Dugout Discussion

Mount and Christensen benched as Tuchel rings the changes for Villa clash

After a relatively quiet August, the Thomas Tuchel rotation has begun in earnest this evening.

Chelsea take on Aston Villa in the eighth and final Premier League fixture of the day, with kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 17:30 BST.

International break minutes and forthcoming UEFA Champions League involvement looks to have influenced Tuchel’s team selection, with the Blues boss making six changes from his side’s 1-1 draw with Liverpool.

Thiago Silva starts after avoiding a FIFA ban, while deadline-day signing Saul Niguez makes his first appearance for the west London side.

Mateo Kovacic, Callum Hudson-Odoi, Trevor Chalobah and Hakim Ziyech are also recalled.

Andreas Christensen, Jorginho, Mason Mount and Cesar Azpilicueta all drop to the bench, while Reece James is suspended and N’Golo Kante is injured.

Aston Villa boss Dean Smith has almost matched his Chelsea counterpart, making five changes from Gameweek 3 and seemingly sending his troops out in a wing-back system.

Two of the alterations are enforced, with Emi Martinez and Emi Buendia ruled out because of quarantine rules.

Jed Steer lines up in goal, with Ollie Watkins starting for the first time this season and lining up alongside Danny Ings in a two-man attack.

Tyrone Mings, Jacob Ramsey and John McGinn also return to the starting XI.


GAMEWEEK 4 LINE-UPS

Aston Villa XI: Steer, Cash, Targett, Konsa, Mings, Luiz, McGinn, Watkins, Tuanzebe, Ings, Ramsey

Subs: Sinisalo, Sanson, Traore, Young, Nakamba, El Ghazi, Hause, Bailey, Archer.

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Rudiger, Alonso, Silva, Kovacic, Lukaku, Chalobah, Niguez, Hudson-Odoi, Ziyech, Havertz

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Christensen, Jorginho, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Barkley, Mount, Chilwell, Azpilicueta.

1,713 Comments Post a Comment
  1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Terrible keeping Villa sold a bum steer there

  2. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Any ideas on how to get Ronaldo in here?

    Sanchez (4.0)
    TAA - Shaw - Ayling (Williams, Amartey)
    Salah - Greenwood - Grealish Benrhama (Brownhill)
    DCL - Antonio - Lukaku

    1ft
    0.4itb

  3. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Is Gallagher the real deal?

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

      Yes

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Benrahma to Gallagher a good choice after Liverpool match?

    2. Paqueta Rice
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      2g and 2a in 3 games for 5.5. He could of had much more today. On corners and free kicks and lovely late runs into the box

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        *could've

    3. jackruet
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He has his time. Another haul after 7-8 match

    4. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      dont know if I like his fixtures, he isnt proven yet

    5. Dušan Citizen
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I'm afraid he won't be as good as he could if Milivojevic gets back into first eleven. But he's still dangerous, goes forward a lot.

      1. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Had Milivojevic been injured or been kept out of the team to date? His performances make it hard to drop him

        1. pingissimus
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          No way is he dropped.

        2. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          He was out of team because his father died. But had pretty bad last season, he wouldn't be a starter if I were the manager.

      2. pingissimus
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Mili won't affect him at all imo

        The problem will come when Eze is fit - rumoured to be late October. That all push him back a bit I suspect into the McArthur role.

        1. Dušan Citizen
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          But Mili took over almost all set pieces when he came on

          I'm also considering Zaha as a differential, worth 1.5m over Gallagher?

          1. pingissimus
            • 5 Years
            2 years, 6 months ago

            After Liverpool Palace have a sort of decent run with 3 at home in the next 4.

            Thinking about Zaha myself and he's sounding very happy. That's always a good sign. Talking about talking corners too!

            I suspect Olise will end up on most set pieces when he's in. More or less matched Buendia for assists last time around only in poorer team. Takes a mean set piece.

    6. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      He does look it.

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

      If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.

  4. BenDavies
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    If Kovacic added goals to his game he'd be a world beater. He's already a world class midfielder, criminally underrated.

    1. Avery
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Consistently inconsistent

  5. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Will wildcard on gw 7 BS bla bla. Apart from mendy and lukaku every chelsea asset is rotation risk. And i am not sure how many of us can shift ronaldo to lukaku. Ronaldo is essential

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

      Ronaldo is not essential. I’m looking at a Lukaku, Mount and Rudiger triple up too

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        He’s definitely essential

  6. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Kova haul

  7. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Gotta love McGinn 😀

    1. 2001: A Space Origi
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      now he is fitter, he is a bit of a beast! 🙂

  8. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Would you wildcard this team and bring in Ronaldo and Lukaku?

    Sanchez
    TAA / Digne / Dier / Shaw
    Salah / Bruno / Greenwood / Benrahma
    Antonio / DCL

    1. kempc23
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nah. Antonio and Bruno to Ron/Rom and take your pick. Jota maybe? Keep the wildcard.

