Dugout Discussion

Chilwell, Zouma, James and Havertz on Chelsea’s bench as Rudiger starts again

Ben Chilwell (£6.1m) is the latest high-profile Chelsea player to be rotated onto their substitutes bench, with Thomas Tuchel frustrating many Fantasy managers by handing a start to Marcos Alonso (£5.6m).

Tuchel takes charge of his second match after replacing Frank Lampard, facing a Burnley side high on confidence from beating Aston Villa 3-2 and ending Liverpool’s 68-game unbeaten Premier League home run.

The German makes four changes from Wednesday’s 0-0 stalemate with Wolves. Chilwell and the front three have made way for Alonso, Mason Mount (£6.8m), Tammy Abraham (£7.2m) and the struggling Timo Werner (£9.2m).

This means that fellow German Antonio Rudiger (£4.5m) has started in place of Kurt Zouma (£5.6m) for five of the last six matches, putting him firmly on FPL managers’ radars ahead of promising fixtures against Sheffield United (a) and Newcastle United (H).

Rudiger was a regular before this season, notching five goals during three seasons. At such a low price, he is an intriguing way to get coverage of Chelsea’s defence whilst Zouma and Reece James (£5.1m) are in and out of the side.

So far, Tuchel seems to prefer a wing-back system, with Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) taking James’ place on the right. Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m), who played 81 minutes in midweek, doesn’t even make the bench this time.

Kai Havertz (£8.2m) does, alongside Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) and N’Golo Kante (£4.9m), who has recovered from a thigh injury. Pulisic’s largely unproductive seven successive starts has been followed with back-to-hack benchings.

For Burnley, Sean Dyche makes two changes from the comeback win over Villa. Jack Cork (£5.0m) replaces Josh Brownhill (£4.9m) and Matej Vydra (£4.8m) comes in for Jay Rodriguez (£5.8m). Charlie Taylor (£4.5m) is still out with a hamstring problem.

The Clarets have picked up 1-0 away wins at Arsenal and Liverpool this season and will hope to claim another victim today in their quest to drag themselves out of relegation danger.

With Nick Pope (£5.4m) in goal, Burnley have collected four clean sheets from nine matches, although they entered the game week as the league’s second lowest scorers (13), having had the second fewest goal attempts (173).

CHELSEA XI (3-4-3): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Werner, Abraham

BURNLEY XI (4-4-2): Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Pieters; Brady, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Wood, Vydra

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753 Comments Post a Comment
  1. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tuchel Roulette is just what we all needed this season!

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Too early to say if he will be a serial rotator like Pep.

      I guess he’s just trying out new things and having a look at some players and how they do in his preferred system.

      Hopefully will settle down in the coming weeks and the likes of Rudiger, Ziyech & Werner will become decent options

      1. diesel001
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        This. Chelsea assets could be underpriced (Mendy 5.0, Rudiger 4.5, Werner 9.0, Ziyech 8.5 etc) if Tuchel gets them firing.

      2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I think he will be worse than Pep.

    2. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He rotates for fun playing such a bad team. At least try to secure top 4 first before building your own team next season.

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

      Safest just to pick 3 x Burnley, 3 x West Ham, 3 x Villa, kane and Son

  2. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    If you’re WC-ing now, which premiums are you going to recruit? Just Son? I know it’s for long term and class is permanent but serious, none is deadly appealing.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *seriously

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You sure you wanna WC right now?

      I wouldn’t even know where to start if truth be told.

      I’m pretty sure I’d have Salah/Mané & Son anyway... and I’d possibly stick with Bruno too and just hope he starts firing again

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No it’s a devil advocate as people talking about selling Bruno, Salah etc out of frustration and KDB Kane Vardy out making it impossible to find sound premiums replacement. So I imagine if WC now who are we going to recruit?

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

      They'll fire eventually and spreading the wealth makes it tricky to get them in when that happens.

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Eventually, that’s the million dollar question as to which one to get there first 😉

    4. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I used it this gw and it’s in tatters. Salah was the only premium really

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah it’s really time to save WC and being patient

    5. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Martinez - Johnstone
      Dias - Rudiger - Robbo - Coufal - Justin
      Salah - Fernandes - Son - Grealish - Soucek
      Bamford - DCL - Antonio

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Rudiger Robbo Dias I can see what’s behind those selections 😉

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          First rule of FPL is pick players who play. If you want to pick players who don't always play then make sure you have a strong bench.

