Dugout Discussion

Man City v Chelsea team news: Mount and Dias benched as Foden returns

Double Gameweek 22 continues this Saturday lunchtime as Manchester City play host to Chelsea.

Kick-off at the Etihad is at 12:30 GMT.

This is the first of two scheduled fixtures for Thomas Tuchel’s side in Gameweek 22, with Brighton and Hove Albion next up on Tuesday.

More Fantasy Premier League (FPL) managers bought Mason Mount than any other player who has two matches in the current Gameweek but the midfielder, who had completed 90 minutes in each of Chelsea’s last eight Premier League games, is only among the substitutes today.

Kai Havertz, Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi are also pmitted as Tuchel opts for a slightly surprising front three of Hakim Ziyech, Christian Pulisic and Romelu Lukaku.

Pulisic and Ziyech are among five changes from the side that beat Tottenham Hotspur in midweek, with Marcos Alonso, Thiago Silva and N’Golo Kante all returning to the fray.

Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Werner and Jorginho are benched, while Andreas Christensen has Covid-19.

Pep Guardiola delivered the ominous news that Manchester City had some fresh cases of coronavirus in his pre-match press conference but the damage appears minimal when looking at the teamsheet.

Nathan Ake and Cole Palmer are the two players to miss out (the City website repeating the line that they are “short of full fitness”), while Oleksandr Zinchenko has picked up an injury and is also unavailable.

Ederson, John Stones, Phil Foden, Jack Grealish and Raheem Sterling all come into a strong-looking side after missing the FA Cup win over Swindon Town, whilst Aymeric Laporte is restored to the starting line-up having been an unused substitute against the Robins.

Ruben Dias is surprisingly benched, along with Zack Steffen, Ilkay Gundogan and Gabriel Jesus. The missing Palmer and Ake had also been part of that starting XI at Swindon.

DOUBLE GAMEWEEK 22 LINE-UPS

Manchester City XI: Ederson, Walker, Stones, Laporte, Joao Cancelo, De Bruyne, Rodri, Bernardo Silva, Sterling, Grealish, Foden.

Subs: Dias, Gundogan, Gabriel Jesus, Steffen, Fernandinho, Mbete-Tabu, McAtee, Lavia, Wilson-Esbrand.

Chelsea XI: Arrizabalaga, Sarr, Thiago Silva, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Kante, Kovacic, Alonso, Ziyech, Pulisic, Lukaku.

Subs: Jorginho, Werner, Loftus-Cheek, Bettinelli, Saul, Barkley, Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Havertz.

1,053 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish FALSE 9

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      False hype

    2. fplgaruda
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      False player

    3. Jafooli
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      False dawn

    4. evilfish
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      False idol

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

      False positive

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

        😛

      2. Ron_Swanson
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Winner

    6. DOG GOD IT - KEANE 15
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      False hope

    7. Jimbo74
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      I was going to back him to score today but decided that would be too ungrealishtic.

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

    Grealish has to score there. Big miss

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

    Pulisic down

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

      Mount warming up?

  4. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Keepah Kepa

  5. fplgaruda
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish. 100 millions man
    Lmao

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      The more he didn’t play for England the better he became last summer.

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

      His strength is his spontaneity and imagination. Doesn't fit into Pep"s more robotic approach

      1. Zalk
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        team approach*

  6. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Grealish was a terrible buy for £100m

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      He just isn’t up to the quality of the rest of the city team

      It’s very clear when you see him play

      1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        They should have just got Kane.

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

        By todays evidence I’d have to agree. He’s looked like the weak link so far

  7. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Any update on NLD?

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

      NO

      There will be a hot topic when there is. Stop asking

      1. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Very f#%€ing sorry, asked once

        1. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Ginkapoo owns FFS.

        2. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Blokes an egotistic bully don’t apologise

          1. df34
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Well said

    2. fplgaruda
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Stol it. You cant do anything to your fpl team anyway!

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

    Cancelo red?

  9. FPL Brains
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 months ago

    Still can't believe Grealish went for 100m. Aston Villa must still be laughing.

