Dugout Discussion

James, Mount and Alonso benched as Lukaku leads the Chelsea line again

Relatively few Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers will have escaped some rotation pain on Saturday and the teamsheet bombshells continue at Brentford this evening.

Chelsea make the short journey across west London to meet their neighbours in the 5.30pm BST kick-off.

Taking inspiration from Pep Guardiola’s starting XI selections earlier in the day, Thomas Tuchel has thrown a few curveballs our way.

Malang Sarr‘s debut wouldn’t have been predicted by many and the effect of his inclusion at centre-half means that Cesar Azpilicueta once again lines up at right wing-back, so the fit-again Reece James has to be content with a seat on the bench.

Marcos Alonso and Mason Mount will be alongside the defender, while Callum Hudson-Odoi drops to the bench, Antonio Rudiger misses out with a back problem and Thiago Silva isn’t involved following his late return from World Cup qualifier duty in South America.

Andreas Christensen and N’Golo Kante return to the starting XI.

It’s a relatively serene picture with regards to the Brentford team news, as Thomas Frank has made only one change to the side that started the win at West Ham. It’s an enforced one, too, with Mathias Jensen coming in for the injured Shandon Baptiste.

Kristoffer Ajer is only among the substitutes.

GAMEWEEK 8 LINE-UPS

Brentford XI: Raya, Canos, Jorgensen, Pinnock, Jansson, Henry, Norgaard, Jensen, Onyeka, Toney, Mbeumo

Subs: Fernandez, Thompson, Goode, Forss, Ghoddos, Ajer, Bidstrup, Roerslev, Maghoma

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Sarr, Christensen, Chalobah, Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Loftus-Cheek, Chilwell, Lukaku, Werner

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Alonso5Jorginho, Níguez, Barkley, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, James, Havertz

1,730 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    My punt on Alonso has been disastrous, is he knackered as an FPL option now that Chilly has scored? Tempted to hold for Norwich then bring back Trent

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely, an admitted mistake, put it right asap

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I genuinely think Tuchel rates Chilwell as better than Alonso - compare their minutes last season - which is why I brought him in on WC. I'd keep Alonso for Norwich though.

      1. Danstoke82
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Think I’ll keep for Norwich and hope he plays, other things to attend to first like getting rid of Sarr. Hoping Trent doesn’t explode in price now!

    3. Walter White (WW)
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Time to bin

    4. Nightf0x
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Will see what happens in the ucl game then decide

    5. Wizard of Ozil
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hey Marcos, just Chil on the bench from now on

  2. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpil given the assist 😆

    What the hell. Just ludicrous even if it is taken off eventually

    Another reason the game has lost credibility

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Permalink

    2. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why do you still play it then?

      1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I don’t play competitively in cash leagues or with friends

        Just in a single family league

      2. Captain Vantastic™
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        He loves stirring sht

      3. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        No way I’d rely on fpl with money or my mental health at stake considering all the inconsistencies at play

        I’m done with that

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Points taken off on FPL

    4. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Open controls 🙂

    5. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      what's the other reasons?

  3. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    No way in this world should that be an azpi assist. Fantasy world. Who knows.

    1. HonestBlatter
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Has to be fixed

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Open controls, strikes again

    2. Dthinger
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      There’s no assist in the app

  4. Philosopher's Stones
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Someone at the FPL towers brought in Azpi this week

  5. HonestBlatter
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku got touch and then ball bounced to Chilwell. This cannot be Azpi's assist....

  6. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Raya save from Lukaku penalty second half.

    1. FFSbet.com
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Have both,hope you are right

  7. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi assist removed

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why was it even added?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        For some excitement.

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

        How would I know? I just play this for fun.

      3. Philosopher's Stones
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        "just add it in case no-one notices"

      4. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Stevie Wonder is watching the matches

    2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sanity back

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

      Oh well.

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

        There's a VAR in FPL Towers. Got the right decision in the end.

        1. Bushwhacker
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Lukaku assist given???

  8. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Looks like Rom and Marcal to Vardy and Chilwell is on

  9. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Assist removed

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Rightly so!

  10. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi ROBBED.

    Games gone!

    1. Denis Tueart on the wing
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lukaku Robbed

  11. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Assist removed, I’m sorry Azpi owners but you know deep down that it would have been a scandal if given

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

      Not even deep down. Was just hoping I’d get away with it

  12. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Why did Luka not get the assist?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Did he shoot?

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I thought it came off him tbh

    3. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Fixed, unlike when the site goes tits up

    4. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      well it's taken FPL towers this long to realise it's not an Azpi assist, I'm sure they'll get there eventually

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

      He would have needed to touch it.

  13. Jafooli
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mystery solved - Mark owns Azpil

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

      Why would he remove the assist?

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Public outcry

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Alonso and Rudi actually!
      https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/56371/event/8

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Also getting Veltman off the bench for Jota….jammy bar steward

    3. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah, I solved that a couple posts above

      1. Jafooli
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        😀 great minds 😉

    4. WVA
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It's been removed but the fact they even tried that is incredible

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

        snakes. 😀

  14. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Do you think a Armstrong will get minutes go Burnley?

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Versus burnley

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'm in the same boat, and probably no start, Broja goal and Redmond motm.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks again f4l. Really disappointed by this pick, think I will sell.

        1. F4L
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          yeah it's gone south real fast, oh well

  15. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So many salty Azpi non-owners

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No, just vindicated non owners

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

        Yeah 100% we all knew it was coming off haha

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

      and vinegary 😀

    3. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I mean, we're never getting that 😆

      How was it even added...

    4. Philosopher's Stones
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Speaking for justice gets you labelled as salty. Modern day society, man.