          1. Magic Zico
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            On WC yes

      2. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cancelo should be in there at least for the ceiling

    6. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Terrible time to WC IMO. There's a lot of flux, what do you do if the big hitters regain fitness and form ... would be very difficult to get them back in if you WC. Also DGW picture unclear.

  3. Uncle Gamst
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I'm sure this must have been asked but chances of these starting v Burnley:

    a) Cancelo
    b) Stones

    1. Captain Vantastic™
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think both will start.

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Fingers crossed

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Mate, I won’t try to predict just stick

    3. tiger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both will start, they've just been rested

      1. Uncle Gamst
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cue Wood to score one of his backside 😉

    4. Shatner's Bassoon
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Surely quite high if they're both first choice and both just rested

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        'Quite high' still no guarantee though

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

      Both

    6. Don Rogers FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep knows

    7. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Very high. They were just rested.

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

      A) Pep %
      B) Pep %

    9. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Would be very shocked if both didn't start. Rotation not dropped, both in great form.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        100%. Pep said he respects Blades but put out a Carabao Cup side. The best will be back for Burnley.

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

    A rash to grealish
    B rash, mcCarthy => grealish, martinez (-4)
    C rash, soucek, mccarthy => grealish, son, martinez (-8)

    McCarthy (Forster)
    Cancelo Stones Digne (Mitchell, Coufal)
    Salah Bruno Rash Gundo (soucek)
    Watkins Antonio DCL
    4.8itb, 1FT

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

      B

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Can you afford Rash & Soucek > Son & Grealish.

      Don’t think the Martinez part is worth an extra -4

    3. Im New Here
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

    4. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Rash --> Sterling DONE

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

    Lampard misleading us about James and Chilwell was such a blessing in disguise. Been mostly all doom since then.

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

    Just Barnes and Bamford benchings to go for me.

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

    No point in taking any conclusions From this. He's simply trying all of them.
    Games are like training sessions atm (so close)

  8. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Interesting chelsea team to say the least

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      They could easily lose this one lol.

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      By interesting you mean ‘a bit sh**e’ right?

  9. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cup opponent has Werner(c) + Mount. This is the way I'm going out I guess

    1. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He figured out the roulette, fair play to him.

      1. umerlfc
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        He's a Chelsea fan and already had Mount. He actually brought in Werner this week for Kane and captained him

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Capping Werner is bold as he could easily be a 1 pointer sub.

    2. Im New Here
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Incredibly rogue of them. Good luck.

  10. Shatner's Bassoon
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Man City triple of Ederson, Dias and KDB (when back) is pretty tempting for the upcoming doubles. Until they also get rotated anyway.

    1. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Aguero might be back before KDB!

      1. Shatner's Bassoon
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I hadn't thought of that!

  11. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Wish Chelshite would lose today.

    1. St Pauli Walnuts
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cool put down bro

  12. ZAMUNDA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench boosting in GW19 wasn't a bad thing after all. A good bench shall save the day somehow

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah I’m coming around to that way of thinking now that I have such a strong bench.

      1. ZAMUNDA
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Still have 9.5 itb with Soucek, Coufal, Dallas and Fabianski on bench. And don't know how to feel about it

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          You’re confused because it’s something new. You’ve just gotta think points points points. They’re the most important thing and pay no attention to your surplus balance.

          1. ZAMUNDA
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Absolutely right. Cheers mate

  13. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Touchel just came in mid season to a team that isn't clicking. He wants to change the whole structure, philosophy and tactics of the team. Of course he'll test all the players to find the perfect fit, just like in any pre season. I say, stay away from Chelsea for at least 2 more games.

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Exactly. He has a good squad. Needs to get the most out of them. Only way he can do that is to see all the players in action. He has two players for every position.

      GK: Mendy, Kepa
      LB: Chilwell, Alonso
      RB: Azpilicueta, James
      LCB: Silva, Zouma
      RCB: Rudiger, Christensen
      DM: Kante, Gilmour
      CM: Kovacic, Jorginho
      RW: Ziyech, Mount
      AM: Werner, Havertz
      LW: Pulisic, Hudson-Odoi
      FW: Abraham, Giroud

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

        Mendy
        Azpi Zouma Silva
        Pulisic Kante Mount Hudson-Odoi
        Ziyech Havertz
        Giroud

        1. diesel001
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Looks like a team that would leak goals tbh.

        2. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          That's the sort of lineup I would play in FIFA, not one any professional manager should consider.

