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

    James haul this gameweek...
    Price rise and benching next gameweek...

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

      Yay!

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

      Yup

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

      I’ll bank it. Just get Azpi in for the double up

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

        Oh yes. If you have him already, lap it up!

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

    Havertz do something FFS!

  3. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    James and Mount scenes

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

    Was that Michael Gambon?

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

    Azpi owners robbed

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

    Not having a Chelsea attacker in this feels horrible.

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

    Everybody but Havertz great

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I think you are mistaken, Havertz isn’t playing by the looks of it

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

    Havertz or Have Hurts?

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

    OMG Where’s Bemba for this mauling?

  10. Begbie.
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    As a Mount and James owner, this has been rather enjoyable.

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

      i hate you

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

      Damn. Well played sir

  11. Ligdon
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Theres quite literally nothing better than your wing back fpl defender scoring !

  12. Drip Doctor
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Why did people pick Havertz over Mount by the way?

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

      Why is your life so sad?

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

        Its not, im enjoying this game.

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

          Lmao course you are, coats the miserable’ness of your life in reality

      2. Thomas Magnum
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        If you comment on every single comment relating to Havertz he just might score!!

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

      Didn't know Mount would start

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

        He was always gonna start.

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

        With the injuries we have, almost a guaranteed starter.

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

      Ohhh these comments....

    4. Ligdon
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

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

      0.7 cheaper too. My oh my.

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

    That would have been too much 😆

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

    Come on james make it two and cleanie

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

      No

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

    Well done Mount and James owners

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

    Norwich tactics are wierd. Whenever a midfield player gets beaten (or thinks they are beaten), they move to a counter attacking position rather than moving to a new defensive position.

    Probably worked well in the champ where the defenders were on par with the attackers they faced, in the prem though its suicidal.

  17. asr
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    My transfer of Ronaldo, James and ESR to Vardy, Son and Chilwell is starting to look quite inspirational 😀 Congratulations I guess are in order to Ronaldo owners for his upcoming hat-trick

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

      Jesus Christ

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

      Wild transfer

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

      This was the right move. Vardy, Son and Chilwell better set than the first 3.

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

    It's just excruciating

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

    Knew Havertz was a trap

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

      Massive trap

  20. seewhyaxe
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpi owners, let's embrace.

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

    Well, that's slightly frustrating, R James was coming in for me until Lukaku got injured.

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

    EFL Championship is shite isn't it?

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

      Not at all. Its just playing as if you have the best team in the league only works if you actually do

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

    It’s going to take an absolute tanking of my rank to finally understand you don’t buy never mind captain Chelsea forwards.

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

    Who could come on for Havertz?

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

      Ziyech

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

      Ziyech

    3. La Roja
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Magic bean

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

      Put Rudiger up there and bring on Azpi 😉

      1. thegaffer82
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Defo… let’s get a 1pter for owners

    5. Thomas Magnum
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ziyech, but he could come on for any of the front 3

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

    Havertz to be subbed on the 59th. Would be just my luck

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

    Rival kicking off his week with esr and Mount

    At least he’s on a minus 8 I suppose

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

    I give up.

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

      Welcome to the club bro

  28. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Azpilicueta owner and Havertz(c) ugh

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

      Wild captain pick. Just having him was enough differential.

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

      That's just tough

    3. Sgt. Schultz
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      add a (-4) having sold ESR
      first red GW incoming

  29. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chelsea 3 South Africa 0

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

    This is becoming more and more painful.

    Lukaku would have scored 6!