Dugout Discussion

Tuchel benches Alonso and James for Chelsea’s trip to Crystal Palace

Marcos Alonso (£5.7m) has fallen foul of Thomas Tuchel’s rotation policy for the second time in three Premier League matches.

Fresh from a 90-minute outing in the 5-2 defeat against West Bromwich Albion, the Spaniard finds himself among the substitutes at Crystal Palace today.

Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) steps into the left wing-back role he has vacated while Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) staffs the right-hand side in place of a benched Reece James (£5.0m).

Edouard Mendy (£5.2m) remains an ever-present in goal for Chelsea while Antonio Rüdiger (£4.7m), Kurt Zouma (£5.3m) and César Azpilicueta (£5.9m) form the three-man defence in front of him.

Other benched assets include Hakim Ziyech (£7.9m) and Timo Werner (£9.2m) with Christian Pulisic (£8.2m), Kai Havertz (£8.2m) and Mason Mount (£7.2m) selected as the front-three at Selhurst Park.

Crystal Palace are in the usual 4-4-2 formation with Wilfried Zaha (£7.1m) up-front alongside Christian Benteke (£5.5m).

Budget enabler Tyrick Mitchell (£3.8m) comes back into the matchday squad but cannot dislodge Patrick van Aanholt (£5.4m) from the left-back berth.

Gameweek 31 Line-ups

Crystal Palace XI (4-4-2): Guaita; van Aanholt, Kouyaté, Cahill, J Ward; Eze, Riedewald, Milivojevic, Ayew; Zaha, Benteke.

Chelsea XI (3-4-3): E Mendy; Rüdiger, Zouma, Azpilicueta; Chilwell, Kovacic, Jorginho, Hudson-Odoi; Pulisic, Havertz, Mount.

Gameweek 31 so far…

Ollie Watkins (£6.5m) struck again as Aston Villa caused problems for Liverpool at Anfield in Gameweek 31.

The gifted former Brentford and Exeter City man added his third attacking return in four matches, his 12th Premier League goal of the season and a fourth against Liverpool this campaign.

In doing so, he became the first player to score that many against the Reds in a single season since Andrey Arshavin in 2008/09.

Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) continued his revival with a second goal in as many league matches, a solid return for those who captained him in Gameweek 31.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.4m) is also back on the radar in a big way after he added his second goal of the season in stoppage time.

He has now produced eight points or more in four of his last six Premier League appearances.

Provisional bonus points

  • 3 – Trent Alexander-Arnold
  • 2 – Ollie Watkins
  • 1 – Nathaniel Phillips

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752 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Kane and Ablett
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    I wonder how long until I have more points on the pitch than the bench this week. It’s currently 2:24 so maybe not at all...

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      I have 27 on the bench!

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Nowhere to hide, not even on the bench with those juicy hauls filling it up

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          I have alonso in my 11 tho hehe

        2. Herman Toothrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          nOwHerE tO hIdE...

  2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    That useless Gundo cameo for 1 point blocking my 4 from Bamford!

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Could be worse. Could be blocking Dallas.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Agree. But super small margins in my ML. Lost the last H2H by 1 point. Drew the one before that.

      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        He’s blocking my Dallas
        :angry:

    2. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      blocked my 7 from Watkins

  3. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    lol Tuchel calling us "Crystal" 😀

  4. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Early thoughts on this next week?

    KdB & Cancelo to Reguilon & Salah (-4)
    And BB this?

    Martinez | Forster
    Reguilon* | Dallas | Rudiger | Lowton | Phillips
    Salah | Bruno | Son* | Gundogan | Raphinha
    Kane* | DCL | Bamford

    *DGW

    Thanks

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      You started Dallas over Rudiger? Master move

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Atm it is yes, but probably redundant given many will get him off the bench anyway.
        Thanks though

    2. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Must be a better BB than that surely - it''s not as if you have cash on the bench you need to shift,

      Lowton and Forster have two really poor ones and who knows about Gundo

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        True, who would you bench then?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Not sure. Maybe this

          Phillips (go with Leeds attack instead - the all in play)
          Lowton (Burnley away form frightening)
          DCL (probably get him on for Gundo anyway)

          1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Thanks, think I’ll start DCL and bench Raphinha (hedge with that I have Bamford).
            Raph also went off with a dead leg at FT

  5. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Who would you rather have till the end of the season?

