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 He has been replaced by Semi Ajayi (£4.8m), suggesting a switch from 4-1-4-1 to a 5-4-1 formation.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. S.Kuqi
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Lol at all those twitter experts stating Alonso being good captaincy option. Lmao!!

    1. S.Kuqi
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Brilliant top of the page post aswell

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Bit of captain hindsight there, they can’t predict a red card.

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        It really isn't. Never captain defender unless it is Baines

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          TAA 2 seasons ago? Robbo the same? You ain’t got a clue lol

          1. S.Kuqi
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            And Salah/ Mane were still better options. Captaning defender is unnecessary risk.

    3. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      The outcome doesn't have any bearing to the decision making...

    4. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      If I owned him, he would easily have been my captain. Great option

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        You are maverick type of player

    5. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Disgusting captain hindsight type of comment considering an early red card

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Captaining defender is just stupidity when the likes of Raphinha, Kane and Bruno have great fixtures

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          It’s a differential captain choice for a reason... not going to pay off everytime is it. A CS today and he’s in for a double digit haul...

    6. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Love these comments, then click your link and see you brought rudiger in for a hit

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        I know. Not a smart move but far better than captaining Alonso

        1. KUN+10
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          game not over

        2. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          Not sure which “experts” you’re talking about but I’ve only seen folk on Twitter saying it’s way too big a risk to captain alonso but that he’s a good 1 week punt before wc. Perfectly fair to me

  2. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    West Brom, you lovely team.... Alonso owners can take their 6 points and run

  3. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    No way...

  4. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Where are those who preached triple CHE def? Lol.
    Justice fir Rudiger benching.

  5. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I owned Pereira against Chelsea at the beginning of the season! Can I have some pints please?

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      *points

      I’ll take the pints too mind

    2. Tango74
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Pints of?

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        It’s above 10degrees here so surely pints of cider wearing the wife beater

    3. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Down the pub?

    4. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Hope you have your passport for some pints in the pub

  6. GROBARI
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Pereira on WC?

  7. KUN+10
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Alonso goal incoming

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Nah

  8. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Teams that rotate because of Europe deserve to miss out

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Why?

  9. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Football hey...

    It's a funny ole game

  10. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    WBA, I love youuuuuuuuu!!!!!!!!!

  11. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Chelsea’s luck was never going to last.

    1. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Luck? They were completely on top of the game before those stupid decisions took over.

  12. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    3 Chelsea defence essential?

    1. Salan
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Good one.

  13. Gizzachance
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Will just have to take the assist thankfully

  14. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I hope FPL general has another wildcard handy

  15. EWH2020
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Rudiger now nailed for the remainder of the season. Great day for Rudiger owners

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      good luck with that

    2. Milk, 1 Šuker
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      How is it a great day? I don't understand some comments on here. He's benched and unlikely to come on unless you mean for the future. Besides Rudiger might get a run for what three games barring injury?

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

    Lovely start to the gameweek 😆

  17. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Chelsea defensive double up- wisdom of the crowd at it's finest!

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Amazing how many geniuses like you there are on the net, who just know what moves not to make in FPL because you know what's coming next.

      Truly brilliant. Well done.

  18. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    This is a great result so far in my LMS competition - the majority have gone for CHE

  19. TheBiffas
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    In what galaxy is Alonso a better player than chilwell.

    1. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      He's not, but Chilwell started the England games and Chelsea play Porto this week. It's a rotation

      1. TheBiffas
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Maybe on this occasion. Previously tuchel has preferred Alonso to chilwell

    2. KUN+10
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Milky way

  20. jia you
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    ...that's not Havertz

  21. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Pope to Mendy going well so far.... ..............

  22. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Hope Porto whip their arses, so they have to stop tinkering in the PL

  23. Thomas Magnum
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    We can still hope for defensive returns from set pieces... please!

  24. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Sometimes you've just got to laugh

  25. El-Kloppico
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Pereira is one hell of a player. Shame he's playing for WBA. Would have walked into many of the top PL teams.

    1. zon
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Will do that next season after wba's relegation

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Does nothing for months at a time, has a game like this that fools people into buying him, then does nothing for months afterwards again.

  26. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Time to triple up on Chelsea defence?
    Mendy azpili & Alonso

    1. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Yes, no way they concede against WBA. WBA shouldn’t even get close to their own final third. Silva is back so he’ll bring back experience and shore up the defense!

  27. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    my gk score haha

  28. michael_mac11
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Now to listen to Karen Carney Aka the female version of Joe Cole

  29. BobB
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Got to consider Pereira for my WC next week

  30. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Well thats my accumulator fecked

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Haa, you were looking to load up on Chelsea D?