Dugout Discussion

Rudiger, Mount and Chilwell benched, as Alonso returns to Chelsea’s starting line-up

The continued rotation of Chelsea’s big squad sees Antonio Rudiger (£4.7m), Mason Mount (£7.1m) and Kai Havertz (£8.2m) amongst the substitutes for their hosting of West Bromwich Albion.

For those managers desperate to invest in the league’s strongest defence, the return of Thiago Silva (£5.6m) only worsens the headache. He and Kurt Zouma (£5.3m) step in for Rudiger and Andreas Christensen (£4.7m), with Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) starting ahead of Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) at left wing-back.

Alonso has been a popular transfer this week amongst the online Fantasy Premier League community, with many seeing the incredibly attacking defender as the ideal one-week punt ahead of a Gameweek 31 Wildcard. He wasn’t on international duty, so owners will be hoping for a repeat of his 14-point haul from beating Burnley 2-0 in Gameweek 21.

Former defender Thomas Tuchel’s arrived as head coach in January and quickly made Chelsea’s back line impenetrable, conceding only twice in 14 matches (all competitions) as they seek their eighth consecutive clean sheet.

However, these successful shut-outs are achieved with rotating personnel, with only Cesar Azpilicueta (£5.9m) seemingly assured of a starting spot. Rudiger, Zouma, Christensen and Thiago Silva share the remaining two spots, as Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) starts again in goal.

As detailed in Thursday’s feature, Mount (225), Havertz (212) and Chilwell (180) played in the majority of their country’s 270 minutes during the international break. Therefore, Tuchel has given them a breather, showcasing their squad depth by bringing in Christian Pulisic (£8.2m) and Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m).

Timo Werner (£9.2m) starts up front, his barren streak worsened by a terrible miss for Germany against North Macedonia. With one league goal from 1,350 minutes – the equivalent of 15 matches – his confidence seems shattered but the expected goals (xG) number of 6.34 in that spell suggests that he’s still getting in the right positions.

Reece James (£5.0m) starts at right wing-back, with Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) keeping his starting spot.

As for West Brom, they were unchanged for four consecutive matches but Sam Allardyce has been forced into one change as loanee Conor Gallagher (£5.5m) cannot play against his parent club. He has been replaced by Semi Ajayi (£4.8m), suggesting a switch from 4-1-4-1 to a 5-4-1 formation.

Stuck in the relegation zone, the Baggies haven’t scored in their last three matches but have kept three clean sheets in the last five matches, ideal for Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) owners. They picked up 1-1 draws at Liverpool and Man City, so will feel a Stamford Bridge result is achievable.

Branislav Ivanovic (£4.4m) is on the bench against the club he made 377 appearances for.

GAMEWEEK 30 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Zouma; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Pulisic, Werner

West Bromwich Albion XI (5-4-1): Johnstone; Furlong, Ajayi, O’Shea, Bartley, Townsend; Phillips, Yokuslu, Maitland-Niles, Pereira; Diagne

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1,090 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    The keeper pushed Alonso's shot onto the post. Doesn't this mean no assist?

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nice bait 😉

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Post assist?

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Always given in fpl

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      reel ‘em in 🙂

    5. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Could be

  2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ivanovic(c) backfired

  3. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso is absolutely essential, absolutely nowhere to hide for the 98% non owners in fpl

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Nah

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      That assist had no bearing on my rank. Have a green arrow so far.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        A lot of hits this week is the reason

  4. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Christiansen owners furious

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Why? Facts are facts. Rudiger owners aren't even getting a point.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Would rather my sub than 1 point. Lol

        1. The Polymath
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Same here. 😀

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Luckily I have Cancelo, Struijk and King bench. Rudiger can stay there gladly.

  5. A. PRISE
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I sometimes think that Alonso forgets he is a defender. I love him!

  6. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso still playing like a winger down to 10 lol

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Still a back - rest can still cover him going forwards!

    2. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Love it

  7. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Nearly Azpi assit

  8. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Alonso (c) sort of working out. Hoping for a cs

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same mate let’s hope

    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Yeah same. Cs will make a 14 point diff likely

    3. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hope you get it for the ballsy pick

    4. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lets get it

      1. KUN+10
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        or not

  9. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Close to a James goal Azpi assist there.

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Another one? 😀

  10. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Damn it Silva. Probably get no more goals now and likely lose the cs. Werner going to flop, not sure how he ended up in my team.

    1. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Defensive structure is the same, Chelsea attack owners are the ones suffering

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I have Mendy, Rudiger and Werner in my team. Not expecting anything other than 5 points.

  11. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chelsea missing so many oppos

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Welcome to Chelsea Football Club.

  12. JJO
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Sam Allardyce a mason?
    How does he get all those job offers, I really dont get it

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He’s a brilliant manager. What are you talking about?

      1. JJO
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hahaah

    2. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He is washed

  13. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Absolutely no idea why I’ve got Mount in my team.

  14. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    So relieved I brought Rudig in this week ahead of Christensen

    1. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Rudiger bench points > Christensen 1 pointer

    2. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Exactly Lacaz first Watkins 2nd on the bench we often need a deep one after IB

  15. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Unlucky Reece.

  16. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Is Mount likely to come on?

  17. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    OMG Periera

  18. ZAMUNDA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    At least Rudiger gets to start next game..

  19. Tango74
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I agree with that but it unpredictable with all the defenders fit and rudiger playing full minutes in IB

  20. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    And there it is...

  21. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pereira G
    Johnstone A

  22. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    FFS

  23. Captain Vantastic™
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    HAHAHAHAHHAHAHA keep buying Chelsea defence lads

    1. GROBARI
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Relax its 1 game with 10 man

      1. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Defence owner spotted 😆

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What a sad individual

    3. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I don't own Chelsea def but this is not only sad but stupid too

      • Warblers
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Do you actually watch the games?

    4. 3 A
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Azpi and Alonso CS gone. Yes!

    5. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Thanks Thiago!

    6. Debauchy
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Lovely

    7. mezza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Johnstone captainers in heaven

    8. JJO
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Goodbyeeeee

    9. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      great goal

    10. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      ...& the clean sheets gone