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. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Question. Do we normally get good returns out playing against relegated teams in the past seasons or do “relegated teams” ironically go on a sudden good run of forms after already being relegated?

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

      I seem to get the impression they improve a little once mathematically down.

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

        Surely they play with more freedom to attack, leaving gaping gaps at the back?

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

        Same here. I remember a couple of relegated teams put on some good shows. This unnecessary wondering puts plans into unneeded doubt.

  2. Greek Freak
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I spent so long agonising over whether to captain Sterling or Mane, it would be classic FPL if Sterling matches Mane with another blank now.

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

      Sickening eh

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

    With Watford and west ham winning, Bournemouth must attack and try to win Lei game. They’ve got nothing to lose.

    Vardy(c) party nailed on

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

      If vardy outscores Antonio... he only needs to score 6 goals

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Game on and wide open! Will Vardy exceed Antonio? Doubt it, but roll on ... 🙂

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Only 1 player with Antonio in my leagues near me.
    Plenty Salah/ Mane C with Pool & Pope cover 🙂

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

    -4pt booking at the end of the game for Pope!

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

      3 points against LIV is already more than jammy Pope owners deserved.

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

        What's jammy about owning a keeper who plays for a team who keep plenty of clean sheets, scores plenty of save points when they don't and is a bonus magnet?

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

          Defying xGC week after week is the definition of jammy

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

            Not really. More a sign of a good keeper (roughly), hence why Kepa is useless.

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

    Early thoughts on who scores most from:

    A) Antonio (WAT)
    B) Martial (cpa)
    C) Willian (NOR)

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      C

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I really don't think Antonio will keep hauling - he's had his time. I'd probably go for Willian.

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

        it was norwich ffs

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

      Willy, if he starts.

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Can’t look past 3 City at Bournemouth?

      C or B

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

      William could be rested vs Norwich

      Antonio

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

      Willian

    7. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Watford have some big defenders & mids don’t see tony running riot there

  7. One More Hit
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Two people chasing in the cash league included Antonio. All getting bunched up now

    1. One More Hit
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      *on their free hits

    2. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      How close on points?

  8. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Considering I am a Salah owner and non captainer and owned no other pool players that was a fantastic result for me. Pity about Robertson scoring but can’t have it every way!

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

    Who needs a Sterling hattie later??

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

      4 or 5 please

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

      Yes! My (C)

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

    So, that chap who TC'd Antonio is currently on 95 from 4. His current position has gone from 77418 to 5878. Absolute win, and have to give him his due for taking the risk. 🙂

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

      Stuff of dreams

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

      Congrats to him

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

      Bravo. Well done. Congrats. Hat down

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

      He's had pretty good points the last few weeks too

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

      Look for Sterling (c) to do similar job

    6. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      class.
      I'm on -1 from 2.
      Good Times.

    7. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yeah phenomenal result for him. Well deserved.

    8. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Very well played.

  11. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Brought Tammy in this week as had a gut feeling he'd get the start over Giroud...hope it can pay off now as a shrewd hunch 😉

    1. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Almost went for it, good punt

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

      i am actullay sad as Giroud will get Norwich...

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

        perfect

    3. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sitting on my bench ‘Waiting’ for next week, he’s caused me nothing but bother

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

    Days like this I just wish my rivals in ML would just put me out of my misery. Instead the one guy who had Antonio was 40 points behind me and the guy in 1st place had Salah and TAA and so I'm still alive despite Mane(c). We fight on I suppose

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

    Another pen decision for the Prem to admit VAR got wrong.

    The refs in the VAR booth are consistent at least.

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

      Now that the title is won they would be stupid not to add in some decisions against LiVARpool to cover their tracks

  14. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Double up on Willian and Pulisic ! Come on boys! Jorginho don’t you touch those penalties!

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

      Jorg on pens

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

        Doubt it, I can see Willian continuing his streak. Jorginho hasn't touched ball in ages

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

      Your name should be Lampford

      1. FPL Blow-In
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I hate Chelsea with a passion really but fpl does do strange things to us. I’d like them to score and lose obviously 😉

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

    Worthing brining in Salah after his strong underlying stats? As Liverpool do not have matches in Aug like others it anyway doesnt seem gamble by Klopp to risk salah injury with overwork?

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

      Bad time for thid

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

        Yeah, its now or on FH Gw38 vsvNewC

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

          No, I mean it's a bad time to be asking about bringing in Salah when many are rage selling

  16. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Probably unpopular post here but any Martial captainers here? Feel like I’m the only one in the boat.

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

      I did. Apologies in advance. 😉

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

        You did? What about “I do”? Fearing the only boat in the sea...

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

          At least take me out to dinner before you ask me to say "I do"...

