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. NULL-X-VOID
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why the hell is James coming on, please let me wish for a Podence surprise please

  2. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Fantasy Penalty League

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

    Not even a penalty save... Bugger off Guaita..

    1. Hy liverpool
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

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

      Imagine paying 5m for the Palace keeper...

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

    I did Soucek to Jorginho for -4 and put him second on the bench. Now why would I do that?

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      you did a -4 to bench a player ? what’s the point of that ?

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

        I thought I’d wildcard and did an early Werner & Soucek to Jorginho amd Jimenez -4. Then I didn’t wildcard as the team looked fine but still left the guy on bench as he was bought to be a fodder.

  5. SH1M1
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Imagine still owning Werner after this game

  6. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Never a pen. Ah its Michael Oliver, makes sense.

  7. FootieFan77
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I have to sell Werner. Useless fantasy asset. Chelsea have scored now 9 goals this season and he's got only 1 assist.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Which wasn't even an assist

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

        this

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So glad i got rid after GW 2, could see he was useless as an out of date pie

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Doesn't look like doing anything either. Looks genuinely scared of the ball.

      Has to go down as arguably the worst FPL pre season bandwagon of all time.

  8. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Salt being rubbed into Werner owners wounds.

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You are right
      Was hoping he takes the spot kick
      Now will have to ship him as l don’t see point keeping any longer

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Werner would probably blast it a mile over the bar anyway, just to wipe out any possible meagre points he'd have gotten us for appearances.

  9. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mitchell has had a nightmare game. He’s getting dropped as soon as PVA steps on training field.

  10. dark91
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Of course Jorginho won't let Werner take it to score his first PL goal

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

    I assume everyone who has James is selling for Chilwell? I'll sell Saiss for him. Got 1.7m itb, money no object.

    1. Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chasing points

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

        Hardly - look at the forthcoming fixtures

    2. mr. inconspicuous
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes looking at doing this subject to injuries for remaining gameweek

    3. Bram
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not a James owner but I'm certainly getting Chillwell in.
      - Not his points today as much as his set piece dominance looks appealing long term.
      - The points today will ofc mean at least a double, maybe triple rise over an int break so I'll be doing it early and hoping internationals don't break him.

  12. Leonard hatred
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    i've been patiently waiting 3 weeks to say

    "Kai Haverts and let slip the dogs of war"

    this is starting to tacke p*ss now 🙁

  13. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2 assists for Tammy is it?

    Nice blank Timo

    1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2 for Chil, 1 for Tammy

      1. Bielsa's Blue Bucket
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sorry scratch that

      2. Top Lad Dakes.
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Tammy drew the pen didn’t he? Thought he assisted chilwell too

    2. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I was laughed at for suggesting Tammy 😉

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

      just 1

  14. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Very annoying when you get players for the CS fixtures and they don't start lol!

  15. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    3-0 to Chelsea sick! Werner brace, Havertz goal and 2 assists?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Oh if only

  16. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner one of the biggest points dodgers going around

  17. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Time for beddybyes all you haters

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

      People hating on Werner and so far 0 goals......

      1. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        4 already for the mighty Blues!

    2. Leonard hatred
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      fair point - only the very old FPL players can remember when chelsea & rangers were any good.

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

        I remember lampard racking points on my team . Then Demba bs !

      2. Chelsea Rangers Loyal
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        That's me for sure! First Chelsea game in 1964, Rangers 1967!

  18. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wohoooo.....what did I say about Jorginho...keep him just for the penalties!

  19. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Joke of a decision

  20. McSauce
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So Werner the next of top Chelsea strikers to join and end their careers!!

  21. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Conclusion: if Werner isn't playing central he's rubbish for fpl

  22. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Crystal palace fooled everyone didn't they first two games

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

    roman give frank that 10 year contract NOW

    1. MSTRKRFTSMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who was the dirty French guy Who ended played for Newcastle as well, cabaye? He was alright I the day

  24. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why doesn't VAR overturn a decision like that!?

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

    Why is Crystal Palace always lacking attack wise in central midfield?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Because that wouldn't make any sense.

  26. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Went neto instead of jorginho need a performance

  27. FootieFan77
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Tammy playing really well. I can't see Lamps dropping him any time soon.

  28. Shultan
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    watching this match as a james and werner owner is painful

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

    Palace are very bad in an attacking sense. Set up not to concede and nab goals on the counter. Not good enough for the premier league. Deserve to be relegated along with Sheffield United

    1. Tasty Jerk
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      lol Dream on.

  30. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    as a James and Zaha owner this game has gone rather well