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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FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

753 Comments Post a Comment
  1. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    In reality, it's just steer clear of Chelsea until tuchel turtle has sorted his team out right?

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

      Alonso Rudiger Mendy CHO are decent options

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

      Next game is Tottenham so i'd assume his prefered 11 plays then. Good fixtures in 23 and 24 to invest.

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

      I think that's wise.

  2. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    The Alonso trap is open again.

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

      No it's not . He is mr. 15 pter

    2. BrockLanders
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gerrin

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

    Just sold Cancello for Alonso.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Haha... it begins

    2. fedolefan
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you're lucky, you may get the 15 points this week as well. Worth a shot.

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

        Haha. I haven't really

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

          Pretty obvious...lol

  4. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    It will end badly, he will be dropped soon for being the defensive liability that he is but a starting Alonso at LWB is what FPL is all about.

    If he does okay vs Spurs, the next two are tasty!

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

      People don't get it. Against Burnley you need goals. Wolves was the same case. I won't be surprised to see Alonso on the bench Against Spurs and come from the bench if chasing.

      He can play the easy games fpl dream

      Also last time he played Spurs he scored brace against them

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

        If he plays the easy games he should start on Thursday.

  5. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Mane starting?

    1. SMOOTH
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      im really worried, i have him C

    2. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Transferred him in for a hot this week. That means probably not lol

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

    Jota back next week?

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

      Doubt it

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

      I think he's still in a leg brace.

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

    Burnley made a header off target!!

    Nothing else all day.

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Offer nothing in the PL, they need to go down.

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

        They do but ruining Liverpool home run was beautiful

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

          That win over villa was beautiful too.

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Comments such as this have no context whatsoever. Burnley simply do not have the resources of others and therefore have to play to the strengths of the players they've got. They offer a lot in the PL as others have to work out how to break them down.

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

      perfect when you have a Chelsea defender.

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

    Disappointing from Alonso, was expecting 21 points

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

      *faints*

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

    Alonso with his favourite fixture up next. Always scores or assists v us

  10. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    love doubling on defense, double cleansheet

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

      Are u Cancelo+Stones and Chilly+James owner? 😉

      1. Joey Tribbiani
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cancelo+Dias and Rudiger+Mendy 😀

  11. Jenas
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Burnley 0 shot for 90 minutes. lol

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

      Hard to fathom out how they managed to beat villa

      1. 7shadesofsmoke
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        please don't, haunts my dreams that game

      2. jammie26
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Villa should have been 3 nil up at half time. Sometimes that's the way it goes.

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

      Too much of this overwhelming them today.

      https://twitter.com/liam_twomey/status/1355870006530240512?s=19

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Terrible team.

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

      Nope they had headed goal attempt after last corner 🙂

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

    Do you think Hudson-Odoi is the mainstay RWB or will Reece James take over when he's fully fit

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

      Reece surely.

  13. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    fraudpard got what he deserved for ignoring Alonso and Azpili...

    1. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fraudpard lol

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

        Hahahahaha omg

  14. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    My fpl cycle

    Has bad week -> thinks next GW will be good -> Does transfers that look great at the time -> Has bad week -> thinks next GW will be good

    🙁

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      better than 'has bad week, whinges on FFS, follows other people decisions, has a bad week, blames FFS' which does tend to happen quite a bit 😀

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah at least I don't do that 😀

  15. Coys96
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo (c) nailed on GW22

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'll never cap a rotation threat.

    2. PogChamp
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I don't think you can say he's nailed at this point.

      1. Coys96
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        i meant nailed as my cap 🙂

  16. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really not confident for Leeds here. Could be a nightmare.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No madds haul plz

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

        This. Cup opponent has him skipper.

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

    Alonso more clinical than Werner

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

      Killer instinct.

    2. janowsc
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You just know Werner thought to himself, “Are you kidding me?”

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

    Oh yes Struijk starts....my last defensive option off the bench after Stones and Mitchel no shows

  19. Casual Player
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So happy with the 1 pointer for James there. Means bringing in Cancelo for Holding only a 4pt mistake instead of a 12pt mistake.

    I mean I still have to get rid of him but I’ll take the 1 this time

    1. FER FUSCH AKE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cancelo in not a mistake if you didn't make the move only for 1 gw.

  20. aborg
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    I don’t know why Lampard left Alonso out of his starting Lineup...he always had such attacking potential

    1. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Chilly willy

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

        Lol yeah, suppose so

    2. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lol. Mainly due to the fact that he's a diabolical defender.

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

      Lampard must be happy now after seeing In form Chelsea!

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

      Too slow these days - Chilwell is quicker with only slightly reduced attacking potential.

    5. Rash
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lamps mainly played 4 man defence which alonso is a calamity at left back. Lwb is a different story all together though.

    6. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s rubbish at DFing

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

      Alonso gets exposed when urgent defending calls him. He's a bit slow compared to Chilwell.

    8. Mok
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Awful defensive performance in the past..

  21. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Tuchel looks like someone who has 11 harassment cases registered against him at the police station.

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      lol

    2. 7shadesofsmoke
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      😀

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

      lol

  22. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Cancelo stones and Chilwell not only benched but now seems like I have to transfer them out too. Apart from cancelo ofcourse

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

      Why? Nothing has changed with Cancelo and Stones.

  23. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Owner of 3 Leeds. Disaster incoming

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

      Did Raphinha to Sterling this GW.

      Raphinha brace incoming.

  24. KAALI_DAAL
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Chilwell owners must be rolling in their graves.

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

      rotating more like 😉

      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Or even most likely spinning (at a high speed).

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I hope fuchel loses 5 matches in a row

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

      Yup, and I have Stones and Cancelo...

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

    CHO CHO ... new Chelsea wagon on Platform 1 🙂

  26. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    need a leeds - lei goal fest. bammy/ dallas involved in all

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

      Wouldn't mind that at all.

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

    What to do fellow Chilwell owners? Alonso/Rudiger/Keep.

    I like the Chelsea defense moving forward (short term)

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

      Might switch to Justin

    2. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      transfering him out this gw

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

        To who? What are your thoughts?

    3. PogChamp
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Keeping for now. Will sell if he doesn't start against Spurs.

    4. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Drinking whiskey and loading my shotgun...

  28. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What are people's thought on Rudiger? Could be nailed given that the German coach might rate him and keep him good for the national team.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He'll be coming into my side if he starts another couple of games

      1. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bringing hin next week for Mitchell to come in for a possible Dias, cancelo, and Stones benching.

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

    I was planning to do Maguire to Chilwell/Digne for -4. Thank God I didn't.

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

    Need Reguilon to save my game week 🙂