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. XX SMICER XX
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A. Alonso & Lukaku to 5.3M Def & Kane -4
    B. Brownhill & Lukaku to Havertz(c) & Broja -4
    C. Lukaku to ????
    D. Leave

    Ramsdale
    Canelo Dias Rudiger Alonso
    Salah Townsend Raphinha Mbeumo
    Vardy Antonio

    Foster Livramento Brownhill Lukaku

    1FT, 0.0ITB

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

      If you think Alonso starts over Chilwell, then option D to leave it is fine. Your team is good IMO.

      Otherwise, Luk to Auba could be worth the punt? Don’t see the need to 4pt hit with Livra on your bench.

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

    Semedo -> Chilwell (-4) worth it?

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

    So, Chelsea without a recognised striker and Havertz(alongside Vardy) is really tempting me.
    Somebody talk me out of a -8 (a week after WC no less 😀 )

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

      as long as you are not taking another -8 to get rid of them, it will be fine.

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

        Havertz is an unknown under Tuchel, so can't really say if I'll be looking to keep him or ship him out soon. Will depend on how the next few games go. But with no other alternatives at Chelsea, really tempting tbh.

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

        *part of the -8 needs a Raphinha downgrade to 5.5, hence not committed to the idea yet. Just giving it a playful thought.

  4. jamie1972
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I'm stuck plying Dennis at the mo, with Brownhill 1st sub

    So

    a) Lukaku > Vardy
    b) Lukaku + Brownhil > Jesus + Havertz (-4 and makes Dennis 1st sub)

  5. OLD Rafiki
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    chilwell or rudiger?

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

      Chilwell

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

    Lukaku and Sarr out for a -4 to:

    A) Vardy and Havertz(c)

    or

    B) Edouard and KDB(c)

    1. Fadi AMJK
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A but I would Captain Salah instead of Vardy

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

    strong bench is a big help again this gw,quite content to bench lukaku and play Sarr at everton ,

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

      Who would be your replacements?
      It’s really a “-2” given Lukaku isn’t playing and will miss “multiple games”

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

      Looks like Lukaku is out for a while. Would be better to sell his as his fixtures will have turned(and his price dropped) by the time he's back.

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Should miss atleast a couple of gws...for a premium asset that's go time imo regardless of how strong your bench is

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

      Got a strong bench as well, but I'd only be content to bench him if he was missing 1 game, however looks like he'll miss more so an easy sell at the min

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

      ah,added complication already took a -4 to expel Torres,apologies

  8. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Wc
    Sanchez foster
    Chilwell laporte white livramento ______
    Salah raphina havertz brownhill _____
    Jiminez toney ______

    A taa mbuemo ronaldo
    B christiansen son vardy

    Also any other glaring mistakes?

    Cheers.x

    1. OLD Rafiki
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      imagine having TAA, SON and RON

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

        Would be nice.dont see how though.haha.x

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

      A with Vardy instead of Ronaldo

  9. Al Pacho
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Help needed!

    Sanchez
    TAA cancelo livramento
    Salah Raphinha Sarr Gray Gallagher
    Lukaku* Ronaldo
    Bench:foster, white, marcal, Scarlett

    Lukaku, Sarr out
    Jesus, Harvertz in (-4)
    G2G?
    Appreciate any help
    Thanks

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

    Is this way too punty on WC?

    Ederson
    Rudi - Christensen - TAA
    Havertz (c) - Son - Salah - Bernardo - Mbeuemo
    Vardy - Hwang

    Foster - Broja - Livramento - Manqillo

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

      I like it.wee bit different.x

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

      A did a punty WC last week(quite differential, as per fpllive), and jumped rank by 56%. Go for it whether it's template/punty if you like your team.

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

        I would only want 1 Chelsea defence

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

      too different... You need some dependable players since not all the differentials will come though & score points

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

    Lukaku to Aubameyang anyone??

    A) decent shout
    B) Vardy
    C) Kane

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

      A - between Auba and Jesus for me right now

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

      Decent should prefer vardy just though.x

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

      B

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

    Rotation worries

    Ram
    Christiansen, TAA, Dias, Cancelo
    (S)alah, Raphina, Mount
    Armstrong, *Lukaku, Antonio

    Forster, Liv, ESR, Brownhill

    * to become vardy, Kane or Aubameyang

    Thoughts?

    TIA

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

    This havertz thing is a trap for sure. First of all he will be benched once Lukaku werner is back and we dont know when they will be. Then havertz will not going to score loads of goals suddenly because of the way tuchel plays. This is a short term pick

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

      He’d be a mahoooosive trap if Kaku & Werner were fit, and a medium sized trap if only one of them were injured….

      But with both injured AND the the fixtures, it’s a lower risk higher return scenario now

      As in, if you backed him 100 times for this fixture run he’d probably deliver in 60-70+ of them (rather than maybe 10-20+ if everyone was fit)

      If you go Havertz to the IB and Son post-IB you also get a ready made exit strategy and a pretty nice run of fixtures

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

        We thought same about jota

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

          He has done fine for his price

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

            Just 1 goal and hundreds of open goal miss during firmino out

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

              Hundreds of misses? Why not exaggerate the goals too?

