Dugout Discussion
5 August 2018 3766 comments
DavidMunday815 DavidMunday815
Share:

Fantasy Premier League managers have been handed an early look at Chelsea and Manchester City ahead of the 2018/19 season – and we’ve already learned a few things from the Community Shield team-sheets.

Much to our excitment, the cheaper options of Pedro (£6.5m) and Callum Hudson-Odoi (£4.5m) were both selected in Chelsea’s starting line-up.

FPL defender Victor Moses (£6.0m) was named among the substitutes but could get involved in the attacking front-three in the second-half, and is worth watching.

As for Manchester City, more of their returning World Cup stars have been declared fit for the Community Sheild than was initially expected.

Fantasy managers should pay attention to how well they cope with the occasion as they are competing today without much preparation since coming back to training.

Riyad Mahrez (£9.0m), Leroy Sané (£9.5m) and Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) are of particular note as they were all in the Manchester City training camp this summer.

Meanwhile, a start for Phil Foden (£5.0m), with Raheem Sterling (£11.0m) and Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) yet to return to club duties, could provide a value route into their midfield for the early part of the season.

For more detail on the areas to follow in today’s match, READ THIS ARTICLE.

CHELSEA XI (4-3-3): Caballero; Alonso, David Luiz, Rüdiger, Azpilicueta; Barkley, Jorginho, Fabregas; Pedro, Morata, Hudson-Odoi.

MANCHESTER CITY XI (4-2-3-1): Bravo; Mendy, Laporte, Stones, Walker; Fernandinho, Foden; Mahrez, Bernardo, Sane; Aguero.

Read more with Scout

Visit our PRE-SEASON PAGE to get the latest pointers from pre-season friendlies and read scout reports on new players by CLICKING HERE.

Pick your FPL team for 2018/19 using our list of best available players, sorted for your convenience by position and price:

Goalkeepers | Defenders: Budget | Defenders: Mid-Price and Premium | Midfielders: Budget | Midfielders: Mid-Price | Midfielders: Premium | Forwards: Budget | Forwards: Mid-Price |Forwards: Premium

Also check out our detailed statistical analysis articles on every team comparing data for the last two seasons to highlight the players to sign and the players to avoid:

Arsenal | Bournemouth | Brighton & Hove Albion | Burnley | Cardiff City | Chelsea | Crystal Palace | Everton | Fulham | Huddersfield Town | Leicester City | Liverpool | Manchester City | Manchester United | Newcastle United | Southampton | Tottenham Hotspur | Watford | West Ham | Wolves

Read them all in one place

Become a Member and access our data

Memberships for the 2018/19 campaign are now available for the pre-season price of just £12.50. This will increase to the regular price of £15 after the first Gameweek of the season.

Join now to get the following:

  • Plot your transfer strategies using the fully interactive Season Ticker.
  • Get projections for every Premier League player provided by the Rate My Team statistical model.
  • Use Rate My Team throughout the season to guide your selections and transfers.
  • Get access to over 130+ exclusive members articles over the season.
  • Analyse our OPTA-powered statistic tables specifically tailored for Fantasy Football Managers.
  • Use our exclusive tool to build custom stats tables from over 100 OPTA player and team stats.
  • View heatmaps and expected goals data for every player.
  • Use our powerful comparison tool to analyse players head-to-head.

CLICK HERE TO BECOME A FANTASY FOOTBALL SCOUT MEMBER

  1. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Love me some Brahim Diaz

  2. Dr Dream
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Last season City looked nailed on winners for the prem by the end of November.....this year they've managed to look nailed on winners of the prem before the end of The Charity Shield.

    1. FPL Joker
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      To be fair, Napoli are far better than Chelsea and Liverpool beat them 5-0 in their friendly.

      1. Fantastisk
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Lol

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Got to love Pep; despite being on 15m a year as Worlds best manager, wrangled free dinner out of Sarri-balls recently!

