Dugout Discussion

Barkley and Abraham benched as injured Chilwell misses out

Chelsea take on Leicester City in the second and final Premier League fixture to take place on Sunday.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 16:30 BST.

There has only been one goal scored in the last three league meetings between these two clubs: two stalemates sandwiching the Foxes’ 1-0 win in west London in December 2018.

The Chelsea starting XI shows only one change from the side that took on Liverpool in midweek, with Mason Mount (£6.0m) replacing Mateo Kovacic (£5.5m) in midfield.

That means there is again no place for Ross Barkley (£6.0m) or Tammy Abraham (£7.0m), who are among the substitutes.

Pedro (£7.0m) and Christian Pulisic (£7.5m) will flank Olivier Giroud (£7.0m) in the Blues’ attack, while Willian (£7.0m) makes the bench.

Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) won’t feature for the visitors this afternoon, with his place at left-back being taken by Christian Fuchs (£4.5m).

Chilwell misses out with a minor hip injury.

That is Brendan Rodgers’ only change to the side that drew 0-0 with Wolves in Gameweek 1, so Ayoze Perez (£6.5m) and James Maddison (£7.0m) will again support Jamie Vardy (£9.0m) in attack.

The Foxes are without a Premier League goal in three matches stretching back to April of last season, although have admittedly faced tricky opposition in the form of Wolves, Manchester City and Maurizio Sarri’s Chelsea in that time.

Rodgers’ side managed only three shots from inside the box against a stubborn Wolves side last weekend.

They may get more joy out of a Chelsea backline that has shipped six goals in their two competitive matches in 2019/20, however.

Lampard’s troops also conceded on eight occasions in their final three pre-season friendlies.

The Blues look more promising going forward, however, having racked up 38 shots against Manchester United and Liverpool over the past week.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Emerson, Kante, Jorginho, Pedro, Mount, Pulisic, Giroud.

Leicester City XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel, Ricardo, Evans, Soyuncu, Fuchs, Choudhury, Ndidi, Tielemans, Maddison, Perez, Vardy.

Lessons learned from Gameweek 2

2,346 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Glad I went my own way and played Lund and benched Zinc, (c) Wilson instead of Salah wasn't to bad either.

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Well done.

  2. Don Van Vliet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    The levels of knee-jerking on here are astounding.

    1. Agger
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Shh. Let them ruin their teams, it'll benefit us in the long run

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Cabellos FC

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      It's just the way FPL works
      Player x scores well, people rush to transfer player x in for the next GW, in part supported by price rises
      Last week of the most transferred in players was Origi and most transferred out was Mane...

    4. HNI
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Knee jerking to who? Pukki knee jerkers got rewarded as he was great vs NewC as well

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lord Lundstram

    5. gamesmad11
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      People 'knee-jerked' for Pukki after GW1, I don't think they care about what you label them as

    6. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      One person's jerk is another's timely acquisition

      1. potatoace
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Said the vicar to the actress

  3. Ziyech on the Bench
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Siggy owners holding?

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      As soon as I sell he'll get a brace. Holding reluctantly.

      1. Thomas Jerome Newton
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Sell please, so I get the points..

    2. Four Hit Wonder
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Selling.

    3. Jones Kusi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure..
      Wanna get rid of him for KDB

  4. Crisnel Ronessi
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    '69' points on a wildcard. Think it was a good week

    1. pundit of punts
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      59

      No WC

      I'll take that

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Very decent.

  5. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    This turkish guy is pretty good in defence, wonder why he got so little playtime last year.. M

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Maguire?

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Would have been a good partner with him...

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Maguire.

      I'm almost certainly bringing him in this week. 4.5m Leicester defender with good fixtures is value.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I only see 2 potential clean sheets in the next 6 games. GW9 is where its at.

        1. Camzy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Next two seem pretty good. Sheffield away should be very clean sheet-able. And Bournemouth at home while tough, isn't impossible either. Leicester have a top 8 defense for sure. I'd rate them ahead of Arsenal honestly. So behind the big 5, Everton and Wolves.

        2. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Thats 12 cleen sheets during the whole season, wouldn't call it "only" two.

  6. blind faith
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is it too soon to WC to accommodate Sterling (as well as Salah)?

    1. SoapAFC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Contemplating the same, sterling looks 100% essential

    2. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Why wouldn't you start with him?

      1. blind faith
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Money
        I opted for Salah, Bernardo and Kane

    3. blind faith
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Bernardo to Sterling
      Moura to Cebellos
      Adrian to Pope/Ryan
      Stearman to Lundstram

  7. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Leicester getting into the game now. Although it took the best part of 35 mins for them to do so

  8. pakornk
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Guys what to do with Callum Robinson?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Get Mount.

      1. FOMFF
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        .5 short

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      See how bad his injury is, but probably get rid.

  9. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    After your much appreciated thoughts, down to two (three) options:

    Heaton
    TAA, VVD, Laporte, Coleman (Lundstram)
    Salah, Sterling, Fraser, Robinson (Dendoncker)
    Vardy, Adams (Greenwood)

    A. VVD, Robinson, Fraser out / Maguire, Mount, Martial in (- 4)
    B. Vardy, Fraser out / Pukki, KDB in
    C. Stfu, kneejerk

  10. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why do people say Son might not start? Would you say the same thing in GW1? Hes one of the first names on the team sheet.

    1. Alnair
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Who does he bench?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Lamela.

  11. Jones Kusi
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What should I do with this mess?
    I'm unsure on double Liv def, Fraser, Siggy, and Deulofeu.

    Button Heaton
    Digne Robertson VVD Montoya Kelly
    Sterling Salah Fraser Siggy Dendoncker
    Deulofeu Wilson Greenwood.

