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. JabbaWookiee
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Blimey. At least I escaped a Havertz rout. And with zero Azpi mins it’s all set for a Jota 20 min blank. Could be worse.

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

    Brojassential

  3. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Well, I had planned Alonso to Cancelo this week but think I might go for Chilwell instead and get Cancelo after City play United, good plan anyone??

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

      Chilwell looks much better than Cancelo tbh

      1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I think so too mate, and he has Newcastle away and Burnley at home in next two and Cancelo has Palace at home and United away, both team equipped to score

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

          Alonso owner, had thought about doing chillwell move this week for a hit.

          Fully convinced whatever point I do it, chillwell is rested and alonso comes back in.

          1. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Exactly the same here mate!!! I said it earlier this week about doing Alonso to Chilwell but just thought I’d I did that Alonso would start and haul

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

    Ait-nouri back 😎

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

    Havertz(c)->Markanday for a hit a no brainer?

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

    People are learning live why captaining Havertz was called a punt.

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

    time to pretend that i actually took a hit for ron -> vardy rather than saka -> havertz and I instead need him to score to break even

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

    Jimenez yes!

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

      my captain mate

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

    Many were warned not to punt Havertz. Not just by me lol.

  10. Shoot Lovejoy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    The kind of performance that will put thousands off ever going near Havertz again.

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

    No Phillips, so Jimenez haul confirmed

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

    Get a goal Rudi!

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

      Hahaaaaa no chance

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

      don't waste your breath, he was a useless pick

      1. Colonel Wasabi
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Assist will do 😀

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

    With likely Alonso price fall and Chilwell price rise think just going to pull trigger on move Alonso to Chilwell as Alonso going to play cup game midweek- any reason not to? If goes belly up can always play WC

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

      I will. Should have done it earlier, but going to do it today anyway. If Chilly needs to go out, I can sell him out for free next week.

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

    Jimenez, Raphinha start.
    No Marcal.
    Armstrong benched again.
    Olise bandwagon to begin.

  15. jammie26
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Another Chillie goal would be wonderful.

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

      Or James.

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

    How likely one of Walker or Cancelo miss out today?

  17. putana
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    that must be so frustrating for havertz owners.

    5-0 and not even an assist playing as the only forward

    1. Eh, just one more thing ...
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Punk punt.

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

    What a bad pick Adam Armstrong was.

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

      Hope he doesn't come off the bench 😀

  19. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz blank good news. If only Chilwell didn't play and Alonso played got the goal all around good.

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

    Benched Jimenez in favour of Mbeumo

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

    Got Havertz as my punt on a WC so no pain, possibly some easy switch to Arsenal or City mid

  22. sandman58
    • 5 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Sorry...not watching the game but have exact money for Rudi to Chilwell
    Is this a wise or silly move?

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

      By no means daft. Others will do so - mostly Alonso owners.

      1. sandman58
        • 5 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Has he been great to watch...compared to Rudi though?
        Thanks for the imput

  23. boc610
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    wow havertz couldnt even get in on that, even the Beatles even let Ringo sing a tune

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

    If Chelsea get the clean sheet Havertz will be the only starter not to return 😆

  25. Paqueta Rice
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I did Jota to Zaha (benched) instead of Alonso to Chillwell

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

    Lesson learned for those who picked Havertz.

    Do not punt and cap a player which has no form!

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

    It's not only about Havertz blank, but also his performance is too bad, worst in the team,and not even a big chance

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

    The controls are open now. Norwich are officially doomed.

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

    Sarr shoved out on the wing this time

  30. All Hail K
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I'm the only guy in the top 10 of my mini league with Havertz. Imagine how smug I felt 78 minutes ago.