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. HNI
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    How serious is Digne injury? As I dont want to stupidly downgrade VVD and then see Digne out. KDB may rise today as well

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

      should be alright

    2. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Apparently manager said he was ok and he posted on Twitter about the match and didn’t say he had done him self up like a kipper

  2. Rik Waller
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Jofra is clearly essential. Who do I bring him in for?

    1. Lexi2014
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Keep or sell Tielemans? Didn’t see the game today...

      Same for Moura?

    2. Coldplay
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Daniel James. Has pace which gets results

    3. BrutalLogiC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      anyone..

  3. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    if Digne is out, I'll just ship him for Laporte. Easy transfer.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Even if only 1 GW?

    2. BrutalLogiC
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I think the general feeling on here is he won't be out and even if he is it's one week and you've almost certainly got more pressing concerns

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

      thanks for the update

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

      I encourage this. I’ll be keeping him, but like the idea that not all people make decisions in the same way

  4. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I went with KDB, Salah and Kane as my big hitters at the start of the season. KDB looks very good but I clearly need Sterling. I am thinking of having both rather than simply upgrading KDB. Is this the way go?

    1.9 GWs into the season, which big high hitters would you go with?

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

      Salah, Sterling, Pepe for me

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

      I am in the same position ( Auba, KDB, Salah). I’m thinking of getting rid of Auba for Sterling

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers

        Longer term I see myself downgrading Kane too but don’t want to do it this week with Newcastle at Spurs

        Vague plan is currently.

        Salah to Sterling this week

        and

        Downgrade Kane to bring in Mane the following week.

    3. Pompel
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I've tried to fit in Kane with those other three, but too many sacrfices elsewhere, and inflexible team. You'll hsve to lose one of those

      1. Art Vandelay
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yep, he has to go at some point just reluctant to do it this week.

    4. Bobby Digital
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Thinking about Salah to KDB myself.

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

      I’m considering Sterling / KDB rather than Salah / KDB. I’ve convinced myself I can make two premiums work only. Probably daft

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

    what to do with wilson next week?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Scored vs City last season.

  6. The Man Pastore
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    Button VVD Digne Dunk Guilbert Rico
    Salah Sterling Fraser Perez Mcginn
    Auba Jota Greenwood

    2FT / 0 ITB

    A) Guilbert Salah Perez --> Lundstram Mane Martial (-4pts)
    B) Salah Fraser Perez --> Mane KDB Ceballos (-4pts)
    C) Any of the above + Auba to Kane for -8pts.

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

    Thought on Lanzini as the 6m choice?

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

      Very good choice - nice fixtures as well ( but he is 6.5)

  8. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts?
    Auba to Aguero
    Meaning Gylfi to a 7.0 (maddison)
    =-4

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

      nah

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Really!?want Auba out for this gw and preferably next?

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

          sure

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

    Early captaincy chrck for those of us with no Kane:

    A) Salah home against dubious Gunners defence
    B) Sterling away against leaky Bournemouth
    C) Auba against fumbling Adrian

    1. Annie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      B

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Mane

      1. thepeen555
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        This

      2. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        He msy come into my yeam as well - at Salah's expense. Seems to have the better form.

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

      a

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

      B or buy Son, ManUtd players also an option

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Son needs some re-shuffling for me, not possible ahead of NEW

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

    Who will Score more points:

    A. TAA + Dendoncker
    B. Soyuncu + Martial

  11. Ray In Bruges.
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    So I've got Barkley and Moise Kean...Who's the priority to ship, or should I take a hit? Thinking Pukki and Mount

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

      kean will start next week imo

    2. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kean will start now I reckon. But looks like he could drop before that

  12. SOTHPAW
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Give Perez and Moura another week or do Perez to Ceballos & Moura to KDB for - 4?

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

      ceb fixtures not good next 2

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

      Hola Perez

  13. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    2ft. Looking at Robertson to Lundstram and then either:

    A) Perez to KDB
    B) Perez to Son
    C) Wilson to Kane

    Thoughts on the best option?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Would you captain Kane?

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Hi TM sorry for delayed response I got busy had to do some work.

        I’d say yes I would captain Kane. Still have Salah and Sterling also as options. Wilson has great fixtures after city though and that is my worry.

    2. zizoo10
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      A clear cut

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah he has been in great form. Leicester up against Sheffield though. I know they have been good so far but I’d back Leicester.

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

      I am in similar thinking, not A, I think Son/Kane vs NEW are amazing differential captain options. Wait for pressers to clues if Son will start for sure, if yes I would go for him to get early lead

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Why are you against the friendly Belgium? Yeah Son could be a great differential but don’t feel I have the luxury of waiting too long due to price rises. Already lost .1 on Wood unfortunately.

  14. zizoo10
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    man buying pukki at 5.6 is an absolute pain in the backside. 5.4 to spend on a defender and there is literally nobody. wouldve loved AWB/Emerson

    1. zizoo10
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      6.6*

  15. New Post
  16. Moose™
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Might keep Vardy for one more week.

    Robbo Guilbert Perez - - > Dunk Lundstram KdB.

    Do it?

    -4 only

  17. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Which moves look best please?. Thanks.

    Heaton
    TAA-Vvd-Zinc-Coleman
    Salah-Sterling-Fraser-Moura
    Jota-Wilson

    4m-Dendoncker-Rico-Greenwood

    2FT

    A) Taa + Fraser > Lundstram + KDB
    B) Taa + Fraser + Wilson > Lundstram + KDB + Pukki (-4)
    C) Taa + Fraser + Salah > Lundstram + KDB + Mane (-4)

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

      A is best. You dont take a hit for Wilson to Pukki or Salah to Mane.

      1. Old Gregg
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Thanks.

  18. Gríma Wormtongue
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    2FT
    (Have 2 LFC defence)
    (Don't have Pukki)

    Robertson + Mili + Bernardo --> Lundstrum + Sterling + Cantwell

    ???

  19. paddym25
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    at this rate, perez is going to feel like a differential next gwk

  20. jez_wright
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    VVD + Moura + Perez -> AWB + KDB + Ceballos (-12) ?

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

      You mean -4, right?

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

    WC

    Kane + Dendoncker

    or

    Son + 6.0 forward (who?)

    1. El Matador
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Stretch the 6m forward to a 6.5 and you have a plethora of options

  22. andrewe63
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    A right howler by Rennes defender gives Cavani a tap in--This goal area ping-pong is an epidemic.

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

    A. Robertson/ Perez to Lundstram/Son
    B. Robertson/ Perez to WanB/Martial (+0.4)
    C. Something else.

    Rest of the team:
    Pope Heaton
    VvD Digne Zouma Rico Robertson
    Salah Sterling KdB Dendoncker Perez
    King Jota Greenwood

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

    anyone thinking of playing cantwell next week? I have Moura and Trossard starting soCantwell is on the bench to cover them. Wish I could play all 3 tbh 😀
    Worst case is Moura plays like 13 minutes or something and then I kick myself for not starting cantwell

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What's your full squad?

  25. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Pope
    TAA / VVD / Digne
    Salah / Sterling / Perez / Barkley
    Pukki / Jota / Wood

    Button // Montoya / Dendoncker / Kelly

    How does the following look?

    Barkely/TAA > KDB/AWB

    I still find it amazing AWB got bonus points in a 4-0 win without attacking returns.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I should note, this is for a -4. Well aware TAA is good value, but the United fanbase coverage does worry me when they do well.

      Palace next and they look absolutely toothless in attack.