Dugout Discussion

Frank Lampard rotates Chelsea squad as Aston Villa visit Stamford Bridge

In a Gameweek where Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) saw their fixture unexpectedly postponed, Frank Lampard has heaped misery on misery for Fantasy Premier League managers.

The Chelsea manager has made six changes from the side that lost 3-0 to Arsenal, omitting three of his club’s four-most popular Fantasy assets.

27.0% of managers own Kurt Zouma (£5.9m), not in the matchday squad for Gameweek 16 with Antonio Rüdiger (£4.5m) next to Andreas Christensen (£4.7m) at centre-back.

The 12.8%-owned Reece James (£5.2m) is also out of the squad, replaced at right-back by Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.6m), although Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) holds onto the left-back berth.

Further up the pitch, Timo Werner (£9.3m), still sat in 14.0% of squads, drops out of the starting XI, joining Kai Havertz (£8.2m) and Tammy Abraham (£7.2m) on the Chelsea bench.

That means a front-three of Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m), Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) and Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) going up against an Aston Villa defence forced to leave out Tyrone Mings (£5.4m) through suspension.

This is the first Premier League match that Dean Smith’s men will face without the centre-back this season, a first start together for Ezri Konsa (£4.7m) and Kortney Hause (£4.4m).

The rest of Aston Villa’s squad looks in good shape, especially compared to the second-string feel of Chelsea’s line-up.

The in-form Anwar El Ghazi (£5.7m) and Bertrand Traoré (£5.9m) flank Jack Grealish (£7.8m) in the number 10 role while Ollie Watkins (£6.1m) starts up-front fresh from a hat-trick of assists against Crystal Palace.

Chelsea XI: E Mendy; Chilwell, Christensen, Rüdiger, Azpilicueta; Mount, Kanté, Jorginho; Hudson-Odoi, Giroud, Pulisic.

Aston Villa XI: Martínez; Targett, Hause, Konsa, Cash; D Luiz, McGinn; El Ghazi, Grealish, B Traoré; Watkins.

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1,792 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Those who deny that Giroud = Messi well... Watch him closely in this game.

  2. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    No Kane and Son. 3 players out with only Stephens as bench cover. Massive red incoming.

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hard lines. But if city game is scheduled for 19 you are in a good place.

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I am freehitting in 19. If it was 18 it would have been great.

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

    Went from relief at palace scoring with Justin 1st sub to disappointment very quickly..

  4. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Luckhurst on Twitter:

    #MUFC waiting to hear back from the Premier League on why their postponed fixture at Burnley has not been allocated a date yet.
    Both clubs have a free midweek the week beginning January 11.

    1. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      *DGW KLAXON*

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      GW18 hopefully.

      1. BrockLanders
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        That would set the cat amongst the pigeons

  5. Neves say Neves
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    KDB + DCL + Dias -> Rashford + Vardy + James -4?

    1. Lilac Breasted Roller
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Vardy yes. James, I'm not sure. Was left out of the chelsea team, hope it was just for a rest.

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Thanks for the reply, who would you get instead? My other defenders are Robbo, Taylor, Dallas and Coufal

        1. Lilac Breasted Roller
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          That's a good DGW line-up. I'd wait on James news in any case, as well as on extra DGW fixtures.

          May be better than doing a bad transfer / getting hits.

          1. Neves say Neves
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Thanks mate!

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

      Wait

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I can only afford one rise/drop so I may have to do it today...

  6. Injury Prone o_O Gooner.
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Why was the deadline so early today chaps?

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

      Christmas still, most people in the UK not back at work so 3pm match. Expected a half tweleve kick off tbh, weird why tomorrow is late tho

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Because it’s a normal working day. Today is BH.

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

          Ah yea good point

      2. Mr Bird
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Today is boxing day bank holiday. Tomorrow is just another Tuesday.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Always 90mins before first match this season

    3. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bank holiday so the equivalent of a weekend. So 3pm kick off.

    4. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It's always 90 minutes before the first match kicks off. Didn't you know this already?

  7. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Don't think I can stomach another clean sheet from Martinez today.

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

      oh I can 😀
      (but he won't get one)

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      They taste sooo good. 😎

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

    Holding good bench player? Nailed?

  9. Forever In Our Shadow
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Is this a Pep conspiracy to get them more time to recover? Quick someone cough so we can have a week off. 😉

    1. Konstaapeli
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Will 100% moan the busy fixtures later on.

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        No doubt.

