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. g_jannyg
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    There's a lot more points to gain in that second half. Norwich are awful.
    Any Chelsea player on thst pitch can haul

    Hoping for another Hudson-Odoi return

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

      You got cho?

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

        Yeah

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

          nice

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

    3 gameweeks ago, anyone had Azp, Alonso and Lukaku, you call him genius and "well-plan".

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

    A Rudiger 30-yarder today would be most welcome.

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

      He's more likely to score from a run into the box today.

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

        He doesn't half get in some advanced positions!! Lol.

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

        I'll take that as well!

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

        More likely to dribble past every Norwich player twice then score.

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

    Rudiger need some more Red Bull

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

    Goal from Chilwell would be great but 6 points not a problem either.

    1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      As a captainer I'm stressing now, Alonso on at HT or 59? Got Reece James too but captaining him would have taken mega balls and I only have medium sized ones.

  6. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Said all week that James was the man to own this GW. Just so happened moving a defender out wasn't the move for me... 🙁

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

    So those of us who bought Kai.
    We were right about the fixture, right that he would start, and right that Norwich would get pumped…

    We just overlooked that Havertz is awful

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

      How is he "awful"?! Lol.

      1. Mario Balofail
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Awful to own hehe

      2. Lingard’s Shin Guards
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        not awful. you have to be on the ball to do awful things

        invisible

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

      Will still probably get something in the second half, probably a brace

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

        All he'll get is an early substitution.

    3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Not looking like a bloke who won his team a ucl trophy

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

      During matches, hyperbole is perfectly acceptable thank you very much.

      And let’s face it, he’s been rubbish today

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

        Hasn't been involved enough to be "rubbish." Come on now, don't be so salty!

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

          Again, saltiness and boasting is the order of the day for match days

  8. Salan
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I only need Havertz score once.

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

      This

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

    Might just sue Tuchel for stealing my Christensen 6 pointer (+possible BP)

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

      And sue Christensen for reserving his rare goal for some pointless European match

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

      Wouldn’t have got BAPS with James and Mount, plus whatever second half damage gets done

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

      Class action!

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

    There's another 45 mins to go, Havertz owners relax, he won't blank here.

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

      You say this like he won't get subbed for Barkley or RLC.

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

        Not until he's scored.

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

    Surprisingly, my rank has not taken a beating from James, Mount and CHO.

    I just hope Rudiger does not score!

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

      The only thing Rudiger will do is concede, I can assure you of that

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

    Well done James holders!

    Who's the next Chelsea defensive haul? Alonso vs Newcastle once all the sales are done?

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

      Newcastle can’t sell all their players until the Winter transfer window

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

      Found a clip of Tuchel's process for picking his full backs

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wz-PtEJEaqY

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

        Ha, I watched this the other day 😛

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

      How about James buyers, for a hit?

  13. Botman and Robben
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    All these goals, can't Rudiger at least get an assist?

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

      Got his attacking return midweek.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        lol

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

    Come on Kai, a blank would be lovely

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

      Kai Blankertz

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

        Blank Haver

  15. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Hopefully Havertz gets dropped for next GW after a performance like this

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

    Need one of Jimenez or Grealish to play 0 mins today to get ESR points.

    I'll take a no show from both to get Livramento's haul too.

  17. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    The power of social media. Keep repeating a lie (Havertz) and people will believe it.

    Commiserations to those who captained Havertz and following the buzz around him

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

      What's the lie?

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        That he's a good captaincy pick this week?

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

          Why wasn't he?

          1. Digital-Real
            • 7 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            If you've watched him play, you'll see his first touch most often lets him down and he had little form going into this game

            1. tokara
              • 9 Years
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Look very disinterested and casual in his movement

              1. Digital-Real
                • 7 Years
                2 years, 5 months ago

                One pro about him is, he reads game well and drifts into good positions. Unpredictable player in terms of attacking points in FPL. Need patience of a saint to own him in FPL.

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

      Non owner but a no brainer to get and captain

      1. Digital-Real
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe that's the problem, why think for yourself

    3. Lingard’s Shin Guards
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      hindsight is always 20/20

    4. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      To be honest he wasn't a bad pick in terms of expected points. Risky one though, yes.

  18. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    https://www.fantasyfootballscout.co.uk/comment/24273642

    Should've trusted myself

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

      Sorry mate

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

      Mehhhhhhhhhh

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

      He’d have benched had you done it

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

    Well I don’t know about you but I’m glad I only owned Reece James for the times he was injured

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

      0/

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

    Williams on, another goal in this for James!

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

      Awesome, might get him off the bench for a -1

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

    James and Chilwell are immense, really want to upgrade Rudi to one of them but the rest of my team needs sorting first

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

      Got James in my draft team and Alonso in main game.

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

    Chelsea defenders, such a trap.
    Could chase them round in circles all season.

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

    Let's go Brandon

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

      Jet pack Joe

  24. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Come on Kai!!

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

    Wait, people captained Havertz too!? Over Salah?

  26. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Relax people, 8m mid blanking is not a big deal. Unless you got him a for a hit... or captained... Either way still 45 minutes to go

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

    Thoughts on bench boosting next week?

    Foster (SOU) Livramento (wat) Brownhill (BRE) Mbeumo (bur)

    Would use my FT on Duffy > Chilwell

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

      Hmmm, close but no.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      DGW my fren

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

    How bad are Brighton then? Is it same like last year when they just couldn't finish?

    I got Maupay for Norwich fixture alone and looking at stats Norwich had improved, turns out they are still the one to target.

  29. Forza Papac
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Chances of early Havertz sub? He's their only fit striker. Might need to protect him.

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

      Yes please protect him Thomas

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

      Marcus could do a better job

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

      Yeah was thinking this. They can't really afford him to get injured and he did play 70 odd minutes in midweek.

  30. Differentiator
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Kai has 25 mins left, max

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

      No