Dugout Discussion

Sunday team news: Kulusevski benched, key Chelsea assets all start

Two more top-flight matches kick off at 2pm BST this afternoon and there is plenty of interest from a Fantasy Premier League (FPL) perspective, particularly where Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea are concerned.

The Lilywhites are at home against a much-changed Leicester City, while Thomas Tuchel’s troops are on the road again at relegation-threatened Everton.

Where Jurgen Klopp perhaps rotated more than we thought he would yesterday, Tuchel has taken the opposite approach, making only one change to his starting XI to make light of the 64-hour turnaround between trips to Old Trafford and Goodison Park.

The Chelsea head coach’s sole alteration is even enforced, with the injured N’Golo Kante replaced by Ruben Loftus-Cheek in midfield.

The teamsheet of opponents Everton shows two changes, with Yerry Mina and Fabian Delph replacing Michael Keane and Allan.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is among the substitutes after recovering from injury.

In north London, there are nine alterations across the two teams – but only one for the hosts.

It’s a significant one, too, as popular mid-price FPL midfielder Dejan Kulusevski drops out of the Spurs line-up for the first time since Gameweek 25.

Lucas Moura takes the Swede’s place and joins Harry Kane and Son Heung-min in the three-man Lilywhites attack.

“It’s rotation. When you have the possibility to change good players, you do. It is a normal rotation.” Antonio Conte on dropping Dejan Kulusevski

Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers has made eight changes to his side, clearly with one eye on Thursday’s UEFA Europa Conference League semi-final, second-leg tie against Roma, 

Kasper Schmeichel, Timothy Castagne and Marc Albrighton are the only three players who started against Jose Mourinho’s side on Thursday who keep their places, with James Maddison and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missing out altogether.

Rodgers said the two Leicester midfielders have both been left at home as a precaution – a tight calf for Dewsbury-Hall, a hip issue for Maddison – but the reality is probably that the pair are being wrapped up in cotton wool for Italy.

Jamie Vardy, Youri Tielemans and Harvey Barnes are among the substitutes.

GAMEWEEK 35 LINE-UPS

Everton XI: Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Holgate, Mykolenko, Delph Doucoure, Gray, Iwobi, Gordon, Richarlison

Subs: Begovic, Kenny, Branthwaite, Keane, Allan, Davies, Alli, Rondón, Calvert-Lewin

Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Rudiger, Silva, Alonso, Azpilicueta, Jorginho, Loftus-Cheek, Mount, Havertz, Werner

Subs: Arrizabalaga, Sarr, Chalobah, Kovacic, Pulisic, Ñíguez, Ziyech, Kenedy, Lukaku


Tottenham Hotspur XI: Lloris, Romero, Dier, Davies, Emerson Royal, Bentacour, Hojbjerg, Sessegnon, Lucas Moura, Kane, Son Heung-min

Subs: Sanchez, Craig, Kulusevski, Scarlett, White, Gollini, Bergwijn, Winks, Rodon

Leicester City XI: Schmeichel, Castagne, Amartey, Soyuncu, Thomas, Mendy, Soumaré, Albrighton, Iheanacho, Pérez, Daka

Subs: Ward, Justin, Fofana, Brunt, Choudhury, Tielemans, Barnes, Lookman, Vardy

949 Comments Post a Comment
  1. jackruet
    • 2 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Listen. Dont ditch chelsea assets. They will bounce back next dgw..it was a gift for chelsea legend lampard

    1. Big_Andy_GAWA
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      They really don't look like scoring. Brutal...

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Is it a DGW for Chelsea players though?

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

        Probably not with Leeds for the squad guys not playing the FA Cup final on the Saturday.

    3. PartyTime
      • 2 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      It didn’t look like a gift to me. Chelsea been poor lately

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

        You blind? Azpi literally gifted Richarlison that goal

        1. PartyTime
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          Chelsea were poor as a team, not just today. Everton seemed like the better side imo.

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

            Because Chelsea wanted Lampard to win…

            1. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
              • 3 Years
              2 years, 1 day ago

              Chelsea haven't won at Goodison in 6 years
              There was no gift in that game

    4. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      I'm tempted by Mount to Saka.

    5. Mr. O'Connell
      • 11 Years
      2 years, 1 day ago

      Never seen an easier sell than Kai Havertz

  2. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Nketiah and Saka haul please.

  3. Stranger Mings
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    No brainer to sell Werner & havertz?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Who cares of them anymore 😛

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Werner to Richarlison

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          If he's fit yeah

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 2 days ago

            True otherwise Nketiah

  4. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    67-4 with Toney to go, I'm still fighting

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Saka needed.

