Dugout Discussion

Alli benched for Spurs as Chelsea switch to back-three

Dele Alli (£8.4m) has dropped down to the Spurs bench for Saturday lunchtime’s key trip to Chelsea.

The out-of-form midfielder showed his frustrations after being substituted during their midweek Champions League loss to RB Leipzig and he, alongside Serge Aurier (£5.0m), are victims of Jose Mourinho’s switch to a five-man defence.

Both managers have seemingly plumped for a formation change, with Frank Lampard choosing three centre-backs and the attacking width of Reece James (£5.0m) and Marcos Alonso (£6.0m). The Spaniard’s only two league starts since Gameweek 10 have come against Spurs.

Willy Caballero (£4.8m) is again given the nod in goal over Kepa Arrizabalaga (£5.5m), whilst Olivier Giroud (£6.5m) is given only his second league start of the season with Tammy Abraham (£7.6m) not deemed ready to start.

The 22-year-old was described as “at about 70 per cent having not trained much recently” in Lampard’s press conference but has at least made the substitutes bench, as does Willian (£7.0m) – the scorer of both goals when these sides met in December.

Spurs are still trying to find a way to score goals in the absence of Harry Kane (£10.8m), further worsened by the fractured arm sustained by Son Heung-min (£9.9m) during last Sunday’s 3-2 win at Aston Villa.

With both out of action for months rather than weeks, Mourinho has put his faith in Lucas Moura (£7.1m) and new signing Steven Bergwijn (£7.5m). The former has scored in FA Cup clashed with Southampton and Middlesbrough but not in the league since Gameweek 17’s trip to Wolves.

Bergwijn, on the other hand, grabbed the opening goal on his debut against Manchester City. Signed for £27m from PSV Eindhoven, he has made an impressive start to life in North London.

Finally, in the absence of Christian Pulisic (£6.9m) and N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) – out for around three weeks after suffering a muscle injury against Man United – there’s a welcome return to the squad for Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£6.3m) after rupturing his Achilles in pre-season.

Chelsea XI (3-5-2): Caballero; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Christensen; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Barkey, Alonso; Mount, Giroud

Tottenham Hotspur XI (5-3-2): Lloris; Tanganga, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Davies; Winks, Ndombele, Lo Celso; Bergwijn, Lucas.

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,136 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Matip looks solid for this GW?

    1. Epic Fail
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Link?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Lemon Vardy 😛

        I think you have the link?

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah fella. It's my homepage. I never knew it was you. 😀

          Looks good to me.

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            My one claim to fame 😎

    2. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Top da page, it’s a sign 😎

    3. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rock solid

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

        Gomez benched!

  2. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Who goes first?

    A. Lunds
    B. Aurier
    C. Rico
    D. Soy
    E. All four for a -12

    1. Releasebreaks
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      E

      1. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        just kidding id sell Lord first

      2. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        What I’m currently on

        1. HashAttack
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          just a minor infringement on the rule not to take hits on defenders

    3. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Sadly Lund
      His time is over l think

    4. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Definitely not D - look at Leicester fixtures

    5. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      E 🙂
      Keep Soy until wildcard. A has to be the priority.

    6. Bushman
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Rico but it will be interesting to see if Lundy is benched again after his goal. Keep Soy.

    7. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      A or C

      If Rico has lost his place then definitely C

    8. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      This is why you were right not to spunk your money on Mane - you have room to get a Wolves/Pool defender.

      1. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Yes, means another hit though.

        Son+Lunds >> Maddison/Barnes+Robbo (-4)?

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Unless you are wildcarding straight away it will be worth it man

  3. Syd.
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    VAR is not a computer it requires human opinion so it will never be perfect

    1. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      It works in other leagues...

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      VAR in itself isn't the issue, is the people looking at the decisions through VAR who are. So I never understood people blaming VAR... It's people(refs if I'm not mistaken) in that room who mess up the decisions.

    3. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Complete reliance on computer/machine is never a good thing.

      It should be used as an asset rather than necessity

    4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Just get the feeling they are trying to make it fail. It works in other countries. I know the standard of refs is awful here but surely if they can't do it using technology then they are not worth what they are paid ( 100 k a year i belive)

  4. The Polymath
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    I don't have Lundstram for his CS points! I have him for the goal he scores when he comes on as a sub. So you can start laughing at the other side of your faces. 😀

    1. Maddi Son
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Hope justice prevails today. Anybody who favours skill over luck should be hoping for a Lundstram 1 pointer. That was and is the most likely outcome.