    2 FT 0 ITB

  12. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Little Pedro on watchlist.

  13. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Not sure who's the bigger waste of space, Fraser or Perez

    1. The Wise Owl
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez for sure.

    2. swobe
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Perez

    3. Business Cat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Fraser is wasting 1m more space.

      But Perez is a bigger waste of space

    4. NestorC
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Have both luckily so no need to choose one

  14. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is Salah worth 1.0m more than Mane in your opinion?

    1. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes

    2. Crystal Alice
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Torn on this. Salah tested my patience a lot last season, I don't know if I can do it again

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      probably. But Mane isn't worth .5 more than Kane/Auba.

      1. Krionos
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, he is.

    4. Reedy
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Possibly not but it's difficult to say it's worth the transfer either. It'll give WCers something to think about though.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Aye. I’m on WC. Manè gives the squad lots of balance overall

    5. Bartowski
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Entirely depends on what you would spend the extra on.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        In my case it’s Cabeloss vs Cantwell. (In terms of extra cash)

    6. Cok3y5murf
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Over the entire season, yes. But need to own the right one at the right time. Mane was better during several parts of last season while Salah was having dry spells.

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Very true

  15. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    to fund my transfer, should I do:

    TAA > Emerson/5.5
    or
    Wilson > Pukki (-4)

  16. balint84
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Wilson to Pukki & Perez to Mount or hold them for the next week?

    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      i fee like the second one can wait for 2 more weeks. (unless Mount score another goal)

    2. Ross From Friends
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Yes do it before the Chelsea game ends or you'll be impacted by price rises

      1. swobe
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        shurrup

    3. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      don't get Mount

      1. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        You're not watching the game. He's looked really good. Set pieces, attacking. And Lampard clearly likes him and prefers him to Barkley. He will play.

        1. Manani
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          does he take all set pieces?

        2. Make United Great Again
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          At 6.0 he’s worth a punt. In a team that’s fighting for top 6.

    4. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If Chelsea play like this then Pukki might have a tough week.

  17. MGMT
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lundstram, Söyüncü, or 5M chelsea def?

    1. @FPLDIARYFPL
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      which chelsea def you looking at?... who do we think rudiger will replace once hes back?

    2. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Lundstram is a must. A good 4.0 defender is a staple of any good fantasy team.

    3. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      soyboy

  18. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Perez is useless..

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      was never about this game. next two...

  19. PlayPercentage
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I thought Leicester were supposed to be top six contenders this season.
    0 shots on target
    0 shots off target

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      chelsea playing really well here

      1. PlayPercentage
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Maybe Chelsea will run out of steam (Vardy owner)

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      People say this every season about one team or another.

      The gap between the Top 6 and the rest is huge. It is a financial gap that is very hard to consistently plug.

  20. KGFC
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pedro's work rate is commendable..

  21. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Chelsea 1-0 Leicester HT

    Suspect Rodgers will change something at HT and it will be a rejuvenated Leicester after the break.

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      has to be Albrighton on for Perez if he has any sense, they playign with 10 men

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        One of Perez, Maddison or Tielemens has to go off IMO.

        1. Pukki Party
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 7 months ago

          Surely not Tielemans.

      2. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        If Rodger brings on Perez I will be very pissed off lol. He needs to get points!!!

  22. No Kane No Gain
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How did Ceballos play yesturday?! I know he had 2 assists but was that lucky or can we expect more of the same?!

    Looking to get for Callum Robinson.

    Cheers

    1. Four Hit Wonder
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Think Santi Cazorla

    2. Dealbert
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Man of the match I would say. Looked very good

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Tall cazorla. Glue in his boots

    4. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      He looked very, very good. High energy and skillful on the ball with intent to go forward every time he was involved.

    5. The Road to Turfdom
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Looked excellent but the assists themselves had a little fortune about them and he is unlikely to be nailed on immediately. Could well be worth a punt at £5.5m though

    6. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Arsenal fans were raving about it. Very impressive apparently

  23. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ok so lets wait and see if Leicester turn up in the 2nd half.

  24. The Ejiptian King
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    This is not going well, lol.

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      🙂

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Is a Cathcart to Lundstram move worth it to save 0.5m?

    I have 2FTs to use and no major transfers planned yet

    1. EMBOLOFAN
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      nah

    2. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      This can't possibly be your biggest issue

    3. Four Hit Wonder
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      If that's your only issue, by all means, go for it

  26. EMBOLOFAN
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    cant wait for barkley to come on for 6 minutes and get booked

    1. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      H2h rival has him starting and Lundstram first on bench.

  27. RamaJama
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which mid to get?

    A) Ndombele
    B) Ceballos
    C) Mount

    1. Cube
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm also in the same boat

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      none

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      None of those imo. Trossard or Mcginn

    4. Rich2086
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I'm in a similar boat and will probably go with mount

    5. yakirh
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Leaning towards Mount, could always change to Ceballos later

    6. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I like both B & C.

      not A definitely

    7. FOMFF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m probably going to do Robinson and Perez to mount and ceballos

  28. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Adrian
    Van Dijk - Digne - Mina - Zinchenko
    Salah - Sterling - De Bruyne - Martial

    + 2 players between

    Pukki / Barnes / Mount / Trossard / Lamela

  29. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pick 2 from the following -

    A. AWB
    B. Zinchenko
    C. Maguire
    D. Emerson
    E. Coleman

    1. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A D

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      BD

    3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGeniusâ…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      E, D & C

    4. Rich2086
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      D and E

    5. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      BC

  30. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    If not for fixtures Pérez to Ceballos would be certain move

    1. Winston.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Ceballos might do well despite of the fixtures...