Team News

The latest news on Lukaku’s ankle injury ahead of FPL Gameweek 9

Romelu Lukaku (£11.7m) looks set to miss Gameweek 9 of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) after twisting his ankle in Wednesday’s UEFA Champions League.

The Belgian limped out of Chelsea’s 4-0 win over Malmo and while an exact timeframe on his recovery is still not known, Blues boss Thomas Tuchel confirmed after full-time that his striker would miss “some matches”.

Lukaku was the second most-bought FPL forward of Gameweek 9 before news of his injury broke, sitting in over a third (36.3%) of Fantasy squads in total.

Well over 60% of the top 10,000 FPL managers owned the Belgium international, too.

Lukaku had also been top of our captaincy poll for the upcoming Gameweek, with over half of our voters backing the premium striker with the armband:

We’ve now reset the results of that poll, which you can vote on again in the sidebar of this page.

TUCHEL’S COMMENTS ON LUKAKU’S INJURY AND ROTATION

It was a double-whammy for Chelsea on the injury front, with Timo Werner (£8.6m) succumbing to a hamstring strain shortly before the interval.

Tuchel said of his injured strike duo:

“Romelu twisted his ankle with the foul in the box and Timo has a hamstring injury. It will take a while for both of them. We need more examinations to be more precise but they will be out for some matches.

“If I knew before [the game], I wouldn’t have [started Lukaku]. But how can you know it before and it was necessary that he was on the pitch and he started very strong. I spoke with him about the situation, that I think that he carries a bit of mental fatigue around with him. I think that is also normal but he is our number nine and is our reference upfront.

“The best thing against mental fatigue is a goal and we knew that we could be the dominant team. We knew that we wanted to build our attack today with Mason and Timo around him and him as the reference up front in the middle.

“I had the strong belief that in a Champions League match he could turn things around in terms of scoring and being decisive, which he actually did because he was super strong in our start. He took the foul and without him maybe it’s not 2-0,

“So no, I don’t regret it. It’s not a muscle injury or because of physical fatigue. He is a little bit overplayed, this is my opinion and maybe I’m not even right. This was a moment to give him confidence and let him play. I don’t regret it, things like this can happen. It was bad luck.”

There were also some ominous words on rotation from Tuchel, who named a strong team for a routine win over the Swedes:

“This will be maybe one of the shortest pre-match meetings in my history of coaching because we want everything on the same level. We have the chance to switch on some positions, to demand from everybody physically the same input.”

Ben Chilwell (£5.7m), Cesar Azpilicueta (£6.2m) and Andreas Christensen (£5.1m) started their second successive matches of the week, although the first two of those were handed breathers midway through the second half.

Antonio Rudiger (£5.8m) and Thiago Silva (£5.5m) were both back in the starting XI after missing Gameweek 8 but Reece James (£5.5m) and Marcos Alonso (£5.9m) were again only substitutes.

WHO PLAYS UP FRONT NOW FOR CHELSEA?

On the assumption that Werner and Lukaku do indeed miss Gameweek 9, Chelsea need a new attacking spearhead against the Canaries.

With the likes of Olivier Giroud, Tammy Abraham and Michy Batshuayi gone from the club either on a permanent basis or on loan, the European champions are short of options up top.

Enter Kai Havertz (£8.1m).

The German replaced Lukaku after 24 minutes of Wednesday’s clash, going on to score his side’s third goal with a fine finish having earlier wasted a clearer opening. Havertz racked up four shots in all, the most of anyone on show.

Havertz has occasionally played as false nine in the past and ended 2020/21 mostly being used in that role, although hasn’t had a look-in through the middle since Lukaku joined. He’ll very likely be the man playing centrally on Saturday and at 3.9% owned, is a veritable FPL differential for the visit of the Premier League’s basement club.

“Always, always a chance and it is always necessary to prove a point. We will have some games without Romelu and Timo so everyone is invited to join the race for minutes on the pitch.

“When they are on the pitch, they need to show their hunger and determination to be decisive and be in the box.

