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. LewanGOALski
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    for DGW25 would you rather have:

    A) Raphinha (wol, SOU)
    or
    B) Ings (CHE, lee)
    ..?

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

      A

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

      Close but B

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

      Raphinha. Ings will get nothing against this CHE defence.

    4. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    5. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B the more proven finisher and on pens

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

        One bad fixture. You expect him to score vs CHE?

        1. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          See no reason why a striker of his quality won’t, if he gets a chance he can put it away. Scored in the reverse fixture.

        2. FPL Pillars
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Vs Leeds is the best fixture too arguably 😛

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

      I’m tempted to do both for -4

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

      Raph. But I'd rather Ings afterwards with his 2 games in hand and likely triple-double.

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

        I’ll most likely WC before DGW26 so I’ll be able to take him for another DGWs anyway

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

      c) Natalie Portman

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

        Definitely C

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

    Is there anyone here who loves those Giroud facial expressions and gestures when he misses. What a guy.

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

    I'm curious do you get any joy from playing this game?
    Because every move I make and benching desision I feel I get wrong every time.
    To be fair I think this game does me more harm than anything else. I take it way too seriously for my own good and I'm also not that good at it.

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

      I'd always like to be doing better but if I'm in contention to win my cash leagues then I'm content

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

      My best ever season was living abroad and making one transfer a week , usually sh*tf@ced , if I remembered..I think that says it all..don't take it too seriously

      1. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Me too. Came 40th (humble brag) whilst travelling. It's easy to overcomplicate things.

        I'm over 1 millionth now, and doing exactly that.

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

      Used to. Not anymore.

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

      Chips changed it for the worse.

      Strangely enjoying sun dream team this season. Same point scoring but no chips or captains.

      Also all games included, Europe, cups etc.

      1. Steve Chance
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Totally agree regarding chips. I'm in my second season of sky ff and prefer it. Check it out if in the UK and not into gambling.

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

      What is good? What separates you from the top ranks is luck.

    6. Gazwaz80
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheer up matey, take it for what it is, a game, I’m a bit nerdy, looking at lads of stats and looking to get info off the internet but when I know it’s getting to me I switch my phone off and fire it back up when I calm down.
      I’m at about 180,000 at the mo but I’ve never been afraid of taking hits (minus 8-12) as it just adds to the fun.
      Your time will come Gudjonsen, just relax, enjoy and try not to overthink it. Good luck for the rest of the season 🙂

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

        Thanks I'm at 200K atm. Dropped from 90K last couple of gws. Good luck to you.

        1. Gazwaz80
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Cheers matey and take care...

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

          Out of several million 200k is not good? It's good sprinkled with much good fortune.

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

      Yes, but I don't get too involved in it.

      I do read the articles though and spend a lot of time thinking about my next transfer.

      I only post prior/during live GWs.

      Otherwise I leave the unmoderated sheep clique to talk nonsense and fight amongst themselves.

      As has been proven tonight.

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

      I feel for you. I got a bit obsessed a couple of years ago and took a season off last year. This year I’m trying (sometimes unsuccessfully) to take a relaxed attitude and not get hung up by poor scores (as long as they are reasoned decisions). Just stick in there; remember, your shares can go up as easily as they go down.

  4. Chilli Heatwave
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Not sure who to lose to bring in raphina for dgw, got Bruno Son Salah Maddison Gundogan

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

      Already have Bamford

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

      Might have your decision made for you with Gundogan

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

        True

    3. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A lot of us in same boat!

  5. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lads wanna make a Fudgy fanpage?

    Love him x

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

      Only if it has a built in whine button.

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

        Dutty wine?

    2. Steve Chance
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      See last page.

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

    Would you WC and BB/TC 26 or just get away with 1/2 hits over next GWs and no BB?

    Martinez/Martin
    Robo/Cancelo/Stones/Tarko/Coufal
    Salah/Bruno/Grealish/Gundo/Stephens
    DCL/Antonio/Bamford

    5.0ITB

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

    Soucek to Raphinha for free yea?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      yes

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

      No brainer

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

      I like how Raphinha has performed for the last 10 weeks or so.

      His points are easier to predict, has a double & decent-ish fixtures.

      No doubt Soucek will still get returns, but if be tempted this week.

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

        Soucek ---> Raphinha was my transfer 30mins ago.

    4. FPL Pillars
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

    5. Snooze ya lose
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gd god yes

    6. Stupendous
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ta!

  8. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    If I can get this team for a -4 for GW26 is it worth saving my WC?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Stones Lowton Aina
    Salah Bruno Gundo Son
    Kane (TC) Watkins

    Forster Bamford Soucek Coufal.

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

      Yes

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

      Have similar dilemma, can't decide yet...

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

      Definitely, got a good side there. No need to WC it. I blew mine a while back and now I’m always nervous with doubles and blanks coming!

