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

    Glenn Hoddle can't see Norwich getting 4 goals in the second half.

    Well, no they've not scored one away all season.

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

      They've scored 2 goals all season.
      Might be tough.

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

        Yep.

        They're so soft as a team. But to win promotion out of the Championship you're up against 23 others. I much prefer the direct style and attitude of Brentford, giving it a good go.

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

    Alright Tuchel, time to bring in Ziyech for Havertz.

  3. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Loving this as an Azpi, Rudi, Havertz(capper)...second half had best bring something my way?!!

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

      Red card and injury incoming

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

      To be fair you've got a Rudi CS locked in
      Can't see Norwich getting anything at all here

      1. Krafty Werks
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Need more with Azpi benched and as a Havertz capper?!! 3-0 and the striker has had no involvement...currently gutted tbh!!

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

    Bought James as part of a -8. Sent a screenshot to my Chelsea fanboy friend of me captaining him. He's fuming, but little does he know it was a prank where I've egged my own face.

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

      He owns Azpi

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

    Jammy Havertz cappers will get Salah VC points and ruin my week

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

      May not look like it but Havertz is playing

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

      Most people here seem to think he’s playing LOL.
      It was a mis-print on the team sheets clearly

  6. King Drogba11
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Happy with James, Rudiger and Mount (C) so far.

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

      Brilliant captain pick. Well done and congrats.

      1. King Drogba11
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Cheers. In all honesty would have went to Havertz if I could of afforded it.

        1. Plant Based FPLer
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Havertz in your imaginary squad? Lol. You are going too far now.

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

            This doesn’t make sense.

            1. Plant Based FPLer
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              What doesn't make sense is you not checking his team link after not only reading his seemingly opportunisticly-timed brag, but after me calling it out. He doesn't have any Chelsea players. He can say he has them on another site or in a draft if he does, but he hasn't, and sometimes people just say these things for... fun, or something?

              1. King Drogba11
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                2 years, 5 months ago

                Bit late but here’s my team https://fantasy.premierleague.com/entry/516361/event/9

                1. Plant Based FPLer
                  • 7 Years
                  2 years, 5 months ago

                  Ok. Well done. But how many accounts do you have? The link on your name goes to another one.

                  1. King Drogba11
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 3 Years
                    2 years, 5 months ago

                    Lol one. The was last years. Feel free to call the police.

        2. Pep bites Kun
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          It was a brave differential cap pick all the same. Well done!

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

      Well I’m glad that doesn’t make you unhappy

  7. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    James over Chilli and Mount over Kai, some people did well

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

      James vs. Chillwell is more even if you look at more than just this week.

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

    What r u doing Havertz!! Do something!!

  9. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    How nailed is James?

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

      About as nailed as a City forward

    2. King Drogba11
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Won’t play every game if that’s what you’re asking.

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

    Fellow Havertz (c) ? I did him for -4 lol!

    1. Krafty Werks
      • 9 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Likewise!! Just rubbish, flouncing around at the front as expected, can't believe I didn't see this coming as a previous Havertz dismisser?!! It was the fixtures and him coming in up top that was too hard to ignore? Hat-trick 2nd half?...unlikely, more likely to get pulled off and rested on 59' I reckon?

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

    Strong run from Havertz down the tunnel at HT, hopefully get some baps for that…

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

      😀

    2. Twisted Saltergater
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      hope so 😀

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

      That’s probably the funniest comment I’ve seen Hahahahah I’m crying Lmfao

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

      😆

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

      You deserve the response to your posts for your actions

  12. Twisted Saltergater
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz(c)

    *checks FFS at half-time*
    *leaves immediately*

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

    Chelsea FC 3 South Africa 0

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

    Havertz is just shaite, he's not a striker, he's not a 10 he's not a winger....

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

      What is he? A boxer or goalkeeper?

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

        A ball boy

  15. Root
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo benched tonight? I need to benchwank ESR

  16. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    James today and ESR last night

    Unbelievable 😀

    WC paying off 1 week too late

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

    My draft team has Chilwell, Azpi, Alonso and CHO. Well 1 out of 4 Ain't bad

  18. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Pain got Cancelo instead of James

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

      Cancelo hatty later

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

    I demand Alonso captain points now!

  20. james 101
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    So Salah cap looking ok still

    Plenty of time for it sll to go wrong though!!

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

    Havertz seemed more enthralled in celebrating with James

  22. umerlfc
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I've captained a defender for the 2nd time in my FPL history

    1st was a horrific Shane Duffy (c) in a DGW
    Glad Reece James (c) worked out

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

      Ok

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

      Good job son

  23. 1984 TC
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Saw Havertz limping a bit on his way to the tunnel. May not come out for the 2nd half… but let’s hope he does.

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

      Lol

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

      Might have been from carrying the weight of an FFS bandwagon on his shoulders.

      1. Andy_Social
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Give him another 14 minutes Tom!

    3. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Whew! Glad he’s ok and ready to start scoring!

  24. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I tried shifting Vardy back to Antonio, to get Havertz on a wildcard. I was seconds past the deadline.

    So far, I'm glad it blocked me.

  25. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mount went under the radar this gw.
    Was the logical choice.

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

      Perhaps you could tell me the obvious lottery numbers from last nights draw as well?

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

        12 17 22 33 39 02 12 , obviously

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

          I actually matched two numbers and won £2.40

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

        What an effing reply! Lmfao! Classic! Hahah

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      A Steady Eddy is our Mace, never hauls was the received wisdom.

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

        Well 25 games since his last goal...

    3. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      As an owner 5 points from 6 games did not fill me with confidence but I guess there were good signs for this match

  26. Grounderz
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Not good. 3 goals and nothing from Havertz.

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

      Yep

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

      Gazwaz80 ftw!

  27. teknicolourfox
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Owning Alonso is painful, time to ship

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

      Yes thinking cheap defender & Mendy at least he plays!

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

        Kind of glad...

        Alonso + Gallagher > Son + cheap defender is easy decision

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

    Three goals and not a single VAR check. That's refreshing.

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

      *that’s refereeing