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Dugout Discussion October 23

Alonso benched again as Havertz leads the line in injured Lukaku’s absence

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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. TKC07
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone knows the percentage of Chelsea goals scored by defenders?

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

      95%

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

      = Avoid CHE attack

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

      I count 10/23 in the league.

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

    Buying a midfielder with poor end product because he plays Norwich...

    Dan James is tempting them Havertz owners!

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

      Raphinha will give same level of pain 😀

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

        Raphinha doesn't haul, one assist...

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

          Nor does Mount normally 🙂 I expected a goal or assist but not a haul. Fingers crossed for Pahinha next weekend

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    2. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Bascially what mount and CHO owners did too...

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

    I just raged transferred Havertz out of my FIFA team

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

      He's rubbish on FIFA too

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  4. Sam (Team Sam)
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Was convinced I was safe from Mount's destruction.

    Just looking through my league and my closest rival (I was first, he was 40 points behind in second) used his wildcard this week.

    He captained Mount.

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

      Wow. Respect

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      1. Elfozzie 42
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I suspect that lead may tighten a little...

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        1. Sam (Team Sam)
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          I think he's just overtaken me!

          I was also feeling smug knowing I'm the only one with ESR.

          Realised that same guy got him in on the wildcard too.

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          1. Elfozzie 42
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Ah well. Still very early days.
            For about 30 seconds he was on 10 or 11 points after the potential penalty miss for his second goal. No doubt you'll be praising VAR tonight!

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

    I bumped into the guy 2nd in my ml the other day in person

    I told him he was struggling and needed to sort his fpl team out, I’m 30 points ahead so why worry?

    Turns out this week he has Mount and esr

    Never count your chickens!

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

      Must be a mad week to be without mount and esr etc

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

      I mean, thirty points is nothing.

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  6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Person in my company ML had Mount(c). Goodbye for now top spot!

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    1. 1984 TC
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yea, changing my focus to winning FPL now since I won’t be winning my ML, hehe.

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  7. Flair
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz cappers made the right decision. Targeted the striker home against Norwich, Chelsea scored 7, didn't work out. Don't have him but I consider that an unlucky outcome.

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    1. Stranger Mings
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      I am in shock

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

      Havertz had no form. It was a proper bandwagon fail.

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      1. Riverside Red
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        And Mount has been regularly scoring..

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

          Mount is a better player than Havertz, hands down.

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          1. Riverside Red
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Look at the Chelsea stats prior to today....nothing to back up your spurious claim...

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    3. Riverside Red
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      That doesn't make me feel any better

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

        It probably wouldn't make me feel better either, but I think one of the best skills in FPL is recognizing that luck is a major factor and you can only judge based on the decisions you make, not points - easier said than done!

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    4. Sam (Team Sam)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Agreed. Very harsh.

      If you owned him (I don't either) what would you do?

      Give him more time or switch to Mount?

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

        Keep for Burnley and Newcastle.

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

      Same logic for me getting Jota last week for Son - Liverpool scored five!

      Picking the fixtures is half battle - got to get the right dudes.

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    6. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      This may be true but it's bitter consolation. I swapped him on for Kovacic.

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

      Had Mahrez(c) last GW, Havertz(c) this GW, can’t believe both blanked!

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  8. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    350K to 50K .. thanks to Mount, Chilly and Mendy

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

      Nice one!

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

      Huge man. Well done.

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    3. tbos83
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Congrats. Enjoy the view.

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

      And..... Still 8 games to go.

      You could be OR1 tomorrow.

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  9. Eightball
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Alonso to A) Chilwell B) James (assuming they are both fine after the midweek game)

    This was Alonso's last chance. I got him on a gameweek 7 wildcard and he played 0 minutes..... absolute joke.

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    1. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Chillwell

      James has more then 1 player competing with him

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  10. Optimus.
    • 13 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Big congrats to Mount owners who picked him because they couldn't afford Havertz

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

      I expect Mount owners already had him. I suspect if people didn't have enough money to get Havertz this week they would have taken a hit to get him in instead of setting for Mount instead.

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

      Brought him in on my WC, alongside Azpi, Armstrong and Lukaku...

      Don't be so salty man, it's just a game, a free hobby.

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

    This week hurt. Had planned on Jota > mount for weeks in transfer notes until lukaku injury. Went for the Havertz captain trap. ESR on bench too. Held alonso instead of chilwell -4. Pain… 50 point swing

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

    Kovacic is quietly putting together a decent season here.

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

      Big time

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    2. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      Yes he is, he was great value at 5m but now ESR is probably better pick at that sort of price range

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

        I'm thinking of doing Ronaldo to Auba so wouldn't need ESR.

        Think Kovacic is less likely to be rotated too.

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

      Giving him a thought. Bound to get a few assists in Tuchel's system.

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

        Me too.

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    4. Silecro
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 5 months ago

      His vision and passing is excellent this season, almost all of his 5 assists this season were KDB-esque. Very much worthy of consideration

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

      Rival has him of course

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  13. Neevesy
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Any one else have both Tierney and Christensen? Or just me.....

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

      Maybe not just you, but definitely not me.

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

      yeah, i played Christensen, Tierney first sub, luckily i played 442 this week so Allan will be coming off the bench for Chris

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

        I've got Allan and Pukki coming on.

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

    What would you change to get Son and Chilwell in here?