      1. Kane Train
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Dier will be out for a while. Leeds fixtures look good. Digne not been fantastic

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      If you want. There’s no right time or team for WC just depends on what you want going forwaed

    3. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      It's difficult getting a balanced side with Ronaldo, Lukako, Salah and TAA. Don't see your bench and you will have problems with Antonio and Dier next week. Play around without transferring and see if it works

  9. tim
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Bench?

  10. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Tyrone baiting Mayo

    1. Podge
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Done now, the curse continues 😆

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

      That curse will run it's course it seems.

      How many more players have to die off from the Mayo team that last won it for the curse to be lifted?

  11. Subzero (-4)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Guys I have 0.1 itb and the move I want to make is mount to jota for free for next gameweek. Is it stupid to make the move now before I get priced out tonight? I really don’t know if there is going to be a better value pick next gameweek given it’s likely firmino is out

  12. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Gw7 James, Havertz and Lukaku

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      *Alonso

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Isn’t Reece not bailed though?

  13. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso yc

  14. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso yc

  15. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso YC just got skinned

  16. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso YC 🙁

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      *Sighs*

  17. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Harsh yellow ref

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Well deserved tbh, could have just let him go.

      1. SADIO SANÉ
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Right in the corner and not cynical, disagree tbh

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

          Alonso got handed his ar5e by the trickery.

  18. Thanos
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Stupid yc from Alonso

  19. N00B
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Antonio and Ayling owners, what will you do for next gw?
    A) Play Ayling, bench Antonio
    B) Bench Ayling, sell Antonio for Bamford

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      A

  20. Nailed Jesus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Best of this bunch?
    Traore, Trincao, Sarr, Harrison, D.James

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

      traore

  21. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    3 - Kovacic (40)
    2 - Lukaku (34)
    1 - Chalobah, Thiago Silva (29)

  22. vincentwsho
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which is the better 4.0 defender, Manquillo or Brandon Williams?

    1. TKC07
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Williams

  23. Over Midwicket
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    WC active. So sick of useless deadwood with "good fixtures" like Jimmy et al.

    Current team:

    Meslier.
    TAA. Shaw. Coufal.
    Salah. Bruno. Greenwood. Ben. Buendia.
    Antonio*. Jimmy.

    4.0 . Veltman. 4.5 nonstarter. Tsimi*.

    Thinking of this..

    Sanchez.

    Alonso. James. TAA. Cancelo. Dias.
    Jota. Sarr.
    Ronaldo. Lukaku. DCL.

    4.0. Gray. Allan. Gilmore. 0.2itb.

    Thoughts?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Missing Leeds, Salah etc.

    2. clodhopper
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Antonio only out 1 game

    3. Podge
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      I like it, it’s very different

    4. dwain100
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Lots of money in defense. Upgrade Gilmore to Raphinha and downgrade one of the defenders

  24. cheekumz
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    The obvious move and likely most popular for Antonio is Bamford (probably what i'll do) but am I crazy for considering Saint M. I know NEW are a bit of a disaster but hes just so lively and i think can keep similar points to Bamford plus the cash saved could go into midfield... Benrahma to Jota for example. Crazy?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Only out for 1 game, surely bench!

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

        Good argument either way. Start of Leeds' good run.

    2. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah keep it simple and right with Bamford

  25. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    70 years of hurt, forever more!

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

      I am not that superstitious but i sure as hell wouldn't disrespect a passing funeral.

  26. J to the T
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Wolves fans - is Marcal a long term option? And is it chasing points putting him in now?

  27. Big boy Bowen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Any ideas?

    Sanchez
    Trent | Shaw | Alonso
    Bruno | Jota | Greenwood | Torres | Sarr
    Kane | Antonio

    Steele | Livramento | Williams | Scarlett

    1FT, 0ITB

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Probably need a hit.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        For what? I kinda want to see if Son might be back first

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Kaku or Ronaldo for Kane

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        Ronaldo would be a hit as already have 3 United

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 6 months ago

          And Lukaku away at Spurs so perhaps Kane a better option in that game?

    3. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Well, don’t really wanna “go there”, but maybe…

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

      Take a hit as part of two moves or just play Williams. Not much you can do with one move.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 6 months ago

        What hit would you do?

  28. JBG
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Toney to ASM
    B) Antonio to DCL/Bamford
    C) Tsimikas to Marcal
    D) Save ft and play Toney

    Have Gray, Ayling and Raphinha already, if that helps choosing.

    1. NotsoSpursy
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Branford

  29. Viprin
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Havertz off Azpi on

  30. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 6 months ago

    Any chance of another Lukaku return?

    1. Burger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 6 months ago

      Nope that's your lot, sorry folks.