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 He has been replaced by Semi Ajayi (£4.8m), suggesting a switch from 4-1-4-1 to a 5-4-1 formation.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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FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,090 Comments Post a Comment
  1. zon
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    To everyone being "smart" in hindsight: Please stop, you're looking silly. This is an anomaly. No one can predict when it happens. Loading up on Chelsea defence was and is justified.

    1. zon
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Like it was meant to be top of the page

    2. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I dont think Chelsea are City, so loading up on more than 1 defender is just a huge No for me.

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

        This doesn't change anything for me. Will surely double up them next gw.

        1. ZeBestee
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Chelsea will take more than same bunch of players to keep more cleansheets.

      2. Postman Ty
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        What? They've been top of the defensive stats for 15+ games. Regardless, surely the second best defence in the league (if that's what you consider them) is worth a double up with a run of great fixtures.

    3. Dont_Win_Friends_With_Salah…
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You're right, but I am glad I switched off for a couple of weeks and didn't get any Chelsea players. They're still good options for the rest of the season though, good luck

    4. Hangman Page
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      What do you expect from these boards other than smug “I told you so “ v bitter “woe is me” shite?

      If it’s no A or B or RMT its crowing or groaning.

    5. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No, they are all geniuses who are telling us how clever they are because they know in advance what is going to happen so they don't make the mistakes that idiots like the rest of us do.

    6. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      And West Brom have been nicking goals for a while

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

    I'm on the verge of tears at this Alonso disasterclass

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Tears of joy here hehe

    2. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Wait for the yellow and not making 60 before the tears start otherwise youll run dry

      • zon
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Yeah, great positions up front, slow and useless in defending

      • ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        At least he already has an assist to his name.

    3. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      rudiger cost 4.5 gw 24 ,27 points since ,going nowhere FPL gold

      1. Brimble82
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        And saved us from this collapse!
        Thanks Antonio. Stay where you are for now.
        See you next week

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

      Sam Johnstone has more open play goal contributions vs the Big 6 in the Prem than Bruno 😮

      1. Pat Bonner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Love this!

      2. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Brilliant LOL

    5. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wow dodged a bullet not going Alonso, just wow

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

        Don't own Alonso, but the bullet is not dodged yet. He is the type of player who can get a goal even if Chelsea concede another two.

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He might never play again tho, he's been a complete disgrace

      2. ajk1211
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hasn’t he got an assist and just hit the post again?

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

      Mount coming on. C'mon!

    7. Patio Kev
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Swings and Roundabouts.

      Bad news: Was influenced by price rises last night and went Azpi over Alonso as wanted Azpi in on GW31 WC anyway and money was tight.

      Good news: if I had got Alonso in I would have captained him so bullet probably dodged there.

    8. Postman Ty
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Serious question: Was Zouma always this bad? He looked very promising before his injury years ago, came back pretty poor, found apparent form at Everton, was questionable again returning to Chelsea, found apparent form again, but then has been hit or miss for the past two seasons. Does it come down to inconsistency or is he just seriously flawed and sometimes it's hidden.

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

        He's not Chelsea level. He's not consistent enough as you say to be a world class CB.

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

        He has an error in him. Never looks confident / composed enough. Would be ideal for a long ball team IMO where he has to spend less time thinking and can just boot it up to clear the ball.

        1. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ironically, all he had to do for that last goal conceded was touch it anywhere. It just feels like he's mindless sometimes.

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

        Not watching the game but he’s a genuine liability. Not premier league equality.

    9. Shaw must go on
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Didn't read a single comment during the week stating that Chelsea defense wasn't a good option this week and for the future... Plenty of geniuses round here now...

      1. ZeBestee
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The problem with this place is someone starts having a certain opinion, all of a sudden the opinion becomes famous, everyone starts to think the same and the message is spread hence collective decision

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Correct.

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

        There were a few actually - mostly wondering whether they were due a reversion.

        My take was a bit different. Was happily avoiding simply because they were only ho-hum value with nothing but cs. Also noted that beyond 32 their fixtures are rather mixed.

        Still a perfectly good call of course. Just one match after all.

      3. Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Chelsea by almost every metric had the best chance of any team of CS this week. Stats, form, fixture, at home, eye test. No such thing as a guaranteed CS but if people stood to win a million pounds by predicting 1 CS this week, I bet the majority would have picked Chelsea.

      4. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Just classic FPL
        Chelsea conceded just a single big chance in their last 6 matches
        Red card just bad luck

    10. BigBillyBass
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      On WC:

      a) Azpi
      b) Nathan Ake

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Ake, guy is an ever present

        • zon
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          That's not even a decision. Don't let this game fool you

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

        Race for top 4 looks even more intriguing now if other matches run true to form this week. Everton not exactly out of it.