          Was very close between him and Fernandes. If Fernandes goes mad he could take my ML chances with it, but reasonably happy with Martial (c). As Brosstan says below, not a fan of having a player I now can't cheer on though 🙁

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

      Strongly considered but I hate rooting against the players I own so it had to be Bruno

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

      Aye! after another avg 10k finish on horizon I am punting on captains a lot. I actually switched from Bruno as Rash will take next peno and any assist Bruno has, Martial will be end of it

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

        Had mine originally on Bruno but as soon as the herd moved in, I had been switching around between Martial and Rashford. Rashford more punty but he’s had lots of under-performances since the restart and Martial is a strong one, in my opinion. Both have been receiving returns playing at home and I felt if any this would be Rashford’s week. Ended up going with the safer and stronger option in Martial.

  17. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Me: DDG/Rashford = 38 points since gw31
    Rivals: Martial/Greenwood = 78 points since gw31

    i FINALLY had the chance to convert Ddg >> Martial (-4) and protect myself but instead i opted to Vardy (stupidly).....i should have alteast kept the cpt on bruno

    End result:
    Me: Vardy (c), Bruno, Rashford
    Rivals: Martial, Bruno (c), Greenwood

    Watching united and hoping for blanks from martial, greenwood, bruno is not worth it...espeically sinc they have already destroyed my season

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

    4 goals. Really...?

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

    Henderson
    TAA VVD LaPorte Digne
    Mahrez Bruno KDB Mane
    Kun Auba

    Subs: Pope Henderson Ings Tatkowski Azpi Grealish Jimmi

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

      What

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

        Team of the season. Greenwood and Pulisic not quite enough

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

          Salah? He has more points than anyone else

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

            They don't really play FPL

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

          Vardy instead of Kun

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

          Laporte? Got injured gw4...returned gw24 lol

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

            He is just class. Had Tark there but put him in there for the sake of it.
            I will rephrase. The league team I would pick.

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

      Kun C vs Bou

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

    Last day we gonna have Mancity vs Norwich. already wondering which 2 attackers we will go for with kdb... 5-0 is a given... Maybe even more lol

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

      Only 2? 😮

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      May own Jesus that week. Surely he’s going haul

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Mahrez and D. Silva

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

    Baldock long game vs Pulisic now.

  22. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Feels impossible to pick one between Pulisic and Willian. I know people will say both but I want Sterling as well. Cannot decide between them two v Norwich.

  23. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Holding Mahrez and Kdb for next week

    Other than sterling which city player would you want to bring in ?

    1. GREEN IS GOOD
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Foden

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

      Jesus.

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      David Silva

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

      Sterlo

  24. GREEN IS GOOD
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How much will

    Willian
    Pulisic
    Antonio

    cost next season?

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

      1 billion $

      1. GREEN IS GOOD
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        And they said comedy is dying

    2. Greek Freak
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      The two Chelsea guys probably around 9m is my guess, Antonio overpriced as usual. (7.5?)

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

      9m
      9m
      8.5m

    4. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      8
      8.5
      7

    5. Grounderz
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      8m
      8.5m
      8m

      1. EL tridente
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Willian Will not play in Chelsea next season

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

          Just responding to the poster. Is all, in which case the assumption here is obviously if he stays on.

        2. GREEN IS GOOD
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          He might still be in Premier league tho

    6. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      £9m
      £9m
      £7m

  25. Royal5
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Missed the Pool game. Was 1-1 a fair result?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Burnley deserves the 3 points really

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

      Pope saves them for fun

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Pool firing blanks or good saves?

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

          Had couple of good chances but obviously laid them all to waste.

          1. Royal5
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            I see

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

      Given their average performance? It’s as fair as the lady looks.

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

      Yeah.

    5. SAY MY NAME
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Liverpool dominated, Burnley did Burnley things, not surprised by the result

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

      Pool shooting blanks, Burnley could have nicked it though.

      1. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        'Good thing I didn't take hit for Salah. Killed me last week.

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

      Burnley deserved to win.

  26. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Rudiger out of favour? He's not flagged on FPL.

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

      Yep. Really poor performance vs. West Ham.

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

      Yeah, he hasn't been good. Zouma and AC deservedly starting now

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

      Bit shite really.

      Zouma big challenge late on vs Palace helps him and Frank likes Christy.

    4. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      They need a new CB or two big time then. Pointless having Ziyech, Werner and Pulisic up front if you've got dross at the back.

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

    Every time Chelsea attack Pulisic looks dangerous.

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

    Patient Christensen owners banking another 1 pointer!

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

    Laporte or Azpi for the run in?

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

      Can’t trust Laporte to start two in a week, wouldn’t want Azpi after NOR.

      Digne?

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

        Getting him and another

  30. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is this looking like a good game, worth watching?