CHELSEA players were expected to shine in Gameweek 8.

Cole Palmer (£5.6m), Morgan Rogers (£5.5m), and Joao Pedro (£5.7m) emerged as top choices just before the deadline as Dream Team managers sought to capitalize on a rare double-header for the Blues, which made sense given their recent form.

Xabi Alonso’s favored trio in the attack has been performing well in Dream Team this season, despite the lack of European matches.

Through the first seven Gameweeks, Palmer, Rogers, and Joao Pedro had accumulated a total of 25 goal contributions, outscoring several prominent players who typically compete in midweek fixtures.

This made the trio highly sought-after for Gameweek 8, as the Carabao Cup’s round of 16 presented Chelsea’s top players with another opportunity to score points.

The rationale was logical, but as it often goes, the actual results were quite different.

Issues arose when it was confirmed that Joao Pedro would not be part of the matchday lineup against Tottenham on Saturday.

Unknown to Dream Team managers, the 28.1%-owned forward had aggravated a knee injury that caused him to withdraw from Brazil’s squad the previous month during a training session on Friday.

Fluid buildup hindered a quick assessment, and while his condition is still uncertain, he is expected to miss the Wednesday match against Liverpool.

An unexpected injury to the second-most popular forward should have been concerning enough, but matters didn’t improve once the match commenced at Stamford Bridge.

Palmer, Dream Team’s most popular midfielder, received a second yellow card in the 80th minute, leading to his dismissal.

Spurs supporters might argue that the home side’s No10 deserved a straight red for a reckless challenge on Mateus Fernandes (£3.3m) just moments before his ejection.

As a result, Palmer saw his three points accrued prior to his dismissal erased (red cards incur a loss of three points), leaving him with nothing to show for his efforts.

Due to his one-game domestic suspension, his Gameweek total will remain at zero as Chelsea faces Anfield in the cup.

Rogers wasn’t affected by injuries or suspensions, but his performance failed to satisfy his owners, as he gathered a meager one point from the 2-0 loss.

The England international, currently the second most selected midfielder with a 29.6% ownership, received a caution during stoppage time.

Consequently, the trio, who collectively scored 212 points in the first seven Gameweeks of the season, managed a dismal total of just one point in the high-expectation match on Saturday.

With Joao Pedro ruled out and Palmer suspended, Rogers is left as the only player with a chance for redemption on Wednesday.

Looking ahead, Chelsea will return to a single fixture next Gameweek—a visit to Old Trafford—while nine other teams will play twice, benefitting from their European commitments.

As of now, Palmer (first), Joao Pedro (second), and Rogers (fifth) are among the most transferred-out players in anticipation of Gameweek 9.