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 He has been replaced by Semi Ajayi (£4.8m), suggesting a switch from 4-1-4-1 to a 5-4-1 formation.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

    Where was this from Pereira a few weeks ago when I owned him?!

  2. Karan14
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Rudiger owner here

    juuuhuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

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

      Alonso here
      3 points up

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

      Same but a Mendy in goal and Martinez on bench

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

      always good news when on of your fpl players in position hardly ever rotated gets rotated

  3. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Pereira on the bench for me. Never expected him to score 2 goals.

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

      Why would you

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

        Westbrom are not good enough, had him a couple of times this season and he has been no where to be seen.

  4. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Early contender for rough with the smooth:

    Sold Pereira & Elmo to Raphinha & Rudiger (-4)

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      No smooth so far, unless Rudiger actually being benched is lol

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

      Elmo to start and score to add salt in the wounds

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Can you imagine

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

    BFS masterclass

  6. Sun Jihai
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    OR400 with Christensen playing and Pereira first sub 😮
    https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/4727324/event/30/

    1. sunzip14
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Wouldn't matter. Need 3 defenders.

  7. RogDog_jimmy
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    So many people thought they were smart loading up on Chelsea defense. FPL is hilarious.

    1. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Got to love hindsight comments

    2. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Ok, to get one, that's fine with me, they are the best defence in the league, but I thought double ups and triple ups are too excessive

  8. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    F*** Chelsea

    I remember them looking good earlier in the season and getting mendy in before they turned to s*** and now it’s the same again

    1. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      One game where they are down to ten.

  9. Gazwaz80
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Boing boing Baggies 😀

  10. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Thanks for ruining it all thiago cheers thanks mate thanks

  11. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Overhyping smth 99% makes it fail according to scientists

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

    If WBA go down, hope Pereira gets a move at least to a mid table side or would suit well to a Brighton or even a West Ham

    1. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I’d love him at Saints.

      He’s the type of player who will do great when playing in a slightly better team.

  13. bitm2007
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    So Rudiger is 5th choice CB at Chelsea now. Didn't start as part of a three and Christensen came off the bench ! Time to get rid ?

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

      essential according to rudiger owners

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

      keep

    3. RichardNixon
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Silva and Christiensen play in the middle. Azpilicueta on the right. Rudiger and Zouma on the left

    4. Studs Up
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      And u don't think he is rested after 3x 90 over IB?

    5. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      He's not 5th choice. He will start especially after the dodgy performances from Christensen and Zouma so far.

    6. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      After this debacle I think he has guaranteed spot

  14. 3 A
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Pereira didnt score against Sheffield and Palace but score against Chelsea.

    Thats how FPL works.

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

      They are sh*t. Also had him in all those games.

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

    One again I ask, what good does a manager get from starting a player who hasn’t played for 14 days ahead of a player who’s played more recently and will be more up to the speed of the game

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

      Tuchel underestimates WBA and overestimates T.Silva

    2. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      A fresh one for porto game

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

    Chel only conceded two before today under tuchel, one of them was an own goal
    Now every one panicking with Chel def
    Rudiger owner, will stay in my team
    Alonso was one week punt for me an many
    Will be out next week on w/c

  17. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Listening to the experts, oh dear double Chelsea defence

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

      Only experts worth listening are Mark, Jonty and Az.

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

    These so called FPL pundits spend 90% of their lives on planning transfers and get it all wrong. There is a particular pundit who trolls his viewers by suggesting one thing to the viewers and doing something else with his team.

    It’s all a bit embarrassing really. Might retire after this season for good.

    1. TAT
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Which particular pundit?

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        FPL Family's Lee. Prize bell.

        1. TAT
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 12 months ago

          It's something he does often? Suggestion one thing, and doing another, I mean?

          1. Scots Gooner
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            Basically he led his PAID subscribers to believe that Salah capataincy is the best choice for a gameweek, but after the deadline informed everyone that he actually TCd KDB and didn’t want his wife to know. People were annoyed since they pay their money to him for the best insight and advice.

