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. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Week after next do these transfers look decent..

    Digne > Dallas
    Antonio > Kane

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

      Yes

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

      Sort of.

      Digne might double though if Everton beat Spurs in the FA Cup. And that double will be SOU/wba.

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

        Ok thanks.

    3. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      absolutely

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

    What am I meant to do with my WC when I already have the template team that everyone wants?

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

      Use it to move away from the template unless you are ranked No1!!

    2. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Save it?

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

      Be keen to see your team.

      ... photograph it on Twitter and post the link here for convenience?

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

      Hold it for getting kdb back in, or to handle selling salah if and when he gets injured.

  3. Going Home
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Areola or Pope for the DGW (also planned BB GW26 and have McCarthy for GW25)

    Cheers

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

      Areola or neither in your case, not sure its the best move considering the upcoming DGW26 imo

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

    Anyone considering Cavani this week? If United get their DGW 26 as expected, that is quite a run of fixtures. He's getting a lot more minutes as of late and Id be happy getting him despite his rotation risk.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Three weeks away concentrate on next week

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

        Next week is wba...

        1. g40steve
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          DGW

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

            Yeah but doublers arent everything. Ive already got DCL and triple city, not interested in anyone else

    2. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes, tempted to triple up on United attack and get rid of slab head for the next 3 + double

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

        Might go Shaw, Bruno, Cavani, ofc will have to wait for the FA cup tho

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

    Why do some people link dead teams instead of their original teams?

    1. Doctor Evil
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think they probably haven’t changed it from last season

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lazy or hiding the truth 🙂

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Latter me thinks.

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

      I genuinely forgot. Just changed it!

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Wow Gundo & Foden, good score

  6. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What ya think? Worth a bench boost?

    Martinez Areola

    Shaw Cancelo Stones Creasewll Mitchell

    Bruno Son Salah Gundo Jorginho

    DCL Antonio Kane

    Just a bit unsure on Mitchell but nothing itb

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

    GW25
    a) Raphinha
    b) Bamford
    c) Antonio

    Thank you!

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

      A

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

        ... Sorry, I'm doing A but have B in place.

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

          Thank you! Will go with a). Fingers crossed

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

  8. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Well my plan to go without a city midfielder this week backfired. Sold Foden with the intention of bringing either Gundo or Sterling back this week. Really difficult decision on my next move:

    Son > Gundo
    Or
    Salah > Sterling

    Will probably want both back for DGW26 but probably more so Son.

    My midfield is Bruno, Salah, Son, Grealish, Raphinha

    Any thoughts or ideas guys??

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

    I know I'm a week early with this but how many Leeds and Southampton players are you planning on having in GW25? And what's your plan for GW26 if they both end up with a single game (Leeds already confirmed as only having 1)? Kind of kills a bench boost if you hold many of them.

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      just Bam Bam and Dallas. I'm really not convinced enough by Southampton to bother with them. I could get Raphinha as well but will probably want to roll a FT

    2. THFC4LIFE
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamford and Raphinha most likely, maybe McCarthy depending if they have a double in 26 or not. WC25 BB26

    3. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have Bam and Dallas plus plan to add Raphinha. Don’t mind carrying one into BB26 and will evaluate if a transfer might be worth a hit at the time.

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

      Bamford and Dallas. No more, no less.

    5. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bam bam and maybe Dallas, fixtures are ok but only ok

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

      Currently only have Mccarthy, planning to get one of Bamford, Adams, Ings or Raphinha to captain but only 1, anything else gets in the way of GW 26 plans. Going nowhere near Dallas

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

      Cheers all. So no love for the likes if Ings or Ward-Prowse? And even with Leeds players it may be the case you'll have to bench boost with 1 or 2 of them on your bench, unless you take hits to remove of course.

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

        Raph > JWP anyday imo. Ings blocks the likes of Kane or Vardy in DGW 26 for me so currently not considering it

  10. The Senate
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    just watching the City highlights back. That Salah dive is atrocious, I'll take his 7 points and run, it really should have been 1 point...

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

      Indeed!

      On ITV news they just show him falling away.

      Like that minimal touch does that to a player.

    2. @fpl_phenom
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      shocking

  11. In Bale We Trust
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone got thoughts on Southampton assets? They have the potential to have three dgws in a row. If that happens surely you’d punt on a number of them?

    1. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough at the moment as none playing overly well. Guess most likely to get something would be Ings, JWP or possibly Minamino

      1. In Bale We Trust
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah they look awful but if they get that volume of games they’re bound to return. I mean they’ll surely score a few goals.

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

          JWP and Ings return about 1 in 3. 3 dgws should be about 2 returns plus appearance. Work the maths against the competition.

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

      I think Adams at 5.8 is the only consideration for me. I already have Mccarthy so Im keeping him but I wouldnt really bring him in if I didnt already own him

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

    Who to get max 5.7?
    Have Dias Stones Mee and Coufal.

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Shaw or Justin

      1. The Senate
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        or Dallas!

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Justin or Man U defender

  13. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    This lot GTG for DGW24?

    Martinez
    Lowton Stones Cancelo
    Salah Raphinha Gundogan(vC) Fernandes Grealish
    DCL(c) Antonio

    Subs: Steer Coufal Justin Bamford

    Uneasy at benching Coufal v Sheff U but don’t know who else to drop?

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      GTG

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks!

  14. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Pope
    Dias, Stones, Digne, Cresswell
    Salah, Bruno, Grealish, Gündogan
    DCL, Antonio

    Martinez, Watkins, Dallas / Soucek

    Good to go? Can I afford to hold my ft? (I think I'll keep Soucek anyway.)

