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

    any chance we get to see James come on?

    1. Maddamotha
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  2. Catastrophe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Haven't checked my scores yet, how's my back 5 of Cancelo, Stones, Chilwell, James and Mitchell doing this week?

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not put a foot wrong

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

      Heh, familiar look. I don't think anyone in my ML has a full team this week. I'm leading my weekly ML with 36 points - must be a record low for a non-BGW.

    3. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Don’t check your scores and enjoy the rest of your day

    4. Catastrophe
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      🙂

      Joking or course, but there must be people in that boat. I would add im not too much better with only Dias and Coufal!

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

      Check Username for answer

    6. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not conceded a goal, solid stuff!

      1. Goodricke
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        no bookings, wayward passes, tackles missed or errors made between them, must be high on the BAPS!

    7. Fpl stress
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Doing great! They all concede 0 goals this week!!!

  3. AC/DC AFC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is there an argument that Pep has an A selection in defence that he'll play in the Champions League and crucial Premier League games like Liverpool away that will determine the title?

    So will rest and trust his squad defenders in games against the likes of Sheffield United and Burnley and bottom half teams?

    If so, expect Cancelo and Stones to be rested midweek too?

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

      GK and CBs less likely to be rotated as they do less running. Full-backs, especially in Guardiola teams, do a lot of work hence more rotation.

      Ederson, Stones, Dias pretty nailed. May miss the odd game, but not going to be rotated more than Cancelo, Zinchenko, Walker, and Mendy.

    2. Salan
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think guessing Pep's rotation outcome match by match is meaningless. Once you have Man City's players, you assume they will be rotated, 2 out of 3 or 5 out of 7 etc. Even you correctly guess his defenders, will you change them every week?

  4. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Beautifully set up for a Pope 10 pointer today.

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

      yes, imagine facing the shooting skills of Mount, CHO, Abraham and Werner!

  5. Salan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope will win the man of the match and get another 10+ points

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Hopefully (doubt it). Rage transferred bacj in Martinez last night. The stress of binning him ages ago at a loss of 40 odd points got to me!

  6. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one

    A. Gundogan
    B. Burke
    C. Targett

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Easy A

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

      A if you have Martinez

    4. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers everyone

    5. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play eleven

      A. Ederson
      B Carson
      C Walker
      D Walker
      E Stones
      F Zinchenko
      G Laporte
      H Mendy
      I Dias
      J Gundogan
      K Rodri
      L Bilva
      M Fernadinho
      N Foden
      O Toerres
      P Sterling

  7. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What was GOAT? (annoyingly can't remember)

    G
    O tamendi (?)
    A lonso
    T rent

    1. Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Goalman?

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gareth McAuley?

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

      Grealish

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not def

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

          Ahhh

    4. gribude
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Capra aegagrus hircus

    5. Fpl stress
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I remember it way MAT for a while. Mendy, Alonso, Trent.

      1. Tempestic
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        this

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        TRAM

        Trent, Robbo, Alonso, Mendy.

      3. LSK
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It was RAM. Robertson, Alonso, Mendy. Trent broke out that season and wasn’t in the template until 2nd half of the season (by that point Mendy and Alonso were no longer doing as well).

        1. Fpl stress
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yes you're right RAM definitely rings more bells than MAT lool

  8. Gazza2000
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Rashford to Grealish/Son
    B) Soucek to Grealish/Son
    C) Rashford and Soucek to Grealish and Son -4

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

    Cup oppo: Played Stones in a back 4, has Wilson first sub.

    Standard.

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My rival started Saka with Wilson 1st sub.

      That's far more jammy.

  10. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Alonso bandwagon incoming?

    1. Gazza2000
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nah

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

      If he gets a run of games absolutely

    3. tisza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No. Tuchel probably chop and change a bit until he finds a more settled formation and players he likes

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He needs to brace for that. Or score at least. But he he would still be casual pick atm.

  11. boogle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What happened with Zouma? Do I just get rid in draft league now ir hope he comes back? 16 team league so not many options as replacements

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

      Apparently he is a heated character behind the scenes, the Chelsea hierarchy want out.

      1. Whazza
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nah it's Rudiger who can't deal with not playing

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah that's what I thought. The board rate Rudiger more highly (for some reason).

      2. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Source? First I've heard of that, so wouldn't mind reading.

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah okay, no source, thought so.

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

      Looks like he's having a foundation of very experienced back 3 and experimenting/rotating further up. Tilva might not play every match but I can't see Zouma getting more than an occasional look in.

      1. boogle
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ty I'll get rid then, started so well!

  12. Harper (No more Penandes)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What you rather have happen, to procede in the cup or have a good GW?
    I know one would lead to the other but basically both me any my cup opponent have Salah (C) but I have Fabianski.

  13. Aidan269
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Took a hit to get Mane in and captain him. Devestated if these rumours are true

    1. Dannyb
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Vice?

      1. Aidan269
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gundo

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

      what rumours?

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        There's loads, posted on every page, on Twitter etc.

