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. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    IF you have 3 mids in your squad and 1 dont play, do you get the first in from the bench even of he is a def?

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

      Your team can play in any formation providing that 1 goalkeeper, at least 3 defenders and at least 1 forward are selected at all times. Answer nope the def will come on

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

      Minimum # of players that need to be in your first 11:
      Defenders: 3
      Midfielders: 2
      Strikers: 1
      As long as the bench player don't break those rules then he's in.

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

    Mitchel 0 pointer incoming if Dunne doesn't start for Burnley.

  3. Hart-ake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If James doesn't generally get subbed on, the odd benching is ok...

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

      the odd benching ? he ain’t starting any time soon

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hmm. You reckon? He started the first three.

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

          Club captain in his place, first clean sheet, Ziyech or Havertz right sided attacking mids ... that’s it for James

  4. JURGENAUT
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Zaha blanked. But his run of fixtures after this are nice. Keep right?

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

      he was anonymous though

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

      No - knee jerk immediately is the way to do well this season

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm keeping, if he looks this bad in the next game then he's gone but can forgive it Vs Everton and Chelsea

        1. JURGENAUT
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Fair point, that's what I was thinking. Got him at 7.0 as well, so no rush yet for me.

    4. nerd_is_the_werd
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Blame Chelsea for Werner's blanks.

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

        Would rather blame Lampard

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

        Maybe, but others are scoring for them.

        He genuinely looks useless. Confidence probably gone too now.

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

      Podence and Jrod> Jorginho and Son for a hit ?

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

        I wouldn’t

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

        What? No

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

      No Allan and Gomez?

      1. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Injured

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Gomes not Gomez

    7. AdamJ91
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bye Werner then. Awful pick on my part but knowing that he'll score 4 next week.

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

        I really think we can sell him safe in the knowledge he’s gonna do eff all next GW.

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

          I wouldn’t go that far, no doubt will get a couple to punish us but how long do you give someone!? 4 games and one assist. Awful

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

      Cmon Richarlison go score me some penalties

      1. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Siggy says hi

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

      Targett is coming in for James!!

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

      Soucek over Jorginho is so FFS.

    11. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Held on and on with Werner but sad to say after watching that i think it's auf wiedersehen pet!! Pulisic time in a couple i think?

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

      People are happy to say Soucek is good pick because he’s only 5m and ‘has a goal threat’. But Jorginho isn’t at 5.1m when he’s on pens in this ridiculous season. Can see Jorginho getting 10 goals this season. Can’t see 10 from Soucek

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        If jorghinio is actually in the first team when Pulisic and Ziyech are back then yes

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

          How do they affect Jorginho?

      2. Every Dog Has Its Day
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        stop crying

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

        You forgetting he was dropped last week for Kovacic no? Soucek is much better and I stand by it

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

          And he missed a pen against Liverpool. With his rotation I thought lamps might have given pens to Werner. No shame in ignoring Jorg

      4. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Soucek has a good pen record too, could actually take them. But both good options imo.

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

        Chelsea won’t use Kante & Jorginho in the double pivot for ever ...

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

      Now I'll be wishing for a Podence start or a cameo

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

      DCL hattrick incoming

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

        I seriously hope not

        1. TheDragon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          100%

          I don’t own him

      2. The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It's been so hard to resist getting him in this week.

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

      Owning James is fine if he’s not going to come on for 1 pt in the odd game he misses.

      1. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah agreed. Is that normally the case?

      2. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Too much of a rotation risk for me now I think. Was thinking of bringing him in but not now.

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

        is it going to be the odd game though? Azpi is too important as a leader.

    16. dshv
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      WERNER for WHO ?

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

        Brewster

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

          thats an upgrade

      2. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        anyone and i'm not kidding

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

        Absolutely anyone at this stage. Even Andy Carroll is an upgrade.

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

        Switching to Brewster allows me to upgrade lindelof to TAA, Rodriguez to Son and Jimi to Vardy!

    17. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      James to Chilwell then...

    18. seewhyaxe
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hope Gabriel Jesus is back soon

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

      So ML rival forgot to make his transfers or sort his team, he was going to take Jorginho out, it gets worse, Jorginho is first on his bench and he started James, this game is all luck

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

        Not much of a rival if he had Jorginho in his team.

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

          Jorginho is first on his bench, seems to be working....

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

      Werner owners ... holding or selling 🙂

      1. TheDragon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sold

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

        he will come good lol

      3. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        selling and never going back

      4. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Have a guess .....

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

        Hold. Will haul next week

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

        Would like to hold one more week but price will no doubt plummet before next week

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

        HOLD

      8. Tokyo Locomotive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sold last week, and so glad I did.

        Can you all please continue holding to help me green arrow!

    21. GAMBIT
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just saw Chilwells goal, Werner had the opportunity to latch onto that ball. Salah would have

      1. gibson1314
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Correct and might have missed it but he would have taken the shot off Chilwell. Werner did this to me in WC had him as top scorer then as well. Twice bitten.

      2. PastaFasul
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Definitely Werner is not greedy enough for an FPL asset of his price. Abraham argued to take the 2nd penalty but not a peep out of Werner either.

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

      Everton v Brighton is probably the most exciting game for me this week, Trossard, Digne and DCL
      wooo

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

        I benched little Lamptey this week for KWP :/

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

        Nice. A bit worried about my triple Everton. To much for this game

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

          Yea 2 is enough! Hopefully Digne gets a haul

    23. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How to have a good rank so far this season:

      1. pick players with terrible stats and no decent chance of points
      2. Ignore premium players who have a proven track record in FPL
      3. Watch your players score goal after goal from 0.01 xG
      4. ?????
      5. Profit

      1. Tokyo Locomotive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yup, because Salah, Son, Mane, Vardy and Kane aren't all at the top of points scored and definitely don't have any track record.

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

        How to get your season back on track after a bad few weeks:

        1. don't critically assess your selections, but instead get angry at everyone else
        2. let cognitive bias get in the way of everything you say
        3. ignore the fact its a new season with changed teams, formations, player positions and rules
        4. ?????
        5. Profit

    24. Every Dog Has Its Day
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'll keep Werner. Southampton won't just sit back. No chance I take a hit to remove him.

      1. One Man
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Might do the same. I also have Pickford (H pool) more pressing transfer.

      2. Big Mac 24
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I took a -8 hit on him, Son & Dunne to Ings, Barnes & Robbo. I would happily put money on me coming out of this points up this weekend alone.

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

          easy to do now you've seen his score and thrown an injured player into your bet.

          1. Big Mac 24
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Well no, those were the changes I did for this game week before, obviously before Chelsea game and Werner blank!! By taking a minus 8 that would have clearly been my bet

      3. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe GW5 will be that dog's day. GL

    25. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pickford has to go this week. But fir who ?

      1. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        someone cheaper

      2. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Probably a cheapie like Ryan but I've just started to consider Mendy.

    26. Alex_thekid
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Glad i finally got rid of Werner for Dcl felt good last gw i new if i kept him id be saying ill give him 1 more gw and it would carry on week after week and lose lot of value while dcl kept rising in price

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

      If Chelse had signed Welbeck or Sturridge instead, they would 100% have 2+ goals by now lol

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

      0 for Guaita
      0 for James
      0 for Mitchell (3rd sub)

      If Saiss doesn't start, Mitchell comes in 😀

      Great start 😆

      1. Good Times
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lamptey 1st bench for me! Gl

    29. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      almost 40K have transferred in Chillwell already wow.

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

        They will get half of his points

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

        Hahaha amazing and they'll probably all beat me

      3. Good Times
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Weeewwww