“This is how it is and they did it today but there’s still room to improve and on Saturday we need the same performance, hunger and determination from whoever starts for us because we need goals to win matches. We want to find solutions without Romelu and Timo, that’s clear. Everyone will join the race to be decisive for us.” – Thomas Tuchel on Kai Havertz and Callum Hudson-Odoi

WHO ARE THE BEST LUKAKU REPLACEMENTS IN FPL?

We’ll have an article out tomorrow looking at the best replacements for the Belgian in FPL.

In the meantime, you can propose your own alternatives in our Hot Topic and see what our Rate My Team projections think for the coming six Gameweeks.

1,519 Comments Post a Comment
  1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is havertz a trap? Really wanna go jota to havertz

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      he most likely starts against Norwich but he hasn't really been producing much when he started

      1. tokara
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        when he start, he was playing behind strikers

        now he is THE striker....so is pretty much unknown. Cant say he hasnt been producing.

    2. DAZZ
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think Jota gets substantial minutes against Man Utd. Would be very Jota like to troll and score against Utd.

      1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I’ve been thinking that for weeks and he keeps serving up crap

    3. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He’s the only player left who can play CF at Chelsea now

    4. Athletico Underachieving
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’ve just gone for it. Cba to overthink it for two days, and I dare say they looked better last year with him at CF

      1. My neck my back my Saed Kol…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yeah seems like a fun punt, but I’m in a position where I could do with some more stability

    5. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Who knows. But definitely worth a 3 GW punt, at least

    6. We Go Again
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm doing it. Will switch to son gw12

    7. Cornholi0
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He`s the main man in Chelseas attack atm, and with those fixtures it`s hard to ignore him! I sold Sarr for him yesterday

  2. vova
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play 1:

    A) Saka
    B) Benrahma
    C) Livramento

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      C

  3. Miguel Sanchez
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Differential captaincy here or play safe with Salah? GTG otherwise

    Ramsdale
    TAA Alonso Chilwell
    Salah Havertz Sarr Mbeumo
    Aubameyang Vardy Antonio

    Steele Livramento Sissoko Duffy

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      stick with Salah, maybe play Livramento instead of Alonso? Since if Alonso doesn't start then he might come on as a sub for 1 point. Livramento has a decent chance of a clean sheet

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers - not quite sure how to play the Chilwell/Alonso double up. Chilwell tends not to come off the bench so perhaps you are right to start Livramento over Alonso.

        1. vova
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I would guess Chilwell will start vs Norwich since he got subbed yesterday

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah.

      Really like your front 7

  4. tokara
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    How does Auba stats look?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Quiet but has the fixtures to get some decent returns

      1. tokara
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        he can only score at HOME and against Martinez, i jus not sureeee

  5. Gazwaz80
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good morning, good afternoon or good evening to whichever part of the world all you good ladies and gentlemen live.

    My current team is…
    Guita Foster
    Cancelo Alonso Dias Rudiger Livra
    Mo Raph Tielemens Smith Rowe, Benny
    Jimmy Luka Toni.
    My question is…
    Would you transfer out Luka and Benny to
    Vardy and Mount?
    Leaves 0.1 ITB
    Cheers chaps and chapesses X

    1. tbos83
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm planning similar move, so am inclined to say yes.

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I would

      1. Gazwaz80
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks very much, with my mind at rest I can now crack on with what I’m supposed to be doing at my desk 😀

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Yeah stay away from FPL or FFS for a while. Go back to that unnecessary job for now 😛 🙂

          1. Gazwaz80
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            *Taps away surreptitiously at unnecessary job whilst still keeping one eye on FPL Scout 🙂

  6. Jimbo-Jones
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Too punty to do Lukaku/Doucoure -> Jesus/Havertz (-4)?

    Sanchez
    TAA Rudiger Christensen Livra
    Salah KDB Doucoure Sarr
    Lukaku Antonio

    White Gilmour Scarlett

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      think so, both will be rotated in the long term.

