Dugout Discussion

Chilwell returns to Chelsea XI as Tuchel explains Alonso and Hudson-Odoi benchings

Chelsea will be aiming to make it four clean sheets in as many matches under their new manager when they face Sheffield United at Bramall Lane this evening.

Kick-off in the last of four Premier League fixtures to take place on a busy Sunday is at 19:15 GMT.

The Blues are unbeaten under Thomas Tuchel but the German hasn’t kept an unchanged starting XI in any of his four matches in charge and tinkers with his line-up again this evening.

Callum Hudson-Odoi is one casualty, dropping to the bench and losing his ever-present starter status under Tuchel.

Olivier Giroud is recalled and will be supported by Mason Mount and Timo Werner in the three-man Chelsea attack.

Marcos Alonso also makes way, with Ben Chilwell recalled.

Tuchel explained those two changes ahead of kick-off:

For Marcos, it was no need to take the risk to let him play three in a row in 10 days after a long pause in competition for him. So, there was the choice of Chilly. It was the same reason for Callum Hudson-Odoi.

The German’s final alteration was an enforced one, with Andreas Christensen stepping in to replace the injured Thiago Silva.

Chris Wilder has gone one better than the man in the opposition dugout, making four changes to his line-up.

Kean Bryan and Max Lowe replace the ineligible Ethan Ampadu and the injured George Baldock in Wilder’s two enforced tweaks.

And the regular rotation continues up top, with Oliver Burke and Ollie McBurnie ousting David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp from the front two.

Sheffield United XI: Ramsdale, Basham, Egan, Bryan, Lowe, Lundstram, Norwood, Fleck, Bogle, Burke, McBurnie.

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Chilwell, Mount, Giroud, Werner.


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1,645 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How many DGW players would you bring in when the plan is to WC GW25?

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

      Not too many worth a hit (presume you have 3 city)

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I wouldn't go crazy. Triple city, pope and DCL is enough.

    3. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have 5 already + 1 FT this week

    4. Nay08
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      if you will use free hit on bgw29, then 11 of course.
      if not, maybe 8-9. but there still a chance of teams that will have dgw but not blank in 29.

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

      3 city, 2 everton, 1 Burnley is more than enough.

    6. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      triple city, few from burnley,everton

    7. Vlekz
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If you don't have triple city. Taking a hit to bring them in is fine. Apart from that just use your free transfer(s). Don't take a hit for anyone. Not worth it

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

        Triple city. DCL, Areola, maybe Burnley defender

    8. CloudSky
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool (1.31) 1-2 (2.36) Ilkay Gundogan

      Ilkay Gundogan has singlehandedly accumulated more xG than any Premier League team other than City this gameweek.

    9. MoSalad
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bottom’d

      Planning on just doing Barnes —> Lookman this GW after the FA Cup to get this team for 24.

      Areola
      Cancelo, Stones, Cresswell, Coufal
      Lookman, (G)undo, Salah, Penandes
      BobbyDR, Antonio

      Johnstone, BamBam, Son, AWB

      Nervous about leaving those players on the bench but seems the strongest 11 I can put out.

      Nervous about leaving out DCL but BobbyDR to DCL seems backwards for a -4, and don’t like any Everton mids.

      What people think?

      1. Nay08
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I don't like having 2 fulhams despite the dgw. just choose 1.

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

          I already own two, it’s a risk but if it goes my way then will be a big climb up the rankings.

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

      68 with 2 to play any good? 😆

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yup, fine.

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

        Yes very good.

    11. fn.jota
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      who has more goal threat?

      A. Mee
      B. Tarkowski

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        C. An iguana named "Philip"

    12. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Captain?

      A Gundo
      B Pope
      C DCL

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        On C at the moment. Gundo and Sterling pending thoughts . . .

      2. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I’m on A

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A

      4. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I am looking at punting on pope atm

      5. MoSalad
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Gundog

      6. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Currently on C

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

        A

    13. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bench 3 from this list this week:
      A)Salah
      B)Kane
      C)Grealish
      D)Watkins
      E)Bamford
      F)Harvey Barnes
      G)Cresswell
      H)Coufal

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

        B, D, F

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        FGH

        1. Nay08
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Hard but maybe Bamford, Barnes, Coufal

      3. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        CDF

      4. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        E and F. Rest is pot luck. Coufal or One of the villains

    14. NoThomasNoPartey18
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bench two:
      Rudiger, coufal, watkins, son, kane, bamford

      I'm on son (mci) and rudiger (NEW)

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

        Yeah I’m benching Son

        1. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Don't, look what happened in reverse fixture

      2. Alisson WondHaaland
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Bamford Rudiger

      3. Nay08
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Rudiger Bamford for me.

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

      Have 6 dgw players.

      Would u do Soucek
      ➡️Lookman for free?

      Or wait a wk and get two Leeds for 2fts for their double with a view to a WC 25 and BB/TC dgw26?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If the ban gets overturned, I wouldn't.

