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. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz is so essential

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Consistent sorry

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

      He scored 5 points last week and people saying he blanked lol.

    3. jason_ni
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He looks great.. not just from fpl, quite a few driving runs bringing the team forward.

  2. Wicked Weapon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Time to create the Penalty FC XI ??

    FPL is well and truly broken now

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soucek to Jorginho asap!!!

  3. Pedram
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm going to fill my team with penalty takers, best source for points this season

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I am thinking Zaha out for a hit for Jorginho

      1. Crispo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Why is Zaha injured or off pens?

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

    The tea lady looks more likely to score than Werner

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Price?

  5. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Palace have been truly woyful. Nothing like the Palace we'd seen in the first 3 GWs.

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

      just in time to bounce back for 2 lovely fixtures (Zaha owner)

    2. Ha.
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This is the Palace I brought Martial in for a hit for

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

    Apart from being a striker and wanting to score goals, I assume Tammy get's additional bonuses for goals scored?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      We need to check his contract

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

    Surely Jorginho doesn't deserve 3 BP

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

    Has there been a bigger flop this season that Werner?

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      There's one every season

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

        Biggest flop I can remember similar was Torres at Chelsea

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

        This season I said

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

      Or any season.

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

      Dele Alli

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

        At least you get an auto sub with him

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

        He hasn't even played unlike timo

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

      No

  9. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Chelsea def pretty solid today

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

    Azpil stealing James clean sheet

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

      If James played there prob wouldnt be a clean sheet.

    2. Granville
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Azpi was responsible for the clean sheet

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

        I agree. Not good for me as a James owner...he’s gotta be out

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

    Werner playing CDM

  12. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner showing skills for their owners.

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

    Im expecting a min of 1 mill transfers out for Werner this gameweek or people have lost the plot

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

      0% ownership by the end of the IB

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

        By the end of this evening

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

    Can't even pass to himself.

  15. Maddi Son
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why is Jorginho considered a casual pick out of interest? 5.1m for a Chelsea mid in a penalty infested league is crazy.

    Before I get accused of hindsight, I can go find a similar comment I wrote weeks ago. Don't make me do it pls.

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

      He wasn't even first choice

    2. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      cos his spot wasn't secure.

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        But he was 5.0m? Who cares if he gets benched.

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

      Easy to say with the benefit of hindsight

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Somebody didn't read my comment. Lazy.

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

      Generally don’t pick cdms in fpl

      1. Maddi Son
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Penalty taker.
        Chelsea.
        5.1m.

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

          I can honestly say I’ll never own him

      2. Harry the Hack
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah, after round 1 it wasn't apparent it would become a penalty fest. I flirted with the idea myself after round 1, but preferred the look of podence.

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

      Hindsight maybe??

    6. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      surely, In hindsight 😀

    7. david31058
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Let them call them casuals if it makes the happy!

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

      If u have 2 rotating cheap mids he maybe worth the risk

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

      Looking like a great pick now

    10. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Easy with hindsight.

      I want you to go do it.

  16. pjomara
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jorginho on for 12-15 goals the penalties are this season.
    Worth it for 5.1m?

    1. pjomara
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      *the way penalties

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

      😆

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

      He won't start every match is the problem

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

      Lol

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

    come on frank bring james on

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

    feel bad for people who sold Son for Zaha, and if Son keeps the form

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

      checking in, got to keep for Brighton and westbrom I suppose

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

      Buying Zaha never works out

      1. Crispo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I nearly jumped on board then looked at his stats for last season and decided to wait and see. May yet be a good pick this season.

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

    Zouma has played really well. Looks like he's the partner of choice for Silva.

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

      Zouma or Rudiger for sure

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

        Rudiger is on his way out lol.

    2. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He was solid defensively, good goal but his passing was a bit wayward at times - could be punished against stronger opposition

  20. Muller Reus Corner
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Should I bring Chilwell and Robbo for Justin and Digne with my 2ft and play 433?

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

      Digne is a way better asset than Chillwell

      1. Muller Reus Corner
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

  21. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    As a James and Werner owner i fell so frustrated but also so stupid.

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

      sold Werner last week, James gonna be subbed for a hopeful Podence start

  22. Garlana
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    well thats James done, glad i banked 2FT

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

      And yet not really, will probs play next game.

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

    All I see Tammy doing is huffing and puffing. Awful player. Who does he think he is

    1. Harry the Hack
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tammy Abraham.

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

        Lol

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

      Awful player for trying to make things happen? He's a good player who will improve

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

    Zaha is a truly miserable pick

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No service. He will come good.

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

      *r

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

      He was good until I brought him in and I think I might be the unluckiest FPL player in history

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

      Always

  25. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ok, Lamptey in for James now.

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

      Yup

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

    James what a success

  27. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mitchell last on bench, one good call at least...

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

      Same here, Dunne to come in here, hope he starts

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

      Ive got Son and James in my starting lineup, as it stands if Son doesnt feature i will get Lampety and Mitchell in for them :'(

  28. Ha.
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If a transfer out Werner now, will I get Kane’s points tomorrow?

  29. Young Lingard
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I’m in the camp that Werner should of taken the second penalty
    Not for rotating but really to get a player off the mark
    Playing him out of position though I guess is worse man management

  30. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    4 goals only one assist for Havertz. Useless turd

    1. Arctic monkeys
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Try 4 goals nothing for werner.

      Won't even write the w in capital letter