Dugout Discussion

Tuchel explains decision to bench Mendy as Chelsea rotation continues

Chelsea face Newcastle United in the second of two Premier League matches to take place on Monday evening.

Kick-off in west London is at 20:00 GMT.

Having rotated frequently since his appointment, Thomas Tuchel has sprung another surprise with his teamsheet tonight.

Edouard Mendy (£5.1m) is the latest high-profile name to face bench duty, with Kepa Arrizabalaga (£4.7m) given another chance to impress his new manager.

Speaking ahead of kick-off, Tuchel explained his decision:

Four of the five most-owned Chelsea players in Fantasy Premier League are among the substitutes this evening, with Timo Werner (£9.2m) the only one to start.

In related news, none of the back five – including goalkeeper Mendy – that Frank Lampard favoured for much of 2020/21 makes Tuchel’s starting XI this evening.

Thiago Silva (£5.6m) is still missing because of injury, with Ben Chilwell (£5.9m), Reece James (£5.0m) and Kurt Zouma (£5.4m) among the replacements.

Tammy Abraham (£7.2m) starts ahead of Olivier Giroud (£6.7m) up front, meanwhile.

Steve Bruce makes four changes to the Newcastle side that beat Southampton in Gameweek 23.

All four are enforced, with Javier Manquillo (£4.2m), Callum Wilson (£6.6m) and Fabian Schar (£4.9m) injured and Jeff Hendrick (£4.5m) suspended.

In come Ciaran Clark (£4.5m), Jamaal Lascelles (£4.2m), Dwight Gayle (£5.9m) and Emil Krafth (£4.2m)into Bruce’s starting XI.


Chelsea XI: Kepa, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kovacic, Mount, Alonso, Abraham, Werner.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow, Krafth, Lascelles, Clark, Lewis, Hayden, Shelvey, Willock, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Gayle.

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1,321 Comments Post a Comment
  1. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hand of Giroud. Lol.

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

      Moved it out of the way beautifully.

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

    Finally Timo!!

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

    IS THIS A DRILL? IS IT?
    TIMO GOAL? OMGGGGGGG

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

    And I was just replying to Fudgy that Werner will start banging goals in under Tuchel . . . . looks a different player to the one Lampard wasted.

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

      You are addicted to me I swear

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

        We all are x

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

          😛

      2. Danno - Emre Canada
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fudge is a tad moreish!

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

          :mrgreen: nice reference

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

    Streaky Werner enters the other side...

    All aboard!

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

    Newcastle in big trouble. Them and Palace in free fall. Lucky that there is so much crap below them.

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

      That 8 point lead over Fulham looking like it’s going to soon disappear.

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

      Dunno, Fulham are a far better team than both.

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

    So close to a Rudiger assist.

  8. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WWWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERNEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

  9. SoShy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Finally! Dropped to 2M rank but was worth the wait TIMO!!

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

      Hahahaa

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

    Goddamn Timo could have just converted Alonso's earlier assist

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

    Get in Timo!

  12. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    holy balls, did Timo Werner just do a goal? wow

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

    Thoughts?

    Not sure whether to WC in GW26 to maximise DGW26 and 25 without taking a bunch of hits in. Then I can get Gundo, Kane, Grealish, DCL etc in for free OR just get Kane and TC him

    Pope
    Dias Cancelo Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Foden Raphinha
    Bamford Watkins

    Martinez Tarkowski Antonio Cresswell

    Help really really appreciated.... btw I am chasing loads!

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

      note that to get kane it would be a -8 as would have to get rid of Bamford, Antonio, Tarkowski & Pope

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

      WC and have close to 15 doublers, throw a few differential doublers in there too like Alonso etc

    3. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'd be tempted to WC in 26 with that, yeah. Particularly if Villa vs Spurs is rearranged in GW29 - makes navigating that and the doubles a lot more manageable.

      Team isn't in bad shape but like you say you're chasing rank and need to really attack the doubles.

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

        Cheers for this, or I could WC this GW so I can use TC in GW26.. but then I have triple leeds and my team is in decent shape

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

    Dallas price rise tonight.

    Coufal to Dallas confirmed. Thanks for the memories Vlad.

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

      Damn means I have a difficult early decision to make. If getting Dallas, that will incur an extra -4 hit for my planned DGW26 team

  15. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Timo is now essential. He is going to go mental.

  16. djman102
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Are the Timo floodgates opening? Fair play to those who kept patience since GW1

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

      OR37 brought him in last GW - nuts!
      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/964041/event/24

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

        A good evening for the Linguardino / Werner pairing

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

        Oh as if

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

          He's the 2nd guy in Norway (1st is OR1!)
          It's a bit like Lateriser style upside chasing moves (but actually working out)

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

            I’d understand getting Auba more! Werner just seems a step too far....

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

        Looks a different player under Tuchel . . . still don't like him being packed off on the wings but looks far more potent.

    2. djman102
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aubamayang, Werner...My GW1 team is killing it this week.

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

      Got him a few weeks back. Had a good feeling with tuchel

      1. djman102
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Fair play, especially when most of us were jumping in early on DCL.