        Really like Lookman - had him for a few weeks, but Fulham don't look like scoring many.

      2. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Wait

      3. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Been looking at Lookman . . . can't see it, two away fixtures, so few attacking returns. Major punt.

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

        Huh, why would you want 2 FTs for the week yet plan to WC?

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

          *week you plan to WC

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

          Tbh I don't know wat I'm doing. I want to BB in 26 of fixtures are good so will have to WC 25 to do that.

          The wks are confusing me

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

            Well it depends a bit on your plans, but in terms of your original question, Soucek to Lookman looks a nice swap if the 3 game ban is upheld. He has a nice fixture after the double as well so may help you maintain flexibility

      5. Nay08
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        if you plan to WC 25, then just do it. no use to hold the ft. I think it can be better, but not a bad punt.

        1. Nay08
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          if still not WC (or if still not sure) then maybe hold especially if you have cover for soucek

    16. yanky
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      TAA + Soucek > 1 def and 1 mid
      Thinking best options are: Digne, Mee / James Rodrigues, Rashford
      Leaning Digne and Rashford, thoughts? am i missing anyone?

      Pope
      Dias Cancelo Coufal James __
      Salah Gundo Bruno __
      DCL

      1. Team Bobcat
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think Targett is a very decent option

    17. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Benched Gundogan fml!!

      Is there any chance bam won't play tmr? Lol

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        0.1%

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        nope

      3. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        0.00001%

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

        Unless he falls out of the bed tonight.

    18. Team Bobcat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is Chilwell deadand buried guys?

      I am not holding out much hope for him, barely surviving 60mins today

      1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        yes I think so. Him getting subbed doesnt look good

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        He was pretty poor and clearly second fiddle.

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

        At least he will only last 60 min now so good chance of CS being locked before conceding.

    19. Tcheco
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who would you start?

      A. Coufal (SHU)

      B. Bamford (ars)

      1. Buck The Trent
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I am on A for now

      2. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A

      3. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A for now

        1. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          * B for now

          1. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I'm back and forth too!

      4. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        B - striker on pens against a poor arsenal. They have Ryan in goals!

        1. Kay317
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He's not on pens is he?

          1. Tonyawesome69
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Bamford is on pens

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

      Wilson and Robbo > DCL and Mee for a hit?

      1. Gunners in Haaland
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes

      2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        sure

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If you don't have Pope then yes.

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

      Top early to consider Alonso? Have a WC to use.

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

        Too*

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No he's nailed bar rest . . . will likely come in on my WC in 26.

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Too much uncertainty with Chelsea players. Not worth the risk when there are already good non Chelsea options.

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

        He's too expensive and the defence looks shaky.

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Conceded one goal (a bizarre og) under Tuchel . . .

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

            They aren't comfortable playing out from the back.

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

        Monitoring Jorginho and Mount

    22. JohnnyRev7
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Really weird GW.

      Started at 850k OR which I worked at for weeks to get there past the 1M mark.

      Team selection...

      Played: Soucek 0
      Benched: DCL 12

      Before today's matches I was down to 1050k OR.

      Transfer pre-deadline was ...

      Out: Kane 8
      In: Werner(c) 20

      After today's games I've broken even on points yet my OR is now up to 724k.

      Thank you Werner (c).

      There was a really good post on here today (which I've saved) saying these are the pool of players to pick from. I totally agree. If you want to consolidate your high ranking position.

      But I don't have a high ranking position to consolidate. I'm shite this season.

      So sometimes a gamble is worth it.

      1. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        One hellava punt that!

        1. JohnnyRev7
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He who dares Rodney... he who dares... 😉

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

      Is TAA > Lowton/Mee and Soucek > Barkley worth -4?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely not for a hit

      2. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No, just the TAA move for now

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

      2FT's, DCL looks like going up tonight, still shouldn't bring him in yet right? Do we think he plays midweek?

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Definitely wait with fa cup game to play before 24 deadline. Can't see DCL getting tested against spurs in the cup

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Rested*

    25. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Any advice on what I should do here with 1FT and 3.9itb

      Pope
      Cancelo Stones Digne
      Salah Bruno Gundogan Grealish
      Antonio DCL Bamford

      Martinez Soucek Coufal Holding

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Save FT

      2. Royal5
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Start Coufal over Grealish maybe

    26. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Anyone know the top 100k avg?

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

        58-ish

        1. Royal5
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks. Red it is :/

    27. DB_00
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      On triple city (2 Def + Gundo). Is it worth a hit to take out one defender + get Sterling? Can't see two cs in the double personally

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No sick with what you've got

        1. Tonyawesome69
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Stick*

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

        I think it’s a calculated risk that can pay off

    28. gadsdy25
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GW24 - some help please:

      Pope
      Digne, Cancelo, Stones, Mee
      Salah, Fernandes, Gundo
      DCL, Bamford

      Play two / bench two - Raphinha, Bamford, Antonio and Shaw

      Leaning towards Bamford (on pens) and Shaw (for potential clean sheet)

      1. Kay317
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Seen someone else on here say bamford is on pens, think I've missed something...since when is he on pens?
        If he is, I'd play Bamford and Antonio I think. But it's a tough decision.

