Scout Notes

Sánchez impresses up front again but Lukaku could make early return

Alexis Sánchez (£10.5m) put on another excellent performance leading Manchester United’s attack in their first win of pre-season on Tuesday, furthering his case for inclusion in Fantasy Premier League squads.

However, it was revealed that Romelu Lukaku (£11.0m) could make an earlier-than-expected return to competitive match action after he cut short his World Cup leave.

Elsewhere there were some chances for Tottenham’s younger players to impress, as those who went the distance in Russia look like they could be back too late for Gameweek 1.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 REAL MADRID

  • Goals: Alexis Sánchez (£10.5m), Ander Herrera (£5.0m)
  • Assists: Matteo Darmian (£5.0m), Sánchez

Alexis Sánchez (£10.5m) put on another impressive performance leading Manchester United’s strike force as they recorded their first win of their pre-season tour. The Chilean now has two goals and one assist this summer, more involvements than any of his team-mates, and is in good form to retain his starting berth against Leicester City on August 10. However, it was revealed after the Madrid match that Romelu Lukaku (£11.0m) and Marcus Rashford (£7.0m) had returned early from their holidays in an attempt to be available for Gameweek 1. It currently looks like Paul Pogba (£8.0m), Jesse Lingard (£7.0m), Ashley Young (£6.0m) and Marouane Fellaini (£5.0m) are the only ones who will definitely be ruled out.

“These are the players that we have, plus Lindelof, that started training two days ago, plus Marcus Rashford, Jones and Lukaku, because they gave to the group and to the team three days of their holidays, so they’re coming back three days early to try and be available for the team.” – Jose Mourinho.

With Sánchez having started the last four up front, accruing 326 minutes in the process, one might expect that he will remain the favourite in that position for Gameweek 1 at least. How long that may last is difficult to predict. So despite the increased Fantasy interest in him over the last few days, that could be quelled by him returning to midfield once Lukaku is back for good.

Mourinho went with three at the back against Madrid with a host of absences in that position, but does not want us to read too much into that. Chris Smalling (£6.0m) is still injured, Marcos Rojo (£5.0m) is preparing for a move away, possibly to Everton, and Victor Lindelof (£5.0m) and Phil Jones (£5.5m) have only just returned from World Cup leave.

“Tactically, means nothing. We tried with the players we had available to organise the best possible team to defend against them. We only had one central defender (Bailly) so I decide because I have only one, instead of playing with two I play with three. Because with three they can support each other a bit more. Timo Fosu-Mensah is a right-back, Scott McTominay is a centre midfielder, we tried to organise the three to make them a bit more comfortable, so I was not working to prepare the team for the future of the Premier League.”

Mourinho may start to change his mind on not standing in the way of Matteo Darmian’s (£5.0m) planned exit from Old Trafford after he was involved in Sanchez’s goal against Madrid. The Italian has the opportunity to make the right-back spot his own with injuries to Antonio Valencia (£6.5m) and Diogo Dalot (£5.5m). With 352 pre-season minutes under his belt, nobody in the right full-back area has had as much summer pitch time as him, so, barring a new signing, he could easily be first-choice for several weeks if he decides to stay in Manchester.

Finally, there was another update on Anthony Martial (£7.5m), who is looking less and less like a Fantasy option worth considering for Gameweek 1. In fact, his time at Manchester United may well be coming to an end after he failed to report back for training after leaving the pre-season tour for the birth of his son. He has also not turned up at the club’s Carrington training complex even after most of his colleagues came back from the States or early from their holidays.

“Anthony Martial? Is better for Karen (Man United press officer) to answer if she wants to answer. We’re here to talk about the game.”

MANCHESTER UNITED XI (3-5-2): De Gea; McTominay (Mitchell 79’), Bailly, Fosu-Mensah; Shaw, Fred (Tuanzebe 68’), Pereira, Herrera, Darmian; Sánchez, Mata (Garner 82’).

AC MILAN 0-1 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR

  • Goals: Georges-Kevin Nkoudou
  • Assists: None

It was a youthful Spurs side that beat AC Milan in their final International Champions Cup fixture, but there was still plenty to be learned from a Fantasy perspective. Not least because 21-year-old midfielder Luke Amos (not in FPL) has been tipped by Mauricio Pochettino to break into the first team this season. With Spurs missing so many senior players through injury or World Cup involvement this summer, the youngster has had a chance to stake a claim for a place in the side.

“He’s not so young, 21, but maybe he doesn’t have Premier League experience. But his performances in the three games showed it’s not a problem to put him in to play. Maybe he’s going to play ahead of some senior players. I’m more than brave and if I believe in some players I go with all the consequences.”

