Dugout Discussion

City players missing with COVID-19 revealed as fit-again Ziyech returns

A Manchester City squad hit by injury and illness take on Chelsea in the second of today’s two Premier League fixtures.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 16:30 GMT.

The visitors are missing six of their squad because of COVID-19 positive tests.

The unavailability of Kyle Walker (£6.1m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) we were already aware of, while social media posts from Ederson (£6.0m) and Tommy Doyle (£4.4m) all but confirmed that they too were among those self-isolating.

Ferran Torres (£6.9m) and Eric Garcia (£4.7m) have reportedly been added to that list, with the latter still struggling with injury, too.

Despite the shortage of options, Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) is still only among the substitutes for this afternoon’s fixture.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen (£4.4m) makes his Premier League debut as Pep Guardiola makes three changes to the City side that beat Newcastle 2-0 in Gameweek 15.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) and Phil Foden (£6.2m) are also recalled, with Ederson, Torres and Nathan Ake (£5.4m) dropping out.

Ake is absent because of “fitness issues”, while Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) misses out because of a tight hamstring.

Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) is on the bench, despite his off-field misdeeds.

Frank Lampard makes five changes to the Chelsea team that drew 1-1 at home to Aston Villa last Monday.

Timo Werner (£9.2m) is recalled, while Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) makes his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in early December.

Thiago Silva (£5.6m), Kurt Zouma (£5.8m) and Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) also return to the side.

Reece James (£5.2m) is again absent through injury, while Olivier Giroud (£6.7m), Andreas Christensen (£4.7m), Antonio Rudiger (£4.7m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) and Jorginho (£4.7m) drop out of the starting XI.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Kanté, Kovacic, Mount, Pulisic, Werner, Ziyech.

Manchester City XI: Steffen, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Foden, Bernardo, Sterling

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2,436 Comments Post a Comment
  1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Suicide to go into GW18 without a City attacker, right?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yup

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

      Very likely.

    3. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes, you might as well get your katana sword ready.

    4. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Worse!

    5. Bury94
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      On paper, yes, but I went into the West Brom and Newcastle games without Salah and came out the other end alright

    6. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Two would be better

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

    Are City clicking offensively? Or just well rested while Chelsea have hit a low period?

    Unfortunately cannot watch

    Cheers

    1. Lovren an elevator
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Definitely a mix of both. City are just city, some days it clicks better than others. They still need a CF to win the league though I think

    2. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Chelsea awful and City playing as they have been, but finally getting the ball in the net.

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

      Cheers both

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

    FH19 vs WC18 got a whole lot more complicated despite having KDB either way

    1. HollywoodXI
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I’m debating the WC for GW18 then BB GW19. I think the upside with getting on City early could be massive.

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

        City early is the easy part. It's United and Villa that have to join them. Making the BB draft itself is tricky.

  4. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Gundogan nailed? (As can be)

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It’s Pep i.e. impossible to say

    2. Baines on Toast...
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yes

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

      Yes.

  5. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sorry for repost but I need some sympathy lol 😆

    Chelsea fan
    Cup opponent has Foden
    ML rival has KDB
    Benched Stones
    Own Edouard Mendy

    How do I not feel depressed about this lol?

    1. The Senate
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      look for the positives or take a break! At least there's a bit of a gap between GWs

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

      That’s tough mate. Plenty of gameweeks to go!

      1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Haha true
        I just mentioned it as one point but being a Chelsea fan right now hurts more than all the FPL pain combined tbh

    3. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A Mendy KDB penalty save would help

  6. the_duke
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    City dont need a striker with kdb up top.

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      First City game you watch this season?

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

        How many games you seen jesus up top?

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      He scored once from open play all season. They need a striker asap.

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

        Playing like firmino, linking all the other attackers. Liverpool need a striker in jan?

  7. Woy_is_back
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A Dias or Cancelo og would be nice

    1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Get outta here!

    2. Steve Chance
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Love your work. Hope not though!

    3. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both preferably.

  8. Chucky
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Out of LMS and FPL Cup,No Kane, Captain fail, Double Chelsea def and a huge Red arrow so I have decided to take 80 point and quit FPL,not enjoying it so there's no point in playing anymore. All the best everyone! 🙁

    1. CheesyZoot
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      See you GW18 🙂

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Cya on page 19, Chuckster.

    3. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Keep your head up Chucky

  9. jonnybhoy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB repaying that loyalty

  10. pundit of punts
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Have exact cash to do Podence > Foden this gw. Gives me -

    Martinez
    Dias - Dier - Holding
    KDB - Bruno - Son - Grealish - Foden
    Kane - Wilson

    No hits. FH in DGW 19.