      1. Queens of the South Age
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I am favouring points so I'll take a repeat of last week before I sell him for Robbo.

  5. ralfb
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 1 month ago

    Robertson vardy mahrez to jimi mane 4.8 def for -4 worth it ?

    1. kennethrhcp
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      obviously could work but I wouldnt

      1. ralfb
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Or mahrez to 8.5m only ? Just no idea who

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          downgrade Mahrez to free up funds to get Jimi in? wouldn't lose Vardy tho

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      No IMO
      Vardy plays Norwich and Villa next, could be the highest scoring player in the game over the next two weeks
      Robbo is a great pick
      Just move Mahrez on

      1. ralfb
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks Looking for 8.5 replacement for mahrez - Moura maybe

        1. Sun Jihai
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          See how Fernandes plays this GW IMO

        2. Greek Freak
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          For the love of God do not get Moura.

          I have made it my FPL mission to be a Moura martyr and warn everyone about him. I've had him since GW19 and somehow still haven't kicked him out - he's scored 23 points in the last 9 GWs.

    3. Fpl Richie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      God no

    4. Pedersen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 1 month ago

      4.8m def as in Boly, then yes

  6. Party time
      4 years, 1 month ago

      Lampard league double over Mourinho

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Lampard has one hell of a central midfield tbf. Jorginho and Kovacic can dominate games.

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Wait until Kante walks straight back in and ruins it

            1. Piggs Boson
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Yep. Weird player for a possession team.

              All the best teams have a quality central midfield, it's such a crucial area.

        2. FOO FIGHTER
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          No Son, no Kane no party for Mourinho.

      2. Manani
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        if Rico is benched looks like I will have to play with 10 players next week. Not like I will be missing out much though

      3. Evasivo
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        No handshake from Mou?

        1. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Cant blame him,Lamp fist pump and yell both games before him on purpose

          1. Amey
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Mou would have ran naked on the pitch had they scored two late goals to win it 😀

      4. Free Hat
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Maupay, dont you even dare to score a goal now...

        1. Sgt Frank Drebin
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          He'll get a double today, it was all written in the stars

      5. Differentiator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        How many BAPS for Aurier lads?

      6. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        I really cannot see decent replacement for Son next Gw having triple Pool

        Maddison
        Martial
        Traore
        Some cheapo?

      7. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Mourinho not even going for a handshake with Lampard

        He really is a very sore loser

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Maybe he knows where his hand has been.

        2. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yep

        3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Protecting himself from the Corona virus

          1. Jafooli
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            😆

        4. Pumpkinhead - I'm ITK …
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I wouldn't shake his hand either but yer, im a spurs fan and we don't want or need Mou. Horrible man

      8. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        LoCelso retroactive ban imo.

        1. Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          It has already been looked at in the game, can't be looked at again.

          1. Bobby Digital
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Ok

        2. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          missed the game. VAR apologised saying he shoulda went?

          what happened?

          1. Manani
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            basically as an obvious read card as it can gets, stomped on leg straight down, a leg breaker

            1. kennethrhcp
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              cheers. will catch on MOTD

      9. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Barkley giving his interwiew struggling for breath

      10. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Spurs showing once again the nasty little team they are with Lo cheato today. Since VAR has arrived, Son, Alli, Kane can’t dive no more for pens and win games. And long may it continue!

        1. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Interesting

      11. Ze_Austin
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Vestergaard and Drinkwater dropped

        So both sides are back to 11 men

      12. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Vardy

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

          Will blank

      13. Greek Freak
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Will the DGW34 teams be largely the same as the DGW37 ones?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Nobody knows anything !

        2. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          FA Cup hasn't been played yet dude

        3. Blunder fc
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Half of them will be most likely

      14. RAFA THE GAFFA
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Solid moves?

        Son+Lunds >> Maddison/Barnes+Robbo (-4)?

