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

    Give up

    1. Moose™
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Late to the party..

      Kai © failed..

      But, bittersweet on WC.. Rudiger out for Chilwell..

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

    Let Barkley take it

  3. dabber7
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudiger assist?

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

      No reason it won't be a Rudiger assist, we'll done owners. He deserves something for today!

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

    Almost missed again. But I'll take it. Thanks Mason

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

      The defender encroached that time.

      Unlucky for Krull.

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

    Six nil

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

    Lucky Mount...

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

      Yep.

  7. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    no assist after retake?

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

      Of course Rudiger gets assist after retake. 😀

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

      Should get assist as pen retaken due to keeper moving

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

      Yes. Given.

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

    Is Rudiger getting A for retake?

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

    Rudi assist?

  10. 1984 TC
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Still counts as Rudigier assist?

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

    RUDIGERRRRRRRRRRR

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

    Please put me out of my misery and bring Havertz off please.
    It’s the hope that kills you.

    Kind regards
    A humiliated Havertz owner

    1. Cilly Bonnolly
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Could do with a consolation goal here.

      1. Cilly Bonnolly
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Oops, reply fail.

  13. Ruinenlust
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudiger assist?

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

    Yes Rudiger gets the assist.

  15. Feanor
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Two terrible penalty attempts. Mount should never take another one.

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

      Salty non owner spotted. 😛

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

    Losing Controls

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

      You should play Control. Great game

  17. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Krul's knee = fraud

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

    Mount hopefully still gets missed pen points?

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Ha ha

  19. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    He should get the assist. Awful by FPL if not. (Non owner)

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

    Mount not the best penalty taker

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

    Rudi assist given

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

    Rudi assist given

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

    Rudiger haul!

  24. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Rudi assist you sure?

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

      Given. Never in doubt.

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

    Obviously Rudiger assist.

    The first pen is wiped off the slate.

  26. Arvin-ation
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Jeez just checked the score. Mount going crazy and Haevertz blank rip

  27. TheTinman
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Mount owners unite 😀

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

      o/

  28. Mickey Tyrion™
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Got Havertz in with the Armband, and league leading rival has Mount. May throw my phone through the tv after that BS pen miss / retake.

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

    Its still a Rudiger assist as its the same penalty being retaken

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

    Got to be someone with Mount, James and Chillwell?