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
    2 years, 11 months 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
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I have 27 on the bench!

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

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

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

          I have alonso in my 11 tho hehe

        2. Herman Toothrot
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          nOwHerE tO hIdE...

  2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

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

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Could be worse. Could be blocking Dallas.

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months 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
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He’s blocking my Dallas
        :angry:

    2. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      blocked my 7 from Watkins

  3. Tasty Jerk
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    lol Tuchel calling us "Crystal" 😀

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

      You started Dallas over Rudiger? Master move

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

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

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

        True, who would you bench then?

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months 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. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 11 months 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
    2 years, 11 months 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
      2 years, 11 months ago

      B

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

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

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

      Probably A

    4. luk46
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months 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
    2 years, 11 months 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
      2 years, 11 months ago

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

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

        Yes defender just got to it first

      2. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

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

    2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Defender got it.

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

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

        1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Stop drinking. Start watching games.

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

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

    1. Kane and Ablett
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

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

    2. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      About 35% luck imo

    3. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months 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
        2 years, 11 months ago

        The Fulham defender

      2. HuttonDressedasLahm
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Tosin

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

          No idea who that is

    4. Whazza
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months 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
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any Mount owners there to cheer jointly for our lad?

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

      Celloooo

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

        juuhuuuu

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

    Hon Rachel.
    Hon Ireland.

    🙂

  11. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Thoughts on Moura punt for DGW?

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

    COYP!

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

      No, no. Don't COYP!

      1. Tasty Jerk
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        😀

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

          🙂

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

    Rachel Blackmore, amazing!

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

      Easy money

  14. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

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

    1. HuttonDressedasLahm
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hed better not come on

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

      Will get sent off more likely

  15. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months 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
      2 years, 11 months ago

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

      Only going one way this week.

      1. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Unlucky mate. Who did you end up with?

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

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

  16. HuttonDressedasLahm
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    6 (-4) from 5
    Any good?

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

      Smashing it.

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

      Impressive

  17. Hulk Smash
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months 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
      2 years, 11 months 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
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Kai G

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

    Havertz

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

      CHO assist. it would have beem James

  20. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Game done and dusted, get Alonso on.

  21. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Puli goal

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Wow carnage this

  22. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chelsea have been very good in this first 10 mins.

    Regret not getting Havertz.

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      So much rotation though, especially in the forward areas.

  23. tim
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any chance Mitchell stays on bench?

  24. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Damn, my GW1 pick of Havertz finally returning points

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

    Puli G

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

      Kai A

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

    Pulisic goal Kai assist

  27. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months 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
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Talking about timing ... this game!

      1. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

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

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Yeah 7 GWs to go to redeem the luck

  28. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months 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
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Juuuuhuuuu we are flying !!!!

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

      Scintillating stuff!

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

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