      1. Dr Dream
        • 13 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Great manager.

        1. Je suis le chat
          • 12 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          Love the guy. If pushed, him and Elvis are the 2 blokes I would!

    3. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Ederson
      Walker Kompany Otamendi Mendy
      KDB Fernandinho Silva
      Sterling Aguero Mahrez

      Bravo
      Danilo Stones Laporte Delph
      Foden Gundogan Bernardo
      Diaz Jesus Sane

      Could use a backup left back IMO so that Delph can be pushed into CM and Bernardo out on the right.

    4. The Big Fella
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Between them and Liverpool. It is worrying City aren't even at full strength yet

  3. Je suis le chat
    • 12 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Be great if Pep in a fit of hubris played himself in a few games in the league. Shoot out between themselves and Liverpool.

  4. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    A) Mane
    B) B.Silva + £2m

    (I own Salah)

  5. Guy Demel
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Why is frank butcher on the touchline?

  6. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Chelsea all over the shop

    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Very average.

  7. ☈☾
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Neves or Cairney

    Fulham or Wolves

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      both

  8. Jafoole_88
    • 11 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Mendy is looking essential this season

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Lol

  9. Scotty B
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Luiz still the best option @5.5?

    1. Ser Davos
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I think so, given fix plus Kante and Courtois to come back in

    2. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      What do you think?

    3. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Change the i to an L

    4. AnarChYs7
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      People were saying Bailly a week ago

    5. Fantastisk
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Bailly

  10. Egg noodle
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    So what have you learnt from this game then?

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Not much, as much as every other pre season game

    2. Maddi Son
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      That Mendy is the E word.

    3. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      That we're still in pre-season

    4. SkyByBo
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Barkley fabregas and jorg is a dreadful midfield!

    5. Ógie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      That FFS is the most fickle place on Earth.

  11. tm245
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    So players can leave until August 31 but can't be bought after August 9?

    1. FPL Joker
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Yes

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      You've spotted the flaw.

      1. FPL Joker
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Not really. You can always tell the other clubs to jog on.

    3. Egg noodle
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Yeah, leave to other leagues

    4. tm245
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Cheers, all.

  12. Ser Davos
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Walker or Ederson?

    Leaning towards Walker atm, already on Mendy, although Delph will see minutes

  13. Positive vibes
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    So who is best options?
    A. Ederson
    B. Mendy
    Ta.

    1. Fire Chief Moe
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      B by the looks of it

    2. tyrannosuarezrex
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Both + kun for me

    3. adams_6
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Always wanted Mendy but was unsure if he’d start.

      1. Jafoole_88
        • 11 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        After today, I'd triple captain Mendy every week.

  14. krehbieh1
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Too weak up top? .5 ITB

    Fab - Foster
    Mendy - Robertson - Shaw - Tomkins - Wan Bissaka
    Salah - Mane - B.Silva - Richarlison - Cairney
    Aguero - King - Austin

    1. JRO093
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Very similar teams! How confident are you really w Bilva?

      1. krehbieh1
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Would like Ramsey (if fit), but he's looked solid today (hasn't been subbed off yet). You on Cairney? Debating Ralls...

    2. AnarChYs7
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      This is very close to the template around here at the moment, isn't it?

      1. krehbieh1
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Wouldn't be surprised, as it's similar to what I've seen on Twitter. Austin over Arnie and B. Silva over 6.5 seem to main differences.

  15. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Although Aguero and Mendy have made their cases, does this mean Luiz is a no go on the other hand?

    1. Patch
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Depends on Smeichel

    2. Slaps
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I'd say so, Chelsea need some time to sort themselves out

    3. sully29
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I don't think so. A lot of teams will be made look worse than this against City, it doesn't stop them being good FPL picks against weaker teams.

  16. JRO093
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    9m keeper combo

    Mendy, Robertson, Cedric, Tomkins, Wan-Bis

    Mané, Salah, Bilva, Richarlison, Cairney

    Zaha, Kun, King

    Thoughts?! Bilva the big question mark I guess...

