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

    Great got James and Raphinha on WC and none starts lol

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

      You must have known Raph wouldn’t play and James was a massive gamble.

    2. Jimmers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      You didn't buy them for just one game though

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

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

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

      Wrong website Rupert…

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

        Oh whoops, sorry Jaff.

    2. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    3. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It matters not.

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

      If he touched it FPL/Opta would know by now and the assist would have been given.

      Especially if he shot and it was blocked and some people seen...

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

      May touch but no assist 😛

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

        Cheers Yoda

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

      Only you can tell us for sure

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

      C. Don't care

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

      A

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

    Chillwell reminds me of the character in American psycho, I think it's the hair

  4. Cruicky
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez finishing on 2 saves for the 4th game running is hilariously frustrating.

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

      1 save point after 8gw

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

    753 people have sold Salah.

    What’s that about? 🙂

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

      Red fixture next.

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

        It’s Man United. Only thing red about it is the kit colour 🙂

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

      Tough game next weekend.

    3. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Free up cash to upgrade Scarlett to Firmino/Werner.

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

      In order to get in form Ronnie & Lukaku…

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

      753 people cursing after experimenting with their wildcard

  6. ManofKent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on Ronaldo & Gallagher to KDB & Toney?

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Nice

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

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

      KdB to start 3 games in a week?

      1. ManofKent
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Even missing the odd one I think he'll outscore Ronaldo over the next few weeks. UTD look dreadful against weak opposition and fixtures tighten.

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

          not going to argue with that

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

    Last week I made a last second change from Azpilicueta to Alonso on my WC. This week I was seriously debating Rudiger>Chillwell and starting both Alonso and Chillwell. Convinced that I was insane, I went for James instead.

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

      Sites like these can mess with your thinking sometimes. Look at the stats

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

      That’s why my most expensive defender is currently 4.4m 😆

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

        White - Lowton - Duffy - Livramento - Marcel (4.5 - about to be sold)

        They’re doing me fine…

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

          Lovely

  8. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you do Ronaldo-Rudiger >> Vardy-Dias for free?

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

      Yep

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

        Cheers mate

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

      Yes

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

        Cheers mate

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

    Which is a better transfer?

    A- King > Toney
    B- Traore’ > Mbuemo

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

      Both! A first.

    2. ManofKent
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Can you do both?

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

        Leicester are not that bad. I don’t think it’s worth the hit

  10. C0YS
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Best transfer?

    A) Marcal > Azpi/Chilwell (have Rudi)
    B) Greenwood > Mbeumo
    C) Antonio > Vardy

  11. CABAYE4
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone else miss the days where we had a press conference on a Friday and that was it for team news?

    Son playing tomorrow after all would be a cruel blow.

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

      It’s shades of last year where he was ‘injured’ loads sold and then he started and hauled

      1. CABAYE4
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Yep fell for that one as well!

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

    I’m starting to like Chalobah as an option for 3rd Chelsea. Not nailed but happy to have him play 2 in 3

    1. CABAYE4
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Has only been 1 in 2 so far and can’t see it getting better than that.

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

    Might just downgrade Lukaku to Ings and go with three premiums in midfield.

    1. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Almost don't even want to say it but Norwich next so hold. Of course he'll be benched or something.

  14. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso to Chilwell?

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

      If you enjoy the LWB roller coaster.

    2. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If Alonso starts midweek I would.

    3. C0YS
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      All Chelsea defensive assets are a risk bar Rudi, but that said it seems like a reasonable transfer if you’re fine with the occasional benching

  15. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jota or Alonso out first?

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

      Add Ronaldo to that too …

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

        And Lukaku

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

        Got rid of him last week..

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

      Jota was rested after a slight injury. He’ll play similar minutes to last year- start some, sub most.
      He’s relatively cheap and is really active when he plays.
      Liverpool are scoring goals for fun too.

      I prefer him over Alonso comfortably. At his price a 1-2pt cameo ain’t the worst every now and then.

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

    Tuchel is a footballing Dementor; 8 defensive minded players plus the keeper. He sucks all enjoyment out of games unless you’re a Chelsea fan.

    Rooting for a Brentford goal here. Don’t even care if it’s Mbuemo.

    1. Meechoo115
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Agreed. So many talented players too

  17. Snooze ya lose
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Glad to see cr7 and Lukaku justifying there price tag again!

  18. DB_00
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Regret bringing in Lukaku over KDB now

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

      Hindsight is wonderful

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

      Should have got Firmino tbh.

  19. Joey Tribbiani
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    cmon tuchel, azpi is 32, played internationals and needed for cl, get james on

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

      Once he gets 60 that’s fine with me

  20. JÜrgen Knob
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2 FT romelu "can't score in a who*e house" lukaku and cristiano "can't score In a who*e house Ronaldo => to who ? Any suggestions?
    Jesus if back next week and Vardy ?

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

      Vardy for sure, ASM maybe

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

      Didn't know Jesus and Vardy are used to scoring in who*e houses

    3. SteJ
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Whose house?

    4. Plant Based FPLer
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Norwich next. He doesn't have to.be great, just has to be better than the opposition. After that, do what you will.

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

    Ronnie & Sarr > KdB & Iheanacho for free?

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

      Selling a defender for a mid?

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

        😛

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

    Chalobah with Ramos dark arts tricks

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

    Magic bean blooming.

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

      Happy for you

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

      You can’t run away from a Loftus-Cheek

  24. Avery
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Son tests Covid negative - another negative test to make 2 and he travels
    https://twitter.com/daily_hotspur/status/1449422584110538753?s=21

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

      Glad for him. Unfortunate for my WC

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

      You have got to be effin kidding me! Took him out on the wildcard.

      1. Avery
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Heh I kept him 😉

    3. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This will be brilliant prize trolling...

      Deep benches still required as today testified.

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

    Brentford getting Brentford.

  26. gellinmagellan
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku looks so out of it 😐

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

      He's been out of it for 6 games now

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

        Yeah wanted to keep him for the fixture run but seriously reconsidering. Vardy/Nacho/Ings good options...

      2. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Looked sharp for Belgium again.

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

      Needs service read Alonso

  27. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi assisted Mendy there.

  28. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mount on for Kova

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

    Chalobah not allowed to be booked it seems.

  30. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I'm running out of forwards not to get.