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

    Come ooooon Mount we want more we want more

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

      This

  2. HashAttack
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Sky commentator saying Zouma is the top scoring defender with 5 goals - Dallas (7) says hi

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

      Commentators don't base it off their position in FPL.

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He's only a defender in FPL really.

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

      FPL isn’t real life. He doesn’t really play in defence.

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

    Is it 2 or 6 from Rudiger and Mendy each week? Both crap in BAPs too?

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

      It's looking like an easy 6 atm.

  4. Khalico
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Need Reece James cemented onto the bench. Whats the chances he makes a cameo?

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

      Hasn't missed a game since gw20 - loves a cameo

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

      High - Tuchel loves to sub on / off his wing backs

  5. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Waiting for a Rudiger return...

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

    Almost dream combo Mount assist Rudiger goal 🙁

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

      saved from the line

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

      Go on lads, try that again ....

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

        yep, they will

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

    Today is Rudiger’s chance to score. Just has to beat Zouma in the air.

  8. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rudi close this time.

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

    That Rudiger to Mount combo has to happen this week imo, I still believe come ooooon

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

      If we all concentrate really hard ....

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

        law of attraction and that stuff hhaha

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

          With any luck Mount completes the 90 ... I think his presence in that midfield adds to the defensive CS likelihood... he’s so solid in there, doesn’t make many mistakes or give the ball away - take him off and not only reduces his possible points for us, but adds a little more risk regards Chelsea CS staying intact.

  10. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Ahh Rudiger so close, denied by PvA on goal line

  11. Calculated Risks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    My brother has Dallas, Martinez, Bamford, Zouma on bench for 32 points as it stands. Anyone beat that?

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

    Not a good game to only have Azpi in.

    Zouma goal about 10 gws too late haha

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

    Hmmmmmmmm

    Might turn this one off. Getting painful.

    Chat to you later about how to rotate triple Leicester and City attack in 33 and 34 - CL will be dozen and dusted then

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

    Dammit, wrong CB scored...

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

    Palace will do well if this doesn’t beat the 0-7 vs Liverpool.

    That Werner guy might even get a goal.

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

      More important ... keep that CS!

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

    Top 4 race going to be extremely tight. If Liverpool head out of the UCL but Chelsea progress I think Liverpool will nick it considering fixtures too but Chelsea look a very good team under Tuchel

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

    Mount > Jota then, dammit

  18. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Have exact change for Sterling to Salah. Tempted to just pull the trigger now

    1. Miniboss
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I would. He has a blank gw coming and wasn’t exactly convincing today.

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He was always going to be a 1 week punt.

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

      Can’t wait to get that dross out of my team. Already have Sterling and Gundo to Bruno and Jota(-4) locked in

    3. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He rose in price last night so you might even get to the CL game without him rising again.

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

      I'd do it, assuming you don't want a one-weeker on Son?

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

      It’s amazing that someone as small as Sterling can be the undisputed king of the trolls.

      Trolls are big right?

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Can confirm. Unless they're those ones that used to stick on the end of pencils.

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

          Still bigger than Sterling ...

  19. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Rudiger off the line, that one huuuuurts!

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

    Desperately need this Palace goal

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

      I think I’ve warned you before about your vile perversions.

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        NGL the season KK is having I reckon this Chelsea clean sheet is doomed.

    2. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same Rudiger Bench and Alonso starting with VESTEGARD first bench:D plus jammy Dallas everywhere .. I can't understand how palace is so bad they are not even close 🙁

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

    CRY is a team which does not worry about relegation. A target better than WBA or FUL

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

      Southampton Palace Wolves and Arsenal are the teams to target in the run in. All safe from relegation

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

        Pool not safe you think?

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

        Lol @ Arsenal

  22. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Wanted triple Chelsea defense but player I'd have got was Christensen so can't be too heartbroken by that one. Absolutely amazing defense, like City early in the season - usually conservative, dominant in possession, letting in very little chances. Supreme defensive side.

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

      It’s been a week since they conceded 5 at West Brom...

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

        I'm very glad that put people off investing in their assets.

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

          Whenever a team concedes that amount you know they’ll grind out clean sheets for the next few weeks. Same happens with most teams after a drubbing

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

            There's always a reaction, plus Chelsea have had an insane amount of clean sheets beforehand - that game just looks like an anomaly brought by Silva RC and Alonso/Zouma capitulation.

          2. ivantys
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 11 months ago

            It was 10 men

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

              Leeds had 10 men today - doesn't justify letting in 5 goals to a relegation side

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

                Diggerent teams different set ups

                The one less player totally messed chelsea system. Less so with leeds

              2. ivantys
                • 3 Years
                2 years, 11 months ago

                Well it was 2 shots 2 goals vs 21 shots 1 goal. I stopped reading into any stats when I see 11vs10 games.

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Feels so nice to read this as a Blue

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

    CHO should have passed to Mount

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He should have passed to my player instead!

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

      You mean he should have passed to Rudiger on the halfway line to have a shot?

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

    GW1
    Pukki or Buendia??

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

      B for me

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

      Cantwell

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

      Pukki. Main man and takes pens

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

    Bonus Points

    3 - Alexander-Arnold (29)
    2 - Watkins (28)
    1 - Martínez (26)

    3 - Havertz (32)
    2 - Mount (23)
    1 - Hudson-Odoi (21)

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

    Going to need a brace from vardy (c) to salvage this game week

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

      Vardy feels like the one who will make or break people's run in. Fixtures are great, form is pretty poor.

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

        Sterling all over again

    2. Elfozzie 42
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Well everyone else has been pretty low, even Salah captainers hardly 'hauled', especially with BAPS going elsewhere, so the bar is low. I put my armband on Jota... I know, I'm still not exactly sure why, I'm hoping I'll wake up soon and it was all a dream!

    3. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I did Werner to Vardy 5 mins ago

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

    One more win for Norwich and we'll have Pukkiparty back in premier league.

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

      Nothing like the player Kuqi was 🙂

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

        True.

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

      It’s coming hone

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

    Wrong centre back scored a goal ffs, Rudiger robbed

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

    Why did Bamford come off earlier? Injury?

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

      Just tactical when they got the red card

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

        Ok thanks

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      The red card for Cooper.

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

    Zouma 6 aerials duels won in the first half. That's Vidic, Laursen, Lescott numbers

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

      He has nothing on Nat ‘The Cat’ Phillips