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

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

752 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Pulisic 0.0% ownership in top10k

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      So 0%.

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

    Alonso coming on?

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

      WTF?

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

    2 from 2 weeks for azpi, not exactly what I expected

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

    Any reason to keep Alonso?

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

      Nope

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

      We’ll find out in a bit hopefully

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

      Due a start next GW, presuming he doesn’t start midweek.

      Keep if bench cover is there and Trent already in team.

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

      Not really but I would keep for GW32 and wait and see if Chelsea get a DGW if they get to the FA cup final

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

      I've had 7-10M ITB, brought Salah and still have 3M. Keep him, looked good when he played.

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

      Cheers everyone

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

    Mount assists the assister again

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

    I wanna know how Kaptain Kane knew to play Dallas over Rudiger (third on bench).

    That's some voodoo.

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

      Probably by mistake

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

      Jam, plus last minute doing team.
      I hate playing for clean sheets, I always favour an attacking defender regardless of fixture

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

      Time-traveller.

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

      Nearly made up for selling Pereira last week

    5. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Most exciting defender in the game. This years Lundstrum.

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

        True..

        Never had him though.

        1. Rupert The Horse
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          I love him. So much fun having him.

        2. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 11 months ago

          Never had him either ... I just didn't fancy Leeds def, but love their playing style

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

    Alonso autosubs activated.

    1. djman102
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Enter Luke Shaw. If he's out, enter Dallas! It's the hope that kills

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

        Telles needed midweek with Shaw banned. Don’t let any hope sneak in.

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

    Bonus Points

    3 - Pulisic (50)
    2 - Havertz (33)
    1 - Benteke (32)

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

      It should be

      Pulisic 9.05
      Mount 8.61
      Havertz 8.46
      Zouma 7.93
      CHO 7.72
      Teke 7.60
      Kovacic 7.40

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

    Whoscored rating should be a basis for BP.

    There is:

    Pulisic 9.05
    Mount 8.61
    Havertz 8.46
    Zouma 7.93
    CHO 7.72
    Teke 7.60
    Kovacic 7.40

    FPL on the other hand has:
    3 - Pulisic (50)
    2 - Havertz (33)
    1 - Benteke (32)

    Mount (30)
    Hudson-Odoi (27)
    Zouma (25)
    Jorginho (21)
    Cahill (20)
    Kovacic (20)

    Ridiculous imo . And I am watching the game closely

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

      Nah.

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

      24 BPS for a forward beats all Mounts unseen good work, for FPL.

      Scribble up a letter for the Towers.

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

        I will scribble a letter indeed

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

      The BPS is transparent and parameters clearly listed.

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

      We get it, you own mount

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

        it's about priincple

  10. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    No show by Alonso- is he a sell or keep for Brighton ( Porto and City to play before then and hard to predict which games he plays- perhaps Chilwell rested for Porto, plays City and rested Brighton but who knows!)

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

      Sell. Neither him or Chilwell look nailed on.

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

    POOLS 2-0 NOTTS COUNTY

    Top of the National League. Come on. Up the Pools.

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

      Happy to have provided the gift wrapped Richie Bennett

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

        I bet Stockport will recall him for the play offs.

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

          I damn hope so - sooner preferably. Crazy move to loan him to you

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

    on the other hand, James this game is miles better than the selfish CHO

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

      Why did you start this post mid conversation?

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

    many to fall for the Havertz and Puli trap

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

      Their fixtures are meh from now onwards

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

        more reason for them to keep a clean sheet?

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

          Should be able to keep a clean sheet v Palace too though.

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

      Pulisic goes good for 5 or 6 games and then it's usually injury rather than loss of form that halts his good spell.

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

    Mendy has been yet another goalkeeping disappointment in a season of goalkeeping disappointments.

    Done naff all in the few weeks I've had him.

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Best to pick a 4.5 begin season and stick with it I guess. Less dissappointment then premium.

  15. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Dallas and watkins coming off the bench for Dias and Alonso is pleasing.

    1. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Jammy dodger

  16. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    I am now relying on Josh King to get minutes

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

      What kind of WC did you play?!

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        None!

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

      How has it come to that? 😆

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 11 months ago

        😆 😆 🙁

        I don’t know!

  17. Lucky Z
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Double Chelsea and Liverpool defences on WC went well. Scored less than Dallas.

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

    Bench Jam!!!!!!

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

    That Teke goal still hurts 🙁 . Huge difference as Mount and Rudiger owner

  20. Van der Faart
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Could do with Mendy making a few saves or

  21. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    Lol at me, own Rudiger but all rivals have James FFS

  22. Isco Disco
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    WC fail! Chelsea double CS gone, Sterling (C) blanked, Jota blank. Only returns from Coady and Salah so far.
    Only Lingard and Spurs assets can save my GW

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

    No KDB
    No Alonso
    No Tosin
    Welcome 3rd sub Dallas

    First jam of the season

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

      Lovely stuff!

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

    Dallas in for Alonso for many

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

      ^^^^

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

      not at all

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

      Some of us actually played Dallas.

    4. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      He is 3%owned...

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

    8 from 5

    Another god awful week in the making

    1. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Can't wait for it to be over

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

    Mount back to 1 BPS again

  27. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 11 months ago

    ML lead destroyed by using WC, every time I've used a chip it's gone horribly

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

    Here I am again on a Saturday afternoon feeling thoroughly depressed and miserable because of FPL. Just isnt good for mental health is it?

    1. Isco Disco
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Same here. Only difference is I wake up to this shite. FML

    2. Van der Faart
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      If it effects you that much I wouldn't play. It's only a game.

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

        You are probably right but after 15yrs it will be hard to walk away from it.

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

    My wildcard so far 6 players + captain = Stuart Dallas (who I sold on wildcard).

    1. Rupert The Horse
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 11 months ago

      Ahaha. That is so brutal.

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

      Like a lot of people. If I had a million wildcards I'd still have benched Dallas v City.

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

        Of course. I wanted to keep him. Would have 100% been third sub. Not annoyed about Dallas at all. Just pointing out how s*** I am at FPL.

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

    Will be interesting to see what happens with Hodgson after this season.

    Squad is old, loads of contracts up for renewal. No money. Will Hodgson sign a new contract?

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

      Will they give him one?