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

      It was definitely a better deal than Kepa for 72 Million

      1. FPL Brains
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • Has Moderation Rights
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        The word "deal" can't really be applied to either tbh.

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

          A deal can be a bad deal, I still say that Grealish was max worth 80 million and that is if he played as well as he played last year.

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

          Also another overpriced player I was just thinking about is Nicolas Pépé for £72 million, that price is a joke 😀

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

        That’s debatable

        1. The Tinkerman
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          At least Grealish is a serviceable player at the highest level. There is no doubt that he is brilliant technically, he’s clearly been changed already by Pep though. Less exciting player now. Kepa just isn’t good enough for a top level side.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      Iwobi

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

    City has Chelsea playing like Burnley. My word

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

    May I remind everyone that that Kepa was only 38 million less than Grealish

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

    Cancelo clear stamp there?

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

      Lol. Accident. Pulisic's fault tbh. As a Chelsea fan.

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

        (and Cancelo owner :mrgreen:)

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

          Emojii fail :mrgreen:

      2. Nanoelektronicar
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        This, he slid under his boot, what are people talking about.

    2. bigwig
      • 13 Years
      2 years, 2 months ago

      clear accident

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

        Doesn’t mean it’s not a foul?

        1. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 2 months ago

            There's a context to accidents, accidentally elbow someone by recklessly flailing arms= red

            Accidentally land on someone is usually not a red

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

        No, went for the ball and puli just got there first, play on for f sake

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

          But he didn’t get the ball and stamped on Pulisic instead?

      3. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        Clear and question mark doesnt really work as a sentence.

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

          It’s called a question?

          1. Goodfeathers
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            I believe the point they’re making is that you can’t say something is clear and then finish it off with a question mark.

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

              I’m not saying something is clear. I’m asking if something is clear, hence the question mark?

              1. Goodfeathers
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                But by definition, if something is clear then it is unquestionable and therefore adding a question mark is contradictory. Kind of like an oxymoron

                1. @persecuted_by_mods
                    2 years, 2 months ago

                    This isn't what he's doing but you can add the question mark if it's clear to you but wasn't given, thus the question mark is more making the sentence mean I saw something that was clear, but it wasn't given (why not/have I missed something)

                    1. Goodfeathers
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 9 Years
                      2 years, 2 months ago

                      Fair enough. For the record, I wasn’t trying to be provocative. Just thought I’d try and explain the reason for the other persons comment after you questioned it. I say we just agree to disagree & wish each other a good day 🙂

      4. DaniCT
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        How they won't even look at that stamp? He didn't had a thing with the ball?

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

        KDB -Baps

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

        It was right about that moment Pep realised he bought a dud for a 100 million

      7. gera.bostock
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 months ago

        It is very surprising a team that decides to drop their most creative player and has players on the pitch with no creativity whatsoever, cannot create anything. Lukaku must be exciting about his situation now.

        1. fplgaruda
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Lukaku was right!

          1. gera.bostock
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Of course he was right. Chelsea should play better at some point, enough with the excuses.

        2. @persecuted_by_mods
            2 years, 2 months ago

            That said he has the touch of a tractor and hasn't held onto the ball once, shocking first touch

          • Ruinenlust
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Lukaku has fluffed every opportunity he’s gotten…

          • ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
            • 13 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            He hardly did much with mount on the pitch though

        3. Viprin
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 months ago

          Jim Beglin said emptyhad on live commentary

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

              😆

              That moment of silence….brilliant

              1. Viprin
                • 8 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                Then corrects himself to comfirm his mistake LOL

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

              Ha! Amazing

          1. delux
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            I heard it!

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

          I stayed away from Top 10k on purpose not to get myself in a spotlight of FPL hackers. Who's laughing now.

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

            Argh yes, clever mate, me to - just lurking around the 2 million mark myself

            Waiting to pounce and win the whole thing when everyone else has been hacked

          2. @persecuted_by_mods
              2 years, 2 months ago

              That's it, you're next!

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

                Damn. All the planning for nothing now

            • JONALDINHO
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Same mate. Strategically placed myself at 11k

            • DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Purposely hovering around 11k.