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Worth a try. Could work for you

  7. tibollom
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    a.Dias
    b.Cancello
    + Vardy as my 2FT (for ronaldo + shaw)?

    Sanchez Foster
    TAA Shaw Marcal Rudiger Livra
    Salah Benny Raph Saka Brownhill
    Antonio Ings Ronaldo

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dias, he got his rest vs Burnley. Cancelo might get his soon.

  8. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who to sell for Kai, sarr (eve) or benrahma (TOT)?

    The saved one will probably become Raph in GW10, btw

  9. Weeb Kakashi
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sarr/Saka to Havertz. For that I need funds. Best option?

    A Ronaldo> Vardy(-4)
    B Antonio > Toney (-4)

    Most likely doing B. Feels so wrong getting rid of Ronaldo.

    1. vova
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

      can't justify taking a hit to get Ronaldo out

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A

    3. Pep's Money Laundry
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      A is an upgrade

      1. Weeb Kakashi
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Ronaldo loves these big games.
        Liverpool City Tottenham in the next 4. I am not so sure.

    4. Root
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just ignore Havertz if you can't him in for free.

  10. Mr. Mystic
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Havertz worth the punt this week over Son?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I really think so

      1. Ginkapo FPL
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Why not CHO?

        1. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Is this a serious question? Kai will probably play CF

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Not for me. Son or both.

  11. tibollom
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    tough captain choice this GW.. any suggestion? Also G2G, just did my 2 FT?

    Foster
    TAA Rudi Livra Dias
    Salah Raph Benny
    Antonio Vardy Ings

    Sanchez Saka Marcal Brownhill

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Salah safe or Vardy punt

    2. Jafalad
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks fine. Salah c.

      1. tibollom
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        thanks guys, bench order correct ?

  12. Miguel Sanchez
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Next 7 Arsenal PL games are on TV in the UK. Might just be the sign I need to bring in Auba

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      And have a bath!

  13. mcginnntonic
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is it more or less likely that Mahrez will start this weekend after his CL performance?

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Think it'll be Jesus Raheem Foden frontline

    2. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody knows, even degrees of likelihood, nobody knows. You have to gamble. More often than not the house wins.

  14. gstegnar
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Ramsdale, Foster
    White, Rudiger, Cancelo, TAA, Livramento
    Raphinha, Graelish, Saka, Salah, Brownhill
    Lukaku, Antonio, Armstrong

    :/
    How to cope with lack of point from Jack and Rom's injury?!???

  15. Pancake
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thoughts on jimi coming in for lukaku?

  16. NABIL - FPL otai
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    To the people who are saying it's not worth it ditching Ronaldo for a hit this week.

    I ditched Bruno for KDB last week, for a hit. And Bruno is even the better player to hold than Ronaldo.

    Just saying.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why did you still own Bruno? Bonkers

      1. NABIL - FPL otai
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Because I still have my WC and I'm a patient guy.

        So why do people still own Ronaldo?

        1. The Knights Template
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Patience is a knightly virtue but this is angelic hanging on to him that long!

      2. The Knights Template
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Waiting to sell him for a hit.

        1. Ginkapo FPL
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Looks like, for the craic

        2. NABIL - FPL otai
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Probably.

          The truth is I always got bigger fish to fry, but I managed to ditch him in a good way.

  17. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning,

    Anyone have any thoughts on chelsea/city keeper?

    Would I be wrong to say its the easiest and most nailed way into either of the best defences in the league.

    In essence it's the same as having a 4.5m keeper plus city/Chelsea defence is same as city/Chelsea keeper plus livra/White.

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      4.5m keepers get saves

      1. n14mul
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        But not many clean sheets

    2. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Poor value

    3. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If i could squeeze mendy in i would.

