Dugout Discussion
27 December 2022 487 comments
FPL Marc FPL Marc
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Today’s first Premier League match takes place at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea host Bournemouth in the 17:30 GMT kick-off.

Graham Potter’s side begin the day in ninth place after a run of five winless pre-World Cup matches ended with three successive defeats.

They’ll be desperate to rectify this against newly-promoted Bournemouth, currently sat in 14th despite conceding the most goals and having the fewest attempts.

The many new owners of Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.5m) and Reece James (£5.8m) will be delighted to see them both starting after recovering from foot and knee injuries respectively. Also starting are Mason Mount (£7.5m), Marc Cucurella (£5.1m) and Thiago Silva (£5.4m).

12 Chelsea players took part in the World Cup, with Hakim Ziyech (£5.5m) and Mateo Kovacic (£4.9m) reaching the final weekend and, as a result, being granted time off.

Armando Broja (£5.3m) and N’Golo Kante (£4.8m) are long-term absentees, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.0m) and Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) still haven’t rejoined full team training. Wesley Fofana (£4.3m) re-injured himself in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Brentford.

As for Bournemouth, goalkeeper Mark Travers (£4.3m) still starts over the hurt Neto (£4.5m) and Marcus Tavernier (£4.9m) is out with a knock.

It looks like either a 4-4-2 or 3-5-2 formation, in both cases pairing Dominic Solanke (£5.8m) and Kieffer Moore (£5.4m) up front. Although back from suspension, Chris Mepham (£4.4m) misses out with illness.

GAMEWEEK 17 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Kepa; James, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly, Cucurella; Zakaria, Jorginho, Mount; Sterling, Havertz, Pulisic

Subs: Bettinelli, Azpilicueta, Chalobah, Humphreys, Hall, Chukwuemeka, Gallagher, Hutchinson, Aubameyang

Bournemouth XI: Travers; Smith, Senesi, Kelly, Zemura; Stacey, Cook, Lerma, Billing; Solanke, Moore

Subs: Plain, Stephens, Christie, Marcondes, Rothwell, Lowe, Dembele, Pearson, Anthony



FPL Marc Broadcaster, writer and overthinker. Hoping that ‘differential potential’ will catch on.

487 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. Count of Monte Hristo
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James > ?

    Trippier/White/Patterson/Bueno my defence.

    1. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Robbo

      1. 1zverGGadeM
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        this

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Cancelo

    3. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Anything non template

      1. Flynny
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I can go up as far as Robbo / trent....not sure though

        Otherwise it's someone cheap....

        1. Flynny
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Botman. Toon double up?

  2. Uncle Baby Billy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This place is a mixture of James owners wondering why life is so cruel to them and non-James owners laughing at James owners. Not a word have I seen expressing a bit of sympathy for James himself whose career is once again blighted by injury. But what's a player's health compared to the torture of losing points in a daft game or presenting the opportunity to gloat about not having him in your squad?

    A lot of you need to have a serious word with yourselves.

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Im afraid thats the nature of an FPL site its the be all and end all.

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

      This is a fantasy football forum mate

      1. George Sillett
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        True but some of the comments re James are ridiculously childish and pathetic

    3. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Do you reckon he reads these comments?

    4. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I think it’s time I logged out of this website

    5. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don’t worry about Reece James, he will as ever continue to pick up more money in a week than most people earn in 5 years. He’ll be fine.

    6. Count of Monte Hristo
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Lecturing others for not posting something you wanted to see them post is lame.

    7. MissouriMarten
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wow. Cry more.

    8. Zenith UK
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Middle name checks out.

    9. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's a muscle injury. Nobody died.

    10. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      😆

    11. rozzo
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He is not an option just as Callum Wilson isn't.

      From a selfish point of view its frustrating reading post after post advocating them when this is supposed to be where hardcore fantasy players are

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Callum is going to haul big v Leeds

        1. rozzo
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Then miss the next game, whats the point?

    12. Shultan
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      This is site to discuss fantasy football not a reece james fan club site

  3. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Anyone doing worse than 29 so far?

    1. HashAttack
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      27 atm ... gw rank of over 10 million before the start of this match

    2. thegaffer82
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I don’t even want to look at mine. But I’m on a similar score 🙁

    3. g40steve
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      How many you got left?

  4. thegaffer82
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Still got Anthony Martial v’s Forest to navigate yet. Could well be on an enforced -4 by this evening

  5. Sharkytect
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Best defender for 5.8mil or less?
    Not Reece James.

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Akanji

      1. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Under threat from other CBs, or no?

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

      Gabriel

  6. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A)ngela White
    L)isa Ann

    1. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A

    2. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Both. Bench someone else

    3. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      jeeez they're both uaf

  7. The Philosopher
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    A)ngela White
    N)atasha Nice
    A)nastasia Luxxx
    L)isa Ann

    1. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I see what you did there

  8. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I've suffered so much at the hands of James, this is the final straw. Probably transferred him (and/or Chilwell) in and out 15 to 20 times over past few years

  9. jacob1989
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Activate WC? Wish this unlimited transfers was never there.
    Never considered james till the last minute

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I would if had James

  10. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is porcelain boy injured again or was it precautionary?