    2. The FPL Units
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This

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

    Any Kaku > Auba mavericks out there?

    Kaku, Armstrong, Saka > Jesus, Havertz, Auba

    That’ll put hairs on your chest

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

      With my Lukaku c and to roll the transfer plan out the window, I'll be tinkering and entertaining every possible scenario this GW 😀

  15. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio to nacho too risky?

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

      Yes imo

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Ok cheers will bin that idea!!

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

    Here's a player I've seen absolutely no one talk about..

    CHO. He's 5.3m. With Werner, Lukaku, Pulisic out, he'll play as one of the front 3. Played quite well when he came on too yesterday. Him and Havertz seem to have an understanding.

    That price is really nice although I'm guessing most people don't need money.

    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sarr to CHO?

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

      He may not play - Mount, RLC, Havertz could be the front 3.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Oh guess risky then

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

      Rather Kovacic at least he's long term asset

  17. Thomas Jerome Newton
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A few injury issues like many others, but I could struggle through without Wildcard or a points hit.
    Just checking, there should be something worth saving the Wildcard for before Christmas?
    Usually a double gameweek?

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

      It's the fixture intensity over boxing day and New Year where the ability to fix injuries and suspensions is helpful.

      The FA Cup quarter final is the first big blank to free hit across.

      Doubles fall around Semi Final time often.

      Will be less intense without COVID-19 postponements all being well.

  18. Villa Velour
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chilwell likely to start?

  19. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Confused with the 1st bench option!

    Sanchez ¦ Steele
    Rudiger Digne Azpilicueta
    Salah Raphinha Gray Gallagher Mbeumo
    Ronaldo Lukaku*
    ¦ White Dennis Dier

    Who would you place 1st on bench?

  20. artvandelay316
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Have already used my FT on Lukaku to Vardy

    Is taking a -4 silly for one of the following? If not, which is best?

    A) Benrahma to Raph
    B) Benrahma to B. Silva
    C) Benrahma to Foden

    Cheers.

  21. Fuddled FC
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So many choices with Lukaku out

    a) Lukaku > Vardy
    b) Lukaku & Foden > Vardy & Havertz (-4)
    c) Lukaku & Foden > Kane & Raphina (-4)
    d) Lukaku & Gray > Toney & Son (-4)
    e) Lukaku & Mbuemo > Toney & Son (-4)

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

      Similar quandary for me. Either A or B tbh. Mind taking a look at mine below?? Ta

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

    Who to start out of Armstrong Livra White

    Obviously bought the former for this good run. Any Saints fans with intel on him vs Broja?

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

    Possibly I'm down to that shape with blanks to be filled:

    1) TAA, Broja, Hwang
    2) Christensen, Jesus, Davis
    3) Azpi, Toney, Broja +0.5ITB

    Raya/Foster
    XXX/Cancelo/Chilwell/Livra/Manq
    Salah/Son/Havertz/Raph/Mbeumo
    Vardy/XXX/XXX

    Thoughts? I like 3) tbh as although there is no TAA, I take the advantage of great fixtures for all 3 players.

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

    Have Mount and James

    A. Lukaku to Vardy free
    B. Lukaku / Brownhill to Havertz / Jimi -4
    C. Same but Toney instead of Jimi (have Mb)
    D. Lukaku / Mount to Vardy / Havertz -4

    I guess much depends how much is Havertz an option above Mount now?

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

      0.2 off getting Kane. Could do Armstrong to Hwang -4 to fund that

  25. The Parrot
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Benrama and Lukaku out
    Mbeumo and Vardy in

    Easy

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

      I want to sell Benrahma on WC but lose 0.3 although he probably drops. He does have a better fixture than Mbuemo. I have both currently. Spurs aren't that good just because they beat Newcastle

  26. Lfc91
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    A) Lukaku & Tierney to Toney & Chilwell (-4)
    B) Lukaku & Tierney to Jesus & Chilwell (-4)

    Then the following week 2 weeks I was going to look at getting Son for Sarr. If I go for B then I’d then do Antonio to Toney to make that happen

  27. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Slightly worried Antonio be knackered for spurs game

  28. HaffNanner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Need to replace Lukaku in my draft league. Which is best from these available forwards?

    A. Wilson
    B. Iheanacho
    C. Watkins

  29. PScholes18
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Currently on WC. Any thoughts on my first draft? Might be too punty.

    Ramsdale - Steele
    TAA - Cancelo - Rudiger - Livramento - Manquillo
    Kdb - Salah - Gray - Mbeumo - Normann
    Vardy - Hwang - Edourado

    0,3 ITB.

    1. PScholes18
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Could go Ederson + Christensen for Ramsdale + Cancelo since Cancelo might not start. or just Cancelo -> Dias.

      Thought of going Havertz for a few weeks, but can't find the funds.