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. WVA
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    He's the best shot stopper

    I said I'd bet 1 million pounds on a Chelsea clean sheet, easy money with Rudi out for me

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

      Do you post anything positive ever?

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

        He's the best shot stopper is literally positive.

        Nearly all my predictions are right based purely on my FPL team.

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

          Take up gambling then. Bet against your FPL team and you'll be rich.

          Maybe you'll also be too busy to post here.

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

    James down

  3. Fish up a tree
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So 2 premium mids is the answer after all!

    Mane or De Bruyne

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

    Reece James could have been killed!

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

      I missed it. What happened? Or is this a Ferguson reference on RVP?

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

        Haha i remember that game.

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

    Who is better, Mendy or Alisson? I can’t choose

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

      Alisson, better goal threat & better passer imo

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

      Alisson would love 8 defenders protecting him weekly.

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

        Were they even protecting him though? He did this against Liverpool and Villa too

      2. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        This

  6. tobz102
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Who scores more points next 4-5 GW

    A) Raph and Vardy
    B) Mbeumo and Vardy
    C) Son and Toney

    1. Dammit_182
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      A

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

    Just like it has caught up on United, the good luck with run out on Chelsea...

    1. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ah chocolate talk

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

    Mbeumo or Toney
    Toney + KDB
    Mbeumo + Kane

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

    Bring back, Kepa!

  10. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    40 with Doucoure, Saka, Auba and Ramsdale left. Hopefully it works out ok

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

    Massive 3 points. Got out of jail there Chelsea.

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

    “Member when this game was fun?

    - Member berry

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

    Mendy & Raya have both been great.

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

    • Dias coming on for 1 point to block Livramento
    • Mahrez blank after hitting crossbar + missing sitter
    • Mbeumo and Toney both somehow blanking
    • No Chelsea and Brighton defence and they get jammy clean sheets

    Disaster of a WC.

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

      Lukaku blank too

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

      Captain Salah? Then it's decent consolation ...

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

        Hotel? Trivago

  15. sminkypinky
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Blinder by Mendy! Man of the match.

  16. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is Ronaldo -> Vardy a no-brainer now with the next few fixtures?

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

      Kane?

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

    Delighted with the win.
    Also jutted as a Mbeumo new owner.

  18. mcginnntonic
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Well that game couldn’t have gone much worse.
    James on for one point with ESR on the bench.
    Lukaku blank.
    Will take 65 with Antonio left tho. 10k OR

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

      😆

      Just flex and lose the fake modesty, it’s embarrassing

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

        sorry lol had a drink.

        v happy to be this high tho lol, not been since season before last

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

      That's a great score still

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

        thanks

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

    Well that was obvious, Rudi Lukaku owner!

    1. Fish up a tree
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      You don’t have much Luckaku do you

  20. MIGHTY JOE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Livra on for Alonso. Joy

  21. FOO FIGHTER
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Blankaku.

    Thank heavens I got rid 🙂

  22. Maverick 11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Harry Kane anyone?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Had him ages 😉

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

    Who will captain Lukaku next week? Lukaku (NOR) Salah (mun) ...

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

      No . He's way off the pace.

    2. Del Griffith
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      If ever there was a time for Lukaku to score its againts Norwich surely?!

    3. We Go Again
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Depending on how he does tomorrow I might put it on Antonio (TOT)

    4. Maverick 11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Honestly think he might get rested

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

    Thank you Christensen. Lucky clean sheet.

  25. Dammit_182
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    2-2-2-2….

  26. ZeBestee
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku hasn't changed much has he?

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

      Was he a top scorer in Italian league?

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

        Werner says hi from the German league

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

          Werner had no PL experience before joining. Lukaku has had plenty, would expect better but who knows whether it's first season, second or never ...

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

        It doesn't matter, different league, different intensity, different challenge. He has improved but not enough to be a huge success in the PL

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

          That's my point, is it not a mistake to come back to PL? He should have stayed put there ...

  27. Eleven Hag
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Ronaldo + Benrahma ➡ KDB + Toney
    B) Ronaldo ➡ Lukaku

    A or B ?

  28. We Go Again
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku has been the worst transfer I've made this season. 4 blanks in a row for 11.5m, yikes

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yep, should have stayed with Vardy which i started with. Mourinho looks like a free flowing attacking manager compared to this german dry bread.

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

      Classic FPL is just about to happen. People fed up with him and getting rid. Next week NOR (H) ... really classic isn't it?

  29. el polako
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Can somebody remind me please why we doing this to ourselves?

    Why not try some less painfull hobby like eating broken glass or sshagging hedgehogs.

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

      We love the pain!

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

      Personal fav is scratching eyeballs with broken glass

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Rubbing caustic soda in open wounds is fun too.

    3. Eze Really?
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yep. Reece James, Jota, Jimenez, Raphina all trouble. What makes it worse is I took -8 to get 3 of them!

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

      The pain is the investment and the brag when (if) results coming in is the obsession 😛

  30. dshv
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So what now… on WC my choices were Lukaku and James

    Now i have to go for Vardy? Haha

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

      Stick, they will go ballistic next week 😆