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 He has been replaced by Semi Ajayi (£4.8m), suggesting a switch from 4-1-4-1 to a 5-4-1 formation.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

    Zouma has been all over the place today

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

      Hopefully Rudiger will be nailed from next week!

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

    Ouch for those chelsea doubles ups hah!

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

    Ref's performance has been horrible.

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

      Has it?

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

        Absolutely horrendous.

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

      At least they’ve been consistent throughout the season.

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

    0-1 win at Anfield. 1-1 at the Etihad. 1-0 loss at OT after a missed pen was retaken. This today.

    Big Sam still has it!

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

      Red card kinda helped a bit 😉

    2. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Has what?

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

        That sinking feeling ...

    3. Top Dog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1 all at Ethiad was Slaven’s last game

    4. ball c
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1-1 at Anfield!

    5. Top Dog
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      & Utd game under Slaven.

      So in response to the statement, no he doesnt’t ‘still have it’

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

    Alonso and Mendy. Guess my gw is ruined. Just Want to get close to avg. Damage limitation from here on

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

      Out of your hands

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

    Mendy needs another save to get me a point!

  7. JONALDINHO
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    West Brom have scored 24 goals this season. 7 of those were against one side - Chelsea who have the second best defence in the league

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

      WBA still our bogey team. Was thinking TT could change that, well maybe but not with this reserve team

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

    Spurs go 4th if they beat Newcastle. West Ham same but more difficult fixture against Wolves. If Chelsea choke top 4 I cannot see Tuchel staying

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

      We'll play CL final

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

      Leicester will do their usual so two of Liv, Chelsea and Spurs will make CL

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

      Choke top 4?

      It's not as if they had it sewn up and they were a way off it when he came.

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

    Mendy they said, let in four & only two saves all game, mmmm!

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      They said? You listened

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

      Make up your own mind how about?

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

    Tiago on -4 and Alonso on 3 pts. What a difference an attacking full back means

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

      Eh.... red card?

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Might have something to do with the red card

  11. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 12 months ago

    Azpi goal would be just beautiful, imo.

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

    How have the Rudiger owners got coming off the bench then?

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

      Who? Lacazette for me

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

      Cancelo, if he starts!

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

      Soucek so not that bad

    4. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Almost had him on a BB. Bullet dodged

    5. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Messi

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

      Targett

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

      Gundo

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

      Dias for #OR1 - decent

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

      Strujik, but no, Dunk it is.

    10. Abraham & Cheese
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wan Bisaka

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

    Loving the meltdowns on here of people who think real football should be like a computer simulation.... if you can enjoy this games, stick to championship manager, I’ve got Rudig and Mendy and am loving this

    1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 12 months ago

      Have an upvote!

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

      Lol, loving the negative points i see

      1. Homer21
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        So many

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

      They might be missing all those thrilling games we had in the run up to IB of course 🙂

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

      Casual

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

    BB with Struijk was probably not the best thing to do! Now watch McCarthy start ahead of Forster to rub salt on my wounds.

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

    I honestly can't believe he keeps Giroud on the bench

  16. StayoutheSpiceZone
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Probably not the game for it, but anyone else think that Kovacic is quite underrated?

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

      He is a top baller. Dont understand why he doesnt get games consistently. Will do absolutely amazing in a Guadiolas team

    2. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He is an average player, doesn’t set the world alight but if he added goals to his game then a different story

    3. MrZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's quite good tbh, just can't shoot

    4. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 11 months ago

        His problem is he's good at a lot of things, really good at some things, but elite level at nothing

    5. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      How unfortunate to get in a Chelsea defender in for a bench boost and he actually gets you no points. Ridiculous.

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

        Pretty obvious West Brom were gonna score 4 today tbf. Only yourself to blame.

        1. DA Minnion (Former great)
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah poor management by me.

        2. JONALDINHO
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          This. Don’t understand why he didn’t double up on WBA attack instead

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

            Pereira was the clear captain choice this week

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

        Amazingly tough luck that

        This all makes me feel nostalgic for my GW3 WC - slightly subverted by Robbo and TAA -1s in week 4

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

      What has Havertz done since he joined Chelsea? Or is he still young and will develop?

      1. Abraham & Cheese
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        32 appearanes, 5 goals, 7 assists in all comps. He's young, great pedigree and results from the Bundesliga and he just moved to the premier league. If you look at players from other leagues to the EPL, it usually takes at least 1 season for them to settle in.

        Some examples of players who struggled moving to the EPL:
        Thierry Henry, Robert Pires, Roberto Firmino, David De Gea, Nemanja Vidic, Patrice Evra, Angel Di Maria, Erik Lamela, Robinho, Jerome Boateng, Cancelo, Drogba, Tevez...

    7. RAFA THE GAFFA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      McCarthy >> Mendy (-4) for at least a net 2 would have been fun 🙂

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

      I no longer want to WC next week. Chelsea turned me right off

      1. sunzip14
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Totally forgot about that. I would normally be excited to hit the WC button pretty fast. I think I am doing it anyway.

    9. OverTinker
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Did stones to Rüdiger
      Feeling lucky he didn’t start 😀

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

      Should be a yellow for Marcos!

    11. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Any chance a Mendy makes a third save?

    12. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/2021/03/21/son-and-grealish-absent-as-bale-is-benched-for-final-blank-gameweek-29-match/?hc_page=15&hc_sort_by=comment_date#hc_comment_23623861

      I have had Rudiger for a while and thought he was a great option at his price but Chelsea were out performing CS wise. Obviously this is a freak result today and bringing in a Chelsea defender was a good decision beforehand but it's a lesson learnt for those WC now in 31 against bringing in multiple Chelsea defensive assets.

    13. nolard
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Horrible diving by chelsea players around the box now.
      Rolling about, then all fit as a fiddle when they win the ball back.

    14. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      OMG robinson.

    15. Hazz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Five?!

    16. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      No Rudiger but Mount cameo and Johnstone assist on BB has been unexpected but appreciated 😀

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

      5-2

    18. Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      yeah !