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. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Can see a lot of people wildcarding very early if this craziness continues

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

      🙂 doubt it. You're creating craziness in your head just because the games are coming hard & fast at the mo

      1. Flair
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Seeing a few people contemplating it already tbh

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

          The same peeps are probably losing sight before/beyond 18/19

  2. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Burke & Brewster are well overdue. FTW!

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Chris Wilder is that you??

    2. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would love nothing more than a Brewster goal. Would be so so jammy. I need that jammy luck to go for me at least once this season.

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Bissouma & Anguisa goals this week too.

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

      Yi! again the term 'overdue'. If they score on a regular basis, then fine. If not, then they're not 'due' anything

  3. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Puli looking strong. On my radar for sure

    1. WE GO FOR IT
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He's the only Chelsea attacker I'd consider. Shame he's injury prone.

    2. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Wasted the special play corner kick by not moving onside.

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

      Agree, been a bit unlucky and a bit rusty but if he keeps fit he will pick up points very soon

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

    Come on Pulisic score already

  5. FPL price manipulators are …
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    At this point I'm just happy to take 2 points from each player

  6. Party time
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Why would you pick someone with tiny balls over someone with large balls??

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

        the slogan for 2020

    • andres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      are you guys waiting with transfers until Thursday?
      or people will sell / buy like crazy...

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

        Already done Aguero to Vardy

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

        Waiting till last minute this time

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

        I don't want to make any moves but I fear I'm going to be forced to do them today by impending price rises

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

        Waiting IMO
        We will have more cases in the days ahead IMO
        This new strain sounds pretty contagious

        1. andres
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          yeah definitely, have two FTs for a change - some ability to react.

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

      Grealish becoming a fluke. If you didn't have him for the Liverpool game then he is poor value

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

        Got rid on etc... no doubt he’ll score now

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      City did still have 14+ fit squad players, didn't they? Surprised the game got called off, if I remember my preseason discussions correctly the PL had prepared for this and that teams would still have to play if they had a number of available players which it seems like City did. Probably for the best though, who knows how much it could have spread.

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

        Everton wanted too. DCL tired and Digne Hames and Richarlison injured. Basically without best 4 players

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

          Digne injured. Coleman unfit. James injured. Richarlison injured. Allan injured. Doucoure tired. DCL tired. Perfect for Everton.

      2. MagicMessi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm surprised that someone wrote Mancity Called for it !!! It's not like was forced or something as we know already that walker and Jesus are positive as you said easy to start strong team

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

        https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1343613007021137920?s=19

        I'm sure resting players came into it though.

    • Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      I wished for a massive sofa for Christmas because I didnt own any players in the last game tonight and my entire family got together and bought one for me. But now the game is called off?

      What should I use my sofa for now?

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

        Sitting on?

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

        Put some Christmas presents on it 😉

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

        Feet up, popcorn and enjoy reading the comments to this post.

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

        Maybe you can moan at it?

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

        Shag gin the Mrs.

      6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Have you tried popping it up your bumhole?

      7. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Casual......

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

        Stand it on your hands to stop you posting on here

      9. TKC07
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Sell it and get a life

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

        Good future potential. They obv know your gameplay well 🙂

    • Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      Would there be a reason not to do KDB + 3.9 + 4.3 to Son + Soucek + Coufal tonight ?

      Weak bench has punished me significantly last few weeks.

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

        You might want to name the players you're ejecting in order to get an accurate adjudication of the players you're bring in? Why take the time to type price rather than name?

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

          *bringing

    • Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      McGinn great effort. Grealish pass...

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 3 months ago

          It was El Ghazi passing but yes great hit

      2. jimmyabs1987
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        El Gazi = Haul machine lately

      3. KGFC
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        McGinn has this uncanny knack of hitting the bar from long distances!

        Shame not many go in.

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

        Martinez save point.

      5. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        With cancellations spring up last minute definitely going to wait until the last moment to make changes/transfers now!

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          *springing

      6. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Time Werner

        Now there’s a blast from the past

        Remember when he was all the rage pre season

        1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Timo

          Not to be confused with Time Warner

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

          Triple Liverpool defense this year again? Or maybe triple City?

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Have Liverpool even got 3x defenders to triple anymore...

            Hopefully it leads to more goals at the other end though

        3. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Oh yes, I recall being terrified in GW1 when I didn’t have him!

        4. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I still have faith in him. Just need that manager to be sacked as soon as possible

      7. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Werner and Havertz coming on so Villa will get a winner

      8. BIG TONES
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        I'm no professional coach, but do feel that if Werner was deployed centrally he would be a lot more effective.

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

          Probably. At no 10 as well imo

          1. BIG TONES
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Werner central striker and Havertz in a free #10 role

        2. Party time
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Too short for that role

            1. Party time
                3 years, 3 months ago

                He needs to grow taller??

