Dugout Discussion

Giroud benched as Willian and Pulisic start at Sheff Utd

Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) finds himself on the Chelsea bench for the Gameweek 35+ trip to Sheffield United.

That will be of huge frustration to his increasing ownership and those looking to him as a differential option.

The Frenchman had scored in each of his last two outings, both of which were starts, but will have to watch Tammy Abraham (£7.4m) lead the line from the sidelines today.

That arguably places a question mark over Giroud’s credentials for the Gameweek 36+ meeting with Norwich, which may have been on the radar for anyone considering a reshuffle of their Fantasy forward line.

Meanwhile, Willian (£7.3m) and Christian Pulisic (£7.3m) remain reliable starters, each one positioned either side of Abraham for the trip to Sheffield United.

The 13.7%-owned Mason Mount (£6.1m) retains his place in the side, making his fifth start from a possible six since the Premier League restart.

Meanwhile, John Lundstram (£4.6m) is on the bench for Sheffield United once again, Chris Wilder opting to keep his central midfield trio the same as Gameweek 34+.

That means further starts for Oliver Norwood (£4.7m), Sander Berge (£4.7m) and Ben Osborn (£4.7m).

David McGoldrick (£5.4m) comes back into the team following a fitness test, forcing Billy Sharp (£5.3m) back onto the bench.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): D Henderson; O’Connell, Egan, Basham; Stevens, Osborn, Norwood, Berge, Baldock; McBurnie, McGoldrick.

Chelsea XI (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Christensen, R James; Mount, Jorginho, Barkley; Pulisic, Abraham, Willian.

1,411 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone think Giroud is worth a punt on FH midweek?

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

      Yep, depending on early team news before the deadline.

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Not 100% sold on him due to Tammy rotation, I’d rather got Puki, Willian and Azpi on a FH

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        *Puli

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Abraham is risky pick also 🙁

    4. Old Man
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm glad Tammy is playing today ....

  2. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    You can put a donkey in your team but you can't make him start.

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

      Mourinho does it every week with Sissoko.

  3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Please Pulisic, need a brace!

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Just a brace? Not happy, Antonio is the barometer

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

    Pulisic benched against Norwich? Or will we get early team news?

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

      It's a possibility

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      We get early team news for that one

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hope so. Then it's time for -4.

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      If he needs a rest it will be in the cup rather than the league.

      FA Cup winners prize money £3.6m
      UCL Group stage worth £14m

  5. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    JRod & Williams 26
    Robbo 25
    ————
    Tark & Fabinho 24
    Pope 23

    A YC is -3 BPS, Pope would have got 3 BAPs without a YC.

    4 points lost due to a time wasting YC.

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Silver linings

    2. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      FPL rarely is fair or makes sense

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Tends to even itself out over time, few lucky CS’ lately, doesn’t deserve any extra points.

    3. Team Cruel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hopefully Mark still has some influence at the fpl towers

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

      What does the BAP abbreviation stand for again? (vs BPS)

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Bonus After Points - the added bonus a player gets.

        Bonus Points System - the system used to add up a players contribution during a match, more BPS the better.

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

          Ah, cheers. Nice, mate!

  6. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bring on the new season.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      This

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

    Feeling v grateful rn as a Salah non-owner Sterling(c)

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      May not last if Sterling blanks as well.

  8. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Very disappointed Mane (C), Salah and VVD owner..... 🙁

    Time to take hits and get Chelsea players in, imagine what they can do to Norwich after Antonio got 4!!

    Took Kane and Son out too so fearing the worst.

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Antonio(c) outscoring Mane(c) by 48 points is peak FPL

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Really does sound like it’s the wrong way round.

        Been a weird season, hopefully return to normality next!

    2. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Norwich will beat chelsea 1-0 next week and Pulisic will get sent off

      That’s the season I’m having

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I know the feeling

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          This season my core team has been good but EVERY single close decision I’ve got wrong for huge point swings. I

          1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Yup, worst thing for me was lockdown and the unlimited transfers upon return, my team was looking great at about 35k rank.

            I torn my team apart with the unlimited transfers and got in Aguero TC for Ings....then I went on to sell Vardy, buy Wolves defense and they start conceding etc etc bloody awful run of luck.

      2. Long ago I drew a walrus
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        That's what I thought would happen with West Ham today. Norwich have already screwed me over several times with City and Leicester twice. Good riddance

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

          and Everton

    3. ClassiX
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      There's at least one of these GW's every season. Kudos to the managers who took the risk,off-loaded Pool assets and brought him in.

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah I remember it was Deulofeu last season in a Friday night game

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Which CHE are you getting in?

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Probably Willian and Pulisic

  9. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Would have taken a Pope 3 pointer and Salah blank before the start but that yellow card is so disappointing

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I was crying ... that bad

  10. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Sold Salah got lucky. People forget at least 2 eaay assists got blown off him

  11. Long ago I drew a walrus
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    All in on the Chelsea train.

    GW36 - Norwich are dead
    GW37 - Liverpool are not in good form
    GW38 - Wolves are not in good form

    All of a sudden the fixtures aren't even bad

  12. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Want Chelsea to score at least two goals. Played Lascelles over Egan & Stevens!

    1. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Should have started Egan. In better goalscoring form than Mane

      1. Pep Roulette
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I was on him the whole time until today!

  13. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Not sure what to do with this team for the following GW, any ideas welcome?

    DDG

    Trent - Saiss - Aurier

    Salah - KDB - Pulisic - Fernandes

    Ings - Vardy - Rashford

    Subs: Henderson, Holgate, Fernandez & Hayden.

    Was possibly thinking Salah>Sterling if Salah's going to be rested?