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Mourinho will sneak in there I think.

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Yep- rather suspect he might

            Curiously just on points Spurs are the form team in that zone. The NLD and EL was just one foul week for week.

      3. Warblers
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Pereira essential....

      4. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Is lolling for certain player still banned here?

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

          Tbh I would have got Alonso aswell if I had funds

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

        Alonso owners: Are you content with the points so far?

        1. Fudgy
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          He's hauling

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

          He’s due a goal at least

      6. tiger
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mounton

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Is that french for mountain?

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

        Pulisic Mounted.

      8. Eh, just one more thing ...
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mount on at half time .... I suppose I should look at that as a positive, as it’s better than him coming on for 15 mins at the end ... him not featuring at all was never going to happen.

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah I am happy. I suspected he would be benched, maybe we shouldn't start him too

      9. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Come ooooon Mount

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

        Werner has finished his poo.

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Just in timo

        2. Now I'm Panicking
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          The only thing he has produced since Christmas

          1. Deulofail
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            He's been due to be fair if he's waited that long

        3. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Still looks pretty sh*t to me 😉

      11. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Can’t have Spurs make Top 4 ...

      12. JOELIO8701
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I've been saying all week Chelsea are a HUGE trap. All the casuals picking Chelsea defenders. If you look at the data West Brom are motivated to survive relegation whereas Chelsea players don't have the same fight. Big Sam is seasoned in relegation battles. Thiago Silva's disciplinary record is another reason to stay clear o Chelsea defenders. I've been saying it but do people listen?

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

          Pretty sure having Silva and Alonso in defence hurt them more than it helped them. Chelsea defence will look better with Rudiger/Christensen and Chilwell in place of the 2.

        2. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Stop drinking that Koolaid mate.

        3. Fitzy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          You've made no comments in more than 2 weeks champ.

        4. Rasping Drive
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          You haven’t made a comment here in 17 days, Captain Hindsight, so zip it.

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

          You sound like a clown mate, stop talking absolute nonsense

        6. Fitzy.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Why'd you transfer a Chelsea defender in this GW then? 😆

        7. michael_mac11
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Hahahaha you absolute melter wayyyy

        8. Saint Tim
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Why do you even waste time to post something that you obviously don’t believe given you transferred Azpi into your team this week? People like you should be banned

        9. JOELIO8701
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I was being ironic. despite the result today Chelsea defenders was the right decision. These results can happen

      13. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        What to do with Rudiger now? Looks like he lost his first 11 status

        Strangley enough he only delivered for my bench 🙁

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

          Will be straight back in next gw.

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

            Lol what makes you say that

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

          I'd say he is first choice on this showing. Played 270 minutes for Germany (i.e. all three games) and needed for the CL game.

          Tuchel gave him a rest and Chelsea have found it difficult. I'd reckon Chelsea's best defence is now Mendy (GK), Azpi, Silva, Rudiger, Chilwell, James.

        3. artvandelay316
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Discussion all week has been on him playing a lot of international minutes and therefore could have been rested just for today. No reason to do anything with him.

          1. FPL Daniel
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            Ok, sounds optimistic, I am starting him next week

      14. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Werner doing a puncheon

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          had a big luncheon

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            nailed it

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

          On & off the pitch.

          1. La Roja
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            :mrgreen:

      15. Dušan Citizen
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        When Eliteserien starts and is there fantasy again?

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

        The hindsight comments on here are absolutely comical and ridiculous.

        These people making these comments were the same ones in tears about 30 mins ago when Alonso got his assist and Silva was still on the pitch...

      17. Releasebreaks
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Any chance of Bale and Gundo no show?
        I would get Pereira points from bench

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yes

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

          Yeah, maybe.

          Decent chance you’ll see them points.

        3. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I expect both on bench but Fos know whether they’ll pop in for pointer

        4. Postman Ty
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Fairly likely both get benched.

        5. Konstaapeli
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Every chance

        6. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I don’t think so

        7. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I think Bale will start and Gundo will get a cameo

      18. beetlejuice
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sold Pereira this week, need Raphinha hattrick to compensate

        1. Hangman Page
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Unlucky. Right decision I feel based on fixtures. Sometimes the unpredictability of football bites you in the arse.

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

          Expecting a couple more from Pereira this match then?

          1. beetlejuice
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            I was

      19. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Mount penalty touch and cross for Alonso. Missed him

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          *penalty box touch

      20. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Hope they don't bring on Rudiger now. Need Cresswell off the bench to replace him.

      21. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Soucek and Pereira the biggest trolls this season