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 He has been replaced by Semi Ajayi (£4.8m), suggesting a switch from 4-1-4-1 to a 5-4-1 formation.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

    This is a disgrace

  2. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    hahah this is gold WBA !!!!

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

    LOL what a start to the week.

    Welcome back FPL.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Always after IB. Defenses play in different systems for the national teams and need time to adapt

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

        None of CHE def in starting lineup play for their national team

  4. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Deserved lead imo. Chelsea fan

    1. TRIPOS TOPPER
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      this is why as a CFC fan I don't have CFC players in my team

      double punishment

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        But it is so much fan when you have them .

        I have Rudiger and Mount

  5. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    What a golazo!

  6. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Well done West Brom!

  7. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Alonso fault for the goal

    1. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Yep.

    2. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Take him off 😀

  8. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    This is what happens when you bench Rudiger

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

      😆

  9. Cantona's Kung Fu Kick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Che triple up....LOL

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

    Sam never got relegated, let that sink in.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      He might be this time

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

        I am rooting for him, Fulham and Newcastle are going down.

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

      Never seen him so downbeat as after the Palace game

      (Always have had a soft spot for him)

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

    Justice for Rudiger goes ob 😀

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

    Chelsea lmao

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

    W brom doing Chelsea
    Also Drew with city an pool
    Poor results v teams around them !

  14. Patio Kev
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Yes they are playing against 10 men but this is one hell of a performance from those WBA players flighting for their premiership survival, good on them and good to see (FPL aside).

  15. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    The WBA fixture run over the next 4 isn't that terrible on analysis - could be breathing down Newcastle's neck for 18th anyway

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      I cheer for WBA against Newcastle

  16. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Things I thought I'd never say before this game, Mendy and Alonso better not concede a 4th...

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

      Ha, even the alonso assist seems disappointing

  17. Valkyrie
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Feck u Thiago Silva!

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    WBA are our bogey team. We conceded 3 goals in autumn as well

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

    We want 4!

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

    Its getting worse, not better. Cmon Alonso, just 1 goal.

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Lol... highly unlikely at this point I'd say

      Infact, since that great first 15mins, I don't think Tuchel would have seen much to make him think that Alonso is even starting next week. He's been skinned about 4 times, he did poor for the second goal and the cross for the third came from his side.

  21. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Desperate for some Mendy save points now to save my week!

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

      Keepers very rarely make or break your week.

      1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Generally true, but Martinez was a good differential for a long time!

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

    Double defence wagon a smouldering, desolated wreck

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

      True

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

    Nowhere to hide for bioluminescent giants

  24. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    What a finish that was. He made it look easy, but anyone who's played football will know that was a super hard chance to hit on the volley and not put into row Z.

  25. the dom 1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    dodged a huge bullet with not getting a CHE defender in this GW thats for sure wow!

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

    Ok, the Mendy keeper option for WC needs a re-thought.

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

      4-1

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

      I brought him in this week #fail

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

      Leno & Arsenal even worse

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

      It's one game and these conversations are likely very different if Thiago Silva stays on and Chelsea have 11 men.

    5. nolard
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Nah, I don't think so. This game is an anomaly.

      Tuchel started Silva, who wasn't ready, and is getting on.
      Regular defense and this is much less likely to happen.

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

    Chelsea have absolutely no spark at all

  28. Homer21
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    I always felt Pereira was gonna come good but alas my patience ran out yesterday!

    1. Homer21
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Doh!!

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

    OMG Diagne

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

    4-1 ..