Dugout Discussion
2 January 2022 1173 comments
avfc82 avfc82
Share:

Sunday’s Premier League action continues at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Liverpool.

Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT.

The big team news is that Romelu Lukaku is not in Thomas Tuchel’s matchday squad.

The 28-year-old has scored in his last two Premier League appearances but found himself at the centre of a controversy this week after an interview was broadcast in which he said he was unhappy with his role at Stamford Bridge.

As a result, the Belgian forward has been dropped, with Mason Mount, Kai Havertz and Christian Pulisic lining up in the attacking positions.

At the back, Andreas Christensen and Reece James are out, while Jorginho and Callum Hudson-Odoi are substitutes, with N’Golo Kante and Kai Havertz amongst those coming in.

For Liverpool, they make three changes from Gameweek 20, as Alisson, Joel Matip and Roberto Firmino miss out after suspected positive Covid tests, in addition to manager Jurgen Klopp who won’t be at today’s game.

That means Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal, with Ibrahima Konate and James Milner also featuring in the starting XI.

GAMEWEEK 21 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Chalobah, Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso, Mount, Havertz, Pulisic

Subs: Kepa, Jorginho, Saul, Barkley, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Sarr, Vale, Hall

Liverpool XI: Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, van Dijk, Tsimikas, Fabinho, Henderson, Milner, Salah, Mane, Jota

Subs: Adrian, Keita, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Jones, Beck, Williams, Morton, Pitaluga

  1. _Freddo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Great game and there's more goals in it.

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      A red or two too.

      1. _Freddo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Only for foreign players though.......

  2. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    IF Kovacic didn't score that screamer I wonder if FPL would have given Kelleher a save, from Alonso's 'effort' into the box...

    1. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      They wouldn't have.

      1. Rainer
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Think similar but now deemed a shot because of Kovacic goal...

    2. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Alonsos just smashed it on target and hopes it either goes straight in or friend or foe deflect it in if off target

  3. MGMT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    With games like this, best advise is to close FPL tab and enjoy football

    1. EmreCan Hustle
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      I am getting FPL points from Salah, Trent and Jota.

      1. thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        In your case, turn off the TV and stare at the FPL page and keep tapping refresh 😉

        1. EmreCan Hustle
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 9 days ago

          Don't tempt me 😉

  4. Scholes Out For Summer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Do people just not know the rules?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      There's rules?

    2. Marvin.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      The rules regarding assists do seem a bit silly to be fair.

    3. The Mandalorian
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      There's people?

      I thought you were all bots.

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Hello Mandalorian. How may I help you today?

    4. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Assuming this is aimed at me because I have a slight misunderstanding of the must confusing rule FPL have implemented. My response is back a page but alternatively here is how “clear” the assist rule is;

      If an opposing player touches the ball after the final pass before a goal is scored, significantly altering the intended destination of the ball, then no assist is awarded. Should a touch by an opposing player be followed by a defensive error by another opposing outfield player then no assist will be awarded. If the goal scorer loses and then regains possession, then no assist is awarded.

      - Given the error was made by the same player who touched the ball it’s still deemed an assist. Joke really.

  5. EmreCan Hustle
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    The PL scripted this. Gave us some dull games to follow them up with this cracking half.

  6. Free Hat
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Very entertaining, but also very very messy game!
    Livpool cant keep posession of the ball.
    Hope to see a lot more goal though!

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Yeah Liverpools style provides great entertainment but it's also why there are so far behind City.

      City are in control when defending, Liverpool are all over the place.

    2. Ginkapo FPL
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Its attrocious from both sides

  7. Baps Hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    My green arrow turned to big red and is basically grey now.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Nothing gained, nothing lost.
      Live to fight another day

  8. The Final Boss
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    What a half of football? Bring on 2022..

  9. Pino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    How can Alonso and Jota get assists in those situations?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Oh for goodness sake, read the FPL Rules page.

  10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    My best defender stuck last on my bench. Guess I need to play Tierney vs Spurs.

  11. COLLIN QUANER
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Alonso assist subbing in for the absent Watkins. Lovely

  12. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    I didn't FH myself. But so far I get the impression has not been a good gameweek so far for free hitters?

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      They Free Hitted for Brentford & Everton players, I'd say its going as expected.

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Fair point. I didn't get the excitement for it myself. Only West Ham seemed to have two nice fixtures as far as I was concerned.

      2. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Better to WC and have them permanently 😀

    2. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Will probably rely on the DGW matches. But hasn't been great so far I imagine.

  13. Twisted Saltergater
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 16 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Absolutely astonished that Jota has kept that assist

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Why though?

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Pass is intercepted then Manè picks Chalobah’s pocket.

        1. Duke Silver ☑
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 9 days ago

          Chalobah never had it under control though. Mané was the intended target. Chalobah's touch did not significantly alter the intended destination of the ball.

          1. Twisted Saltergater
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            4 years, 9 days ago

            Man, that’s tenuous at best.

          2. Postman Ty
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 9 days ago

            Did not significantly alter the path? It literally changed its trajectory 180 degrees. Not changing it would be a slight deflection not sending it back the other way.

            1. Duke Silver ☑
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 9 days ago

              The rules don't say anything about "the path". It's the "intended destination".

              1. Duke Silver ☑
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 9 days ago

                I'm not saying I agree with the rules but the intended destination was Mané. The defender did not gather control of the ball so by their own rules they have to award the assist to Jota.

                1. Zenith UK
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 9 days ago

                  I think that’s what a lot of people here are upset by. I’ve played FPL for years and I can’t think of an instance where a defender scuffing an interception like that was an assist.

