Dugout Discussion

Pulisic benched as Lampard switches to a 3-4-3 against unchanged Spurs

The final match of Gameweek 18 takes place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Chelsea the visitors to north London.

Kick-off is at 16:30 GMT.

The team news is straightforward from a Spurs perspective: Jose Mourinho has named an unchanged side for the third game running.

The Chelsea starting XI requires a bit more explanation, however.

Frank Lampard has benched Christian Pulisic (£7.3m) for the first time in the Premier League since Gameweek 9, with Jorginho (£5.0m) and the injured Emerson Palmieri (£5.5m) also making way from the side that lost to Bournemouth.

Marcus Alonso (£6.0m) gets his first start since Gameweek 10, with Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) and Fikayo Tomori (£4.8m) also recalled.

All of that would seem to suggest that Lampard has switched to a 3-4-3, with Tomori joining Kurt Zouma (£4.7m) and Antonio Rudiger (£6.0m) at centre-half.

Mason Mount (£6.5m) and Willian (£7.0m) appear to be flanking Tammy Abraham (£7.9m) in attack.

Mount, Pulisic and Abraham were three of the four most-sold FPL assets of Gameweek 18.

Lampard’s side have lost four of their last five Premier League games and haven’t kept a clean sheet on the road in 2019/20.

Spurs, by contrast, have won four of their five league games under Jose Mourinho since the ‘Special One’ first took charge a month ago.

Dele Alli (£8.8m), Son Heung-min (£10.1m) and Harry Kane (£10.9m) are averaging 8.0, 7.8 and 5.4 points per game respectively under their new manager.

Kane is the fourth-most-popular captaincy pick of Gameweek 18, while only three FPL assets were bought by more managers than Son in the run-up to this weekend.


Spurs XI: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Alderweireld, Sanchez, Vertonghen, Dier, Sissoko, Dele, Son, Lucas, Kane.

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Tomori, Rudiger, Alonso, Kante, Kovacic, Willian, Mount, Abraham.



1,997 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Nice guy son sent off for a third time this year

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      He's really an assassin disguised as a footballer!

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      You can take the boy out of the military but you can’t take the military out of the boy

    3. Sim Simma
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Not so nice then

    4. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Also a smart guy now he can fully enjoy christmas and new year

      1. Sim Simma
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe his wife made him do it

        1. Tshelby
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Never underestimate the power of a spouse

  2. st4rty
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Bit of fun with Grealish (c) this week paid off. Tomori to come in for Pulisic. 61 pts & through to the next round of the cup.

    Happy days! 🙂

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Very nice!

  3. Ask Yourself
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Is there any good captains this week? My team looks horrible

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Alli?

    2. DF
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Lundstram

    3. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Vardy

  4. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Best move here? 1FT

    1. Jimenez + Son to Greenwood + Salah
    2. Jimenez + Son to Kane + Cantwell
    3. Rico + Son to Trent + Richarlison

    Henderson - Button
    Soy - Kelly - Lundstram - Aurier - Rico
    Son - Alli - KdB - Mane - Grealish
    Vardy - Ings - Jimenez

  5. Lord of Ings
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Captaincy for next week?
    Thinking grealish or KDB tbf!

    1. st4rty
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I have it on Pulisic.

      1. Arfaish
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        A joke I’m guessing?

        1. st4rty
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Why would it be a joke?

          1. Arfaish
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 4 months ago

            Because he didn’t even start today and Chelsea looked great in a new formation without him. Why would you take the risk of a one point cameo? Makes no sense

    2. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I may punt on Tammy

  6. Arfaish
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Who to get in for Son?

    A) Mane
    B) Salah
    C) Sterling
    D) Alli

    Leaning towards Salah but think sterling could explode over the next few fixtures?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I went to city game yesterday. Sterling was off it completely. B

      1. Arfaish
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Ah ok, thanks for the info. Salah likely then

  7. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son + Jimenez ➡ Martial + Kane ?

    1. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      NO

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      No

  8. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Where am I at my weakest?

    Ryan
    TAA Lundstram Kelly
    KDB Alli Grealish Salah Maddison
    Rashford Vardy

    Button, Soyuncu, Connolly, Rico

    2m itb

    1. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Great team. Connolly could be ditched.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        Very good team. Maybe Rico to Digne?

      2. C'mon the Fylde
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        He's bench fodder.
        I was looking at Pukki, but his upcoming fixtures don't look too good.

  9. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    1 FT, 0.8 itb
    A) Son > Lucas Moura
    B) Son + Jimenez > Sterling + Maupay (-4)

    Team is:
    Pope (Martin)
    Lund Aurier Kelly (Targett Soy)
    Mané KDB Alli Son (Dendoncker)
    Vardy Jimenez Rashford

    1. Tshelby
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Thinking about doing Son to Grealish

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  10. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son no longer an option, so what to do with 2FTs and 0.6itb?

    Rashford to replace Jim or Tammy...? Ings despite upcoming fixtures? Pope out (5 of next 7 are red)?

