Dugout Discussion

Alonso benched again as Havertz leads the line in injured Lukaku’s absence

Chelsea v Norwich City is the first of six Premier League matches to take place on Saturday, with kick-off at Stamford Bridge at 12:30 BST.

As was inevitable, there are a handful of notable benchings to report from Thomas Tuchel’s latest teamsheet.

Marcos Alonso (£5.9m) is only a substitute for the third Gameweek in a row, while Andreas Christensen (£5.1m) and Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.2m) make way from the side that defeated Brentford 1-0 last week.

The non-inclusion of Alonso in the Chelsea XI means that the in-form Ben Chilwell (£5.7m), the most-bought Fantasy Premier League (FPL) defender of Gameweek 9, is given another start at left wing-back.

Antonio Rudiger (£5.8m) and Thiago Silva (£5.5m) are back in the side after missing out last weekend, while Reece James (£5.5m) gets a run-out at right wing-back for only the second time in six Gameweeks.

Kai Havertz (£8.1m) looks poised to lead the line in the absence of the injured Timo Werner (£8.6m) and Romelu Lukaku (£11.6m), with the ‘out of position’ German joined by Mason Mount (£7.4m) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.3m) in the hosts’ attack.

Alonso, Lukaku and Azpilicueta are three of the five most-owned Chelsea assets in FPL, with Edouard Mendy (£6.1m) and Rudiger the only others with double-digit ownerships.

Chilwell and Havertz are the most-backed within the top 10k, however – and Havertz has been handed the armband by over 11% of these leading managers, with only Mohamed Salah (£12.8m) captained by more:

As for Norwich, who are without the ineligible loanee Billy Gilmour (£4.4m) today, they are unchanged yet again following a recent upturn in performances in Daniel Farke’s new 3-5-2 set-up.

GAMEWEEK 9 LINE-UPS

Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Chilwell, Jorginho, Kovacic,Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz.

Substitutes: Arrizabalaga, Alonso, Christensen, Loftus-Cheek, Saul, Barkley, Ziyech, Azpilicueta, Sarr.

Norwich City XI: Krul, Aarons, Kabak, Hanley, Gibson, Giannoulis, Lees-Melou, Normann, McLean, Sargent, Pukki.

Substitutes: Gunn, Rupp, Dowell, Rashica, Tzolis, Sorensen, Williams, Idah, Omobamidele.

GET IN-GAME DATA AT LIVE FPL

Check your own rank and in-play FPL stats on LiveFPL.net every Gameweek

1,872 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hello Havertz, my old friend
    I've come to Captain you again
    Because a vision softly creeping
    Of a hattrick left Norwich weeping
    And the vision that was planted in my brain
    Still remains
    Within the sound, of Havertz

    And in the naked light, I saw
    Ten thousand people, maybe more
    People shunning without thinking
    People avoiding without listening
    People signing guys, whose returns just won’t be there
    And no one dared
    To hear the sound, of Havertz

    "Fools", said I, "You do not know
    Havertz with no Werner grows
    Hear my words that I might teach you
    Take my arms that I might reach you”
    But my words, like silent raindrops fell
    And echoed,
    In the sound, of Havertz

    So with Lukaku, Werner’s blown
    And Havertz steps up front alone
    Beneath the halo of the armband
    Receives the ball and then he turns his man
    When the net was stabbed by the flash of a quick toe poke
    A thunderbolt
    That echoed, with the sound, of Havertz

    And then the people bowed and prayed
    To the Havertz God they made
    And then Kai flashed out his warning
    In the words that he was forming
    And then Kai said, "The words of the prophets are written on the Cobham Walls,
    My Norwich Haul"
    Is whispered, in the sound, of Havertz

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

      GOOD EFFORT!

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

      Did you skipper him?

      I did.

    3. 2001: A Space Origi
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That's pretty damn good! I shall call Havertz 'Darkness' from now on...

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

      😆

    5. MARVELLUS
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Great first post

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

      Well done

    7. DT42
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      “So with Lukaku, Werner’s blown
      And Havertz steps up front alone”
      Genius right there, love your work

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

      Very good

    9. GoonerSteve
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Bravo!

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

      Top stuff BPM

    11. Fergymac
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Phenomenal

    12. mojoindojo
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Top class

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

      Genuinely one of the best things I've read on the internet

    14. BeaversWithAttitude
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Keep dropping them lyrics, mate! Hahaha!

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

      I'm crying

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

      Friendship ended with Havertz

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

        Now Darkness is my best friend

        Hello Darkness...

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

    I'm starting a kickstarter to crowdfund therapy for Max BPs

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

    Let's go Kaptain Kai

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

      I think he will blank today though

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

        Of course he will

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

    If Havertz blanks I'm not going to overreact. Will probably just delete my team, delete Twitter, delete Reddit, cancel Sky and BT sport, smash my phone with a sledgehammer and then catch a flight to Tibet and become a monk.

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

      This

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

      Just landed in Tibet after the Christensen benching 😉

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

        😛

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

      Just play your own game. Use Twitter, ffs community for updates,not for suggestions. Your own decision will be 100 percent better

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

        I was doing this regardless. Not going to be blaming anyone else. I like to play my own game. Just here for the banter 🙂

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

        True. I play my own game most times, but benched ESR yesterday after being influenced by social media. Never again.

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

          Will the Christensen benching get ESR on for you?

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

            White comes on, as I played a 343 this week. ESR depends on Armstrong.