  10. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any Chance City game gets allotted to GW18?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Crellin suggests 19 more likely.

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      My theory (speculation) is that this might be the tipping point to force the PL to put the GW1 postponements in GW18/19. Should know by the end of the week.

    3. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      No chance of GW18 City already have a fixture in that short GW, DGW 19 is likely.

  11. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Mason Mount just keeps playing, no rest

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      All teams seem to have one that plays every game. Except pussay Citee

    2. One Wheels Enough
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He's Franks Bruno...

  12. Wizard of Ozil
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    if its not COVID thats going to destroy the Premier league again, its the snow. Anyone from Newcastle see snow yet?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Couple of inches in Wolverhampton

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Some is only an issue when there are fans. No fans. No postponement imo.

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Snow^

        1. Wizard of Ozil
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          good point. have salah C. Crossed fingers

  13. acidicleo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Covid rule.
    dont have cap and vice cap from:
    1) same team
    2) team facing each other in a GW..

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

      3) team facing a team that has recently played a team with confirmed COVID cases

  14. Top Dog
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    You know it’s a tough season when you main rival (106 pts) clear brings in Jonny Evans.

    Leicester concede 2 pts confirmed. Leicester score, Jonny Evans gets the assist and then 3 bonus points!

    Going to be tough to chase down!

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Not impossible though - chased down 60 pts in the last 3 gws on rival lead. Now 30+ pts off lead. Play your own game

      1. Top Dog
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Cheers Pep, struggling this year and just can’t get any momentum

        1. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Tough with Covid, etc. but are you planning out for transfers for max. benefit?

  15. Mr Bird
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Great start to the GW.
    KDB Dias DCL and now Zouma.

    Last night the plan was as simple as sorting my bench out over the next few... my fault for thinking this season is anything other than unpredictable.

  16. Nate(U)dog(ie)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Well I was thinking of taking KDB out for a week to get Kane for Leeds so I guess I'll just do it now and see about when to get him back. Feels weird letting DCL go after having him all season but feels like the right time

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

      DCL now fresh for west ham next GW.

  17. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish is already on 4 YCs

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

    A Chilwell goal will be perfect

  19. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Any substantial rumours of a Son or Kane rest?

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

      What is this??? This Gw is madness 😀

  20. yalala
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    McGoldrick and Coufal coming on for Son and Zouma....

    1. Chucky
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      son out??

    2. Salarrivederci
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Son being rested?

  21. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Grealish has been down 3 times in 5 minutes. Lol

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

      Down more then a hookers pants on a Friday night

      1. Forever In Our Shadow
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Ask Rooney if that’s true. 😉

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Hardly a groundbreaking prediction when many games at lower levels have been postponed for this very reason.

  22. Cabra
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    I am not watching the match, but if Pulisic plays on the right side today, there is No hope for him. Best left Winger post lockdown and Lampard plays Werner and Callum H.O on the left instead. Sometime even Mount.
    Absolute nonsene.

    1. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      he plays on left, hudson odoi on the right

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He’s playing LW today

    3. Cabra
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Aaaaand his on my watchlist again!

  23. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    This will end 0-0. Let's see how reverse psychology works on my predicitons 😆

  24. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    - City v EFC postponed after 3 more MCFC players test positive
    - City worried they've been hit by the new highly-infectious strain. Possibly contracted it during trip to London for AFC game
    - Squad to be tested again tomorrow
    (w/@_pauljoyce & @polballus)
    https://t.co/uQZ5YyvJzl

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

      Based on previous form, wouldn't be a huge surprise if Walker slipped the handlers for 30 mins.

      1. PocketZola
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        luiz, willian and jesus involved in a Brazilian bang bus

  25. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    C'mon Ollie!

  26. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Man United Burnley game could be due in GW18?

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      18 would be good

  27. DAZZ
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Few managers will get stunt with cup qualification with that postponement. Very unfortunate

    1. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      With respect to the competition many couldn’t give a monkeys bollock.

  28. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Cancelo
    Ederson
    Cancelo

    Rumored to be Covid positive.

    1. abhirup780
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Torres*

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Double positive? Ouch.

      1. abhirup780
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        lol

  29. Z
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Bixing day (resting players) + Covid = BEAUTIFUL...........

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      What's wrong with you?

    2. Forever In Our Shadow
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      A touch distasteful. Seeing others pain as your gain. Shameful.

      1. Z
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        It was irony......my god. How oldbare you?