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. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 3 months ago

    Lol Werner

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

    Disney Pixar’s next summer smash hit:

    Finding Timo

    Join Frank Lampard & Roman Ambramovich on their epic quest to find the 50m striker they somehow misplaced in the transfer window

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

      Could be about torres too lol

    2. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      He was a hell of a lot more than 50m. Big agent and signing on fees.

    3. I Must Break You
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 3 months ago

      It might help if they play him at striker

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

      Let’s see him play in a Chelsea first XI

    5. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very funny. So glad you are back on this site...........

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

    The zambian which doctor has me shook

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

      witch *

    2. Party time
        3 years, 3 months ago

        My trinidad & tobago witch doctor just confirmed a Salah blank on Wednesday

        1. Party time
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Hahahahaha 😆

            Wow... hahahahaha

        2. Herman Toothrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          I met a witch doctor in Kenya 10 years ago. Claimed he could cure broken hearts and even diabetes.

          Im married luckily but my pancreas still doesn't work.

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

            I know a player who had ACL injury and miraculously healed by a witch doctor in Ghana

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

          Be silly no to.

      • Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 3 months ago

        Villa defensive double up... season over

      • @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Only a fiver for Zambian witch doctors, absolute bargain

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

            That's a $1000 Zambian dollars

        • Muchentuchel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          2 from 1 so far and no City players + benched DCL
          can't complain

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

          5 from 2 any good?

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

            7 from 3 but at least I have KDB Stones and Cancelo up next ...... DOH!

        • trinzoo
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Grealish drops in price tonight, will lose 0.1 SV. Do I get Rafhinia (as 8th attacked for DGW) today?

          1. Bury94
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            No, today has shown you have to wait

        • Atimis
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Worth pushing for the BB DGW??

          Have one playing player on the bench now, could get also Raphinha/Soucek but next ones would require hits.

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

            I think I'll have 3 playing bench players but no GK, but still think I'll hit the button and pray for no covid outbreaks

        • WVA
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Who to sell first?

          Lamptey
          Grealish
          KDB
          DCL

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

            No need to sell DCL.
            KDB may be interesting post DGW. Sell perhaps to recover later.
            Grealish just isn't hitting it, and Lamptey is a risk. You need bench players, so I'd say Lamptey

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

            I got rid of lamptey last gameweek..KDB this week (turned into a blessing)
            Xhoosing myself which of DCL or Grealish to ditch....

          3. The Pesci challenge
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            The most expensive one

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

          Ahh so my only silver lining of this GW, the Grealish assist, was taken away I see

          1. CLOD
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Why would grealish have an assist?

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

              Because it was initially given to him

              1. CLOD
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 3 months ago

                Didn't see that, Cash crossed for the goal.

        • boc610
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          barn doors all over the world like to gather around timo werner . they see it as a 'safe space'

        • Zimo
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Lovely. Needed that Davis 1 pointer cuz of no Zouma 😛

        • Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Another horror show from Lolly Trashkins

        • Parsnips
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          How many Man City and Everton players has everyone got? I had 2.

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

            1

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

            DCL

          3. Andy_Social
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            4

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

            Only Cancelo. Got him in last minute on WC and already regretting it.

          5. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            1, Dias and he's on my bench

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

            4

          7. Bram
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            KDB Stones & Cancelo - bought Cancelo last night

          8. Bury94
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            3

          9. Boberella
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Started KDB
            Stones and DCL on bench

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

            0 on the pitch, DCL on the bench

          11. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            0.

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

            Basically those on a FH18 strat win. Those building a gw18 team got fooked

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

            4

          14. Business Cat
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            4

        • Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Canncelo set to rise today, and I wanted him and Dias Long-term. is it worth doing Reece James > Cancelo?

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

            No if Cancelo COVID positive you don’t know how long may be out

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

            He's one rumoured to have COVID. It's a dicey move.

          3. Kun Tozser
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            He'll drop soon enough

        • MidTableFantasy
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Davis 1 pointer, this is what dreams are made of

        • CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          It's strange that Grealish didn't get yc for a New year party holiday

        • Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Charles Watts
          @charles_watts
          ·
          10m
          Gabriel has tested positive for coronavirus and is now isolating - Luiz and Willian to return to full training on Thursday so will not feature tomorrow.

          1. Fred54
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            No one cares about Arsenal.

        • Muchentuchel
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          This is why I didn't want Werner at Liverpool and back then everybody laughed at me.

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

            He'll take time to adapt, might never cut it at PL level. Very few who saw him playing for Leipzig or Germany would have said he was a bad buy for Chelsea.

        • TKC07
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Are there any viable sub 4.3 defenders to BB GW19?

          1. Rys Williams
          2. Struijk
          3. Lewis
          4. Ampadu
          5. Johnson WHU
          6. Any one else to include in watchlist?

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

            :O

        • CRO KLOPP
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Davis coming of the bench for a 1 pointer,blocking Mitchell 2 pointer,what an exciting gmwk

        • Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 3 months ago

          Havertz looking worse than an average player.

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              3 years, 3 months ago

              Ozil without the assists, even worse workrate and way worse shielding the ball

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

              Low on confidence, still adjusting to the league. I would literally give him 90 mins vs Morecambe in the Cup to get his head up in a (probable) winning side

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

              Don't see how he's 90m better than Billy Gilmore

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

                This exactly

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

            Any indication about what will happen for the next City fixture on Jan 3rd?

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

              Not yet.

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

              Will depend on tomorrow's tests but with the training ground closed it doesn't look hopeful

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

                A City statement said: "After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day.

                "Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture."

                The Premier League said the rise in cases at City "created uncertainty" and that the competition's board "received medical advice that the match should be postponed".

                A league statement continued: "The board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow [Tuesday].

                "The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority.

                "The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them."

                City are scheduled to play at Chelsea on Sunday, 3 January, followed by their Carabao Cup semi-final at Manchester United on Wednesday, 6 January.

                The club said their squad and associated bubble will have testing before a decision is made whether to resume training.

          3. fedolefan
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 3 months ago

            Cmon Grealish, get that late YC.

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

              For a goal celebration? I will allow

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

            That man has some left peg

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

            Frank, this is what happens when you don't play Zouma lol

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

            Have just dias from today.. so 0 pts xax

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

            Chilwell sitter

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

              Put down the bottle fudgy

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

              Lool. Terrible miss

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

              -bps