  17. SINGH
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Hi please RMBBT for gw26

    Martinez Areola
    Shaw lowton Dias Dallas Dunk
    Son grealish Bruno Soucek Gundo
    Vardy Kane DCL

    Thanks

    1. Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why do you want to keep Soucek on a wild card

      Burnley don’t have great fixtures.

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

        Huh?

        1. Kryptonite666
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Soucek has a single game week and Burnley don’t have great fixtures. What’s not obvious ?

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

            Huh?

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

        I am scared that he will haul. Ideally I will want to have 15 DGW players but afterwards its gonna become an issue to bench. But thanks I will reconsider.

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Wc?

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

        Yes WC this week then BB for gw26

    3. John Nerdelbaum
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You'll be bench boosting Soucek against City
      Prefer Raphinha

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

        Thanks

  18. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How’s this wildcard for BB26 ?

    Martinez McCarthy
    Targett Dallas Cancelo Stones Shaw
    Barnes Salah Gundogan Bruno Son
    Bamford Kane Watkins

    Kane and Son will be Raphinha and Ings in 25

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

      Looks good. I’d have Kane and/or son in there this week....for example could you do raphinha instead of Barnes or Ings instead of Watkins? And bring them in for 26

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I saw you were wildcarding too. What’s your draft like ?

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

          Very similar to yours. Hoping fixtures are announced soon as would love Fulham to have a double

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Is there any further news when DGW26 games be announced?

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

            Who would you have from Fulham? Areola Aina Maja?

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

            Actually I can’t afford that team so will need to cut back somewhere!

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

        Agreed think Tot will do well against Spurs. Not sure on Watkins.

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

        Ps: just saw your history and damn you are a good player

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

      You are confident in Saints defence? Will Cancelo play both games? I have Dias as last DGW Stones was rested for one game and played the other.

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not really, but no other cheap keepers. Which other keeper would you get ?

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

          If Fulham DGW confirmed then why not Areola?

          1. Kryptonite666
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Could do. Saints could have a DGW in 27 too I think. Will decide based on fixtures.

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

      Are you sure you can afford that? Great team, do you own son or Kane now as buying them back will be more expensive if you sell on WC.

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        0 ITB so price changes could screw me over. No value tied in Son / Kane

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

          My TV is 107 and I can't get close, what are you banking there!?

          1. Kryptonite666
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            107. Got Martinez and Bamford quite early. How far are you ? Hope I’m not missing something.

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

              I got Martinez at 4.5, Bamford at 6.4 though and Cancelo at 5.8 although Son at 9....

          2. Kryptonite666
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Checked and probably because got Cancelo Martinez and Bamford quite cheap

    4. FPL Bargain
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Good and 7 potential blank game week 29 players ready to set you up for that too.

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

    Werner has actually been phenomenal FPL asset this season if we ignore gameweeks 1-4 and 9-21.

    1. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Lol

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

      Ghost teams delighted with Werner goal

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

      Delighted for Timo. Team shape probably suits him. Will monitor as has great fixtures.

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Really ? His DGW fixtures are pretty shitty

    4. mdm
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Antonio to Ings for -4? Yes or No?

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

        Yes

    5. Frucke
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Any update on gündes injury?

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

        Nope.

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

        They won't risk him for longer injury

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

        IMO

        Most likely gets Pepped even if healthy. MCI has quite a schedule for the next few weeks.

    6. SADIO SANÉ
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dallas, Raph, Bambam the best Leeds 3?
      McC, Ings - any other Soton player or are they all shite?

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

        Leeds 3 are the best. Ings def for saints and then not sure who else, could punt on Armstrong or vestergaard but not sure I’d rush to get them if it means more transfers down the line

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          wonder if Minamino could be a thing? not seen him play for them

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

            Not sure, he came off early at weekend which puts me off

          2. Towsor44
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            Looked OK on Sunday for them, had a decent scoring chance, but was subbed off early.

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

      Cresswell 4 effective points against my team when I finally have a decent GW... He joins Justin in the club of my most hated players in fpl

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

      Chilwell Antonio out for Dallas Bamford a very easy move

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

        As long as you have enough funds anything is an easy move.

        But, yeah, those seem like decent changes.

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

          Money no object it seems this season with all the cheap options.. them moves would leave 9.4itb

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

      Mason Mount would get his noggin smacked in for being a hogg back at school.

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

      Is that the real Bentner (Draftlord) with overall rank of 103?

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

        Ye

        1. Threat Level Midnight
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Truly?

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

        Was ranked very high in recent weeks, so yeah believe that's him.

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

        Yes, but I wouldn't be surprised if it was managed by Drafthound.com

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

          Bendy has found his calling!

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

      My plan is BB26 with 3 Single players..

      Pope Martinez
      Dias Cancelo Dunk* Shaw Mee
      Salah Son Raphinha* Fernandes Gundogan
      Bamford* Ant—->Watkins DCL

      Or Antonio/Fernandes can become Kane/Grealish-Barnes-Maddison (-4)
      Think I may ignore Kane due to the hit, also will have to lose Fernandes but his fixtures do get tougher..

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

        I’m taking a -8 for Kane in DGW26.

        No question.

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

      Party or Ings?

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Partey probably, just