Team News

The latest news on Lukaku’s ankle injury ahead of FPL Gameweek 9

Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) looks set to miss Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) after twisting his ankle in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League.

The Belgian limped out of Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Malmo and while an exact timeframe on his recovery is still not known, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed after full-time that his striker would miss “some matches”.

Lukaku was the second most-bought FPL forward of Gameweek 9 before news of his injury broke, sitting in over a third (36.3%) of Fantasy squads in total.

Well over 60% of the top 10,000 FPL managers owned the Belgium international, too.

Lukaku had also been top of our captaincy poll for the upcoming Gameweek, with over half of our voters backing the premium striker with the armband:

We’ve now reset the results of that poll, which you can vote on again in the sidebar of this page.

TUCHEL’S COMMENTS ON LUKAKU’S INJURY AND ROTATION

It was a double-whammy for Chelsea on the injury front, with Timo Werner (£8.6m) succumbing to a hamstring strain shortly before the interval.

Tuchel said of his injured strike duo:

“Romelu twisted his ankle with the foul in the box and Timo has a hamstring injury. It will take a while for both of them. We need more examinations to be more precise but they will be out for some matches.

“If I knew before [the game], I wouldn’t have [started Lukaku]. But how can you know it before and it was necessary that he was on the pitch and he started very strong. I spoke with him about the situation, that I think that he carries a bit of mental fatigue around with him. I think that is also normal but he is our number nine and is our reference upfront.

“The best thing against mental fatigue is a goal and we knew that we could be the dominant team. We knew that we wanted to build our attack today with Mason and Timo around him and him as the reference up front in the middle.

“I had the strong belief that in a Champions League match he could turn things around in terms of scoring and being decisive, which he actually did because he was super strong in our start. He took the foul and without him maybe it’s not 2-0,

“So no, I don’t regret it. It’s not a muscle injury or because of physical fatigue. He is a little bit overplayed, this is my opinion and maybe I’m not even right. This was a moment to give him confidence and let him play. I don’t regret it, things like this can happen. It was bad luck.”

There were also some ominous words on rotation from Tuchel, who named a strong team for a routine win over the Swedes:

“This will be maybe one of the shortest pre-match meetings in my history of coaching because we want everything on the same level. We have the chance to switch on some positions, to demand from everybody physically the same input.”

Ben Chilwell (£5.7m), Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.2m) and Andreas Christensen (£5.1m) started their second successive matches of the week, although the first two of those were handed breathers midway through the second half.

Antonio Rudiger (£5.8m) and Thiago Silva (£5.5m) were both back in the starting XI after missing Gameweek 8 but Reece James (£5.5m) and Marcos Alonso (£5.9m) were again only substitutes.

WHO PLAYS UP FRONT NOW FOR CHELSEA?

On the assumption that Werner and Lukaku do indeed miss Gameweek 9, Chelsea need a new attacking spearhead against the Canaries.

With the likes of Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi gone from the club either on a permanent basis or on loan, the European champions are short of options up top.

Enter Kai Havertz (£8.1m).

The German replaced Lukaku after 24 minutes of Wednesday’s clash, going on to score his side’s third goal with a fine finish having earlier wasted a clearer opening. Havertz racked up four shots in all, the most of anyone on show.

Havertz has occasionally played as false nine in the past and ended 2020/21 mostly being used in that role, although hasn’t had a look-in through the middle since Lukaku joined. He’ll very likely be the man playing centrally on Saturday and at 3.9% owned, is a veritable FPL differential for the visit of the Premier League’s basement club.

“Always, always a chance and it is always necessary to prove a point. We will have some games without Romelu and Timo so everyone is invited to join the race for minutes on the pitch.

“When they are on the pitch, they need to show their hunger and determination to be decisive and be in the box.

“This is how it is and they did it today but there’s still room to improve and on Saturday we need the same performance, hunger and determination from whoever starts for us because we need goals to win matches. We want to find solutions without Romelu and Timo, that’s clear. Everyone will join the race to be decisive for us.” – Thomas Tuchel on Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi

WHO ARE THE BEST LUKAKU REPLACEMENTS IN FPL?

We’ll have an article out tomorrow looking at the best replacements for the Belgian in FPL.

In the meantime, you can propose your own alternatives in our Hot Topic and see what our Rate My Team projections think for the coming six Gameweeks.

1,519 Comments Post a Comment
  1. We Go Again
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone crazy enough for Havertz (C)?

    1. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It`s him or Salah for me!

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

      Going to the game so thinking about it - or even Chilwell captain

    3. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I’m the least crazy person you’re ever likely to meet but I’m tempted

    4. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I would if I get him

    5. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Only those that slap their head like a bongo drum!