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

      Just so long as he doesn’t give Kepa a go

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I stupidly stupidly jumped the gun and played my wildcard before the Wolves game. Now I've got Chilwell and James clogging up my squad 🙁

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

      I'm sorry but it's not what other top managers do at all. You always keep a core structure from previous selections and start from there. That's what Mourinho, Ancelotti, Benitez, etc do.

  14. Rupert The Horse
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Oof. Anyone still got Zouma? Chilwell and James is disappointing.

  15. Lignja
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    my defence is Chillwell, Stones, Cancelo so far so good

    1. AIRMILES
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I have the latter two, but sold Chilwell for Rudiger this week.

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What a shout

      2. Rhodes your boat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Let’s gooo rudiger!

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Damn son.

  16. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    The GOAT is back

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The Chelsea full back time machine I bought yesterday really works.

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Love it

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Werner?

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

      Alonso?

      1. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Of course.

    4. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sean Goater is out of retirement?

      Wow!

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

      Denis Odoi?

  17. evilfish
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    OMG all 3 of my starting defenders do not play!

  18. threeputt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Fancying a Sterling flutter this gw as sure to start imo, who to replace though ? Smith Rowe, Gundogan, Soucek, Fernandes or Salah, money no object

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Smith

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Gundogan.

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

    ziyech a little bit fatigued,absolute bollocks,if a rang in my boss and said that and im not working today ,id be down the job centre monday ,just lol...

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

    One week punt on Pereira ?

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yeah. West Brom on fire.

    2. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sound yes. Will do the same

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

        only SHU have tightened up at the back

    3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Quite possibly, any idea on likelihood of them having another double?

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

        GW26

    4. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I got him this week for a 2 week punt

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

        well played

  21. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Feels good to have the Wildcard available, but absolutely no idea how I’ll use it and for whom

    1. KAALI_DAAL
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It has been available for quite some time now

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes, think a few used it just before the double

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Yeah like me.

          1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            If you BBed after and scored well consider it a success

            1. Rupert The Horse
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              The BB was not a success but the wild card took me from 2.5m to 750k. Major success really. Could barely have gone better.

              1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Great stuff

      2. Rupert The Horse
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yeah but loads have used it already...

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

      I guess we gotta wait at least till blank and double Gameweeks become clear

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

    So basically this guy is a German Guardiola without the title winning CV...

    1. TheSteel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He’s won titles

      1. Dannyb
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        In France, doesn't count.

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

        Tony Pulis can win the French title with PSG..

    2. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      What nonsense.

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

        Oh yeah? I will keep this comment for future reference.

  23. JELLYFISH
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thinking it might be a good time to jump back on TAA...

  24. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Alonso record Vs Spurs is lovely, then two more great fixtures follow. I will double up with him and Chilwell as I have no money issues till my gw25 WC and I don't need my 5th defender.
    All of those will happen if he gets an attacking return today

    1. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      *I already own chil

  25. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone move early on Chilwell?

    1. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup. And James. Doh!

  26. Wicked Weapon
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I suppose now is as good a time as any to compare bench options.

    I have Coufal, Justin, Bamford coming in for Cancelo, Stones, Saka. Almost decent bench maybe even a strong bench by some standards.

    What about you guys ?

    1. Dannyb
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bellerin and Holding plus Salah moved from vice to captain.

      1. Revival
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cup opponent getting Targett and Bellerin off the bench for Saka and Stones, Martial his 3rd sub.....typical!

      2. Wicked Weapon
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Seems like you're the real winner this week. How many points did you manage ?

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      De Gea, Bamford, Holding and Mitchell.

      Holding coming on for Stones. No one coming on for Cancelo. Bamford on for Mane if he is out. Playing with 10.

    3. Optimus.
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      McCarthy Antonio Justin Shaw

      Justin and Shaw coming in for Stones and Cancelo

    4. Aster
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Wilson, Coufal and Dallas in for Saka, Cancelo and Sterling.

  27. King Kohli
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Best punt in each category for the next 3 gws.?
    A. Defender
    B. Midfielder
    C. Striker

  28. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not firing Conte was the answer....if you have to play 3-4-3, hire the master not some German douche

    1. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      You're gonna be surprised by that German douche

      1. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        In a good way or a bad way?

      2. Thomas Shelby from Birmingh…
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Conte won the title in his first year...Tuchels not winning anything

  29. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Tuchel, from the Klopp school of coaching but the Pep school of rotation.

  30. Bobby
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have about four people playing this weekend. Excellent