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.

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1,872 Comments Post a Comment
  1. MGD
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    JAAAAAAAMES

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

    So Mount was the guy over Havertz..

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

      No

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

    omg 😮 😮

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

    Well done James owners!!!

    1. My heart goes Salalalalah
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      *cappers 😉

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

    There was only going to be one transfer for me this week; REECEY!!!!

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

    James cracking goal

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

    Just unbelievable

  8. fish&chips
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Reeeeeeece

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

    God I hate Reece James.. Ultimate troll.

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

      Absolute sh*t or champagne FPL asset this season.

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

        He’s utter badger chocolate

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

    JAMESSSSSSSSS YESSSSSSSSSS

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

    Kai involved in the build up?

  12. Milk, 1 Šuker
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    BOOOOM

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

    Havertz easily the worst player on the pitch

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

    Ffs swapped james to havertz

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

      (C) that is

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

    Well done James (c). I chickened put

  16. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    James to Chilwell going well then

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

      Ouch

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

      James to Alonso what was I sniffing

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

      Same .
      Havertz short term punt not giving me much hope so far either

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

    What a finish tho

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

    James so selfish. Havertz was wide open

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

      Lol. Only selfish if you miss!

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

    If only James was nailed on

    ARGHHHHHH

  20. Arctic_Orangutans
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    When I get James he gets injured nice one

  21. JariL
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz first to celebrate with James. Looking lively.

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

    So Havertz not getting anything here is he

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

      Not even half time

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

      Worst player out there

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

      Nope, it's going to be one of those days.

  23. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Kruel on Krul

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

    In FPL heaven right now...James and Mount!

    1. Art Vandelay
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Me too. Even better having not knee jerked them out after WC last week.

  25. Art Vandelay
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mount and James on WC last week. Patience fully rewarded.

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

    James owners the real winners today. Congrats guys.

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

      Thank you

  27. Drogo
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso + Havertz(C) owner - not too pleased.

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

      The game sucks

  28. Alnair
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Useless sod Havertz you absolute ****

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

    YES!

  30. Herman Toothrot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Keeping Reece since my GW4 WC finally pays off.

    Just wish I'd have followed the RMT tool and captained him!