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I do do that to be fair

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Most decisions are made this way

    6. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No

  2. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Vardy + Mount
    B) Toney + Havertz

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn’t go near Mount personally so B
      But I would go Mbuemo over Toney but wouldn’t double up on them

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

    A) Shaw > Chilwell
    B) Shaw + Ron > Chilwell + Vardy
    C) Your Suggestion

    1.4 ITB

    Sánchez
    Alonso | TAA | Livramento
    Sarr | Saka | Benrahma | Salah
    A.Armstrong | Antonio | Ronaldo

    GK: Foster | Reguilón | Shaw | Sissokho

    1. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A for me. Think Ronaldo will score against Pool and Vardy against a difficult defence!

    2. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ron + one of Sarr/Saka/Ben to be moved out.
      Is Saka injured?
      How many FT?
      Probably Vardy + Mbuemo

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

        Not sure the status of Saka. 75% chance to play

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

        Mbeumo or Havertz I reckon. 1 FT

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

        Saka has been cleared to play against Villa according to reports this morning

  4. Ranger3
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Feels good to have an active wildcard today 🙂

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Great time to WC and get differentials in
      Son, havertz + Foden??

      1. Ranger3
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Son and Havertz for sure, City thinking Jesus maybe... A lot of tinkering until tomorrow

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

      Really wish I had mine

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

    Who do I bench this GW, thx lads!!

    Ramsdale, 4.0
    TAA,James,Cancelo,Reguilon,Livramento
    Salah,Raphinha,Foden,Mbeumo,Brownhill
    Vardy,Antonio,Toney

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Brown hill liv mystery man 4.0 and reg

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

        Hahah mystery man

  6. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Liv, Reg and Brown

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Live, love, laugh

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

      Thx!

  7. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Ronaldo + Sarr > Vardy + Mbuemo
    B) Ronaldo + Sarr + Sissoko > Son + Havertz + Davis -4

    Will be going for Son over Kane in gw12 anyway and possibly Bruno over Ronaldo from gw16 too.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A please

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

      A

  8. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hands up if you have wc left.

    If so when are you planning on playing it?

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Played it gw5 but would be gw15 if I had it now

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

      still got my WC and no clue as to when to play it

    3. Stewarts11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Still got mine, last season i used it after one of the blank GWs so i could do transfers leading up to it to have a full team in the blank then wildcard to fix my team so will likely use the same tactic this season

  9. b91jh
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Really tempted to bring in Havertz and (c) him, then realize it will be a lunchtime kick off.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      But it’s not technically an early kick off

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      And watch Chelsea fail to gel and Norwich steal the win. ‘Faaaarrrkkeee’ they’ll be screaming.

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

      I don't understand the concerns about early kick offs etc on here.

      1. noquarternt
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        They’re worried their weekends will be ruined if the captain fails.

  10. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Ronaldo > vardy worth a -4 or wait a week? Don’t see them scoring more than 1 or 2 past Brentford

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Prob wait a week.

    2. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Wait a week!

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

      hold.

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

    Who will be the highest scorer for GW9?

    My guess would be GoAlonso.

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Whoever played WB for Chelsea

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      KDB

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

      Jimenez against Leeds

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

      Let's go, Cancelo.

  12. Silecro
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Which option is better going forward?

    A) Ronaldo, Azpi, Mbeumo
    B) Vardy, Jansson, Son

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

  13. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Tempted to go for a -4 and get Mane in instead for the Lukaku replacement

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Why not!

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

      Very tempting, on WC

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

      Do it

  14. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    What do you reckon to this wc team?

    Raya Foster
    TAA Cancelo Chilwell Livra Amartey
    Salah Son Raph Mbuemo Brownhill
    Vardy Antonio Toney

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Manquillo over Amartey. Rest looks fine.

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

        Hmm "fine" isn't what I'm aiming for! Any suggestions to make it great?!

        1. The Knights Template
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Like to see KDB with Salah and son in mid. I think two premiums at the back is enough.

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

            Interesting, was just looking at KDB instead of Son:
            Son and Antonio - KDB and Broja

            Or all three:
            Raya Foster
            TAA Cancelo White Livra 4.0
            Salah KDB Son Raph Mbuemo
            Nacho Toney Broja

            Amazing midfield, worrying fwds

            1. The Knights Template
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Fads a bit of a gamble to be sure.

  15. Alisson WondHaaland
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Need some advice!

    1FT, 0.1ITB

    Sanchez
    Cancelo TAA Rudiger Livramento
    Mbeumo Raph Salah
    Antonio Jimi Lukaku*

    4.0 Semedo Sissoko Jota

    A) Bench Lukaku for Semedo and roll FT
    B) Lukaku to Vardy
    C) Lukaku + Jota to Vardy + Havertz (-4) and bench Livra
    D) Lukaku + Jota to KDB + Toney/Watkins/Nacho (-4) and bench Livra

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

      B

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B or D

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C

    4. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lukaku out for a bit so I’d be inclined to sell him

  16. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku out should slow down Ronaldo sales a bit, hopefully he doesn’t drop again for a while

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

    Already used a FT.
    Are these worth it? Takes me to -8 overall

    Greenwood > Harvetz
    Ronaldo > Vardy

    A. Yay
    B. Nay

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

        You’re probably right. Greenwood & Ronaldo vs Liverpool doesn’t fill me with confidence. But let’s see

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

      B

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

      No

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

        *steps away from transfer page*

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

    decided to keep my WC for now, hows it looking, g2g?