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

            I’d be pretty annoyed if I owned Mount, they seem to look better with him every time he plays and this is the biggest game of the (league) season, why isn’t he playing ?

            Unless he’s injured

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

              Post again next page just in case

          4. CrouchDown
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            NLD going ahead so?

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

              When we know, you’ll know

            2. The 12th Man
              • 10 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Que Sera Sera

          5. Walter White (WW)
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Chelsea playing for a draw

          6. Jet5605
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Anyone else starting Bachman (NOR) instead of DDG (WHU) next week?

            1. have you seen cyan
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              foster*

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

            Amazing how many butt hurt Mount owners there are.
            Even if your man had played, Chelsea would still have looked toothless.
            This is what Man City do to teams with their constant pressing and movement.

            City = The Borg

          8. tokara
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Bring mount and dias on! We need that 1pt

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

            Every time I watch city I think they look vulnerable at the back of you can just put some pressure on.

            But then again give their attack any space and they are ruthless. But so many games ends 1-0 or 2-0 City when they eventually break you down. So surely better to go for it and grab the goal or two available

            1. Podge
              • 13 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              But if you go for it you get caught and beat 5-0

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

                Sure sometimes but a loss is a loss.

                Chelsea with a little but more positivity in that half could definitely have got a goal. I don’t think you can win sitting back v city but at least you have a chance if you go out hard and see if you can get the lead

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

                  See what happened to Leicester

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

            Any rumours about north London derby coming out? Should get an announcement soon you'd think

            1. Firmino
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Someone said on twitter that it is off. Heard from a mate who works in TV

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

                https://twitter.com/markbrit_/status/1482303154834354177

                This bloke who I've never heard before. Could be true, might not be.

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

              Plenty rumours but once announced any post will be hulked here and no doubt added to scout tweets

          11. TheSteel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Grealish doesn't even draw fouls anymore.

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

              Don’t think he’ll shine at City. Beatle described it perfectly above

            2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              His only trick has abandoned him.

          12. BoleynWin
            • 6 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Really don’t understand Tuchels approach to this game, it’s a must win. Time wasting at 0-0 & basically banking on City going 90 minutes without scoring seems very odd.

            Obviously if Chelsea nick this 1-0 at the death I’ll look clueless, I just thought there’d be much more attacking football on show today…

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

              Tuchel has been screaming at them to attack. The players can't see clear routes through the Pep Press, so they take the safer route and pass back

              Pep is the Chelsea problem today, not Tuchel

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

                What Tuchel can then do is sub on a player who's willing to bear the brunt if his forward pass leads to a City counter goal, and still make that forward pass over and over again

                Maybe that's Mount. Maybe some players in the starting XI can do this, but Tuchel just needs to reassure them in the dressing room

              2. BoleynWin
                • 6 Years
                2 years, 2 months ago

                I disagree.

                Watch Kepa this second half, clearly instructed to waste as much time as possible, very odd

                If we see all 3 subs at halftime by Chelsea I’ll buy into the fact that Tuchels not happy & wants wholesale changes. Surely they can’t be surprised by City’s press, we are 22 games in & they play the same every week!

                Tuchels benched their most influential playmaker in Mount & there’s not been a forward pass played by them in the first half, it’s tactically inept.

            2. DBW - Slug's Mortgage …
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Is Lukaku playing?

          13. Bishopool
            • 12 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            So what outcome the best for u?

            For me 90+1 min Cancelo goal.1:0 xD

            1. Grande Tubarão
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 2 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Silva to score infinity goals

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

              KDB goal, Cancelo assist.

              And I say this as a Chelsea fan, sigh.

            3. Critical Observer
              • 7 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Alonso hooked at 61 minutes, Cancelo scoring a hat-trick with no assists after that.

            4. zinaks
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              5-2
              5 goals foden
              2nd chelsea goal cnacelo tackels inside the box and receive red card

          14. Walter White (WW)
            • 2 Years
            2 years, 2 months ago

            Glad I played Cancelo now

            1. Dead Balls
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Should of saved that until full time

            2. Miniboss
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 2 months ago

              Currently on 1 point…