    1. Patch
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      And cedric

    2. krehbieh1
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Similar to me, I'm thinking B.Silva to Ramsey if/once fit, but B.Silva looking positive today.

  17. Scotty B
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Jagielka & Cairney
    Or
    Keane & McDonald

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Neither preferably.

      1. Patch
        • 8 Years
        7 years, 8 months ago

        Which goalies are you getting TM?

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 16 Years
          7 years, 8 months ago

          No idea.

    2. The 12th Man
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Yuck

  18. Slaps
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I did have Ederson in goal and now I realise what a waste of a city spot that is. 3 of Mahrez, Mendy, Silva and Aguero needed

    1. Zladan
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Don’t forget KDB when he’s back.

  19. LIARS POKER
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Pick 2

    A) Zaha
    B) King
    C) Tosun

    Currently on B and C, got a good feeling about Tosun.

    1. Slaps
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Tosun, think he could go well

  20. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 15 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    This game is like a pre season game

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      😀

  21. Guy Demel
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    I know there’s excitement over Mendy, but I just don’t see him fitting into many of the formations pep likes to play.

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I think he’s one of the few that fits into all of them

    2. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Fortunately Pep does.

  22. Joedahla
    • 7 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Does any of you have thoughts on De Bruyne? As of now, I have gone without Salah and spent the extra funds on KDB, Mané and Eriksen. However, seeing that KDB still does notseem close to playing for citry yet, would you guys suggest considering a different midfield option?Also, is it worth having three city players? as of now I only have KDB, but considering both ederson and Mendy.

    1. Andy_Social
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Get Mahrez, keep 1m in the bank and upgrade when he's ready.

    2. SUPERMAN
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Tricky. I had KDB from the start last season and he did feck all in the first 8 or so games. I'm avoiding him to start with. Personally I wouldn't go without Salah. Not for the first few game weeks anyway.

  23. Tornado
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Now playing 451 with arnie and king rotating depending on fixtures.
    Still prefer power midfield over aguero and yet normally have him nailed in my team

    1. badgerboy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      That sounds like a lot of potential benched points and a lot of anguish.

    2. Knowledgeable meerkat
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Arnie and king rotating is going to end in tears

    3. Mauricios Cappuccino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      You are going to rotate Arnie?

  24. AThousandSuns
    • 8 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Who do you think will start against Arsenal Sane/Mahrez?

    1. SkyByBo
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Both

    2. Tornado
      • 16 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Will be mahrez, silva jesus and aguero i think

  25. ★Kuntheman★
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Maybe I’m reading into this way too early but Chelsea players have been playing under defensive managers for most of the past few years. I don’t think they can just easily switch to an attacking team just because a new manager has come in. Think it’s going to take some time.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 15 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I made the same argument with Everton

    2. diesel001
      • 9 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      I think the balance is wrong. Barkley and Hudson-Odoi and not cut out for it. Get Kante and Hazard in at least.

    3. FPL Joker
      • 8 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Exactly. They’ll finish below even Arsenal

  26. La Roja
    • 14 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Only one thing I got from this game

    Chelsea looking piss poor

  27. S.Kuqi
    • 13 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Maybe Bilva instead Mahrez and then ship him for Arsenal player in gw3

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 12 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Mahrez still a better pick, he was lively today

    2. Slaps
      • 14 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Think that's what I'll be doing

  28. WVA
    • 9 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Caballero number 1?

  29. Tornado
    • 16 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    Is mendy nailed thought or will delph take minutes vs weaker opposition

    1. Dr Dream
      • 13 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      Yes he will. City had a lot of injuries last season that helped us out a lot in FPL in certain positions...In those positions that they had good alternatives they became problems.

  30. The Royal Robin
    • 10 Years
    7 years, 8 months ago

    A) Patricio & B.Silva
    B) Ederson & Richarlison

    1. Oooof
      • 10 Years
      7 years, 8 months ago

      A