After the match Pochettino confirmed that the Spurs players who made it as far as the semi-finals in Russia would return to training next Monday. That gives them five days to try and get ready to face Newcastle in Saturday August 11’s lunch-time kick-off. The Spurs manager confirmed that he will need to see each of them individually before making a decision and he is not prepared to either rule out or confirm any of their potential involvements.

“First we need to assess them on Monday and see what happens. Maybe some players look after themselves and they’ve been training, maybe others rest. We need to see and of course we are not going to take risks if some players are not ready to compete, to play. That is so, so clear. But I don’t want you to start asking me why one is and why one is not. I make clear today the statement that if someone is not ready, he’s not going to be involved, because we are not going to take risks. We cannot [pick them] because we need them, or because [they are] some names, or the people will be disappointed. We are going to look after them in the best way, try to help them and start to play when they will be ready, not before.”

Should Harry Kane (£12.5m) miss out on Gameweek 1, Fernando Llorente (£6.0m) has now started every pre-season match for Spurs and should get the nod to face Newcastle, barring any high-profile transfers. The former Swansea man also has four goals this summer, more than any of his colleagues so far.

The goalkeeper situation is not quite so clear. If Hugo Lloris (£5.5m) is not considered ready from the off then either one of Michel Vorm (£5.0m) or Paulo Gazzaniga (not in FPL) are the alternatives. The former has more starts in public matches (two) but the pair are virtually level for minutes played (133 and 137 respectively).

At centre-back, Davinson Sanchez (£6.0m) made his first club start of the summer against AC Milan and now has 135 minutes under his belt. He should be able to start in Gameweek 1 but who he is paired with is still unclear, with Toby Alderweireld (£6.0m) and Jan Vertonghen (£6.0m) in the group to return on Monday. We learned last week that Ben Davies (£6.0m) could play in central defence which would allow Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m) an opportunity with Serge Aurier (£6.0m) on the opposite flank.

In midfield, Christian Eriksen (£9.5m) came on as a second-half substitute against AC Milan in his attempts to be fit in time for the trip to Newcastle. He has started twice in pre-season amassing 177 minutes. Lucas Moura (£7.0m) looks a certainty for several weeks with Son Heung-min (£8.0m) absent from Gameweek 2 until potentially the end of August. The former PSG man has started every match so far and accrued 210 minutes in the public friendlies adding three goals and two assists. No Spurs player has been involved in as many as him.

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR XI (4-2-3-1): Vorm (Gazzaniga 45’); Georgiou (Davies 77’), Sanchez (Carter-Vickers 92’), Eyoma, Walker-Peters; Amos, Skipp; Moura (Eriksen 63’), Nkoudou, Marsh (Aurier 77’); Llorente (63’).

2,367 Comments Post a Comment
  1. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Morning DZers

    What do you think is more important - having a Man City DF or a Man City MF for the first 8 GWs

    If so which player would you choose

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Sane. Fresh no world cup.

      1. Tommytour
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        He's not that fresh according to Pep

    2. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      KDB for me as soon.as he returns! Will be watching Mendy closely though!

  2. pablitosway12
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Good day Peeps, RMT please 🙂 - Any advise would be appreciated

    Foster (pickford)

    Bellerin , Baily ,Robo, Tomkins , (w-b )

    Salah , Erikson , jota , richarlson , Erikson

    Aguero , Kmara ( arnie bench gw1 )

    or should I downgrade augero for firminio (3 livo players but great fixtures ) and have 2.5 in the bank ? for GW2&3 ?

    1. Super Silva Haze
      • 10 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Only concern is Jota. And the he is a good punt so I would say it looks fine mate. Good luck.

      1. pablitosway12
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        thanks mate - much appreciated. And best of luck to you also

    2. OPTA FPL
      • 12 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      how is that possible with 100m?

      1. OPTA FPL
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        2 eriksen lol

        1. pablitosway12
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          haha just noticed - sorry > I have Pedro in for Eriksons twin 🙂

    3. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      why would you bench Arnie?? He's on fire and fixture proof and Liv aren't that renown for their bullet proof defense

      1. pablitosway12
        • 6 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        thats the magic question mate ? I am thinking Tomkins may get a clean sheet or 2 pts?
        Richarlson and Jota could can assist and score ? 3pts - 7pts ?
        Arnie - iam thinking 2pts ? Wham to struggle v Livo ( but he is a weapon agreed ) tough

        Kamara v Place may get more pts ?

        1. Andy_Social
          • 11 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Doubt Kamara will get game time. Money wasted on your 2nd keeper. Have a 4.0 and upgrade 3rd striker.

          1. pablitosway12
            • 6 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            ill likely play 2 up front - kamara could play - otherwise quarner as a cheapie - not fussed over that

            keepers have good fixtures - and able to rotate - to downgrade .5 maybe 1 and upgrade who >? and to whom ?

            bit of a punt mate ?