  14. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Good chance of the Salah —> Sterling move last week paying off now. Don’t let me down Raheem

    1. Kodap
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’m debating this exact move for next GW when city visit Bournemouth, thoughts?

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

        City have cup semi at the weekend. I expect loads of rotation from Pep and Lampard midweek.

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

          Are you ok to sit on the bench for next game.. your performance today was dismal..

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

      We need 10 points.

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

        Thatd be nice, I have him C as well

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

          I went Vardy captain at the end.

      2. Vazza
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks for missing that sitter earlier to deny Salah’s assist

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

          I don’t own myself or Mo. Easy decision.

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

            Haha.. Good man

  15. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    TAA and Lascelles to Azpi and Digne -4?

  16. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Jimenez toVardy or Ings for final 3 games.. Edging toward Ings

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ings now

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ingsy

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Ings

  17. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Pope 3 is lucky really. Hopefully Martinez can beat it.

    Mane (c) is a bit of a mare. Oh well. At least I can get rid without having doubts.

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keep

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

        I'm definitely getting rid. Pool are on the beach. No intensity.

        1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Looked great against Brighton

    2. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Who's coming in for him?

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

        Lots of choices.

        Sterling, Mahrez and Pulisic are top contenders.

        1. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I think I'll have 2 plans ready, one with Mane to Pulisic and the other in case Pulisic is rested

  18. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Stuck with TAA, VvD, Doh and Rui.

    1. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      FH GW36 for some temporary relief?

  19. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    3 from 2. Any good?

    That’s probably an above average week for me so far

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You also have TAA and VvD?

      1. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        TAA and Mo

  20. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Salah owners, you keeping or chucking?

    1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keeping

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Chucking

    3. Rotation's Alter Ego
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Was planning on selling pretty much no matter what he did, for Sterling.

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        This is my thoughts move wise, but.. do we think Sterling gets rotated? / what’s the chances of Salah starting?

        1. Rotation's Alter Ego
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I think Sterling will outscore Salah in the last 3 gameweeks. All I care about.

          But yes, Sterling will probably get fewer minutes.

    4. TheDragon
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Keeping - just can’t bring myself to sell him as you just don’t know when he will get a 21 pointer (it literally could be any game)

      1. Kodap
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Is he going to start against arsenal though? When City have Bournemouth?

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

          If Klopp is a sensible man, he should rest Salah next game. He’s not going to get the Golden Boot anyway so why risk an injury, which can have an impact on next season.. Klopp should manage the team not Salah. The error cost the team 2 points today and the chances of breaking records are slipping away...

    5. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Out for Willian (C)

    6. HNI
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Well I was thinking of buying dur to amazing underlying numbers vs Burrnley but guess he isnt the best performer in big matches so will just have on FH in gw38

  21. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hmm

    Mane + Nketiah >

    A) Mahrez + Ings
    B) Sterling + JRod

    B is looking more and more tempting. JRod with 3 goals in his last 4 matches.

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. Long ago I drew a walrus
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      JRod for GW37 is golden

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

        He's not better than Ings though.

        1. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Worth seeing how Bournemouth fare against Leicester tomorrow.

  22. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Salah to Antonio mass transfers this week 😀

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Hard to ignore Antonio, something to play for, 2/3 nice fixtures. Many won't swap for Salah because of his price, I kid you not.

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

        It's not just the price. It's the fact Salah is a significantly better footballer than him, plays for a vastly superior team to him, has scored over double the amount of goals Antonio has and has 225 FPL points to Antonio's 92.

        Taking all that into account and switching Salah for Antonio is the most knee jerky move ever.

        1. Long ago I drew a walrus
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I get the feeling Antonio has used up all his points in one massive burst. No way West Ham keep this up, they haven't suddenly turned into world beaters. Watford and Villa will be tough tests fighting for survival and MU will turn them over in between

        2. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Oooh there are more kneejerky than that. Of course Salah is a much better player in a better team but where's his motivation compared to Hammers top dog battling for survival.

  23. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Salahs blank makes the decision to sell him before his haul at Brighton s tiny bit easier to take....

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      And he will haul v ARS once I get rid of him

  24. Party time
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I almost did a last minute captain switch to Mané. Oh well!

    • Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I know I’ve slagged Jesus off a lot but if he’s benched today Id be very tempted to get him in for Jiminez for the BOU match

      1. Rover
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Exactly!

      2. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Captain material if that’s the case

    • Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Anyone think Nyland could start tomorrow? Put

      1. Rover
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Possible. Reina flagged right?

      2. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        No. He's shife

    • Rover
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      That Pope YC was a 4 point loss 🙁

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        🙂 *

        1. Rover
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

        2. JJO
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          +1

      2. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Just not my day

    • Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      TAA and Lascelles to Azpi and Digne -4?

      Hello

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Bo

    • FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Congratulations Antonio owners.

      Totally deserved

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah fair play

      2. TheDragon
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I don’t think 26 points Is ever totally deserved - it’s fair to say 4 goals is more than a couple of standard deviations from the average

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

          He could have had more tbh, but considering he had never scored a hattrick in his senior career 4 was a bit lucky

        2. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          That's it. Should be a superlike 10 point bonus or the likes. 4 goals, class. I think Defoe scored 5 for Spurs once but that was his job.

      3. GreennRed
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I captained him.

        In 2018.....

        1. TheDragon
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          You are clearly a visionary, just ahead of your time

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

        Yep, totally deserved. I never have any issues hailing those who go for a big differential. Well played to owners.

      5. Eze Really?
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I must agree and take my own advice in future.

    • Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah -> Antonio no brainer move for those who still own the 13m penalty merchant

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I am going Salah ->> City mid