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

              I wasn’t aware of that... there are two problems here

              A. People actually ‘paying’ for such services

              B. Subscribers being misled

              1. Scots Gooner
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 12 months ago

                Agree entirely. Don't understand why anyone playing a free game, would pay for advice on how to play it.

                If you genuinely enjoy their podcast / posts and want to support them because of that fair enough.

                But it is a game end of the day, and a lot of it is luck, removes a lot of the fun if you try to just follow advice.

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

                  Completely agree with you. Unless you finish first overall, it is not something you could put on your CV or brag about in front of family and friends. You could share your happiness with the FPL community, members of which we are really never going to meet in person.

                  So the moral of the story is to treat the game as a hobby and not a major part of life.

            2. TAT
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 12 months ago

              Oh my, that's a shitty thing to do. I get fooling the wife is a bit of fun, but when you have people paying for a service, he should no doubt know better.

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

          I don’t know why Lee gets so much stick. He’s a fair guy in my opinion.

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

      Why would you get in a player because someone else thinks you should though? It’s your team.

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

        I brought in Alonso and on another day, he scores that free kick, Silva doesn’t get sent off and it’s a 15 pointer. No point complaining.

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

        I have been playing this game for long enough to make my own decisions. But for someone who is new to the game and is being mislead would be annoying. Is this game so important for people to throw their morals and principals out of the window?

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

          As the guy below said, there’s no such thing as an expert. A lot of it is just luck. Just because someone got a few top 10ks when there was 3/4 million, or more, less players doesn’t mean they’re an expert.

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

      There’s no point in pundits or ‘experts’, we’re all clueless and it’s all luck lol

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

        Thank you mate. I echo your comments

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

    'Experts' were suggesting to get 2 or 3 Chelsea Defenders (or with 1 GK) for more than 1 week.

    Get one is reasonable honestly, but 3?

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

      Refer to my comment above. I echo your thoughts

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

        I understand you but please keep fighting in FPL. And, don't follow those experts, but only listen a bit for more information.

    2. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I'm not an expert. But 3 is the way to go. They will keep more CS than the rest, but not every week. The question is more about the FPL managers. Do they have the personality to deal with Chelsea not keeping a CS every week?

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

        No team will get CS every week. This is an all-time correct statement, but meaningless.

        Imagine if you have Mendy, Azp and Rudiger/Alonso. It's the same time you not having other very good defenders from great teams.

  20. Saka_me_sideways
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Anyone that doesn’t believe in the curse of the early game... it’s there for all to see.

  21. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    People moaning about experts need to realise this game is 90% luck and predicting football is near impossible

    Ask the owner of Bet365

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

      There are no real experts in fpl. Most of those so called experts can one game do well, the next look like ordinary casuals. Luck plays a huge part.

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

        Yes, no real experts in FPL. This is true.

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

      Just said pretty much the same thing haha, all luck

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

      Absolutely true. Often times people forget that players and coaches doesnt give a sh*t about fpl and who scores, its all about the win and in such a competitive league like PL, margins are always slim

  22. Jimmy Boy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Apologies again everyone, I doubled up on the Chelsea defence for this GW should have let you all know in advance

  23. Old Bull
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Why tinker with a defence that’s working well?

  24. JonSnow
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    The fpl gods are cruel, brought alonso in this week and no one else in my ML did, looked like he was going to bag and thought i was a genius!

  25. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Brought Mendy in this week for - 4.

    Go me.

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

      You are brave. I have never taken a hit for a keeper.

  26. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Why do these managers mess about with teams so unnecessarily?

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

      Because liverpool

  27. Mr. O'Connell
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Mount on for Alonso at half time I reckon. 4 at the back.

  28. Nate01
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    T Silva in for a hit

  29. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    What the hell. I leave at 40 mins and all he’ll break loose.

    Cancelo -> azpi for a hit is just latest spectacular transfer success haha

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

    Pereira might be a good punt - West Brom can't rely on draws going forward