            1. Andy_Social
              • 11 Years
              5 years, 8 months ago

              Punting on your GK is low-risk. i'm going for a 4.5 I have confidence in and a non-playing 4m. Conversely I don't want a non-playing 3rd striker. Quaner is even less likely to get game time than Kamara according to the pre-season friendly report posted here today.

              1. pablitosway12
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                best of luck - I normally do that every other year 🙂

              2. pablitosway12
                • 6 Years
                5 years, 8 months ago

                Andy - who is good 4.0 defender other than Wan Bissaka that could get some game time ? not even sure that he will anyways ? thank in advance

                1. Andy_Social
                  • 11 Years
                  5 years, 7 months ago

                  Sorry, spent the last 24 hours flying half-way across the globe.

                  Some posters have confidence in Peltier and a few in Bennett. For me it's only W-B and he's possibly not for long-term.

  3. HHrvatin
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    It's the attacking returns from PVA what i am after but makes sense what you say. 2m itb by downgrading those two. Might go for jorginho/mhiki for that. Get some arsenal cover in as well.

  4. Super Silva Haze
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any advice for tgis team pls?

    Ederson
    Coleman Robertson Cedric
    Sane Salah Richarlison Eriksen Cairney
    Aguero Arnie

    4.0 WB Kamara Bedarnek

    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Decent enough

      Cedric may not play GW1 and Bedarnek > Peltier

      1. Tommytour
        • 13 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Sane > Mane also

        1. Super Silva Haze
          • 10 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Great thanks. Yeah Peltier will probably be a better bet that Bedernek. You reckon Mane is a better shout over Sane? I think Shaqiri might take some of manes points this season. I could do Cedric to a 5.0 defender. Maybe a Burnley 5.0

          1. Tommytour
            • 13 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            For first 4 without doubt for me.

            Yeah Burnley best to start.

    2. pablitosway12
      • 6 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I like it also mate - although iam not sold on Cedric- and their defence

      1. Super Silva Haze
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Tbh I knew he was my weak point so I have 0.5 Itb to upgrade him to a 5.0 defender. Who would you go for for 5.0?

        1. pablitosway12
          • 6 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Tomkins cheap option- maybe bertrand as a differential ? attack minded player

  5. Jonesfromthere
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Anyone else getting Guendouzi as their 4.5 mid? Started nearly every preseason game and looks some player; already superior to the likes of Xhaka.

    Arsenal fan btw and confident he’ll start more often than not

    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I can see myself wanting 3 other Arsenal with their run so it's a no from me

      1. Jonesfromthere
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Wow 3, even I can’t see myself doing that

        1. Tommytour
          • 13 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Kola/Bellerin
          Ramsey
          Aub/Laca

  6. jia you
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Newcasle looking woeful, Eriksen nailed in my midfield now I think!

    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Very tempted too and then Fulham at Home

    2. Andy_Social
      • 11 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Lucas 2.5m cheaper and just as nailed for a few games.

  7. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hi, anyone here with Salah and Kane in your team?

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Interested to see a decent one too, really cant see a viable team with both!

      1. Ryder1991
        • 11 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Ederson
        Morrison, Tomkins, Holebas, AWB, Doherty
        Salah, Sanchez, Gross, Kenedy,
        Firmino, Kane, Jimenez

  8. Winston.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    How do you like this backline...looks good or not? Strong enough ?Any changes needed?

    Ederson Boruc
    Robertson Tomkins Mee Boly Wan-B.

    Thanks.

    1. Tommytour
      • 13 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Strong enough

      1. Winston.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        Thanks...Mee, Boly, Tomkins - they all have fairly nice fixtures for 1-5 gameweeks...and offer attacking goal threat as well.

  9. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Evening lads.

    1. jia you
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Good Afternoon

  10. machickenz
    • 10 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please, any advice would be awesome!

    Ederson
    Azpilicueta Robertson Tomkins
    Salah Eriksen Richarlison Jota
    Auba Arnie Zaha

    Bench: GK (4.0) Cedric Stephens Wan-B

  11. New article
  12. hspin
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    moura nailed in mye MF for the first weeks. Then switch to mkh or whoever 6.5 delivering

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

    RMT

    Fabianski - Ederson
    Bailly - Bellerin - Lovren - Jonny - AWB
    Salah - Eriksen - Richarlison - Jota - Neves
    Zaha - Arnautovic - Aubameyang

  14. Demel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Christina has just got me excited. I haven't been sure about Austin and Sanchez. The shape didn't feel quite right and a bit too risky. I think the conundrum might be solved. It has brought about my first change in 2 weeks (and hopefully my last!)