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

      He won't blank

    5. DT42
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That’s gonna be one crowded monastery

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

      Don't worry, it's basically impossible for him to blank here. It's Norwich! Only question is whether he scores 3, 4 or 5 goals today...

    7. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Pretty chilled I would say

  5. R.C
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Tuchel is so annoying. Doesn't play Mount, James and Chilwell together when Lukaku plays

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

    Feels good owning Chilwel.

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

      Would of had him if Lukaku hadn't got injured

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

    This game has a feel of a 2-1 with a Jorginho pen and an OG imo

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

      Hanley loves an OG

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

    2-0 to chelsea. Hudson odoi and thiago silva goal

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

      No. Should be 2-1 to fkuc cleansheet

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

    Own Havertz with no Chelsea defence. You know what that means. 1-0 Rudiger G Chilwell A

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

      Same and agreed

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

    Havertz was decent in the Euros right? Remember he gotta a couple goals?

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

      No biggie

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

      Yeah the regret I have is not doing lukaku to toney but to vardy instead. Priced me out of havertz for a hit.

      Should have been done with a defence of Trent Cancelo Dias and Azpi.

      Still it was a late thursday call. I have my sword ready to fall upon lol

  11. Emp
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chance of laporte or cancelo not playing to allow esr off my bench ? 🙁

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

      Brighton tough opposition.
      .
      Pep going to play his strongest team.

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

        Ye I agree I'm so mad at myself I played Arnold ahead of esr

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

          You do not bench Trent if you own him.

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

            Do you bench him if you don't own him?

    2. swanseag55
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Possible Cancello as played midweek but I think he massively in favour with Pep. I have ESR 1st sub and Christensen and Alonso so hoping one doesn’t come on

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

        You will get esr on unlike me. The chances of Alonso coming on are low and Christensen next to 0 barring injury

    3. Amartey Partey
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      It’s Pep. Always a chance.

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

    If this ends 0-0 there will be SCENES!

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

      Havertz red for maximum carnage

  13. Tic Tacs
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Getting in Alonso for a hit in GW7 was my worst FPL decision so far

    1. swanseag55
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Same here. If only I waited until the Champions League game and not taken the drop on shaw. Oh well….

    2. Tic Tacs
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Indeed, needed to show more patience. Going to stick with him for a couple more games though, would be even worse if I get rid and he bangs against Newcastle!

      1. Do I Not Like Orange
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Please don't do that to yourself. I had similar thoughts about getting rid before Norwich, but here we are.

        1. Tic Tacs
          • 4 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          True, I'm currently happy getting bench points for now though as the rest of my defence is strong!

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

      Well.
      I sold ESR before this GW.
      I brought in Ronaldo and Lukaku on WC after their double goal galore GW just to watch them go MIA (brought in Schmeichel as my keeper on WC too - don't think he has even given me a save point so far :D)

      And just because I'm a horrible manager I've had and started Pukki in GW5-8 (finally got rid, but atleast he matched Ronaldo and Lukaku in points over that period of time :D)

      1. Tic Tacs
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Wow that is definitely one for 'rough with the smooth'! But thanks for making me feel better about myself, I'm sure things will improve for you!

  14. Amartey Partey
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Let’s go Chilwell!

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

    All pro pundits on Twitter YouTube suggested Saka over ESR in gw5.

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

      Saka has often looked more threatening.

      They're giving advice. They're not time travellers.

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

        But did they copy each other, all of them went with saka

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

      To be fair Saka was very unlucky not to have hauled yesterday

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

        Est more direct, saka spend so much time on the wing

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

      Tbf, Saka still the better long term pick

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

    Hits are like faping. Very attractive before doing, bad feeling after the deadline

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

      Less sticky though.

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

    How much damage will the Norwich bus avoid today?

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

      The only man capable of finding a way through the bus is one Antonio Rudiger. I don't make the rules. That's just how it is.

  18. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudiger goal imminent

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

      ... in Chelsea's net?

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

      Could really use some points somewhere between now and GW38 - would love a goal.

    3. GoonerSteve
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Certainly hope so

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

    Mount is the one who should be C'd for this match.

  20. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    With zero Chelsea, I am really hoping the curse of the Lunch time kick off strikes again, and it's Norwich 1-0

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

      Norwich score 2 goals in 8 games

  21. Hy liverpool
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    James Owners.. You well deserve what is going to happen this game for your patience 😉

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

      Red card?

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

      I chickened out of Alonso to James, not worth the hit, hopefully I get away with it.

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

      Thanks.

  22. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Yikes no Christensen again rip.....no Azpi too wow

  23. El Presidente
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Its gonna be fun when Pukki slots in that pen...

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

      Then rips apart his shirt in celebration with a Christensen pictured tshirt underneath.

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

      Sold him and ESR before this GW.
      I cried yesterday, but if Pukki scores I might just Sh!7 myself

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

    Hopefully azpi will be subbed in for 10 minutes. ML leader captained him.

  25. BigBillyBass
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone taking a punt on Alonso?

  26. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Is this the part where we admit that Havertz is much better when playing second fiddle than having the pressure of leading the line?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Only applies to harder fixtures, he'll happily lead the line Vs weaker teams

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

      Chilwell, Edouard, Gray, Raphinha and Cancelo for me today.

      Monster hauls please!

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

      Let's go Cobra Kai

    4. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Sorry to be that guy but come on Norwich wee 1-0 will do

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

        Think 80% of us on here want this to happen

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 5 months ago

            80% of 20%

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

        Rudiger shot on target

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

          It's actually hilarious how Chelsea defence is a bigger goal threat than the attack lately. Considering how much money they've spent on attack.