                  Now I’ve always agreed rebounds should be assists or winning penalties but this one shocked me (very long time player)

              2. Postman Ty
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 9 days ago

                Intended destination is not intended player. By your own description it's still wrong. He meant to play the ball into the space behind to the player behind the defender, the ball did not go there.

    2. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      I think it's the clearest one between his, Alonso's & Bowen 😮

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Maybe FPL Towers are still merry.

      2. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        You’re on something

        Alonso’s free kick isn’t saved it’s a goal
        Bowen’s headed pass is intercepted illegally which wins a penalty
        Chelsea defender scuffs his clearance and actively plays the ball - gives Jota assist

        Ok lad.

    3. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Same happened two weeks ago for cavani goal vs Newcastle Dalit crossed but no assist given

  14. Ronnies
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Anu update on Livramento?
    Cheers.

    1. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Should get one before FAC next weekend.

    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Nope. I’ve been checking but couldn’t find any updates.
      He’s coming off my bench for Foden, so hoping it’s not a cameo.

  15. Pompel
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Should've known it was a mistake to play Dennis over Jota. Hope he stays quiet in second half

  16. keefy59
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Tony Yeboah on the Sky panel
    Didn't he score a similar goal to Kovakic's once ?

    1. Marvin.
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Oh dear.

    2. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      More than one liked an underside of bar smash

    3. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Twice

      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        One was against Liverpool

    4. Hooky
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Kovacic's was about a tenth as good as the one Yeboah constrictor scored.

    5. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      You mean Jimmy Floyd?

      1. keefy59
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        My bad

  17. Rainer
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 days ago

    Rank them from 'definitely an assist' to 'never an assist'...

    Bowen vs Palace
    Jota vs Chelsea
    Alonso vs Liverpool

    1. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      All definitely an assist according to FPLs own rules.

      Laporte's too.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          4 years, 9 days ago

          I've seen them not give on target crosses before that they deemed to be crosses instead of a shot

          They just need to be consistent with it, and also from now on every on target cross has to be recorded as a save then

        • Rainer
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 days ago

          Laporte clearly shot at least & his rebound scored.

          If Kovacic doesn't score Kelleher wouldn't have had an assist as it wouldn't have been deemed an Alonso shot.

          Must be a shot to be an assist.

      2. Zladan
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        All as equally clear assists.

      3. thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        I own all three, and I simply don’t get what all the fuss is about.
        3 stonewall, run-of-the-mill assists right there 🙂

      4. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        In real life terms, Jota's was closest to an actual assist in that he intended to pass to Mane.

      5. DLLM
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        I have all three of them so wouldnt mind

      6. Postman Ty
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        I haven't rewatched but thought Bowen's came from a defender clearance to the handball didn't it?
        Jota absolutely no chance - Chalobah didn't get much on it but he clearly stopped the path of the cross and sent it the other direction.
        Alonso - It was a shot on target so effectively the same as a more traditional 1v1 chance and someone follows up. Happened to be spectacular but I think it's a 'good' assist.

        1. Zenith UK
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 days ago

          Bowen passed the ball with a header

          1. Rainer
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 9 days ago

            Jota passed with his foot?

            Similar amount of opposition touches...

            1. Zenith UK
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 days ago

              Except Bowen’s pass was illegally intercepted.

              Jota’s pass was intercepted, significantly changed the direction of the ball and he was dispossessed

          2. Postman Ty
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 9 days ago

            In that case it should stand.

      7. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        By the rules, all of them are.

      8. Zenith UK
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Alonso
        Bowen
        Then
        Never

      9. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Bowen knew f all about his

      10. _Ninja_
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        The 1st two are definitely assists as I started both. The last one is last on my bench so it's a bit iffy

        1. Rainer
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 days ago

          Case closed!

    2. camarozz
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      When will I learn. Rivals ignored dgw and capt Salah. Whereas I go all in - 8 and fooked it up yet again.

      1. thegaffer82
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        I don’t think you should be learning a lesson to ‘ignore’ DGW’s and Captain a SGWer.
        Usually, the people who load up on DGWers do better than those that ignore it.
        Maybe the lesson is to stay away from rubbish DGW’s.

    3. Herger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      If this stays likes this and we beat Wolves tomorrow we could be a decent shout for 2nd again

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        We? United? 2nd?

      2. F4L
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        if anyone gets second outside of these 2 it's Spurs

    4. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Non assists if you know your football. Assists if you know your FPL.

      1. Philosopher's Stones
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Touchdown if you know your American football

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 days ago

          Just silly questions if you only know this forum!

          1. Philosopher's Stones
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 9 days ago

            Quarterback Pulisic having a great quarter of soccerball here

            1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 9 days ago

              As only the Croatians can do it.

    5. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Mane offside but still shooting rather than passing to Salah

    6. Twisted Saltergater
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Come on Liverpool, I’ve got a Showdown Keita at stake here

    7. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Wonder how many more goals Pool would score if Salah n Mane passed to each other

    8. The Mighty Hippo
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Hi there, just home after a day out and catching up on the results. Is there any reason why Watkins didn't play today)? Rested, illness, injury etc?

      1. _Ninja_
        • 15 Years
        4 years, 9 days ago

        Rumours so far is minor knock.. covid and is signing for arsenal.

        1. The Mighty Hippo
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 days ago

          Ha! Nice and clear then.

    9. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      team 57
      fh1 team 36

      so sick of making the wrong decisions

    10. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      This match is just mistake after mistake and seeing which team can capitalise in the most.

    11. Rainer
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Kante dancing.

    12. Baps Hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      I hope this is last match I watch without any Liv players. And I thought this to be low scoring...

    13. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      Kante making Fabinho look like Maguire

    14. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 days ago

      And *that* is why your right foot is JUST for standing on Marcus