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 He has been replaced by Semi Ajayi (£4.8m), suggesting a switch from 4-1-4-1 to a 5-4-1 formation.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

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

FPLMarc Newcastle fan that spends far too much time thinking about FPL.

1,090 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Alonso looking essential with the positioning.

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

      He is on 3 pts no ?

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

      Surely won’t co tongue like that every game

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

        Continue*

    3. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Lol

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

      He'll be dropped next week.

      He's been skinned about 4 times, and has been partly at fault for at least 2 goals conceded.

      He's always been this attacking - Lampard knew it too.
      It's his defending that lets him down big time. And, I just don't think you can be a team who wants to finish top 4 with a left side of Pulisic (doesn't track back) and Alonso (can't defend for toffee)

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

    LETS GO

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

      Where?

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

    Werner not a striker

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

      How about:

      Mendy
      Azpi Silva Rudiger
      James Kovacic Kante Chilwell
      Mount Werner
      Havertz

      Kepa
      Christensen Tomori Zouma
      CHO Jorginho Gilmour Alonso
      Ziyech Pulisic
      Abraham

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

    Mount you beauty juhuuuuuu

    Assist next I am sure

  5. AzzaroMax99
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Mount on the bench. Lovely stuff.

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

      Against WBA ?

      1. AzzaroMax99
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Yep. Rumours that he would be rested which were true. Also benching dilemma out of Antonio, Raphina, Bamford, Son and Mount.

    2. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      His goal helps though...

      Thanks mate.

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

    Turns out Rudiger was the better option than Azpi.

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      One week clouded by RC, yes ... long term to be seen

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

    I almost didn't watch this game as I thought it was going to be a pretty dull and routine 1 or 2 nil to Chelski. And, having bought Rudiger, I was kinda pissed too.

    So happy I stuck with it now. Cracking game

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

    This is pretty much equivalent to Villa putting 7 past Liverpool

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

    Havertz in

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

      Mount assist Havertz goal upcoming

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

        Nah

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

          I predicted Mount goal

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

            One correct prediction means all future predictions come true?

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

    Any other competent striker tucks that home and Alonso gets the assist. Shame Werner is shot of all confidence

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      It's been what, 9 months now? He's got to start producing..

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

        Write off the first 5 months of that playing out of position with constantly changing injured players around him. As long as he keeps assisting like this and making an impact it's good for now, but he needs to start scoring as well.

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

    Kovacic playing amazing

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

      Still can't shoot to save his life, but yes his dribbling is incredible.

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

      He is a very good player. Would thrive in a Pep's side.

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

    It’s as if...playing your best players is the best idea. Crazy I know.

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

      Yeah Mount should have started. Rudiger too

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

    Justice for mount owners

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

      We need assist and bonus too

  14. Brehmeren
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    As a Mount and Rudiger owner that is some roller coaster start to the gw.

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

      Same here. Have them both

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

        Ouch

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

      It’s why I love FPL.... that and reading the bleatings of those who feel the world is against them every game week

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

    West Brom obviously been making the mistake of playing against 11 men each week

  16. GinjaWhinja
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    If you’re Timo Werner and you’re not shooting when inside the 6 yard box, why are you even allowing yourself to be picked?

    Such a joke that he continues to be picked when he’s got no confidence whatsoever.

    Poor Alonso should have 2 goals and 2 assists.

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

      Isn't that what Alonso deserves every match?

  17. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Made the ship move and went for a Chelsea def and got burnt.

  18. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    just logged in to say lol

    football is funny

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

    So, Rudiger and Azpi finishing with same point? Noice!

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

    0 from 2

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

      Ditto.

  21. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    How many chelsea defence on wildcard?

    Mendy and a defender - or just one?

    Thanks

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

      They’re getting battered by West Brom.....

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

        They have 10 men...

  22. DycheDycheBaby
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Those jammy Mount points for my rivals!

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

      A goal Vs wba is jammy.... Strange comment

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

    As an Alonso owner I would say I got away with it today. I'll take the 3 points and run

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

      Should have had more, not less.

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

        Judging by Chelsea conceding 4 goals I am more than happy with the 3 points

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

    Zouma is actually horrible.

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

    Think there's a couple more goals in this one

    6-2?
    4-4?
    5-3?

    Bonkers entertainment

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

      4-4 I reckon

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

    Told you Allardyce ball will win it

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

    If Mendy makes another save I might salvage something from this lol

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

      He might concede with another SoT

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

        Be careful what you wish for

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

      I’d take conceding a fifth and one more save for Mendy

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

    Where are the Mount non believers ?

  29. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Got Mount on the bench. Should Gundo not play he'll replace him, which could work out well!

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

      Erm.... Why

      1. artvandelay316
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 12 months ago

        Check the scoresheet.

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

          No why did u bench him.

          1. artvandelay316
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 12 months ago

            Was unlikely to play. Probably wouldn't have, had the red card and subsequent WBA goals not happened.

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

    Imagine scoring 5 goals against West Brom over 2 legs and taking 1 point.