    Patricio
    Azpi - TAA - Cedric
    Gross - Salah - Sane - Eriksen
    Zaha - Arnie - Firmino

    Button - Tomkins - Stephens - Wan-Bissaka

    1. Christina.
      • 14 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Don;t get me wrong, I love Au$tin and he is a goal scoring machine when he plays. But Hughes seems to be set on rotating him/Long/Gabbi. Why I don't know. Prob to prevent Charlie from breaking down.

      1. Demel
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        5 years, 8 months ago

        I have done really well from Austin over the years. He could well be a player to switch Zaha or Arnie to if he becomes nailed on.

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          5 years, 8 months ago

          Yeah, I'm still toying with the idea if risking Charlie and going Mane+1m in def for a ManU def.

          1. Demel
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            5 years, 8 months ago

            It looks risky at the moment. United defence is nearly all a risk and so is Austin. They could be a gw 1, 2 or 3 double trade but I am not sure for now.

  15. Somar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Any article that talks about how to structure your team and spread the funds evenly?

      1. Somar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        5 years, 7 months ago

        thanks mate

  16. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A. Mendy or Robertson
    B. Aguero or Abumuyeng

    1. Sandy Ravage
      • 8 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Robertson & Aubameyang

  17. barracuda
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Odoi looks like a ready player to me.

  18. Heintorg
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Would you do?

    A: Bailly, Mendy, Jota
    B: Ward,Kiko (or other 4.5 mid),Eriksen

    1. Heintorg
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      4.5 def ofc*

    2. Son of Alisson
      • 5 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      I would go with A if Bailly and Mendy are starting gw 1. Jota (or other 6,5 mids) looks exciting aswell.

  19. 007 [RoboKlopp]
    • 7 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hi, my first RMT with Salah and Kane team, any good?

    Ederson
    Robertson, DLuiz, Bailly
    Salah, Mane, Pedro, Cairney
    Kane, Arnie, Zaha
    (Stek, Tomkins, AWB, DWard)

    Thanks

    1. Cheshire Duck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      swap Kane for either Aguera, Lukaku or Aubameyang for the first GW. But keep the money to get Kane later

  20. Sandy Ravage
    • 8 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    I'm calling a moratorium on City forwards in my team until Pep figures out what's going on.

  21. Cheshire Duck
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    A) Richarlison + Llorente
    B) Lamela + Tosun

  22. LCFC No.1
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hi,
    New member here 🙂
    Looking for some help on my team please. No Salah, problem? Showing 50% of all teams have him. Tried to balance funds elsewhere.

    Ederson/Pickford
    Lovren/Jones/Moses/Maguire/Kolasinac
    Sané/Mané/Albrighton/Pogba/Kanté
    King/Firmino/Vardy

    1. BlaizeMoto
      • 7 Years
      5 years, 8 months ago

      Pogba/Sane/Kante/Albrighton/Jones/Kola/King....try get other players

  23. The Bloody Buffies
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Fabianski
    Bailly,Coleman,Alonso,Wan-Bissaka
    Mkhitaryan,Mané,Stephens,Sánchez
    Agüero,Wood

    McCarthy,Daniels,Sané,Austin

  24. askum
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT please 🙂

    Speroni (Lossl)
    Tripper, Tomkins, Daniels (Cedric, Malone)
    Eriksen, Salah, Mané, Richarlison (Neves)
    King, Zaha, Aguero

  25. Chrisinho
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hey all, looking for some feedback about my team

    Ederson - (Begovic)
    Cedric - Bellerin - tomkins (zanka - Peltier)
    lucas moura - Ozil - mane - sanchez (ward)
    vardy - aguero -arnie

    I originally had hazard & neves in for moura and ozil but I have a feeling ozil will have a decent season this year and spurs have some easy fixtures to start. Only team I dont have covered is chelsea but im ok with that.

    Feedback appreciated.

  26. Meganburrows
    • 6 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    RMT - Please can i have some help?

    DDG / Hamer
    Mendy, Cedric, Sanchez, Ward, Tomkins
    Sanchez, Mane, Sane, Mooy, Neves
    Zaha, Arnie, Firmino

    Thanks!

  27. ClassiX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Hi all - thoughts, please:
    Ederson, Hamer
    Daniels, Bertrand, Tomkins, Ward, Schelotto
    Mkhitaryan, Milivojevic, Eriksen, Richarlison, Salah
    Arnautovic,Zaha,Aguero

  28. abcdef3
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 8 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?

    Lloris
    Mendy Luiz Bailly Arnold
    Salah Sane DSilva Cairney
    Aubameyang Zaha

    Bench - 4.0, 4.0, 4.5, 4.5

  29. on_business
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    Appreciate insight from any Msn Utd experts: any chance of Luke Shaw pushing Ashley Young out?

  30. netnotandi
    • 5 Years
    5 years, 7 months ago

    What about Trippier? Don't you think he'll be starting as soon as he's fit?