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yeah, looks nice. That's the beauty of all these strong benches - Soucek isn't a problem!

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

        Appreciate it, mate!

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

    Foden or Sterling for the dgw?

    1. In Bale We Trust
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Tough after today, but I’d feel more comfortable with Sterling

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Sterling I guess but only just

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

        Cheers

  16. MarcusAurelius
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench one

    A) Son - MCI (A)
    B) Bamford - ARS (A)

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B (reluctantly)

    2. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Bamf

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

      I'll go out on a limb here and say Son

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

      Son

  17. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who do I take out for DCL???

    A) kane
    B) Antonio
    C) Bamford?

    1. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Due to horrific fixtures after shu?

    2. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Probably Antonio, but wait for the fixtures to become clearer. West Ham could end up with a double for all we know

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks both

  18. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do here? Save? I could use 2 FTs to bring in Leeds players/Kane next GW. Bench order right?

    1 FT 4,9 ITB

    Pope
    Stones, Dias, Mee, Coufal
    Salah, Grealish, Fernandes, Gundo
    Antonio, DCL
    4.0, Watkins, Robertson, ESR

  19. Sterling Malory
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Mitchell & Maddison out for who?

    A) Lowton and Jrod
    B) Tarkowski and Lookman
    C) Someone else

    Areola
    Stones Cancelo Shaw XXXX
    Salah Gundo Bruno XXXX
    DCL Antonio
    Martinez Son Bamford Dallas

  20. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    People with Pope & 2 City defenders, are you looking to add another Burnley def?

    1. FPL Notebook (John)
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Possibly. If they double in 26 as well, I think i'll add a defender to go with Pope

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

        Their double would be Spurs and Leicester, still think its worth it? I think its a big no tbh, even one is a stretch

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Personally think it’s overkill having 2 Burnley defenders. 1 Burnley defender plus 3 City IMO.

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

      Depends on the rest of your team. Is changing to 4ATB with another burnley def going to outscore the player you would start instead?

    4. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I will

    5. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Considering it but only if I’ll play WC sooner. Otherwise double BUR def doesn’t appeal longer term!

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

    I'm thinking Johnstone to Pope and roll 2nd FT.

    Any other moves you would suggest here that could be worth considering?

    1FT 6.7itb
    Johnstone*
    Cancelo Digne Stones
    Salah Bruno Gundo Raphinha
    Bamford Antonio DCL
    (Martinez Cresswell Holding Soucek)

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

      Soucek > J-Rod and bench Salah! (risk might not be worth it). J-Rod > Son the week after.

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

        Can't bench Salah when he has pens. I'm not convinced with Rodriguez. He could easily play 1 out of 2 and get benched. He was benched for the Leeds game earlier

  22. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is a better captain this week?

    A) Pope

    B) DCL

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

      DCL

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DCL of those

  23. michaelington
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    So if you own Stones and Dias, are you starting both next week? Thinking of rest and rotation. Especially with the Dias mistake today.

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

      With city DGW, got to start both if you have them.

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

      You mean for the double? Yes starting both no question.
      If they're rested for one they still have another fixture.

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

      Dias is rotation proof I think... he’s allowed one mistake.

    4. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Have the same two and for sure starting both! How can we not!

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

      I’m going for Dias (C), I think..

  24. Messiah Hazard
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you sell Sterling for Gundo for a -4? Wondering if Sterling will start both games or not?

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

      Nope

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

      You won't get an answer about Sterling Starting both or not. Even Pep might not know that.

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

        Exactly Tinker. We would all like to know that. City assets are risky but rewarding.

  25. 9I6
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Want to bring Gundogan in for the DGW, should I sell Saka or Soucek?

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

      Saka

      1. 9I6
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Worth waiting to see if Soucek's ban is lifted then? Shame as I miss out on price changes.

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wait re Soucek but Saka of the two

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

      Depends if Soucek gets a 3 match ban.

  26. HellasLEAF
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wilson set to fall tonight?

  27. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Evening all.

    Need to get some green arrows back in my life after dropping from 59k in GW19 to 119k currently!

    What would you do with 2FT here? I only have WC and TC left. Depending on how DGW26 looks I’ll either play WC for then or later.

    A) Robbo > Mee/ Tark (double up with Pope)
    B) Robbo > AWB or Shaw as longer term picks
    C) Robbo > Digne
    D) Any of the above + Soucek > ? (Raph for DGW25/ Jorginho/ ?)

    2FT 1.2itb
    Pope
    Dias, Stones, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundogan (C)
    DCL, Bamford, Antonio
    (Martinez) (Soucek*, Robbo*, Dallas)

    Cheers!

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

    Is there a blanks and doubles spreadsheet this season?

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ben Crellin on Twitter

      Or LegoMané on here

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

        Thanks. I found Crelins on Twitter

        Much appreciated

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          No prob mate

  29. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Almost sure of doing these moves with my 2FT + hit

    Antonio > DCL (Watkins & Bambam)
    Barnes > Gundo ( Bruno, Son, Salah, Foden)
    Stones to Burnley (Dias, Coufal, Maguire, Mitchell)

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

      I can see upside of losing Stones to get Gundo.

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

      I wouldnt. The switcheroo isnt worth it and Id want to keep Barnes for DGW 26. Maybe just bring in a Burnley defender

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

    I just watched Mike Dean's decision.The game is gone.