Dugout Discussion

Injured James and Antonio miss out as Lampard benches Havertz and Giroud

The final Premier League fixture before Christmas is a London derby at Stamford Bridge.

Bringing Gameweek 14 to a close, Chelsea v West Ham United kicks off at 20:00 GMT.

The Blues will be without Reece James (£5.3m), with the widespread media reports that hinted at his possible, injury-enforced absence proving to be accurate.

The long-serving Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.6m) comes in at right-back and is one of three changes that Frank Lampard has made from Gameweek 13, with Jorginho (£4.8m) and Tammy Abraham (£8.2m) replacing the benched Kai Havertz (£8.2m) and Olivier Giroud (£6.7m).

Speaking of those last two changes ahead of kick-off, Lampard said:

It’s just a rotation and looking at different attributes of players against the opposition.

With Tammy, some energy in the team from the front. Oli’s been fantastic and can come in from the bench.

With Kai, similarly. I’ve got midfield players who are competing, I have to have a good level of competition. Nothing against Kai, he’s finding his feet and he will find his feet.

There is still no Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) in the Chelsea squad despite the Moroccan returning to training at the back-end of last week but another recent absentee, Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m), is on the bench.

West Ham have their own injury problems, with Michail Antonio (£6.2m) absent yet again because of a hamstring problem.

David Moyes said of the forward ahead of the match:

He’s getting closer but not ready for the game. He’s a big miss for us, undoubtedly, but hopefully, we’ll get him back soon.

Manuel Lanzini (£6.4m) misses out with a similar issue.

Fabian Balbuena (£4.5m) has recovered from a minor groin problem to start, at least, with the Paraguayan ousting Issa Diop (£4.3m) from the Hammers’ starting XI.

Mark Noble (£4.6m) also makes his first start in the Premier League since September as Moyes looks to bolster his midfield for this tricky away trip.

Said Benrahma (£6.0m) is the man to make way to accommodate the West Ham skipper.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Jorginho, Kante, Mount, Werner, Abraham, Pulisic.

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Coufal, Balbuena, Ogbonna, Cresswell, Rice, Soucek, Bowen, Noble, Fornals, Haller.

Lessons learned from FPL Gameweek 14

1,979 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Chilwell, Dias, Dallas
    KBD, Bruno, Mahrez, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Bamford

    2fts, 0.5m. Best option from the following?

    1) Kane to 7m, Mahrez to Salah, play Coufal over Chilwell if injured

    2) KDB to Salah, Chilwell to Dier

    3) KDB to Salah, Mahrez to Son, Kane to 9m, play Coufal over Chilwell if injured

    4) Go without Salah

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Definitely need Salah and wait until tomorrow for more news on Chilwell ankle scan

      1. Captain_Shirokov
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Will do, thanks. Even if Chilwell only misses one game I may still be tempted to sell.

    2. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Four is not even an option. Two looks good.

      1. Captain_Shirokov
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah I agree 4 is not feasible

  2. Huddersfield
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bottomed

    Is it crazy that i don't want to lose any of Salah KDB Son Bruno Grealish DCL & Bamford cause i will lose so much to get them back?

    Only way to do that is to gamble on Sheffield CS vs Newcastle and ride the BGW18.

    1. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Will a FH in 18 or 19 not help?

      1. Huddersfield
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Bench Salah Bruno Bamford for the Blank and free hitting GW19 to keep my current front 7

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          You're golden if you can have 11 starters for GW18 so.

        2. The Suspended One
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          That’s what I’m doing, but selling BamBam for wilson

          1. Huddersfield
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            i don't have money itb to do that

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you get the right captain and a bit of luck...

      1. Huddersfield
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah a a haul of KDB or Son as Cap and Sheffield CS, is it too much to ask? 😀

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Sheffield CS bit might be

          1. Huddersfield
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            fair enough

  3. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Made Chilwell to Talyor before the GW. First I was very angry at this Benson guy but the fact that Chilwell got only 1pt maybe should reduce the Benson swearing 😀

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Such a silly penalty to give away. Don't even know why Dyche brought the kid on, could have brought the far more experienced Kevin Long on.

      1. HD7
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Just when the ball was in the penalty area I was like “No penalty, No penalty” ...
        3 seconds later... penalty 😀

  4. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cancelo or dias the better option?

    I got Dallas on bench in case neither play

    1. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dias

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dias

  5. SuperG
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So, chilly looks dicky. And even if he’s not out, Chelsea have a bad few weeks and then a blank.

    So, my gut feel is move to Dias and get some wonga in the bank.

    A few questions: FPL Stats say Dias going up. But they are often wrong and I’d rather wait for Milk Cup games to be played in case of other injuries etc. Anyone know a more reliable /alternative to fpl stats?

    Plus, any alternative defenders to Dias to consider - zero it’s so needs to be Big Chilky price or lower.

    1. Captain_Shirokov
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Dias or Diet seem to be the best options to me, unless you want to splash some cash on Robertson

    2. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Milk Cup? You must be as old as me.
      fantasy football fix as an alternative?
      Not sure it is better, but when they agree then they are usually right.

