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

    This could be 8 or 9 now

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

      More. Five goals against a full squad.

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

    Oh, red card Norwich.

    With the OG just need a penalty next.

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

    Let the floodgates open!

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

      I think they might already be open….

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

      Sluicegates more like

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

    Hey guys remember when Chelsea "Couldn't score goals." LOL

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

    Chilwell not even on 1 bap

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

      Miles off as well

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

    Hours of planning to get Lukaku (c) for that game...ehhh

  7. Ode
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    3 points from Havertz isn’t that bad, if you captained him you can pretend he got an assist

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

      A one point haul for the cleanie is better than A Salah 2 pointer

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

      Nice. But he hasn't been taken off yet, be careful.

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

    Norwich will defend better with 9 men 🙂

    Havertz blank confirmed.

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

    Lukaku could have had a goal this match.

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

      Brace at least

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

      Bold shout.

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

        I know.

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

    Well that's the clean sheet locked in at least!

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

      Oh no you didn’t

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

      You C Kai, Camzy?

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

        I don't have him. Didn't want him. Not as keen on him as other folks. Too many unknowns.

        I capped Kane.

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

          Although I will say he was a good choice for C this week. Just unlucky for owners. Problem is... what happens next week if Lukaku or Werner are fit?

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

          Well you got it right this time, well done. Thought you went for Mount. Good luck with (K)ane!

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

      Cue a freaky Norwich goal

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

    He will sneak one and be subbed on 80

  12. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    This couldn’t be going any worse really.

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

    Havertz to Raph on the cards..

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

    Anyone else got Kovacic?

    I was honestly pretty nervous with him and no Hav going into this weekend, just didn’t want the hit.

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

    Raphinha a must have next week.

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

      Leeds not firing

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

        Norwich will fix that

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

          They are unable to do that

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

        Neither was Chelsea

  16. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Not picking any Che striker this season. Just all these attack going around their strikers, it’s like a curse.

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

      The goals r spread out

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

      I think more than anything it is that Chelsea have amazing attacking defenders.

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

    Currently riding trains in London, but sounds like Norwich are an embarrassment.

  18. Randaxus
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    At this point Chilwell is becoming like Greenwood for me at the start of the season, every game I don't have him he scores points.

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

    Norwich need a defensive coach to instill some shape. Someone find Tony Pulis

  20. Naby K8a
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Petition to deny Norwich promotion from the Championship.

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

    Well, season over

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

    Havertz doing an amazing impression of the Invisible Man

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

    Havertz Off

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

      For Ziyech

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

    Kai coming off

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

    Havertz & CHO coming off.
    Ziyech & Barkley coming on.

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

    the pain is getting stronger and stronger watching rudiger running around doing nothing......

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

    Yep, season over

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

    Harvetz. Oh dear.

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

    Dumb move going Rudiger over Chilwell 3 werks ago

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

    Ziyech and Barkley incoming