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. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Looking at Chelsea I am not convinced to get Ings; especially with his price tag.

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

      More for the Leeds game & subsequent doubles, you'd imagine.

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

      It's dependent on other doubles being announced really

      1. marcos11
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        This, I’m dependent on whether they get a dgw26

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at Chelsea playing Newcastle without Wilson and hence almost zero scoring threat?

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

      If they were not getting another double I would sell for Kane immediately

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

      I don't want any Southampton players, doubles or not.

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

        Me the same. I never buy them. Up and down.

    6. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Soton have just managed a club record first ever 6 straight defeats in a row and their squad is decimated, you really would do well to avoid for now. Sinking faster than that famous ship that sailed from their docks.

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

    Maybe could save WC and just go without BB in 26?

    Robo to Dallas this week, followed by Antonio Stephens to Kane Barnes -4 before 26?

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

  3. Now I'm Panicking
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Fake crowd noise guy making the crowd cheer like they've just won the CL at the final whistle.

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

      Hahahahahahahhaahhahah

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

    Chelsea assets completely dead for the rest of the season then? Can't even predict which keeper is gonna play.

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

      Rudiger is low risk

      1. marcos11
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Currently have Rudiger also

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

        You'd like to think so, but who knows. Certainly wouldn't invest in an attacker right now

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

      Azpi and Rudiger seem nailed

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

      I wouldn't touch the mids/forwards (alright, Werner does have a chance...) - but defenders are a decent bet.

      Azpi, Rudiger or Alonso would be my picks.

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

      Jorginho has started every match under touchel, right? and penalties for barely any money.

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

    Chelsea a CS machine.
    I get their defenders.
    Defence ruined
    I get rid of their defender
    Chelsea a CS machine again

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

    Bit random but anyone looking at a WBA punt?

    Maybe sell Chilwell for Ajayi and have him 5th def?

    They have the best fixtures and maybe a double right?

    Sounds mad I know but why not this year? Nailed at least! Can score!

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

      In a word, no.

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

        Haha ta

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Diagne looks capable of a goal. Potentially a good enabler up top.

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

        Not a chance if I'm 3 4 3 with all the doubles, Vardy, Kane, Ings, Bam etc

        Cheers though

        If I needed a 3 5 2 sure but he's a 6m sub?

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

        Surely Maja an even better enabler. In a team that look like they can achieve some results.

    3. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looking at Johnstone and maybe Pereira on a wildcard for my bb

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

        Nice. Cheers

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

      quite like Ajayi for the double

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

    Will DCL pley against City?

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

      He might be on the pitch.

      Playing is a different story.

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

      He could end up with a brace in a 3 2 classic encounter?

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

    The likely Spurs double in 26 looks great...

    Any of their defenders worth a look?

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

      Aurier or Dier

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

    Tuchel robbing me of my Mendy CS there. Ah well I finally bought Martinez now.

    How is this looking for next gw?

    Martinez
    Shaw, Dallas, Stones
    Salah, Bruno(c), Sterling, Maddison, Gundogan
    Kane, Bamford

    Ruduger on the bench

  10. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kepa getting 2 bonus for that is hideous.

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

      Why? Actually did well today.

    2. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Thought he played well

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

      Did you watch the game?

  11. grooveymatt65
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you captain for this week out of:

    A. Ings
    B. Bamford
    C. Raphinha

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

      B

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

      B

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

      honestly, I am not planning to over-think it. I'm going to ignore the double GW players and captain one of my consistent returners--Bruno, Salah, or Gundo.

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

        Same. I have Dallas, Ings and Bamford playing twice,but Ill captain Bruno

    4. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

    0.5 to spend, where's it going?

    McCarthy Johnstone
    Cancelo Digne Pereira Dallas Struijk
    Bruno Maddison Barnes Foden Gundog
    Kane Ings Bamford

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

      Maybe just bank it?

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

        ta

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

    Wow Werner scored his first goal in as long as I can remember !

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

    Nice parting gift from the west ham lads cresswell and coufal

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

      It's so difficult to get rid but I feel like I have to do the same lol

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

        Why get rid of Creswell?

        For DGW crap?

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

          To fund Son and Kane. It's probably a mistake.

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

            I'm looking to bring Cresswell in :).

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

              For Digne.

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

          Look at those fixtures

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

        Keep one

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

      Same here. Loved owning them but time to go sadly.

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

    Thanks to Werner it's ton up for me this GW.

    * Waves his bat and cap at the rest of the forum in some silly cricket type gesture *

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

      * claps from the balcony *

      On 97, hoping Cancelo, Stones and Gundo get me past 100 (now Mee is out)

    2. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nice work, on 111 with 6 to go, but bench boost played. Antonio and dias not playing is a whack to the goolies though.

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

      Bloody good show chaps! Time for tea now.

      2nd innings on Wednesday.

      I do hope matron has made us enough sandwiches to keep us going.

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

    I’ve used FH and BB already so I think I’ll navigate the doubles and BGW29 with FTs.

    This week I’m thinking of using 2FTs. Antonio to Bamford and either:
    A) DCL to Ings and Soucek to Raphinha ( -4)
    B) one of the above for free

    How about it?

    2FT 4.5ITB
    McCarthy
    Cancelo Mee Dallas
    Salah Bruno Son Gundogan
    DCL Antonio Watkins

    Martinez Stones Soucek Coufal

    Thanks !

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

      Probably both, since you need Raphinha gw 29.

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

        Thanks. Yeah, that’s my thinking. And I rather conservatively only used one FT for 24, thinking I’d want to attack DGW25 that bit more. Hits have worked so far this season!

  17. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Plan had been to get Dallas in for Cresswell, but seems wrong now!