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Muchos gracias

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      FFFix is another site for prices and def suggestions depends on your team and BGW and DGW strategy

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Merci mon amie

  6. More Cowbell
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hey all,
    what are reece james owners doing? Selling due to injury or keeping with half an eye on dgw 19?

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      keeping a bit longer for more news (have Chilly too though)

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Only got him in GW14. I will probably sell as I still to WC16 so that'll give me a bit more time to decide

  7. SKENG
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Only recently started thinking about this, but does anyone else think it might be a good idea to build a team in DGW19 with a couple of single game players (City, Spurs) using FTs and choose NOT TO use FH in BGW18 (and instead field around 7-8 players)?

    I guess the answer to this is how useful will be FH (most valuable chip in my opinion) later in the season, but I feel I will need it more to navigate BGW29 (FA Cup blank) or go for the upside in DGW26 (which seems to be similar to 19) rather than using it in an uninspiring BGW18.

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If your team has the structure why not. Planning fh18 BB19 then hold onto wc unitl 25

    2. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This is my plan. I reckon there’ll be a huge dgw later in the season

    3. More Cowbell
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      This is my current strategy. My thinking is that the extra points gained from using a FH later in the season e.g for a DGW will greater than the extra gained from fielding 11 players in GW18.

      Also teh GW18 fixutures aren't that attractive. It's not really possible to field an incredibly strong team even using the FH.

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Started this strategy before this weekend and sold Vardy for Kane.

  8. LǝgleSs e|even
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need a nailed def to transfer out Chilwell to >
    A) Dias
    B) Lamptey
    C) Robertson

    Also considering upcoming blank

    1. TeddiPonza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A if not FH in 18

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A for BGW coverage

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A for BGW

  9. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Got 2 ft, no pressing issues and the plan is to use ft to field 10-11 in gw 18 and fh in 19. With that in mind:

    Is Zouma to Dias good move? Could I get away with Stones instead of Dias??

    1. Huddersfield
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Doing the same.
      I already have Dias, and probably replacing Chilwell with Stones.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Prefer Dias as he is nailed

  10. Il Capitano
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have 2FT to play with before I WC, think a double defensive switch makes the most sense.

    2FT - 0.8m ITB - WC available

    McCarthy (Button)
    Chilwell Zouma Taylor (Justin Mitchell)
    Bruno Salah (C) KDB Grealish (Bissouma)
    DCL Adams Bamford

    A) Chillwell + Justin > Robbo/TAA + 4.3
    B) Chillwell + Justin > Matip + Dias

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

  11. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FTs, and will wait to hear about Chilwell.

    In the meantime, Lamptey is on his way out:
    1) Dallas (no gw18; BHA/SOU in dgw)
    2) Stones (BHA 18; CP 19)
    3) Taylor (no gw18; whu/liv in dgw)
    4) Coufal (no gw18; BUR/WBA in dgw)

    Current def: Chilwell*, Lamptey*, Targett, KWP, Kilman

  12. Mr. Chimes
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What would you rather have

    1. TAA, Robbo, Salah
    2. TAA/Robbo, Firmino, Salah

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2

      1. SuperG
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Disagree. Firm is a gif-awful fpl player. Goes a year without scoring. Don’t get swayed by the last week - look long.

        1. Mr. Chimes
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I think on the scoutcast before this gameweek Sam said she always gets him in during December cuz that’s when he’s turned up past few years. But I’ve missed the back to back hauls already. Thanks

    2. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just Robbo and Salah.

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        This

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      1

  13. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it really worth getting Dias in right now? Immediate fixtures aren’t great and no DGW

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Immediate fixtures are great! How are they not?!

  14. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi....got exact money for chilwell and Mitchell to robbo and coufal for free.

    How does that sound? Thanks

    Martinez
    Chilwell James lamptey dallas Mitchell
    Salah Bruno kdb grealish soucek
    Dcl watkins Bamford

    1. SuperG
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sounds blinking marvellous to me.

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Grand

    3. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good moves with DGW in mind

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Indeed! Cheers guys!

    4. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The finest

  15. MOZIL
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Dias worth the extra 0.8 over Stones?
    Stones scores off corners once in a while

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you have a playing bench player to cover stones rotation then go for it

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The question is, will Dias get his rest now that Stones had his..

      Would be annoying to get the “nailed” one and catch a rest in one of these easy games

    3. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I am getting both. Goodbye Chilwell and James!

  16. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    every week i don't own Salah i pray. I say to myself he's about 50% chance to blank. And even if he does bink, it'll likely be

    1. Balls of Steel
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Couldn't take my anymore with the hokey cokey between himself and KDB, switch-a-roo back to Mo this week and he ain't budging til the end of the season barring an injury!

  17. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    James & Chillwell to Dias & Cancelo for free (exact money)?

    Current team
    McCarthy
    Chillwell Konsa James
    Grealish Fernandes KDB Salah Son
    DCL Bamford

    Subs: Balbuena, Lampety, Brewster

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Tough one. I think I would rather wait on news on the injury l

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just Dias for now. You have time on the others

    3. FPL_DON
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’d wait

    4. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Contemplating same move, but I have no FH so not as much risk

    5. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I wouldn't hesitate. Live a little! Considering that for -4 and first part is done already.