    Thoughts? 🙂

    1. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Think I'd rather gundo tbh. More nailed

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

      Great team, no matter whether Foden / Gundo or even Saka etc. as 5th midfielder!

  11. daitheboot
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Debating a -8 to get a decent Blank team with 10, then followed by a -4 for DGW vs. FH and -4.

    Doing my head in as change my mind each time.

    A - FH
    B - 8 points in hits

    1. Iwantmorepointsthanks
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A FH is worth more than -8 in hits.
      Unless you think the FH team significantly outscores the -8 team?

  12. deathcabofdevil
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB punishing GW12 sellers.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not the ones who got Soucek instead

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      And GW 17 sellers

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not yet, but soon.

      2. Saka Punch
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Most sold for Son so could be worse (unless he keeps scoring second half)

  13. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Poor aul Dave. He's getting murdered out there.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Chilwell too, Sterling has him dizzy.

      1. Duke Silver ☑
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        True, Chilly doesn't like playing City 😆

  14. Flair
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB (C) next week it is, just needed a final confirmation

    1. Bubz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Maybe I should tell that chap I told you so

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

        Go for it

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

        Esp after the "coulda shoulda woulda" response

  15. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    A) Riedewald to Gundogan for a hit(gives an extra player for BGW)
    B) Riedewald to Soucek with my FT in GW19(could do some other FT for 19 like DCL to Ings or just save)

    1. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      using BB in 19

  16. CroatianHammer
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No reason for Pep not to bring on Ags at HT...

  17. Jan Strzelecki
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Anyone else got the big 6: Son Kane Salah Bruno KdB Soucek?

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

      I do!

    2. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Yep

      1. S.Kuqi
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Massive gw for you

  18. estheblessed
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    a) KDB + Robertson
    b) Salah + Dier

    1. Royal5
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B

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

    Who is main competition for Gundogan’s place in City team?

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Pep the thinker.

  20. fn.jota
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Is Smith Rowe starting in GW18? need replacement for bissouma

    Cheers

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Has to, he’s been brilliant.

    2. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Only Arteta knows the answer to that mate.

    3. Saka Punch
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'd say highly likely. He's key to our upturn in form

      1. fn.jota
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        thank you for good feedback as always!

  21. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Would have had more points burning both my FTs 🙂

  22. Rolls-Royce
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    KDB triple cap GW19 a serious consideration now.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Not against Villa

    2. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Or sterling?

  23. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Kay dee bee punishing the faithless.

  24. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I have two options. I guess I wont BB in GW19 if I will use FH now as it would take -8 to have 15 playing players.

    A) Play FH in GW18

    B) Save FH+FT and play this team
    Martinez
    Holding, Stones
    KDB, Bruno, Son, Grealish
    Brewster

    Then BB GW19 and take -4 hit (Forster, Grealish, Brewster -> Randolph/Meslier, Soucek, Rodrigo/Antonio).
    * = SGW players

    Martinez, Randolp/Meslier
    Chilwell, Stones, Dallas, Coufal, Holding*
    Salah, KDB, Bruno, Soucek, Son*
    Bamford, Adams, Rodrigo/Antonio

  25. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Eggersdof is right. Games being dripped is so difficult for fpl manager mental health

    1. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      One of the wisest fella I have seen in a long long time

    2. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      If a fantasy football game is damaging your mental health, I’d go and find a game to play that doesn’t.

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

      Im on my way to the nut-house as we speak. Total meltdown.

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

    Played Chilwell and benched Soucek. Whats wrong with me?

  27. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Sick to death with KDB.

    Had him twice this season, 4 times as captain, with nothing more than assists and a 2 bap captaincy vs WBA.

    Now sold for Salah and he hauls.

    1. estheblessed
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Bad time to sell him have u seen city's fixtures?

      1. Mithrandir, the Grey Pilgri…
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yes. I was going with the form vs fixtures method.
        Have Cancello.
        Soucek, Salah, Son, Fernandez in mid so not doing badly this week.
        Really needed Cancello to be absent as Cresswell on bench!

    2. ritzyd
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Salah hasn't played yet . . . .

  28. gonzalocampos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Rate this FH:

    Darlow
    Tierny - Cancelo - Dias
    KDB(C) - Son - Saka - Bruno - Grealish
    Lacazette - Martial

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice but I think I prefer Bruno captaincy

  29. Alexis Nonsense
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Any chance Fabianski makes the dgw19?

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

    92-9 in my cup tie!

    1. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It ain't over yet

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

        Nervous!