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

        Mount to Saka?

  5. Arteta
    • 8 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Son ➡ Mount has to be my worst transfer of the season. 16 points less with 1 more game. How pathetic.

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

      That's a terrible transfer, Mount is an fpl fraud of the highest order

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Someone didn’t have his hat trick v Norwich lol

    2. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Unlucky mate

    3. Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      I did Mount to Son(C) this GW. Even for a hit.

  6. Big_Andy_GAWA
    • 12 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Really need 20 points combined out of Saka and Ramsdale here...

    1. Haalander
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Same

  7. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Interested in Chelsea assets now. Should have scored a lot more goals than they actually have in their last three games. Their conversion rate will bounce back to the mean and a DGW is a good time to do it.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      FA Cup on their minds.

  8. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Looks like I’m scrapping Son > KDB for BB36.

    Foden an acceptable backup instead?

    1. Going Home
      • 12 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Depends who fit. Son and Foden looks better than KDB and many for me

      1. Going Home
        • 12 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        *who for

        1. Danstoke82
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Coutinho

    2. dshv
      • 6 Years
      2 years, 2 days ago

      Havertz To Foden will be my move..

  9. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    2 years, 2 days ago

    Think I might just keep James, Mount and Havertz - as utterly awful as they were today - has to be a reaction. Top 4 in real jeopardy if Arsenal and Spurs keep winning and Tuchel will make a case in point that players will need to earn a starting place in FA Cup final.

    RLC the only player who looked semi-decent today - Havertz got sucked into the squabbles with Mina and Werner is a little coward boy, why you would pick him for a game at Goodison is just baffling. James' decision-making today was also dismal.

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

      Chelsea lead Tottenham by 5 with only 4 games to go and a massively superior goal difference.

      Tottenham and Arsenal still have to play each other.

      Top 4 isn’t a risk for Chelsea unless they lose all their remaining games

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          2 years, 2 days ago

          2 losses is all it would take

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

            2 losses against WOL, lee, LEI, WAT?

            Meanwhile Spurs have to beat liv, ARS?

            Hahaha

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                2 years, 1 day ago

                I didn't say it would happen

                But you did say they'd need to lose all their remaining games, which is wrong

                Hahahahaha

          2. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 2 days ago

            Their next 2 games are Wolves (where they need to break down a low block) and Leeds (who will match intensity of Everton today). Today was hardly convincing evidence that they are capable of overcoming either problem.

            1pt from next 6 quite feasible and then all the pressure in the world for the final 2 (admittedly easy) games.

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

              Spurs next 2 games are liv and ARS

              1. Joey Jo-Jo Junior Shabadoo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 3 Years
                2 years, 1 day ago

                Spurs took 6 pts v City and have already held Liverpool.

                Throw in players leaving for new clubs, lingering turmoil re ownership, and 90 mins v Liverpool where Spurs and Arsenal rest up... it doesn't take much for it to go close to the wire for Chelsea is all I'm saying.

      2. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Is Richarlison now a doubt for DGW 36?

        Possible injury/ban?

        1. Hy liverpool
          • 10 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Ban?

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

            He threw a flare at supporters?

        2. lilmessipran
          • 11 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Why ban?

      3. Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        I've been well and truly rescued by my captain for the second time in three gameweeks.

        My biggest takeaway from this season is that captaincy is by far the most important factor in the game. It's also one of the best ways to gain ground late in the season by backing against the most popular pick for any given gameweek.

        1. PartyTime
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Just needed Son to provide a huge return today, super excited!

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

          Son (c) has kept me alive in my ML time and time again.

          Even if he plays for Spurs, he’s been an FPL legend for me this season and I love him

          1. camarozz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 2 days ago

            Rival closed the gap to 16pts ystrdy..

            I'm 6o ahead now after Son(c), Kane and Kulu hauls.

            Thank u guys!

            1. Hulk Smash
              • 8 Years
              2 years, 2 days ago

              Yeah I keep seeing huge in-gameweek swings in my main mini league too. Congrats on opening up a 60 point lead!

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

              Congrats. Just 3 weeks to go, 60 points is a nice lead

        3. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          This is so true. I'm 60 points ahead in my ML, I'd be about 100 points behind without captaincy points being doubled, and without picking the right one between Son and Salah for weeks now. Quite embarrassing really, when my rival is pretty casual and has much less squad value.

          1. Hulk Smash
            • 8 Years
            2 years, 1 day ago

            Planning transfers around who I want to captain each week is going to be part of my strategy next year for sure.