  18. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Salah about a 1 in 3 chance this weekend of going over 10 points? 1 in 3 of blanking and 1 in 3 of 5-9 points?

  19. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Got to love the Kane sell off ahead of Wolves

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably to fund Salah move

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wolves are the worst kind of opponent for spurs

      1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Spurs has scored 2 goals on average over their 4 last PL meetings with Wolves. This year Spurs are more solid and I can easily see them punish Wolves 3 man back line. But each to their own.

    3. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hope himself and Son bounce and pounce for that game.

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Ya they owe me after Leicester disappointment!

  20. Pepe
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Chill to Dias

    or

    Chill and Grealish to Robbo, Klich/Raphinha?

    or keep Chill, got Kilman on bench.

  21. baines is god
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    best 4.3 or under defender?

    1. Huddersfield
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ampadu lol

      1. baines is god
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        i think he might be the only guaranteed starter imo

        1. Huddersfield
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I am getting him for the Blank if i am not selling any of the Premiums

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Slim pickings, is it to cover BGW or DGW

    3. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Probably Kilman. But he isn't guaranteed.

    4. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ampadu or bogle probably

    5. GreennRed
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      5th defender?

  22. Hits from the Bong
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Exact money for Chilwell to TAA or Robertson, worth a FT? Or hold onto Chilwell, bought him at £5.5m

    Martinez (Steer)
    Chilwell Coufal Taylor (Dallas Neco)
    Salah Bruno Son Grealish (Soucek)
    Kane DCL Wilson

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like the upside Robbo/ TAA have compared Chilwell and in paper Liverpool have the easier fixtures

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        On paper*

    2. NETFLIX & CHILWELL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Do it.

      Can't see the Chilwell injury being good news.

  23. Tsparkes10
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For GW15 only
    A) Salah, Adams, Dallas
    B) Grealish, Firmino, Robertson

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hmm tough for me to be unbiased as I’m about to own all of these players bar Firmino, and I would buy him if I could

      My answer is if you’re captaining Salah then go A

  24. FPL_Crisis
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Have James Wilson and Mitchell
    With dgw19 BB in mind would you move to Dias Adams and Dallas -4?
    Need to do Wilson to Adams to fund it
    Scored 101 this week so -4 don’t mind

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yup, like it. Thoughts about mine?

  25. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Depending on chilwell injury update, which option do you prefer the most?
    A: Dier
    B: Matip
    C: Zouma/Thiago Silva

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B, thoughts above?

  26. dezille
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    2FT, 2.9 ITB

    McCarthy (Martinez)
    Chilwell* James* Lamptey* Justin Mitchell
    Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Soucek
    DCL Bamford (Brewster)

    Fires: Chilwell, James, Lamptey
    Initial plan was to build for DGW19, so not ideal spending transfer getting rid of the Chelsea assets. Gut feel is to keep and wait, but as usual price rises putting the pressure on!

    Players I'm looking at: Dias, Dallas, Coufal, Robertson
    Wanting to keep enough money in the bank to do Grealish > Son in GW16

    A) Chilwell > Robertson, roll other transfer
    B) Chilwell, James > Robertson, Dallas/Coufal, leaving 2.2 ITB next week for Grealish > Son
    C) Lamptey > Dallas/Coufal, keep both Chelsea for now to keep DGW19 advantage, roll other transfer

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B looks good with Coufal

      1. dezille
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Sort of ruins the DGW19 plan though, and if it turns out Chelsea guys will only miss one gw, then it could backfire. What are your thoughts on Coufal vs Dallas?

        1. Tsparkes10
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’ve had Coufal for a while and pretty happy tbh

  27. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy, Forster
    Chilwell, Targett, Lamptey, KWP, Kilman
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Grealish, Soucek
    DCL, Bamford, Wilson

    Considering this. Any thoughts appreciated. TIA!
    gw15 (2FTs): Lamptey, Wilson > Stones, Brewster (switch to 352)
    gw16: Grealish > Son
    gw17: save FT to better address bgw18 (but still may have to FH)

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      looks good mate, thought above?

  28. JAYPEE
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    IF Chiwell is out, who would be the best replacement
    A) Dias
    B) Cancelo
    C) Matip
    D) Dier
    E) Zouma

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      ABC all good

  29. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you start Zouma or Dallas at the weekend?
    Seems a bit of a coinflip considering how poor Arsenal are!

    1. Tsparkes10
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hmmm depends on Auba.. probs Dallas

      1. jia you
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        yeah, was set on that but Burnley scoring two last night has put me off a little, cheers.

        1. Ozzy smith
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I’d bet against a set-piece fragile Leeds keeping a cleanie against route one set-piece specialists Burnley.

          1. jia you
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            thinking the same mate plus Chelsea could easily win that game to nil

  30. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Dallas or Taylor will give me more pts from this gw till the end of DGW19 ?

    1. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Will be close I reckon but think Taylor edges it.