    Foster
    TAA Rudiger Diaz Livra
    Salah Raph Benny
    Antonio Vardy Ings

    Sanchez Saka Marcal Brownhill

    1. Kingy109
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Play Saka over Livra in case Saka plays?

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

        thanks mate, might just do that...

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Def hold WC. Gtg

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

        thank you Sir

  19. Kingy109
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Currently:
    Ramsdale (Foster)
    TAA Cancelo Reece (Livra Duffy)
    Salah Foden Raph Townsend (Mbeumo)
    Lukaku Antonio Toney
    1FT 0.0 ITB

    A) Lukaku to Vardy
    B) Lukaku to Nacho

    A is safe and means Foden + Townsend becomes Son + fodder
    B means I can get Son earlier from Mbeumo or Townsend?

    1. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Like nacho punt but vary safer

  20. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    As a general rule I tend not to do early transfers but I pulled the trigger from Ronaldo to Kaku on Sunday as I was convinced Tuchel would rest Kaku midweek. Shows what I know.

    Assuming Kaku is out for a few games, should I pull the trigger on Lukaku > Vardy for -4?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Y

    2. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Commiserations 🙁

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

      pending news, Y.

  21. Steevo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Either of these worth a -4?
    A) Semedo -> Chilwell
    B) Marcal -> Rudiger

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

      Made a hash of that, I meant:
      A) Semedo -> Rudiger/Chilwell
      B) Marcal -> James

      Sigh.

      1. The Knights Template
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Answer is no in any case.

  22. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    WC sorted

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I had potato scallops for afternoon tea with an ice cold no sugar famous brand cola.

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

    Ramsdale foster
    Taa james cancelo duffy livrta
    Salah raph mbeumo foden (saka)
    Hwang antonio lukaku

    Lukaku to

    1. Kane (differential)
    2. Vardy

    1. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      1

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

      Vardy

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy

  24. puhd
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku out for:

    a- Ronaldo
    b- Havertz
    c- Jesus

    I'm on WC. Thanks!

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

      Other forwards are Vardy and Toney

    2. Igz08
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      How does B work?

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I'd be tempted to punt on b, even if it's just for this week

    4. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C but buy some tissues just in case

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

      Havertz is a MID … so I don’t know what MID your taking out and what forward your bringing in for that move?

      Not keen on C or A …. My first thoughts were Vardy and Toney but you’ve got that covered … maybe reduce Luk down to punt on Havertz by upgrading your worst MID and playing 352

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

        Yes that's what I'm thinking.

  25. Igz08
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Foster
    TaA Cancelo Chilwell
    Havertz Son Raph Salah Mbeumo
    Toney Vardy

    Sanchez Liv Broja Duffy

    Might go Toney -> Hwang and bank the 0.8.

    Thoughts?

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Keep toney, looks good.

      1. Igz08
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Feels a bit overkill with Mbeumo

  26. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    My rules: 'Don't book in a transfer' and 'Never play an early transfer'... Obviously didn't listen to myself, so am now stuck with 0FT and an injured Luakaku:

    Ramsdale
    TAA / Azpi / Cancelo / Livramento
    Salah / Raphinha / Foden / ESR
    ,Antonio,Toney

    (Foster / Brownhill / Duffy / Luakaku*)

    a) Just play the above
    b) Take my first hit of the season

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

      team looks fine for this GW

    2. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      C) get a g banger grav

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

      A

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

      Probably take the hit as it seems likely he could miss more than a week.
      They have games against, Norwich, Newcastle and Burnley before the international break so they can give him a good rest.
      I think they could look to do something like this, see Tuchel's comments pre Malmo.

    5. No Kane No Gain
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      B. 11.5m+ to play with Is worth -4

  27. Kyle2210
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is anyone considering Rashie as a differential? Hes looked on it since returning and should be fit for the weekend.

    1. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      No thanks

  28. TATTOOED_2
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Would you go Ronaldo > Vardy or just hold Ronaldo for now and roll the transfer?

    Team is:
    Foster
    White Azpi Dias TAA (Hanley)
    Raphinha Mount Salah Gray (Sarr)
    Antonio Ronaldo (Locadia)

  29. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sanchez
    Cancelo / Walker / Christensen / TAA
    Salah (c) / Son / Raphinha
    Vardy / Jimenez / Toney

    Steele / Mbeumo / Livramento / Allan

    Good for the weekend?

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

      Looks good

  30. BrockLanders
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Lukaku to Kane -4?

    Yes or no