        McCarthy
        TAA • Soy • Aurier • Lunds
        Son* • Salah • Traoré
        Vardy • Jiménez • Ings
        (McGov. Rico. KDB. Grealish)

        1. Sid1891
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Thinking of Son to Maddison myslef too

        2. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Yes from me. Barnes if the bonus cash is helpful

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Going to watch careful tonight

        3. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          The only other route is to get a Wolves defender - not sure about your cash itb

          1. RAFA THE GAFFA
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Zip.

            Can go Barnes and then get Robbo and Doherty to go alongside TAA. Then I might feel happy about my team

            1. Fpl Richie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Do it do it... School yard peer pressure style!
              Massive benching headaches mind

              1. RAFA THE GAFFA
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                I’m certainly not doing it early this week 😆

                Be a Friday after pressers from now on probs

      15. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Kelly Lundy Aurier TAA Sidebe

        Anyone got a worse backline?

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

          That’s impossible. No Liverpool or Sheffield United. What’s going on pal?

        2. Optimus.
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Aston Villa

        3. RAFA THE GAFFA
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Probably
          Aurier TAA Soy Lunds Rico

      16. FOO FIGHTER
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Mcdormit (spelling) former refree confirms low celso should have been off.

        VAR = fraud

      17. Forza Papac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Graham Potter is a familiar looking fellow. A cross between Gareth Southgate and Chris Martin.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          He's playing with fire with so many changes every gw.

      18. Citizenkane91
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Deeeelighted CHE CS is gone. Now people will second guess and sleep on assets like Reece. TOT with 1 shot on target in the second half and that was an own goal. Offensive threat vs BOU sky-high.

        1. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          I was hoping people would get players like Reece - unfortunately likely to put them off

          1. Citizenkane91
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            🙂 FPL wonders like him doesn't come along every year. Caba fixing their current bottleneck.

        2. Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Worth getting James over a Leicester defender?

          Even with Willy in goal?

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

            Or Kepa lol

          2. Citizenkane91
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Better than the biggest underperformer in the league this season, Kepa! Kovacic nailed the defensive side in Kante's absence. Watch them improve defensive results.

      19. Kno
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Selling the Lord with a heavy heart. Any better punts then doherty to join this gang?

        Vvd trent holgate soyboi __

        1. kennethrhcp
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Doh has a good run... & gets forward. I cant look past him

        2. Bobby Digital
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 1 month ago

          CTaylor, Stephens, Lascelles, Egan

      20. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 1 month ago

        Today is the day I'm justified in having Stephens and Stevens. I feel it.

      21. Party time
          4 years, 1 month ago

          Which match to watch?

          1. Forza Papac
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 1 month ago

            Southampton v Villa

            1. Party time
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Yeah, prefer this match. Ings haul please

            2. Qaiss
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Go to sleep for 3 hours

            3. Holmes
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Southampton vs Aston Villa will probably be the best from attacking point of view, will be watching that

              1. Party time
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  Yeah, On that at the moment

              2. Amey
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Southampton Villa of course

              3. FOO FIGHTER
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                All of them 😀

              4. UTD - HATED, ADORED, BUT NE…
                • 4 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Harrogate vs Barnet

              5. AzzaroMax99
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                South vs Villa deffo.
                Ings, Stephens & Grealish owner xD

            4. Citizenkane91
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              Kovacic really is a different breed of a player. Would get into any midfield.

              1. Qaiss
                • 8 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Wouldn't start for Liverpool, Madrid, Barca, City, shall I go on?

                1. Citizenkane91
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  Lol. He'd get into LIV. Barca struggling in midfield. Madrid and City are arguable, still rotational and positionally flexible.

              2. Amey
                • 5 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Yep
                35m£ looks great deal for him

                1. MrZ
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 1 month ago

                  He was £50M right?

                  1. Amey
                    • 5 Years
                    4 years, 1 month ago

                    35 i guess

              3. CloudSky
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                No chance he gets into Madrid's midfield any time soon.

              4. MrZ
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                Not at Inter & RM midfield unfortunately

            5. Bobby Digital
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              0pts, green arrow, woo!

            6. FOO FIGHTER
              • 4 Years
              4 years, 1 month ago

              So from ball crunching slabhead to leg braking le celso. Credibilty of VAR going to be thrown into question.

              FA will just say rules are rules.

              1. MrZ
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 1 month ago

                They can do whatever they wont. They have the league.

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

              See you later Alli. Shocking result, can’t even beat Chelsea