Dugout Discussion

Timo Werner starts on the flank as Reece James benched for Chelsea

The first match of Gameweek 4 brings a big casualty for FPL bosses as Reece James (£5.1m) finds himself on the Chelsea bench.

He is joined there by Mason Mount (£6.9m), who is also dropped from Frank Lampard’s XI, and injury returnee Christian Pulisic (£8.3m).

Timo Werner (£9.4m) is again stationed on the left flank of the Blues’ attacking midfield three, with Tammy Abraham (£7.3m) leading the line.

New goalkeeper Edouard Mendy (£5.0m) takes over between the sticks after making his debut in midweek, while ex-Leicester defender Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) makes his first league appearance at left-back.

Captain Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.9m) slots in at right-back, putting the 16.4%-owned James out of the side.

Crystal Palace remain unchanged from their 2-1 defeat to Everton in Gameweek 3. Michy Batshuayi (£5.8m) is ineligible to face his parent club.

As Lampard revealed in his pre-match press conference yesterday, Pulisic is part of Chelsea’s matchday 18 but Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) remains sidelined.

Pulisic is in the squad for tomorrow. He won’t start, it’s great to have him back. Ziyech is getting closer but not close enough to be on the bench. I think they will all bring the best out of each other.

It’s a shame we haven’t had them. Hakim will bring something completely different for us. I am very excited to have them fit. I have a clear idea of where I want them to play.

The Blues boss was also honest in his assessment of Chelsea’s centre-back situation and has duly replaced Andreas Christensen (£4.9m) with Kurt Zouma (£5.0m) for this afternoon’s clash at Stamford Bridge – one of six changes in the Chelsea line-up.

That leaves Thiago Silva (£5.5m) as the only retained member of the backline which shipped three goals to West Brom last weekend.

“Most coaches will tell you that you can find a pretty settled back two, you strive for it but it’s hard. Last year we had to change a lot, this year will likely be the same.” – Frank Lampard

Roy Hodgson, meanwhile, is hoping a host of senior players will soon be available for selection:

This week we’ve seen the re-emergence of Gary Cahill (£4.5m), James Tomkins (£4.5m) and Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m). They’re gradually coming back but obviously they’ve been out for a long time so they’re not really ready to go straight back into the team.

We’re limiting the contact work as far as he [Van Aanholt] is concerned as it’s a shoulder injury but it’s good to see those guys back in training.

And we’re hoping we might get [Jeffrey Schlupp (£5.5m)] back in the next few weeks with the international break.

Wilfried Zaha (£7.2m) is again part of a two-man forward line for the Eagles, while Tyrick Mitchell (£4.1m) continues to provide value in the budget defender bracket.

Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1): E Mendy; Chilwell, Zouma, T Silva, Azpilicueta; Jorginho, Kanté; Werner, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi; Abraham.

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; Mitchell, Sakho, Kouyaté, J Ward; Eze, McArthur, McCarthy, Townsend; Zaha, Ayew.

1,789 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Not booked, about as good as it gets.

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Reply fail to how Zaha has done.

  2. Pariße
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chilwell seems to be one of the rare cases of black haired gingers. A real gem that boy.

  3. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chelsea look so disjointed

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm not watching but is it to do with both Werner and Havertz wanting to be the second striker?

      1. Gudjohnsen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Werner is all over the place imo

        Havertz not really involved for the last 20 minutes

  4. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner to jimenez, martial, kane or ings?

    1. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Any

  5. TheSteel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Did Werner play on the wing in Leipzig

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes, high left

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I believe he played as a left sided forward.

    3. soup natsi
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      transfermarkt says v rarely. up top 143 out of 159

    4. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Front 2 in a 4222

    5. Clintymints
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yea striker, cf, left wing Mainly but can do right or 10 also

      Doesn’t look at capable leading the line in the Pl. Looks like his pace is used more on the left We’ll see when Pulisic comes back

    6. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Think he played alongside a target man

    7. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Alongside poulsen or schlick as striker. Often 3-5-2 or 3-4-3

  6. SHOOTER MCGINN
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Knew I should've played Mitchell

  7. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner > Giroud -4 done

    1. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Then to Werner again -8

  8. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner to Kane on the cards

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

    When Chelsea finally click...it might be 2021

  10. ratchet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werners positioning here is concerning for that price tag as a premium striker. Definitely looking overpriced if he continues to play deep

    1. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Goes any deeper and he'll give Mendy in goal some competition.

      1. ratchet
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He looks lost honestly. Up and down on the left flank

  11. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Imaging spending 300m for this

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

    Is Penfred Zaha getting anything today?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Barely had a sniff

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          It's looking like one of those 0-0 matches with a pen out of nowhere in the 90th min.

      • Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Nope. Has barely touched the ball.

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      McCarthy >

      A) Guaita
      B) Martinez

      1. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I did A. Palace have some brilliant fixtures. Lots of clean sheets in there I reckon

    3. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kepa celebrating his birthday on the bench

    4. Dacra
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Brewster an option for first 11?

      Thinking Podence + Havertz + itb cash to 4.5 + Bruno..

      1. Manani
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        his fixture looks terrible. I wouldn't get Brewster in first 11 unless you really have to

        1. Dacra
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Probably right..

    5. COLLIN QUANER
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner > Ighalo -16 done

      1. 1zverGGadeM
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        lol

      2. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Worth it!

    6. 1zverGGadeM
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No chance for my Fikayo to get a score here, so:"HOLD MiTcHeLL! Just HolD!!!"

    7. Come on you Kante
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Does anyone know when it’s a double gameweek think oh ahead about using triple captain cheers

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sounds good in theory but for some reason I end up with Dunk or Carrol.

      2. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Possibly GW19. Unlikely before.

      3. HashAttack
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Should be a DGW for Man U (bur) and Man C (AVL) - pre December?

    8. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      At least James was pushing those balls from the right!

    9. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Havertz > Son (-8)

    10. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner Bingo

      He’ll come good
      He has West Brom next
      He has Palace next
      He has Southampton next; look what Son did
      Wait until Pulisic and Ziyech are back
      He’s better on the left with a recognised striker
      He had the second best xG in Europe last season

    11. AnfieldLad
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lampard likely to take Werner off for Pulisic ?

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Tammy surely

        1. AnfieldLad
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You’d think so but Tammy looks alright. Werner is awful

      2. 1zverGGadeM
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No way

      3. Camzy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It will be CHO that gets taken off for Pulisic. Hope it's at half time...

    12. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fat Franks days are numbered. So boring

    13. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Every time Chelsea attack, Werner is in the Chelsea half. How is that possible? He's a forward.

      1. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Abraham is stinking the place up

    14. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      People laughing at LFC for paying 40 million for Jota.

      How much did Chelsea spend on the Germans?

    15. lfcserg
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A) Reece James -> Justin/Lamptey/Saiss for FT next?

    16. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner will be lucky to make 60 mins.

      HT subs ought to be Werner and Abraham off. Pulisic and Giroud on.

      1. Fred54
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        More concerned about James being subbed on and missing out on Charlie Taylor masterclass v Newcastle.

    17. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fun 45 minutes...

    18. Did you see that throw-in?
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Feels like Werner and Havertz could probably do better without any of their teammates.

    19. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Well that was a 45 minutes wasted.

      Doing the dishes seemed more joy than watching this.