                1. Party time
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    You tell me

              • Brosstan
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                They should drop Werner and play ALonso on the left. But Lampard hates Alonso so he wont do that.

              • diesel001
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Mendy
                James Silva Zouma Chilwell
                Mount Kante Kovacic
                Ziyech Werner Pulisic

                Ziyech injury has hurt Chelsea as they don't have a replacement. At least with Pulisic they have CHO. Even with Werner they could slot in Abraham. But no back up for Ziyech.

            2. Party time
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Bruno(C) is my Messiah

                1. Flair
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  If Salah doesn't play I'm with you brother

                  1. Party time
                      3 years, 3 months ago

                      Salah must play & blank says my witch doctor

                      1. Flair
                        • 3 Years
                        3 years, 3 months ago

                        Never, King Bissouma will come off the bench and score a banger to write himself into FPL Folklore

                2. JONALDINHO
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  3 more Martinez saves and he’s on 6 pts with 2 baps!

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

                    Wow

                3. Teahupo'o
                  • 12 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Too risky to bring Vardy in tonight? Minimum .4 swing if I wait until this gw is over.

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

                    I’ve done it. Risky why

                    1. Teahupo'o
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 3 months ago

                      Leicester play Newcastle next. Newcastle just played covid City.

                  2. Ozzy smith
                    • 9 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    I’d wait on any moves right up until deadline.

                    1. Teahupo'o
                      • 12 Years
                      3 years, 3 months ago

                      Sensible. I'm at 50/50 right now. The value swing would scupper dgw19 plans.

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

                        Yeah you know the risks mate, it’s one of them isn’t it. I’d spend a bit of time looking at alternative plans before you make a move tonight.

                        1. Teahupo'o
                          • 12 Years
                          3 years, 3 months ago

                          Yeah, it definitely is. Long-term ramifications with a likely a .6 swing if I wait. Tough one. Thanks for the sensible feedback. Will mull it over some more. Cheers mate.

                        2. Teahupo'o
                          • 12 Years
                          3 years, 3 months ago

                          PS- Fantastic rank! Good on ya.

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

                            Btw, I’m deffo bringing Vardy in this week, might even double up with Barnes for the double lol. We’ll see.

                            Thanks mate. Expecting a red this week though with 3 players out this evening, hopefully be a small one! Good luck.

                            1. Teahupo'o
                              • 12 Years
                              3 years, 3 months ago

                              Nice. Yeah, moves tonight would be Vardy Raphinha/El Ghazi in. Barnes is a good shout. Not fearing a rest for him though, given that Rodgers is rotating right now?

                              Rotten luck, mate. Had a good feeling about City assets today. We just gotta roll with the punches. Good luck to you as well. 🙂

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

                                Hmm yeah nice, Raphinha certainly on my radar for DGW19, just don’t reaaallly fancy double Leeds attack for the Spurs game.

                                Yeah, not massively concerned though, he’s in good form, they don’t play until Sunday I think.

                                What’s your chip strategy mate?

                                1. Teahupo'o
                                  • 12 Years
                                  3 years, 3 months ago

                                  I don't either. Good chance Mourinho will park the bus. More with the double in mind. Though, El Ghazi and Barnes could well outscore him over the 3 gws in question.

                                  The plan is FH18, strong starting 11 for 19 with possibly using TC. Saving BB for a later WC.

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

                                    Same plans here, let’s see how many more spanners get thrown in the works before then!

                                    1. Teahupo'o
                                      • 12 Years
                                      3 years, 3 months ago

                                      *thumbs* Aye. Never a dull moment, this season. 😀

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

                  Probably gonna jinx myself but Grealish and Watkins blank plz

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

                  Is that Grealish yellow?

                  1. dark91
                    • 8 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    Nope. Only the goalscorers

                6. Rainer
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  Both goal scorers YC

                7. Big boy Bowen
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 3 months ago

                  YC Giroud and El Ghazi

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

                  https://twitter.com/City_Xtra/status/1343630345355341826?s=19

                  Ederson COVID confirmed. Expecting to hear about Cancelo & Torres too considering the earlier smoke coming out.

                  1. Fudgy
                    • 4 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    So thats why Pep wanted it called off

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

                    Newcastle should be ok then as they didnt get anywhere near Ederson

                    1. @persecuted_by_mods
                        3 years, 3 months ago

                        Nice

                      • andres
                        • 12 Years
                        3 years, 3 months ago

                        haha

                  3. g40steve
                    • 6 Years
                    3 years, 3 months ago

                    Gru & Ghazi YC

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

                    Grealish/Lewis -> TAA/El Ghazi for a -4 and a nice and fit 0.0 ITB?

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

                    Azpi / Pulisic/Giroud. Raise their legs like a bellerina Enough for any player to enjoy a fight against them

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

                      Awful first post as usual lol*

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

                        I think it was quality