        1. gadsdy25
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Think he is now on penalties. Klich missed one against WHU in December but got to retake it and then scored. Bamford then took their next one against Burnley. Think those are the only two they have had!

    29. Sid07
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who to ditch for dcl
      1) Bamford
      2) Antonio

      1. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Has to be be Antonio. Bamford has double in 25

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Can’t ditch Bamford before a double in 25.

      3. gadsdy25
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I'd keep DCL for this week as double gw for 24. And then for gw 25 switch DCL for Bamford as Leeds have double gw25

        1. gadsdy25
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sorry misread! Antonio

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

        Antonio, SHU isn't an easy fixture to score anyway.

    30. MOZIL
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Pieters or Lowton for the DGW?

      1. Utopsis
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Stay away from Pieters - Taylor might nick one or both of his games

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

          Lowton is nailed?

          1. Utopsis
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Absolutely

      2. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Monitor Taylor. Pieters a risk but more attacking than Lowton.

      3. Tonyawesome69
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Taylor due back soon and pieters will be benched. Lowton for me

      4. Nay08
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I read the stat somewhere that Lowton hasn't scored since 2013 and no assist for 3 years. so maybe Pieters.
        I just briefly saw it on my timeline tho, I might read it wrong

        1. Nay08
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          but if Taylor fit, it definitely him.
          and I still prefer Mee to pieters/lowton tbh.

    31. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      My team with 1 FT and 8.5m itb

      Martinez
      DIAS,CANCELO,DIGNE,MEE
      GUNDOGAN(c), Fernandes,Grealish
      DCL(vc),Watkins,Antonio

      Johnstone, Son,Coufal,Soucek

      1. Johnstone >> Pope or Areola . Only have 1 FT for 25.
      2.Save the FT (play Martinez)and have 2 FTs for 25 to get 2 of Dallas,Raphinia or Bamford.

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

        Do 1 and then 2 for a -4

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Tempted. Thinking Areola though over Pope. Pope/Martinez combo is expensive and a nightmare to pick from .

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

            Still got wc?

            1. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              Yes. Trying to save it until 29/30

      2. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I think Martinez could cover Pope, so maybe save.. Tough one.

        1. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          If We were to find out that Burnley definitely had a game in 29 after the cup games I’d definitely make the move.
          I agree with you about Martinez + 4 points v Pope x2 .

      3. Nay08
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        idk but if you have Martinez, I feel there's no big benefit to having a big rotation choice. as Martinez has decent fixtures until gw30 I think. Johnstone is good enough as a rotation/back up imo. so better save ft to have a better flexibility on planning dgw.

    32. MMN
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 FT 0.1M ITB. Good to save?

      Going to BB in 26. Antonio > Bamford the obvious move next week. Any thoughts on who to replace Chilwell with and how to use the third FT before DGW26?

      Areola*
      Stones*, Mee*, Cancelo*
      Gundo* (C), Salah, Bruno, Grealish
      Watkins, Antonio, DCL* (VC)
      Martinez, Barnes, Justin, Chilwell

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

        Looks good to save and Dallas an option for 25? Or wait to see what dgw’s will be in 27

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

          *26

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

        Probably Dallas then switch out Dallas for someone else in 26. It's actually the same since you get 3 games in total for whoever you bring in for Chilwell.

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

        Thanks, both. I guess if I don't want to take a hit and also get rid of Leeds before BB in DWG26 then I can only have one of Dallas and Bamford which is an easy choice. It's either punt on Dallas for a -4 or go straight to a DGW 26 defender from 25 ...

    33. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      1 FT and 2.3 ITB
      Any suggestions would be great 🙂

      Martinez
      Stones Cancelo AWB
      Rashford Bruno Sterling Soucek
      Antonio Bamford DCL

      Forster,Son,Targett,Mitchell

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

        Forster to Pope

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

        Son over Soucek? If any, appetite for BUR defender. I know it's benching headache ...

    34. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have Sterling, Dias, Stones + Areola, DCL, Digne dgw players.

      Is it worth doing:
      Stones Soucek to Lowton Gundo for free?

      Or just get Lowton for Holding?

    35. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bloody played Mendy over Martinez again! Double Chelsea defence was never a good idea I guess bye bye Chillwell

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

        That Villa clean sheet was surprise imo but I guess Arsenal are toothless.

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

          Arsenal have been a lot better recently, think it made sense to play mendy

      2. Groot the Leveller
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I punted on mendy 3 weeks ago, with martinez benched for both his hauls
        Sold mends tonight to free up funds for kane
        I'll stick with martinez every week as trying to play the fixtures backfired

    36. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Burnley to keep:

      A. 1 cs
      B. 2 cs
      3. No cs

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A.

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

        None
        I’ve doubled up