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. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    L for Salah cappers. 12.5m for 7 points

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      And yet not really, pleased with that and Dallas.

      You must be a Sterling capper

      1. Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        He is just a miserable person.

      2. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        Sneaking in a Dallas brag which has no relevance to Salah shows you're trying to compensate

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

      Jota's points per millions vs Salah's? That's one way I can try to justify it xD

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

      Whatever makes you feel better matey

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

      I’m happy with it this week, as I doubt any of the other main captains will score more than 7. But I’m mostly happy I’m an owner, as the coming fixtures have hauls written all over them

    5. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      7? I got 14. Very happy with that. I have about nearly 107 million team value and have MONEY to BURN. 😀

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

    Mane could’ve passed that at the end for Mr. Jota!

  3. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I love TAA!

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

      So happy for him after all the slag he gets, quality player.

  4. Spg76
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Salah fail!

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

    The first thing that comes to Carragher’s mind when TAA scored was Gary Neville. So bitter.

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

    Literally. F*** this game. Like it's just misery after misery.

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

      What happened Mr. O Connell?

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

        He captained Sterling.

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

    Jorginho coming off the bench for KDB fingers crossed.

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

    Lovely Jota blank, said that lad was overhyped

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

      What about when he scores against Leeds?

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

      5 shots, unlucky.

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

        5 shots and an xG of 0.2. Give the shots some context

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

      Ridiculous and uninformed comment

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

    Phillips robbed of a bap

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

      You can blame Mané for that pathetic shot at the end.

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

    Can any unbiased person say if it was actually a Jota touch/assist or not?

    Owner here but not watching.

    Heard he was involved nonetheless???

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

      I have Jota and it looked like the defender cleared the ball, no assist

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

        Yes, this. Jota was nowhere near involved. It was thiago's shot that parried out to trent. Maybe everyone here thinks thiago looks like jota?!

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

          That’s definitely not what happened

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

      I’m not unbiased (Jota owner), but from what I saw, I’d say it probably wasn’t. Looked like he and the defender both went to kick it and the defender got there first. Definitely possible a better angle / zoom could show it was Jota though

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

    Dallas and Watkins on bench with Jota captain. FFS

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

      I’m with you on all 3 mate. No Salah or TAA either. Bad day

  12. CheesyZoot
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Will Bale get a decent amount of mins vs United? It's not much but have Watkins 1st on bench and wouldn't mind his 5 points

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

      Can't see him starting anyway. Could get a cameo.

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

    The top 10K template wildcard is smashing it so far.

    1. fusen
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      It's almost like the template is basically made up of sensible picks and on a good day, those sensible picks will return points.

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

        Yeah; and the template is actually differential this week too.

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

    I forgot to set up my team this week and everything is going OK for now somehow... If only TAA didn't score that late goal it would be almost perfect.

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Your linked team says a different story though!!

      1. Railwayman
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        How do you figure? I missed the deadline, burned a transfer. In all fairness, my plan was to bring Sterling (C) and Alonso in for Bale and Stones.

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

    16 pts hit analysis.

    Jota would have been the captain = 4pts
    Gundo = 1pt
    Digne = TBC
    Dias would have been subbed in for either Shaw or DCL = TBC

    After the hit
    Salah captain = 14pts
    Jota =2pts
    TAA = 11pts
    Nacho = TBC

    Pre hits = 4 pts + couple of players
    Post hit = 27 pts -16 pts + Nacho

    That is 1GW only. Long term has to be taken itno account as well especially the GW 33 blank for my City players .

    So basically what you think is it a smooth ?
    Thanks

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

      TBC

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

        Probably. I'll update everyone, hopefully will help the lads for future decisions

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

      *Dias subbed off

    3. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      KDB to Salah?

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

        No Gundo to Salah

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

      Great outcome so far!

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

        Besides Jota all worked

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

      TBC.

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

        You might be right

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

      BTW DCL would have been the first sub

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

      Stacks up

      Never taken a 12 but have had a lot of joy with 8 point hits.

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

    Sterling(C) fail
    Gundogan fail
    Going Raph over Bam fail
    Not captaining Salah or owning Trent

    Thank god Liverpool won or I’d have been in a deep state of depression for the next day

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

      Sterling punt was worth a shot. If you had told me he would play 90 minutes against Leeds I would've captained him 100 times out of 100 this week.

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

        I disagree about Sterling. He is the reason I am not top 10K. Went him instead of Gundo for his purple batch

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

          *patch

  17. mgilbert86
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Any news on if Neto is expected to be out for next week?

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

    Captained Sterling and I’m gutted but I’d be fuming if I had captained Jota. He had an open goal if Mane had passed.

    1. Tinmen
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      You keeping Sterling ?

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

        No way. He’s awful. I’m bringing in Fernandes for free.

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

    1 minute silence for all the TAA and Salah Haters

  20. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Folks, any chance Holding doesn’t start? Luiz being out it seems likely.

    Yep, Dallas bencher here

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

      There's always a chance but if he's fit he will start.

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

      lol, you don’t deserve Dallas’ points. Go home!

      1. Tinmen
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        I know I know but still..

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

      Mari could start ahead of him perhaps?

      * zero knowledge of Arsenal defensive set up disclaimer

    4. Reece’s Pieces
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Good luck! I had Dias so Dallas comes in.

      Balanced by my Jota Captain. 🙁

  21. Egg noodle
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    All the TAA lollers, show yourselves!

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

      This! Nowhere to hide for ya!

      1. Egg noodle
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        🙂

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

    What minute will Chelsea CS get busted?

    1. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Next game

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

      It won’t. Alonso isn’t playing

    3. Reece’s Pieces
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      🙁
      Mendy is Ederson when he had that supposed 4 CS run

  23. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Should have just captained Kane.

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

      Till the end of the season too. Maybe not against Utd only

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

    All systems normal here after 3 games in

    captain fail - check
    nicely up on average score - check
    plenty of players to come - check
    willing to trade sides with any team 10 points worse off - check

  25. Manani
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    should I BB?

    Bench: Forster Holding Rudiger Pereria

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

      No. Those lads might have a double in GW 35

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

    3.8MM Mitchell back in favor might be nice for the possible CPL DGW 35

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

      I am monitoring Zaha and maybe Guaita

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

        Sad times if we are monitoring palace players

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

        Yeah I think Zaha in if it happens

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

      He's on the bench

      Suspect he gets game time as soon as 40 points is reached

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

    This game is 100% luck, 0% skill these days.

    TAA and Dallas owners showing why

    1. boc610
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      haha better take those grapes back, they've gone sour

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

      Both probably top 3 for attacking defenders, why is it luck having them? 😀

    3. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Luck-based game when you are doing badly, skill-based when you are doing well?

      I don't have TAA. Kudos to those who got him in early.

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

        Yep that’s how it works

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

          Hahaha

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

      Oh dear

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

    Have had a mare bringing Alonso in for a hit 😆 oh dear

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

      You knew the risk

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

        Was quite confident of a start tbh

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

      No Dallas to come off the bench?

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

        Was getting him for Dias anyway

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

    Need one digne or Lowton to miss out to get Dallas off the bench ughh

    Its not happening oh no it isnt

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

      Defender kicks it no?

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

        from that angle and Jota's celebration, it appears Jota touched it

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

      Too late now sadly