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

        Robertson apparently took Mane out of his fantasy team

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

          Didn't Targett do the same with Villa players, only for those players to start the next game?

          1. Hazz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Think more to it as the only ever time Robbo sold Mané was when Mané was benched vs. BHA before.

            Aside from the FPL stuff, there's a rumour of a knock.

        2. A.J.
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I think what gives the rumour more weight is he did the same thing in an earlier gameweek when Mané missed out.

      3. Aidan269
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He's not starting. Lots on here and twitter about it and Robertson transferred him out of his fantasy team

        1. Hazz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Well you don't know that. It's just heavily rumoured.

      4. Superflymonk
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It's Andre Robertson's fpl account. For this gw he sold Mane. He also did so earlier when Mane was going to be benched. Very likely because Liverpool play 4 games in a short span of time. Honestly, I think most if not all players will be rested. Makes you value the players like Grealish all the more
        .

        1. DropkickMurphys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Is there a link to see his team? Wonder if he picked himself... lol

  14. @persecuted_by_mods
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Kepa got 14 clean sheets under Sarri, De Gea in all his years in England had beaten this total how many times?

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

        It started going wrong when Kepa thought he could override Sarri in the EFL Cup final. If Kepa had made loads of saves in the shootout and won the cup for Chelsea it might have been different.

    • 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      is Bamford to Wilson a bit sideways?

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nope. But Wilson's fixtures turn sour soon.

      2. 1justlookin
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Would only be for the next 2 games as i plan to WC soon anyway.

    • 1justlookin
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      When's everyone using their 2nd Wildcard then?

      Looking at GW 25 myself but a little bit reluctant as my team is ok at the moment. Might still be worth doing just to get setup for a BB in GW 26 though?

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

        30

      2. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I am planning to try to build my team for BB dgw 26 without. Big hitters aren't doing too well and good bench looks essential anyway.

      3. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Already used it 🙁

      4. Dennis System
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        1JUSTLOOKIN you got the same team as me apart for the keeper...

        If Bam doesn't score again - I am going Wilson

        If Salah blanks again - I am going Grealish

        1. 1justlookin
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Fair play. You playing your WC then?

      5. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Depends on how the 26 turns out. If i can get a decent teams with transfers i'll use wc before 29, if not i use it in 25 to set up for a BB26

    • Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pope on 2 saves and top of BPS already lmao

      1. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He's gonna get at least 12 points today

    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso should have scored there.

    • mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Alonso of old buries that

    • McSauce
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Worst week in my 13 years in fantasy.... Took (-4) currently on 9 points

      Cancelo
      Sterling (C)
      Chilwell
      Mitchell
      Adams

      Wonder who of the following left to play also gets benched;

      Bamford
      Coufal
      Soucek
      Salah
      Fabianski

      1. Harper (No more Penandes)
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        vice?

      2. Will Kane
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I feel your pain. I'm on 10 but that's with a -4 so it's really 6! Think my worst ever GW score was 18 or 19... definitely under 20. My captain has played so I could be about to set a new personal worst 🙂

    • Will Kane
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My season has been in a tailspin since mid-December that I just can't get out of. Signed Kane last week, Cancelo for a -4 this week, have both James and Chilwell, captain (Ings) had a goal chalked off for fractional 'offside'..... Soooo tempted to rage-wildcard but I know it's not the time and my team for next week looks OK....ish

      Meslier
      Cancelo, Cresswell, Coufal
      Salah, Bruno, Raphinha, Soucek, Son
      Bamford, Firmino

      McCarthy, Ings, Chilwell, James

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Leeds players have really messed up a lot of our teams. I must learn to bench them at best.

      2. Crunchie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        In the same boat. Kept Chilwell for a long time, as he was nailed and had other issues to fight. If Alonso does well or they get rotated, it is not worth keeping long term.

        1. Will Kane
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Agreed, obviously I need to ditch James first though! Not quite sure how I have ended up keeping him for so long... probably a combination of other fires to put out and constantly thinking 'Oh, Chelsea have an OK fixture this week and he might play!'

    • The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I see plenty don't have full teams, I wish, Holding rotting last on my bench...

    • JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This Chelsea team would be quality

      Mendy
      Azpi Zouma Silva
      Pulisic Kante Mount Chilwell
      Ziyech Havertz
      Giroud

      Good balance and would get the most out of Havertz and Ziyech playing off Giroud.

      1. JONALDINHO
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi and Werner can rotate in and out

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

        Mount out. Kovacic in. Or you can play Mount instead of Havertz and take Havertz out.

    • Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Werner flunks a chance. Again.

      1. Hazz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Werner blocks Werner shot.

    • Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Count how many times Alonso receives the ball, then passes back.

    • Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      did this place go into meltdown when the Chelsea team was announced ? 🙂

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hardly anyone owns their players

    • pablo discobar
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Chillwell rested for spurs. Its as simple as that.

      Chelsea manager won't last 12 months

    • ‘Tis the Season
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool dodged a bullet with Werner ❗

    • Revival
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Has Chris Wood spoiled the Chelsea party yet?

    • diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      CHO playing well.