    A) TAA + Son
    B) Philips + Bruno

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      B

    2. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      B, but I'd rather have TAA and Bruno.

    3. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Probably A

    4. luk46
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      A for me, mancs got few games vs good teams left which could lead into bruno blanking

  6. Cilly Bonnolly
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Right FPL, stop f**king about and give me my six points for my Jota assist.

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      I just watched the replay; don't think he even touched it.

      1. SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Yes defender just got to it first

      2. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Haven’t seen it but it was 100% an assist.

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Defender got it.

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Haven’t seen it yet but I’m pretty sure it’s a Jota assist.

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Stop drinking. Start watching games.

  7. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Last 4 cap picks before this week

    Alonso(3)
    Trossard(14)
    Digne(1)
    Ings(1)

    3 fails out of 4...Go dullard with Salah again and an instant return. Maybe its best to be boring

  8. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Rival has Tosin and Dias and Dallas third sub. Tell me this game isn’t luck

    1. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Doesn’t it even itself out over the season.... please tell me it does

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      About 35% luck imo

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      If ur rival has tosun then he must be doing really bad over the season

      So yes its not luck

      1. FPL ZB
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        The Fulham defender

      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Tosin

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          No idea who that is

    4. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Don't think having a strong squad is lucky though. Having your TC injured in the first game in a DGW is very unlucky though like Mane

  9. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Any Mount owners there to cheer jointly for our lad?

    1. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Celloooo

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        juuhuuuu

  10. GreennRed
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Hon Rachel.
    Hon Ireland.

    🙂

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Thoughts on Moura punt for DGW?

  12. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    COYP!

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      No, no. Don't COYP!

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        😀

        1. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          🙂

  13. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Rachel Blackmore, amazing!

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Easy money

  14. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    I’m feeling lucky this GW. Alonso will come on and bag a goal. Confident of this

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Hed better not come on

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Will get sent off more likely

  15. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Sold Watkins and Dallas on WC. But brought in Trent and Salah.

    Could go either way this week!

    1. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Sold them both. Didn't bring in Trent or Salah.

      Only going one way this week.

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Unlucky mate. Who did you end up with?

        1. Mr. O'Connell
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Sterling (c) killed the GW before it started. Went cheap with Pool (Jota, Phillips) so I could load up on Leicester and Chelsea.

          1. Mr. O'Connell
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 8 days ago

            Unfortunately loading up on Chelsea didn't mean Havertz and Pulisic

  16. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    6 (-4) from 5
    Any good?

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Smashing it.

    2. Abaddon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Impressive

  17. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Anyone with Mount should be in for a return today. I only didn't get him because I thought he'd be rested.

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      I have him ... this keeps up and he will be taken off and given a little rest for euro ... just hope he can contribute something before then.

  18. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Kai G

  19. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Havertz

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      CHO assist. it would have beem James

  20. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Game done and dusted, get Alonso on.

  21. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Puli goal

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Wow carnage this

  22. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Chelsea have been very good in this first 10 mins.

    Regret not getting Havertz.

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      So much rotation though, especially in the forward areas.

  23. tim
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Any chance Mitchell stays on bench?

  24. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Damn, my GW1 pick of Havertz finally returning points

  25. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Puli G

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Kai A

  26. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Pulisic goal Kai assist

  27. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Sold Havertz after 4 wks of nothing..
    Capt Jota after 3 wks of form.

    Hand on heart cnat wait till this season is over

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Talking about timing ... this game!

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 8 days ago

        Ah stop it's fkn ridiculous and ruins the fun tbh lately.

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 8 days ago

          Yeah 7 GWs to go to redeem the luck

  28. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    palace either turn up and shock you or get absolutely spanked

    sadly for them today looks like one of the latter

  29. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Juuuuhuuuu we are flying !!!!

    1. Utopsis
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 8 days ago

      Scintillating stuff!

  30. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 8 days ago

    Havertz can do in 9 mins what Werner hasn’t done in 900 mins. Score