  11. el polako
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Reece James and Callum Wilson - two "professional" athletes.

    You got to laugh.

    1. Neevesy
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why?

    2. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Think about how much they get paid for a physio to rub their hammys better. Best job ever

  12. GENERATION X
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mount looking a shout for the double

  13. Yank Revolution
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James to Walker a no brainer if you don't have Cancelo?

    1. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      nah I'd go for a nailed on option like Robbo

      1. THFC4LIFE
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Tsimikas lurking?

      2. Yank Revolution
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Far too expensive. Only have 5.8 to spend.

  14. C-Dawgg
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Such a shame, you can make a case for James being the best all round footballer in the league, he’s so exciting to watch and he just gets set back after set back

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Games gone

    2. x.jim.x
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No you couldn’t

    3. lilmessipran
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Uhh no you can't and yes he does.

    4. TheDragon
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He is good of course but that’s a bit too far! You know Dan James is in the premier league right?

  15. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Reece James. I honestly dont know why people go there. The most injury prone player in the world.

    1. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Oxlade?! Naby Keita?

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

      Is he injured?!

  16. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Sterling’s corners have been awful

  17. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James is like bloody glass man. Good job I’ve got Kepa who will hopefully keep a cleanie

    1. RICICLE
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Useful

  18. Gunners in Haaland
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    James to VVD?
    0.1 short to Robbo

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Is he injured??

      1. sulldaddy
        • 16 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Yes. Pulled early. Apparently someone posted he was in tears on the ground

    2. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      VVD will get goals he didn't even shoot so go for him.

    3. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Don't think I'd go with a pool centre back. They're still shipping goals and VVD can't score every week.

  19. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Damn you, Potter!!

  20. dshv
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Darwin kdb james over mitrovic salah cancelo……… GREATTRR

    1. Royal5
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Kdb can still do the business

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's a marathon, not a sprint

  21. x.jim.x
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    #mufc XI vs Nottingham Forest: De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Shaw, Malacia, Casemiro, Eriksen, Bruno Fernandes, Antony, Rashford, Martial

    That backline is spooky.

    1. GENERATION X
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Only worried about the front line

    2. brianutd-why always we? 20
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      So no Mitro or mount off my bench ahhh

    3. Chalobah's Witness
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Varane was 'spooky' in the WC final. They lost because of him.

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Don’t remember him missing a penalty?

    4. Piggs Boson
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Casemiro CB in a back 3 maybe?

      1. x.jim.x
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Shaw playing LCB I believe

    5. sirmorbach
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Great, I picked a centre-back instead of a left-back.

    6. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Shaw playing center back? Or Malacia?

    7. Freshy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Casemiro CB

    8. FantasyTony
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Jaysus

    9. Scapegoat Salah
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      COME ON BRUNO!

    10. 1zverGGadeM
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Was hoping for Malacia to start and Shaw to be benched just to get those 12pts on my bench from Tripps.. #lovelyGane

  22. Hy liverpool
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    The answer is PERISIC.. You welcome.

    1. KUNingas
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      True

    2. pablo discobar
      • 16 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Yeah probably is

  23. nerd_is_the_werd
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why play when you can only last 50?
    Looks like he was rushed back into action.

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

      It may have been a different injury. He wasn't going to play 90 anyway.

  24. Mirror Man
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Choose your trolls wisely.

      1. FantasyTony
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It's why I just start Digne every week.

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

        Zaha?

    • Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It’s funny how some of the most injury prone players are the ones with the best physiques/builds - just one of those things

      1. Freshy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        over muscled

      2. Mirror Man
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Back in my day we'd refer to these individuals as "all bread no butter".

        • Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Save #3 + 1 Bap Kepa

      3. 1zverGGadeM
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Starting Reece James over Trippier is a terrible mistake :X
        #justCrying

        1. Piggs Boson
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Who else did you play over Trippier? 😯

          1. 1zverGGadeM
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Shaw and Robbo

        2. TheDragon
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I mean - what more has trippier got to do to be seen as a 100% start regardless of fixture?

          Has only blanked in 3 out of 16 and is 3rd highest scoring player in the game behind Kane and Haaland

          1. 1zverGGadeM
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            He was amazing all the games he was played this season, but that Chelsea fixture made me wrong unfortunately. Trippier is essential!

      4. BC1
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 15 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Reasoning for the James pick was also because of Chelsea's fixtures. James to Cucurella or Koulibaly a no brainer for me.
        Forest then City/Fulham DGW.

        1. Free Hat
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          James was interesting for attacking intent, fixtures aside, not so confident in che CS prospects

          1. BC1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Bournemouth, Forest, City/Fulham.
            Hoped for a couple of clean sheets there.

            1. Free Hat
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Bou at home yes, other ones not so sure imo. James also big loss for defence as well.

      5. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Think I will just get a second Newc defender with their fixtures and general solidity

      6. Royal5
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Kepa save point

      7. GENERATION X
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        3 Kepa good lad