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

        Here we go again

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

        Yep, reminds me of the "mens rights don't matter" brigade 😀

  16. Miniboss
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Loved the few minutes of distressed moaning here after Azpi got the assist. ”Game has lost its credibility”, ”seriously disgraceful” blah blah blah.

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

      All justified and valid.

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If you invest time in something, you want it to be fair

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

        Trust the proc

  17. LochineFDC
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Now we know why it's called the 'Fantasy' premier league..

  18. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Presume Azpi was initially, mistakenly, given the assist as he was the last Chelsea player to touch the ball before Chilwell.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Probably so

    2. Bushwhacker
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Other than Lukaku?

  19. Athletico Underachieving
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hate being mr knee jerk, but Rudi - Chilwell and bank 0.1?

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Hell no, you know what’s coming

      1. Athletico Underachieving
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        If Rudi is out I must just go nuts and embrace the pain

        1. Athletico Underachieving
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Might just*

        2. WVA
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          If Rudi is out for Norwich then I'm doing it for a hit!

  20. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thinking Dias to Chilwell next week as I have Cancelo already but I can already predict what will happen. Cancelo and Chilwell will probably get benched.

  21. vova
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    How are Chelsea looking?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      As boring as ever.

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      no one is breaching the gap between the front 2 and the mid 3, so pretty bad.

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Azpil passing is sublime, reaching intended target every time

  22. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Where is my Mahrez(C) and Lukaku assists?

    1. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This

  23. shirtless
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Just come in any update on Dias? Wildcard could happen tonight after a bottle of plonk lol

    1. Weasel Boy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      He'll start most weeks.
      He came off bench second half

      1. shirtless
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yes I agree. Pre-CL breather I guess.

  24. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Bloody Chillwell… of course it had to be him haha

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sold him this week! Classic

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

    Lukaku showing he has not really improved since leaving Man Utd. All it was is Serie A is easier, especially for a guy with his physical attributes in a less physical league than the PL.

    1. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Same as Ronaldo, too many space for him there

    2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A bit on the harsh/kneejerk/snap-reaction side

      Do you not think he was incredibly unlucky not to get multiple returns vs Southampton? He did everything right, just got bad luck

      And he had 3 goals in 5 league starts prior to that game, a run of games that included home to city and away to Arsenal, Liverpool & Spurs

      Actually the more I think about it, sorry I don’t agree at all (yet) and this definitely bears all the hallmarks of a classic FFS boards results-otenitated kneejerk, to me at least, imvho (hopefully I’ve added enough caveat there that I don’t get banned for expressing my opinion)

      1. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Maximis Replius

      2. WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Six games now with nothing, he is not a world class player, he wasn't unlucky v Southampton, his finishing was poor as was his positioning. All this started when I brought him in mind as a differential

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

          Why do you keep making these bad management decisions week after week?

          1. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Luck

            • WVA
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Bringing in Lukaku for 2 3-0 wins out of 3 games? Brilliant decision just incredibly unlucky.

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

                Admit it that you’re just bad at this. You’re great at moaning though.

                1. WVA
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 5 months ago

                  I am fantastic at moaning, my last 7 season finished suggest otherwise but it does feel like it!

          2. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            I respect your right to that opinion Super Saints but I just don’t agree that he wasn’t unlucky vs Southampton

            He strayed marginally, marginally offside for his disallowed goal from rudigers pass, as a forward he was in absolutely the right position waiting for a tap from Azpi’s cross on the goal Werner scored, the ball came back off the post from his shot in the run up to chilwell’s goal…

            On another day he double or treble returns in that game with exactly the same level of performance & everything is rosy in the garden

            As I said, he’s not the best forward in the world, but to my eye he has improved a lot since he was at Utd

        2. EL TANO
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          It’s the eye test prompting the Lukaku comments dude, not fantasy stats or points…they are just the bi product and the source of everybody’s disappointment

          1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            He’s been generally fine - it’s just frustration at his lack of returns vs Southampton that is boiling over - if his marginally offside goal from Rudiger pass had stood, or if Werner hadn’t been in line before him for a tap in for his goal, or any other number of near misses vs Southampton people would be shouting from the rooftops about how great he is

            It’s just the way things go

            The amount of bodies Lukaku kept drawing to him vs Southampton helped Chelsea(and Werner enormously)

            He’s not the best striker in the world, but I think he is much better now than when he was at Utd - to my eye at least

      3. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Does that make Kane and Vardy the best strikers in the world?

      4. Sun Jihai
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Annoyed I didn't just go with Vardy in hindsight!

    3. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Just need to give that assist to James now and all is forgiven

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Agree

    4. DAZZ
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      What are Diogo Jota owners planning? I’m considering keeping for Man Utd and Brighton. Do we think he starts the United game?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        No.

      2. Bushwhacker
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        No he’ll start against Athletico

      3. BeWater
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Keeping him. Likely move will be Greenwood to Raphinha.

      4. Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Might keep long term

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

        Firmino is so much better for the team. We look so fluid with him compared to Jota. I’d expect Jota to start against Athletico and then Firmino back for United. If Jota does start midweek and Firmino doesn’t I’d definitely sell

        1. Alexis Nonsense
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          How often is 4-2-3-1 going to happen you think?

          Jota is so good in that system

          1. Bushwhacker
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Never

      6. DAZZ
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers.

    5. EL_FENOMENO
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Glad I switched Chilly to Dias

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

        Same here. Elite management skills

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

      Vote.
      A. Rom touched it.
      B. Rom didn’t touch it.

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        B

      2. Paqueta Rice
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Show me on the doll where he touched it?