  18. jdogg
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    On wc

    A taa muemo ronaldo
    B christiansen son vardy

    Cheers.x

    1. jack88
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Trent son vardy

      1. jdogg
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cant afford that or id be all over it.x

    2. Bavarian
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      TAA-Havertz-Vardy

      1. jdogg
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Havertz already in there.x

    3. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      B

      1. jdogg
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers.x

  19. jack88
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Kane Won't face Newcastle every week. Spurs are still bad

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You're probably right.

      GW12 is the time

  20. Bavarian
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Good moves?
    Saka-Ronaldo > Havertz-Vardy (-4)

    Guaita
    TAA-Cancelo-Rudiger
    Salah-Saka-Sarr-Raphinha
    Antonio-Ronaldo-Jimenez

    Steer-Livramento-White-Allan
    1FT and 0.9 itb

    1. NABIL - FPL otai
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      You have my blessings

      1. Bavarian
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Cheers mate

    2. jdogg
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Id go for it.x

  21. thirddimension
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez Steele
    TAA Cancelo Rudiger Livramento Duffy
    Salah Raphinha Benrahma Sarr Mount
    Lukaku Antonio Armstrong

    2FT. I’m thinking either:

    (a) Lukaku > Vardy, Armstrong > Toney
    (b) Lukaku > Toney, Benrahma > Son

    Which is best? Or another option completely?

  22. MoSalalalalalalalalah
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning fellas, could anyone help me out on what to do with this lot? Appreciate it, thank you.

    1.4 ITB

    Sánchez
    Alonso | TAA | Livramento
    Sarr | Saka | Benrahma | Salah
    A.Armstrong | Antonio | Ronaldo

    GK: Foster | Reguilón | Shaw | Sissokho

    1. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Team not bad. Maybe Shaw to Azpi or Chilwell.

  23. afsr
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Sanchez
    Cancelo Tierney Livra
    Salah Jota Raphinia Sarr
    Ronaldo Antonio Jimenez

    Steele, TAA, Allan, Duffy
    1 FT, 0.1 ITB

    A - Ronaldo, Jota -> Vardy, Havertz (-4)
    B - Ronaldo, Tierney -> Vardy, Aspi (-4)
    C - Ronaldo, Tierney -> Vardy, Chilwell (-4)
    D - Ronaldo -> Vardy
    E - your suggestions

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Ron to Vardy

    2. MoSalalalalalalalalah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

    3. afsr
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Could also it's mostly between getting Havertz or saving up for Son in that position from GW11

  24. Devos
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lukaku and Benrahma to
    a) Vardy and Mount (-4)
    b) Auba and Havertz (-4)
    c) other combo worth 18.1

    or just Lukaku to
    d) Vardy
    e) Auba

    1. The Knights Template
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

    2. MoSalalalalalalalalah
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

    3. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      D

  25. Josh99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Vardy or Salah captain?

    1. Esalman
      • 15 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Vardy is not captaincy martial, will never captain him.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Mo for better sleep.

    3. Josh99
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Cheers guys

  26. Sarri-ball
    • 15 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Combo safer or punt?

    A) Mount/vardy
    B) Havertz/augbam

  27. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Morning folks. Sarr and Bamford to Tony and Havertz for - 4? I'm very tempted as shy of players.

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Looks good. I would also consider Jesus + Mbuemo

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thanks, not a bad combo though I need Chelsea assets.

  28. Carlton P
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    A) Ronaldo + Sarr > Vardy + Mbuemo
    B) Ronaldo + Sarr + Sissoko > Son + Havertz + Davis -4

    Will be going for Son over Kane in gw12 anyway and possibly Bruno over Ronaldo from gw16 too

  29. No Kane No Gain
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who is the best replacement out of Jiménez and Jesus for lukaku?!

    Can’t afford any higher as I using the funds for havertz and then TAA next week

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Jesus will be more explosive

    2. Holmes
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Jimenez, if any

  30. jb1985
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    In comes Lukaku for Ft, Out goes Lukaku for a hit to Vardy.

    1. Carlton P
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Always do transfers after press conferences Fridays or early sat morning. My first season not moving early for price rises and it’s paying off