    Pope, Button
    TAA, Aurier, Lunds (Soy, Rico)
    Mane, KDB, Alli, Grealish (Cantwell)
    Vardy, Tammy, Jimenez

    1. Arfaish
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I was set on Jimenez to Rashford for the next two before today but united and Rashford were woeful. I’d move on pope

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Pope out imo

  11. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Vardy rules...
    1 never bench
    2 never not captain him
    3 see 1 & 2

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      3

    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Will you captain him vs Liv?

      1. C'mon the Fylde
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        No. Liverpool keep conceding.

        1. C'mon the Fylde
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 4 months ago

          Yes, even.

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

      Was my captain this gameweek!

    4. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Captino ....

  12. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    Ryan
    Lunds - Kelly - Kiko
    Salah - Mane - Alli - Kdb
    Vardy - Tammy - Jimi

    subs: Button - Soy - Choudhury - Rico

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't have Jimi in wc as next 2, defence is too weak imo

      1. FDMS All Starz
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        season of 4/4.5 defenders though, who would you say is an upgrade? aurier? taa? both dodgy defence

  13. My heart goes Salalalalah
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Surely no excuse to get in KdB at last right? Son to KdB, will then have 4.4itb after. My team now:

    Pope Button
    Kelly Lundstram Willems Aurier Soy
    Mané Son Alli Zaha Dendo
    Tammy Jimenez Vardy

  14. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    I made a -8 hit to improve my bench as I wanted to hold on to the Pool players.

    Thought the palace clean sheet looked locked on -
    Tomkins IN Reid OUT
    Kelly IN Tomori OUT
    Moura IN Pulisic OUT - thought spurs would hammer chelsea

    Also I did not see Tomori starting never mind getting 7 points after bonus!
    By some miracle I am still in the fpl cup though thanks to Son's red.

    I assume the bookies did well this week many an accumulator busted with the Chelsea, Newcastle, and Watford results

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

    Mount owners celebrating their cs is so adorable

  16. Albrightondknight
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Old Mou is back “hope Rudiger recovers from the broken ribs”

  17. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    It is going to be an easy choice for captain next gameweek - Kane for the spurs bounce back v Brighton,

    1. BNMC
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      Your username though

      1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 4 months ago

        haha yeah I would go by what I said. Horrible run of captain choice especially early in the season.

  18. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son to Alli right now? Already got KDB.

  19. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Lundstram captain for boxing day

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

      nah not convinced of a cs in that, he needs a cs for the armband (in addition to attacking return)

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

        West Ham at home will be good return

  20. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    McGinn -->

    A) Grealish
    B) Willian
    C) Maddison

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      A

  21. Rust Cohle
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Solutions for Sonny’s 3-match ban:

    A. Kane & Grealish
    B. Firmino & Mahrez
    C. Maupay & Sterling
    D. Ayew & Salah

    All involve selling Jimenez with Son.

    Thinking C is my best long-term option, but the super differential that B offers is tempting though with Dilva and Gundogan injured.

    Not crazy about A with Kane constantly dropping deep, but he loves Boxing Day. Not crazy about D due to Palace’s lack of attacking intent.

    Thoughts?

  22. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Plus side though Son's red meant I won my fpl cup tie a christmas miracle!

  23. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    In a tough spot as I own Tomori, Willems and Rico.

    - Rico 1 game ban
    - Willems injured
    - Will Tomori start?

    Shall I just keep Tomori and hope for the best? Or take a -4 to transfer one of them out? Could obviously potentially have only 10 fielded players if Tomori is dropped.

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I would say leave Tomori they played that well Lampard might keep 'Conte's tactics' as JM calls it.

  24. Tshelby
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Son and Jimenez -> Kane and Grealish/Mount (-4)

    Yay?

  25. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Willian...
    1) Solid selection
    2) Decent shout

  26. GOTHAM City F.C.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Maddison & Mount ➡ KDB & Cantwell?

  27. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    So I have:
    - A suspended Son
    - A suspended Rico
    - An injured Mings
    - A doubtful Willems
    - A potentially-injured Tammy

    Christmas miracle am I right?

  28. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    1pt from
    Son, Alli and Aurier ...result!

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

      😛

    2. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      I ve zero as son (c)

    3. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 4 months ago

      -1 from

      Son(c) Alli & Gazza

      I win 🙁

  29. BNMC
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    What makes me happy is that the only other guy in my mini-league that actually plays FPL "seriously" took the free hit this GW and brought in triple Spurs. He scored 34 points and I finally overtook him in the league.

  30. Rt505
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 4 months ago

    Another Son captainer. Plan this week was Mount to Salah but I’ve just done Son to Salah. Got £4.1m in the bank. Anything worth a hit? Team is:

    Ryan/McGovern
    Tomori/Aurier/Lund/Soy/Kelly
    KDB/Mount/Maddison/Salah/Grealish
    Kane/Vardy/Greenwood