Dugout Discussion

Sunday team news: Kulusevski benched, key Chelsea assets all start

Two more top-flight matches kick off at 2pm BST this afternoon and there is plenty of interest from a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) perspective, particularly where Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are concerned.

The Lilywhites are at home against a much-changed Leicester City, while Thomas Tuchel’s troops are on the road again at relegation-threatened Everton.

Where Jurgen Klopp perhaps rotated more than we thought he would yesterday, Tuchel has taken the opposite approach, making only one change to his starting XI to make light of the 64-hour turnaround between trips to Old Trafford and Goodison Park.

The Chelsea head coach’s sole alteration is even enforced, with the injured N’Golo Kante replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield.

The teamsheet of opponents Everton shows two changes, with Yerry Mina and Fabian Delph replacing Michael Keane and Allan.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is among the substitutes after recovering from injury.

In north London, there are nine alterations across the two teams – but only one for the hosts.

It’s a significant one, too, as popular mid-price FPL midfielder Dejan Kulusevski drops out of the Spurs line-up for the first time since Gameweek 25.

Lucas Moura takes the Swede’s place and joins Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in the three-man Lilywhites attack.

“It’s rotation. When you have the possibility to change good players, you do. It is a normal rotation.” Antonio Conte on dropping Dejan Kulusevski

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has made eight changes to his side, clearly with one eye on Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final, second-leg tie against Roma, 

Kasper Schmeichel, Timothy Castagne and Marc Albrighton are the only three players who started against Jose Mourinho’s side on Thursday who keep their places, with James Maddison and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missing out altogether.

Rodgers said the two Leicester midfielders have both been left at home as a precaution – a tight calf for Dewsbury-Hall, a hip issue for Maddison – but the reality is probably that the pair are being wrapped up in cotton wool for Italy.

Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes are among the substitutes.

GAMEWEEK 35 LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Mykolenko, Delph Doucoure, Gray, Iwobi, Gordon, Richarlison

Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Branthwaite, Keane, Allan, Davies, Alli, Rondón, Calvert-Lewin

Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Rudiger, Silva, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Havertz, Werner

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Sarr, Chalobah, Kovacic, Pulisic, Ñíguez, Ziyech, Kenedy, Lukaku


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Emerson Royal, Bentacour, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Lucas Moura, Kane, Son Heung-min

Subs: Sanchez, Craig, Kulusevski, Scarlett, White, Gollini, Bergwijn, Winks, Rodon

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas, Mendy, Soumaré, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Pérez, Daka

Subs: Ward, Justin, Fofana, Brunt, Choudhury, Tielemans, Barnes, Lookman, Vardy

949 Comments Post a Comment
  1. FantasyTony
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    While it's completely dire for a club the size of Everton to be in the position they're in, surely the Everton fans will feel more emotions in these final few games than they did in the previous dozen seasons combined.

  2. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Genuinely forgot Werner was on the pitch until the commentator just mentioned him

    1. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      glad i sold him for Jesus.

  3. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Considering the stolen Russian billions they have spent, Chelsea should be far better than this.

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

      Everton have a higher net spend than us in the last 10 years...

      https://www.si.com/fannation/soccer/futbol/.amp/news/man-utd-city-and-psg-spend-over-1b-net-on-transfers-in-10-years

      1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        I find that list suspicious.

        How are real not on it?

        When did liverpool spend 350 million more than they sold?

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

          It's Net Spend. Did you read the article?

          Real Madrid did not make the top 20. The Spanish giants were 25th on the list, with a net spend of €179m

          They also sell heavily, having made £731.21m is sales (another article, hence different currency).

          1. MYNAMEISBigtopmark.sman
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 2 days ago

            I read it and I know net spend well as it's our mantra hence why I said 350 mil MORE than we sold.

            Because rival teams claim we spent 140 million on virg and allison, when in fact we made money considering the sale of coutinho which is the only way we spend.

            I find it very difficult to believe that fast and loose spending real Madrid are 25th even if they have sold players.

  4. SEXY SON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Kome on Kulusevski! If you behave you might get a new pet name!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      *cringe*

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

        Makes me sick thinking about it.

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      We call him Kulukovski, which is our favourite local bakery

  5. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Get the hell out of my team Havertz

  6. FantasyTony
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Can't believe I brought Mount in on a WC.

  7. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    England's Number 1!

  8. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Pickford on fire.

  9. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Son G Kulu A

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      yesssss

  10. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    wow what a save

  11. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Mount off inside of post and hits the other!

  12. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Save of the season

  13. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Son haul!

  14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    wow pickford again

  15. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    sooooonnnnnnnn kulu a

  16. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Pickford wow

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

    Kulu instant impact, well done.

  18. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Son!

  19. @persecuted_by_mods
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Holy moly Pickford the goat, rip ramsdales England chances

    • Royal5
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Kulu at least

    • Nate(U)dog(ie)
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      How are Chelsea going to pick themselves up from these poor amd sluggish performances for the FA Cup final? You can't just switch it on and they haven't looked impressive for a good while now

    • DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Pickford wow

    • Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Unbelievable Mount. Then Rudiger misses. Damn you, Pickford!!!!

    • tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Sonny!

    • PartyTime
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Son auto (vc). Get innnnnnn!

    • BobB
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Tinkerman Conte can't leave Kulu out now

      1. Haalander
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Kulu making the difference since he came on

    • asr
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Kane, Son, Lulu you beauties!

      Also, Pickford performing miracles!

    • TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Damn it Son.

    • nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      YYEEEAAAHHHHHH
      SOONNN (VC)!!!!!!

      How jammy can this gameweek get!!

      1. PartyTime
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        We waaant more!

    • fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Sonaldo Kulu combo!!