    Thinking of taking James, Dias and Havertz out (for Manquillo Chilwell Son) but must be a better way?

    Ramsdale Foster
    TAA Cancelo James Dias Livramento
    Salah Havertz Raphinha Mbuemo Brownhill
    Vardy Jesus Toney

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

      Any money ITB?

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

        No

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

      Just do Hav to Foden mate

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  15. Mambino
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    I sold Mount this morning. Feel a bit gutted, but at least I got this week's points

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

      Why so soon?! That’s wild.

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

        wanted to get Son in. I had 2FT so sold Foden and Mount for Hudson Adoi and Son

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

          Seems super risk given there are two fixtures before GW10. What if Foden plays 90 vs. West Ham in EFL cup etc?

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

            yes, it was stupid decision I don't know what I was thinking

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

            No, I sold Foden and Mount - brought in Son and Adoi but should have held and waited

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

          But why do it this morning? Why not wait until today's games were done at least?

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

            I really don't know Cilly, it was pretty stupid. I just saw an opportunity to get Son in, and Mount only got me 1 point the week before, so I rolled the dice

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

      Timing

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  16. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Havertz, Werner and Ziyech. Three players who have shown that you need to apply significant discounts on ability when it is shown in weaker leagues abroad. Ziyech has to be the biggest disappointment. He is 28, meant to be in his prime and hasn't shown anything near enough in the PL.

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

      Ziyech hasn't had the time on the pitch to be fair. I think he plays well when he gets the chance. Werner gets laughed at a lot but he's actually a great player for Chelsea. Havertz I think is talented but I think it'll take him a while to get going in the prem. Can't see it happening just yet..

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

    I posted this before the game as to why I’m steering clear of Havertz. And I got laughed at lol.

    The Blues boss said: "Kai started strong this season, had a good pre-season. But he lacks the statistics of decisive things – goals and assists – and he needs to fight his way back into the team when he gets minutes."

    It was very clear that the displays of Hudson-Odoi and Havertz were not isolated. They appeared to look for one another naturally during the second period.

    It's a connection Chelsea have seen before when the German international put a stupendous ball in for Hudson-Odoi to slot in a consolation goal against Manchester City in January.

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

    Rudiger, Chilwell and Havertz owner.

    Could have been worse, I will take the points and run.

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

      I'd be happy

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

        Contented after a poor start to the season. Taking punts have been awfully rewarded this season, need to play with patience going forward.

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

      Same. Can't complain.

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  19. BIGREDDOG
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 5 months ago

    Score check?

    Zero.

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

      Same, with Christensen no show and ESR first on bench

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      1. DT42
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Same. Was dreading a Christensen late sub but we got lucky

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

      Zilch.

      Will have Raphinha and Livra coming off my bench in the 15.00 kick offs.

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    3. Pinturicchio10
        2 years, 5 months ago

        60

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

          Seriously? Wow

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          1. Pinturicchio10
              2 years, 5 months ago

              Got all the jam this week.

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      • dshv
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        My rival who share 1st please very week have lukaku captain and mount vice…

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

          Sounds like he sucks at FPL, Lukaku was out injured and there was no guarantee Mount was gonna start and was highly unlikely he would haul

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      • Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Havertz cappers made the wrong decision.

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

          If he swapped with Pukki, am almost certain Pukki would have got a couple. It's just that the player is not good enough, at least for now.

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

          Captain Hindsight

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

            It was in response to Flair's people-pleasing post

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      • WVA
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        I'm so glad Lukaku was out injured, I don't think I could have coped with him blanking in a 7-0 win

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      • RogDog_jimmy
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Can’t wait for this Leeds v Wolves match.

        Jimenez and Raphinha. Points points points (please please please).

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        1. Drexl Spivey
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Lol. Well that's that jinxed.

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

            Hahaha, that made me laugh, thank you Sir

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        2. Collie01
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          Ditto.

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

          Same players for me. Need a high scoring thriller

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

        Like Lukaku, keeping Havertz will cost you points.

        Nothing based on his form suggested he was even worth a punt, let alone capping him.

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

          Lukaku was scoring in every game until I got him

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

          Equating Kaku with Havertz is an insult.

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          1. Harry the Hack
            • 14 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            to whom? At least Havertz got me a clean sheet point.

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      • Bartowski
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Just rage removed Havertz from my watchlist!

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

          😆

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

          Lol

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

          I just added him to my watchlist and then rage removed him

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      • Collie01
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Looking forward to Wolves vs Leeds. Really surprised at Raphinha's ownership.

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

          No Phillips, no party. Jimenez haul

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          1. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Hopefully.

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          2. Collie01
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 5 months ago

            Brought in Jimenez for Lukaku this week.

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

          Me too. Can't wait. Wish I had Jimmy

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

          Could really do with an absolute goal fest here

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      • moment
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Am being absolutely murdered by my biggest rival, 49 from 3 players (Mount, Chilwell, ESR). He does have Kane captained, so hopefully that goes disastrously wrong.

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      • smash
        • 14 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        People think Havertz will start next prem game if Lukaku/Werner are still out?

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      • SEXY SOLO SAUCE
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        Let’s see what disappointment the 3pms bring!

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      • Bojam
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 5 months ago

        FPL Hall of Shame

        1. Cry Havertz
        2. ?
        ....

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        1. Liberate HK - antichinazi
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 5 months ago

          2. Burnely Mahrez

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