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

      Thanks all

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

    It’s coming for Alonso!

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

      Address him by his real name, GOALonso.

  10. DV8R
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is my team worth WCing? BB26 is the plan

    Pope / McCarthy
    Cancelo / Stones / Dallas / Lowton / Coufal
    Salah / Bruno / Son / Gundo / Lookman
    DCL / Bamford / Antonio

    I'm planning on DCL + Antonio + Pope + Coufal -> Kane + Watkins + Martinez + Targett in the next 2 GWs.

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

    Alonso at least get me some baps!

  12. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sheff Utd really just need to bite the bullet and use their 2nd GK

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

      Perfect bench Fodderingham.

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

      Scoring goals is more the problem. I get the sticking with Wilder for loyalty, and maybe he's the right guy to bring them back up from the Championship . . . but the problem is evident.

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

    If Newcastle go down this season I can see them doing a Sunderland this time.

    Can’t see them coming straight back up, or keeping hold of their best players this time round.

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      They were lucky they had Rafa

  14. TRIPOS TOPPER
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane to Antonio 2 weeks back possibly my worst transfer ever

    11 points vs 1
    2 transfers consumed. Actually more as I lost value on both players!
    -4 penalty

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

    Season over

  16. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Liverpool in 6th... Laugh with me

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

    Chelsea passing to Newcastle to give them a chance, bless them!

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

    Just did a -4 off Digne, Soucek, Antonio to Dallas, Raphinha and Ings.
    You can blame me for all the price rises tonight.

  19. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio -> Ings for 25, or
    Raphinha -> Son for 26

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

    I own him and have started him, but how the heck does Rudiger have 2 BAPs right now?

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

      Passes.

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

      Alonso Azpi are more volatile. Rudiger has high pass success and possibly good CBI so isn't giving away his baps so easily.

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

    general thoughts on 3 Leeds on WC/BB strategy, Bamford -> Watkins fairly obvious but then you'd be BB Dallas and Raphinha vs Villa?

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

      Paired with a doubling GK & defender, yes.

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

        probably go Bamford and Raph -> Watkins and DGWer I guess but we'll see

  22. ManUtdFan977
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone know which players are likely to rise in price tonight

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

      Stones and Watkins the closest

      DCL Son and Mahrez may drop

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

      http://www.fplstatistics.co.uk/Home/IndexAndroid2

      I saw a post that there was maintenance on this site tonight. Looks fine now, so may be complete - but if not you can check on FantasyFootballFix too.

      Both are estimations so not guaranteed.

      1. ManUtdFan977
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thanks

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

    Is Struijk nailed now? Incredible enabler if so with the double and game in 29!

  24. Gemma817
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sorry if this was asked. But does Soton have a double in GW26?

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

      Apparently not looking likely now

      1. Gemma817
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thank you!

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

    Taking a hit for a DGW player essentially means that you lose only two points. Assume that all the remaining games all have DGWKs and you take hits if all of them will get you a player with two good games. Then essentially the maximum set back is 14 * 2 = 28. don't you think that the points accumulated along the way surely exceed that 28 points you lose?

    1. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Interesting. You have me thinking now.

    2. Gemma817
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The problem is the players you lose for DGW-ers could score more than just 2

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

        You are correct. That concept is called the ‘Opportunity Cost’ in Economics ie the cost you forego in making a particular move.

  26. One Man
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone tempted to triple captain Bamford next week ?

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

      I don’t trust Leeds enough to do it but he should get plenty of chances at least.

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

      It's not the -greatest- thread, but this tweet (chain) out me off a little.

      https://twitter.com/FplNick/status/1359118091066761219?s=19

      I may still captain him, but I'm not sure if I'd go for the TC. May even still prefer someone like Gundogan again when he gets another double.

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

      Will save for Kane the week after I think

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

      Nah, I think captaining is sufficient risk.

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

    Ouch, played Mendy ...zero...well supersub, no Meslier with zero!

  28. o0Ash
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    That's 3 attempts for Alonso now - 2 on target? 5.7 probably means he's too expensive but I'm monitoring him (and Chelsea as a whole).

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

      Maybe not this season but I’d love if he’s still TT’s main man at LWB next season. Will be all over it!

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

      Keeps putting in good performances and Chilwell won't get much of a look in. He's turning me...

    3. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Too expensive? Are you holding on to the power five mid still? I've got 6-7 mill in the bank.

      1. o0Ash
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Salah Bruno Grealish Barnes Gundo
        Kane Bamford Antonio

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

    That's about as clear a penalty you'll see. If Gundogan gets one for slipping over how come Werner doesn't for being pushed past the ball?!?!?

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

    Would you play:

    A) DCL vs Liverpool (if fit)
    B) Watkins vs Leicester (with Grealish also in team)

    Cheers!

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

      DCL