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

    Palace with an xG of 0.00 so far.

    1. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Means they’re bound to score

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

    This was such an Alonso game.. sigh

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

    Dias to shaw ?

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

    Anyone else having an utterly dire start to the week?
    And how much was it 'self inflicted'!
    ...says the guy who took out Martinez, Bamford, Dallas and Watkins in his wildcard and didn't bring in Salah but kept Cancelo and Gundogan) Only Trent has kept it mildly respectable so far.

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

      yes mate, so so bad and I got 33 last week

      gundo, cancelo, jota.... no Dallas, double Chelsea def at least I suppose

      lets cry together

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

        I'm up for that. Misery loves company....
        ...and beer. Misery really loves a cold beer.

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

      Can’t complain if you own TAA

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

      Yep
      Took a hit to get in Nacho and Jota, selling Watkins in the process
      Gundogan (c) coming on for a point meaning Dallas in the bench
      Areola CS going on the last few minutes

      Season over

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

        That is so sooo rough Hutton.
        I moved my armband to Jota (don't ask) from Gundo late on, so not much of an improvement.
        The only comfort is that the instinct wasn't wrong, it's the result that's broken! 😉

        With Mark having a terrible gameweek, I thought this was finally my chance to narrow the gap...I thought wrong.
        I just know in my bones he'll somehow get Dallas off his bench. The fantasy force is strong in him! 😉

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

        Iheanacho could do the business.

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

    Reece and Alonso need to stay on the bench. Please Tuchel

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

      Dallas?

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

        Yes

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

          What's that you say? 'Please Thomas, a 5 minute cameo for Alonso to run down the clock?'

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

    Ibra red card to celebrate the new contract

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

    Stay on that bench Alonso, you useless defender!!

  8. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Come on Pools.

  9. jimbe4mXL
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Chelsea scores 3 goals and no points from Rugiger or Mendy, ffs.

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

      I know what you mean, I was fuming earlier seeing Pool score 2 and no attacking returns from Phillips

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

      Interesting that you were expecting attacking returns from Mendy

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

        I've been baited haven't I

        1. G-Whizz
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          😆

      2. The Ilfordian
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He’s been playing very deep

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

          Playing the Kane role

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

          Genuine LOLs

    3. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Hopefully Palace score.

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

    3 wishes:

    1) Palace to score
    2) Alonso to come on
    3) James to come on

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

      3 wishes

      1. Zaha to score
      2. Benteke to score
      3. Mili to get a pen

    2. G-Whizz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      1) Unlucky
      2) Unlucky
      3) Unlucky

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

        1) Granted
        2) Unlucky so far
        3) Unlucky so far

  11. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone else managing to avoid points on WC?

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

    How many points should I expect from the following BB next GW?

    Forster (tot)
    Wood (mun)
    Coady (SHU)
    Coufal (new)

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

      2
      2
      6
      6

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

        I'd say Revival is spot on. Although Coufal does also push forward, so an assist and/or bonus could be in order.

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

        Do you think then that I should use it or hold for a different GW?

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

      1
      2
      6
      2

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

    Good luck to Werner getting back in this team.

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

    CHO was hugged by Tuchel and there was a lot of explanation there. James probably might get a cameo then. Alonso, I think it's less likely unless Chilly needs a rest

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

      Id think it will be
      Kova off Kante in
      And 2 of Puli/Kai/Mount off

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

    Chilwell pass it to Mason

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

      tell me about that. clear goal. he is a full-back just do the assist god damn it

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

    Pass it to `Mount god damn it !!! Mount robbed of a brace by cho and Chilwell

  17. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Picked Christensen on WC, Palace goal needed!

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

    My OR has been slaughtered today. At least 8 players left...

  19. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    is Hodgson managing ambitious Palace next season?

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

      He'l somehow pull through.

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

    Pulisic is so much better than Timo on that left hand side.

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

      He's class. If he was nailed and able to stay fit he'd be straight in my team.

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

    Chelsea helping Palace at present!

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

    Did OR get updated straight after the City game? When I logged on earlier I'd lost about 1k in rank. I sold all my City and Leeds assets on WC so assume it must be that?

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

    Why cant these guys just pass Mount?

  24. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Some of these Chelsea players trying to impress to get into the first team.

  25. Jinswick
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Decent plan?

    32: Pope -> LLORIS
    33: FH
    34: WC

    Pope
    Trent, Shaw, Cancelo
    SON, Auba, Jota, Gundogan
    KANE, Watkins, Bamford

    Martinez, Coufal, Raphina, Targett
    Bank 0.0m, 1FT, WC/FH left

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

      Good plan.

    2. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Auba is a death trap to your squad.

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

        He could do Auba to Salah next week.

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

          Yep, the Auba punt hasn’t worked (yet). Can’t afford a straight swap to Salah this week plus Auba has FUL and I think it makes sense to get another TOT for their DGW (hence Lloris).

          Salah likely comes in for FH33 and WC34

  26. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Anyone doing as bad as me 13 (-8)

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

      5 (-4)

    2. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      I presume that’s more than one player? Feeling narked that I brought in and cap Sterling for a hit and bench Watkins rather than leave it on Mount but TAA has got me in the positive points

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

    Kante warming up.

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

    Mount surely subbed soon. We need him for Porto.

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

      Kova too.

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

        Yeah. Guess that's why Kante is warming up.

  29. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    hooooooooollllllllllllddddddd it rudiger.

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

      Still more than 30 mins to go.

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

    Pick one to start next GW:
    A. Raphinha (LIV)
    B. DCL (TOT)
    C. Dallas (LIV)

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

      DCL

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

      Raphinha

    3. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      A