            1. Hits from the Bong
              • 5 Years
              2 years, 1 day ago

              This year my tactic was basically to keep Son and Salah all season and always captain one of them

      4. jacob1989
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        May as well play lukaku instead of these clowns werner and havertz. Tuchel has no clue how to use lukaku. He made one of the best forwards in Europe a benchwarmer. Poor nanager

        1. Qaiss
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Lukaku is not one of the best forwards in Europe. He flopped at Man United and did well in Serie A, where Olivier Giroud is leading AC Milan to the title. 5 PL goals all season for £100m

        2. jackruet
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Kinda true

        3. Ruinenlust
          • 6 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Lakaka did that himself by taking smack about Chelsea

          1. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 2 days ago

            exactly...he did that at everton too when on international duty but now he's at a club that has the squad to bench him. His own fault

        4. nolard
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Lukaku would score 20 goals+ if they played to his strengths, even if he isn't that great.

      5. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        WC35 is way too late

        1. Going Home
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Disagree

        2. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          WC34 the sweet spot 🙂

      6. lilmessipran
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        For DGW 36 start one-

        A Cash
        B Rudiger

        1. N00B
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          B all day

          1. lilmessipran
            • 11 Years
            2 years, 2 days ago

            Expect him to start only one though

        2. Haalander
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          B

      7. N00B
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        No Son. BB 36/ FH 37. What do you think about ?
        - Kulu and Kane out
        - KDB and Pukki in

        1. Deulofail
          • 8 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          It looks dreadful tbh

      8. camarozz
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Rival closed the gap to 16pts ystrdy..

        I'm 6o ahead now after Son(c), Kane and Kulu hauls.

        Thank u guys.

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

          Thanks for telling us mate

          1. camarozz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 2 days ago

            Ur very welcome. It's good to share some good news.

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

          Nice one!

        3. THFC4LIFE
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          Well played

      9. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Who sold Son for KDB on WC?

      10. Well you know, Triffic
        • 13 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Might just skip the bench boost in 36, the bench looks rubbish.

      11. Ruinenlust
        • 6 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Anyone hoping Son beat Salad to golden boot? No penalties for Son as well, unlike that fraud Salad

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

          You don't make friends with Salad

      12. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Havertz to foden for me

      13. EL_FENOMENO
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Who scores more next week:
        a) Kane, Kulu, Cash
        b) Nketiah, Son, Cancelo -4

        1. nolard
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          a

          cancelo is not needed if you have another city defender
          he has been off the boil

      14. nolard
        • 9 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        How did Vardy play when he came on?

        1. Jock Grealish
          • 2 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          he's injury prone wouldn't bother

          1. nolard
            • 9 Years
            2 years, 1 day ago

            I am aware of that.

      15. Firminooooo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Foden and Richarlison or KdB and Dennis?

        1. Dammit_182
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          KDB if captaining him, otherwise get in foden

        2. nolard
          • 9 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          both good
          if rich is ok, he could be a good choice

      16. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Werner to rich if fit or Nketiah

        1. Dammit_182
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          I was going to get puki

          1. Stranger Mings
            • 3 Years
            2 years, 1 day ago

            Yeh pukki good too so an option

      17. Dammit_182
        • 3 Years
        2 years, 2 days ago

        Brownhill had 2 big hauls recently…is he now an option under the new management?

        1. Stranger Mings
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 2 days ago

          Yea defo

      18. Dynamic Duos
        • 10 Years
        2 years, 1 day ago

        Need a quiet Saka now

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          Yes, just the two goals.

      19. Mr. O'Connell
        • 11 Years
        2 years, 1 day ago

        3 points from Alonso, Mount & Havertz. Stuff of dreams.

      20. DALEDOBACK
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 1 day ago

        So just took a -12 with the idea of bench boosting. But my bench is foster Toney Schar and Dalot. Have a strong starting 11 so could still Free hit? That is the right call now yes?

        1. Gandalf
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          Decide which of GW36 or GW37 bench boost looks best for your team and commit to the best transfers to make the most of it

      21. BantasyFootball
        • 2 Years
        2 years, 1 day ago

        Son is such a pain.... ML lead cut down to just 21 points now. At least I still have a FH over my rival... But I can't wait for this season to be over.

        1. KanuLenoMeeMoCash
          • 3 Years
          2 years, 1 day ago

          Son is great!

      22. Better luck next year
        • 4 Years
        2 years, 1 day ago

        Started matches with Son (C) and Kulu, against Kane, Mount, Havertz, James, Alonso, Lloris and Sessegnon, what a sweet dream this was in the end!