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      He’s been terrible, need to get him off ASAP. We’ve been poor as a whole but Tuchel has probably made a few too many changes to the starting XI.

    2. SADIO SANÉ
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t get athletes like John McGinn down your throat in La Liga

      1. Licky
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Getting a meatball stuck down your throat is no joke.

    3. Ze_Austin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Subbed off for Jorg

      1. BenDavies
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Rightfully so

  4. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I forgot to hit the WC button before bed. Made a bunch of transfers. -44 hit baby!

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Lol, good morning mate

    2. caldracula
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Why even wait when on a -44 lol

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        You're 1 point good as it stands. Glass half full perspective

      2. Pep bites Kun
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Oh baby! Didn't believe it, but there it is.

    3. Hiiler
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I saw one team that took -32 poiints. Maybe that team had a similar situation.

    4. 1984 TC
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Let’s hope you are still sleeping and just having a nightmare

  5. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Broja is going to become the cheap enabler up top.

  6. Carlton P
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts on double chelsea defence from gw7? Christensen + Rudiger and hope for the best?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Thiago Silva makes Christy a no-go.

      James might be worth the risk with the 4.0/1/2m starters... Rudiger & him if going there for me.

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

      Great (if they play). Hopefully nothing like today...

    3. Dušan Citizen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I think it would be a must if we want to get atleast 1 cs as they all gonna rotate

  7. Stranger Mings
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Is marcal the best wolves defender ?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Semedo is

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Ok thanks saw marcal got 2 assists today so thought about him but semedo great pick too

  8. Carlton P
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Torres + Benrahma + greenwood in my midfield. I’m going to have just one starting one week soon aren’t I?

    1. Moderately content penguin
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Which one do you think starts?

  9. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Which team is better?

    A)
    Sanchez
    TAA / Digne / Shaw / Dier*
    Salah / Bruno / Greenwood / Benrahma
    DCL / Bamford

    B)
    Sanchez
    TAA / Coady / Shaw
    Salah / Jota / Raphinha / Gray
    Lukaku / Pukki / Ronaldo

    1. Kane Train
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone?

    2. Arteta
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      The second one in my opinion. Your potential WC team?

  10. have you seen cyan
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    how is DCL only owned by 14%, come on

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Flags.

    2. Avery
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It’s Toe Dangerous

      1. Dušan Citizen
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH

  11. Moderately content penguin
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    They've played Chelsea, West Ham, Spurs and Brentford

    top 6 on the XGC charts

    It's official Palace are the new Brighton

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Va-Va-Viera

      1. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Sadly I suppose you lot will take Gallagher back - he's been dynamite.

        The big hope is you get Saul and spend on getting Rice back and have Gilmour as back up.

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      They were super today - Gallagher is quality

      Eduard might finally be the cutting edge they’ve needed too

      1. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I was very sceptical of Vieira but 100% for him so far. Not least as we have been notably better second half. Pretty much outplayed WH last out I thought after the break.

        Edouard. It was a cracking 10 minutes

        1. have you seen cyan
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Guaita only 4.5

          1. Old Man
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Despite Sanchez clean sheet today I think Guaita is a better shot stopper and likely to be a better buy long term. He'll be a strong candidate for my wild card.

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Am doubting captaining Salah, they were that good today. Playing some good stuff.

      1. Moderately content penguin
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        🙂

        I'm contemplating a cheeky Zaha in 6. It will be his 400th game for Palace and it's Brighton. Something will happen - that's a given. Could be a straight red of course.

        Squint and the fixtures look okayish.

  12. ZakyJ
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    So,

    Bruno & Antonio > CR7 & Pogba/greenwood for free

    I'm pretty sure that's the move but which one? Is Pogba more nailed?

  13. Podge
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Would you play Ayling away to Newcastle or Reguilon at home to Chelsea ?

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling

    2. I Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling

    3. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ayling by a country mile

      1. OptimusBlack
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        This

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Silly question

      1. Podge
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        There’s no silly questions only silly answers

    5. Podge
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ok cheers lads, it was just the cs against city had me wondering

  14. SADIO SANÉ
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Jed Steer might as well have been one of the ball boys the amount of effort he put into saving that Lukaku shot

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Copying Woodman.

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Been miles better than Woodman

  15. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Jorginho on for penalty duties

  16. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Better haul Saul

  17. Hiiler
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Fingers grossed that Brownhill doesn't start , have livramento first on bench with 6 points. 😛

    1. Podge
      • 15 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      You played brownhill over Livramento 0.o

      1. Hiiler
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Yep didn't think they could keep a CS.

  18. _Ninja_
    • 15 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Kova goal

  19. Kane Train
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    What Would you do ?

    A) Bruno & Antonio > Raphinha & Ronaldo -4

    B) Wildcard bring in Lukaku & Ronaldo

  20. SADIO SANÉ
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Kovacic wagon!

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      His movement has been much better this year, dynamic

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        He is quality tbf

  21. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Too easy

  22. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Tyrone Mings is awful, extremely over hyped.

  23. Hughes Your Daddy
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mings lol

  24. Licky
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Oh dear.

  25. Scapegoat Salah
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mings, play Alonso through one on one like that please

  26. BenDavies
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    KOVACIC goal. Mings error

  27. Shark Team
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Ming's is good but error prone cause he has brain damage I think from his chewing gums

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Ironic as he enjoyed a head stamp too 😉

  28. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Minging defending

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Don’t think he’s comfortable in a back 3

  29. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    That's a great assist by Mings

  30. TomSaints
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Stuff if champions.

    Play poorly but 2-0 up.

    Going to be some title chase between city and Chelsea with united and Liverpool breathing down their necks

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Chelsea win the league, they are more organised, City are always unsettled due to Pep