    Could do Saka -> Raphina instead, or is Dallas the better bet?

    A) Stick with Plan - Dallas in for Cresswell
    B) Raphina in for Saka

    Dias - Cancelo - AWB - Lowton - Cresswell
    Salah - Son - Bruno F - Gundo - Saka

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      B

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

      B

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

      B.

    5. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

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

      I think selling or benching a point scoring player is asking for trouble in Fantasy.

  18. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Anyone looking at a Leicester defender for DGW26-GW29?

    ARS/bur - bha - SHU

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

      Perreira always on my mind

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

        "You were perreira on my mind

        Tell me
        Tell me that your sweet love hasn't died
        Give me
        Give me one more chance
        To keep you satisfied, satisfied"

        Sorry couldn't resist.

        1. 2's Kompany 3's M…
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Was thinking the same !

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

      If I knew amartey would play the dgw he would be in

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

        If I knew what Bill Gates knew as a teenager I would be in.

    3. marcos11
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Possibly if a cheap Justin replacement becomes available like Thomas or Amartey

    4. Weak Become Heros
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes

  19. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would you

    A Keep Cavani for Newcastle game and then transfer to Kane
    B Transfer Cavani to Ings then Kane in 26
    C Transfer Cavani to Kane for West Ham week 25 game

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

      a

    2. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B holds the greatest risk vs. reward,
      I think I prefer A though.

      Also if Southampton get back to back doubles would you want to remove Ings?

      Could you maybe look at a cheaper Southampton midfielder like JWP who you can keep?

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

        Good point thanks. If they get back to back I would probably want to keep (although think he will be benched for one game) and either Bamford or more likely Watkins to Kane

    3. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

  20. BENOIT
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thought Tuchel was supposed to be a fan of Pulisic?

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

      Best way to keep him from getting injured is to not play him

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

        lol. accurate.

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

      I think Puli is ok, spicy little winger.

      But he should be sold to lower club like Fulham

      Then Chelsea can get war horse like Watford's Sarr or an emerging beast like Harvey Barnes. The deal with Leicester is they want big money for any player, but they might be tempted by the promise of American hype and trade Barnes for Puli.

  21. Wılly
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    DGW 26 doublers:
    Pope,
    Cancelo, Tarkowski
    Salah, Sterling, Gundogan, Bruno, Son
    Adams*

    Singles:
    Bamford, Dallas, Coufal

    Dross:
    Branthwaite, Brewster, Forster

    Would you keep this team or wildcard and refresh?
    WC & BB available, so if I did WC I would be using BB

    1. Dirty Harry
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who would you change on the WC?

      If it's only a few, I'd keep it for post 29

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

        I'd look to the change the bottom 6, Adams, Burnley and drop a midfield premium for Kane. So looking at 9 changes minimum with a WC

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      As you have BB I would WC and get Spurs Villa as priority as likely to have double in 26 and play 29. I would still get Bamford and/or Raphinha for 25

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

    If you could only buy one:

    Bamford or Ings?

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

      ings

    2. Wılly
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ings but will he play all the doubles & is he worth then extra money?

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

        Different game so money doesn't really matter. I guess the answer will probably become clearer once the doubles are confirmed.

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

      Immediately Wolves away is tough enough.

      But if anyone is going to score 9 past Southampton again it's Leeds United!

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

        haha true 🙂 all these extra fixtures are very appealing for ings though

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

    I wonder if Lampard is saying to himself....

    "By damn, I did suck"

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

      ...Mount?

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

    DCL to Ings for free? DCL dropping and Ings close to rising.

    Why is Son dropping lol?

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

      I removed Son 😛

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

        I think I will too if I WC, what do you think of the below team for BB 26?

        Martinez Johnstone
        Cancelo Stones Shaw Struijk Lowton/Aina
        Salah Bruno Grealish Gundogan Maddison(Raphina for 25)
        Kane Bamford

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

      I’m going to do DCL and Antonio to Bamford and Ings this week I think. Might do one of those tonight with those price changes in mind

  25. SM001
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Alonso a thing again now?

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

    selling cresswell for dallas feels like such a bad move...shall I do it?other defenders are dias stones and awb and they all have extra games to play.

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

      Selling a point scoring player in Fantasy is asking to be punished. I never do it.

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

        you re probably right 🙂

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

    Any of the Leeds boys rising tonight?

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

      Dallas and Raph at 98 and 97

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

    How's this looking for a WC team?

    Martinez, Guaita
    Lowton, Target, Dier, Stones, Cancelo
    Bruno, Son, Grealish, Gundo, Raphinha
    Bamford, Ings, Kane

    GW 26 Transfer out Raphinha for DGW-ers and then BB.

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

      Should I have Dallas and target this DGW too?

    2. dunas_dog
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good- no Salah always a risk- I would get Areola as second keeper. Palace not that great and Shaw over Dier

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

      Sanchez or Areola for Guaita though I don’t know double standing but still wouldn’t sign Guaita anyway. They are leaky this season n

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

      Lose Dier

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

      Dier!? Dallas over him for sure. Maybe Aina over Lowton if Fulham get a double in 26. Johnstone over Guiata? Look at his fixtures

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

      Thank you so much guys! Will keep all these mind before finalizing.

  29. Djrleeds
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Would anyone play Mccarthy over ederson this dgw?

    1. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you have Bamford or Raphina then no.

    2. waldo666
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not Ederson but I'll probably play Pope ahead of him.

  30. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Wc thoughts? 0.0itb

    Martinez McCarthy
    Cancelo stones shaw Dallas konsa
    Salah Bruno son gundo raph
    Kane bamford Watkins