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Can De Bruyne offer better value than Sterling or Aguero in Man City attack?

With Manchester City sitting top of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 1 to 11, many Fantasy Premier League managers will be eyeing up at least one attacking option from Pep Guardiola’s side.

Raheem Sterling and Sergio Aguero (both £12.0m) will again be popular choices but much-anticipated price rises mean that only Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is a more expensive FPL asset than the premium City pair in 2019/20.

Price hikes for other high-achieving players, meanwhile, have left FPL managers scrabbling around for cost-effective alternatives elsewhere.

Bernardo Silva (£8.0m) and David Silva (£7.5m) may appeal at the top-end of the mid-price bracket, with the Portugal international in particular being one of City’s more secure starters (if there is such a thing) given the high esteem in which Guardiola holds him.

Gifted as they are, the cheaper City midfielders didn’t fully convince as reliable Fantasy options last season.

Twelve FPL midfielders had better points-per-match averages than the pair (4.3), with Sterling (6.9) top for that statistic among outfield Premier League players.

The two Silvas have only scored two league goals between them in 2019.

Question marks over the game-time and futures of wingers Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) and Leroy Sane (£9.5m) also persist.

The return to fitness of Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m) intrigues, then, especially as the Belgian’s starting price has dropped below the £10.0m mark for the first time since his Chelsea days.

De Bruyne had an injury-ravaged 2018/19 and played less than 1,000 minutes, having had five separate spells on the sidelines.

A total of five attacking returns was a meagre haul but 21 goals and 49 assists in his previous three campaigns combined underscore what he is capable of when fit and firing.

Given that he is a full £2.5m cheaper than Sterling and Aguero, we’ll look at De Bruyne’s credentials for 2019/20 compared to the other City options around him – in particular, the two more expensive attackers.

863 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Lovren an elevator
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I think TAA will still be the better pick over Robbo even though he's not cheaper. Judging by the end of last season, his ceiling for attacking returns is higher, as long as he'll be as nailed?

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Well that's the caveat, as it stands Robbo is nailed but only time will tell with TAA. I'm guessing he will be

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        You think maybe Gomez will be relatively nailed and an excellent way into the liverpool defence at 5.5?

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Injury prone,.
      Can be fantastic but also really frustrating

    3. tafrère
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I'm going for TAA. So much potential. He really impressed me at the end of last season.

    4. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      TAA is a serious contender as a captaincy option, especially week 1.
      6.4 ppg was only beaten by Salah and Sterling last season.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Id rather cap Salah then 😉

    5. The_Fish
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I have both and the plan is to keep them all season.

      1. Lovren an elevator
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Nice, where are you saving elsewhere?

        1. The_Fish
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          541 with King up front.

          1. Lovren an elevator
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 9 months ago

            Yeah I'm looking at king, he's on pens?

  2. Wild Rover
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A) Ederson and Brooks in 4-4-2
    or
    B) Ryan and Laporte in 5-3-2?

    1. ZeBestee
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A.

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A for me

    3. Dilzy
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

    4. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Cheers all 🙂

  3. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    An easy one:

    A Laporte
    B Digne

    1. Dilzy
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Robson-Canoe
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A season keeper

    3. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Laporte then change to Chelsea in a few weeks.

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

      Laporte is dependent on CS. Digne is going to get goals and assists.

      For me anyway, I need more than just CS potential for a £6.5m defender. I don't see the value in him now considering you are likely to pair him with TAA or Robbo, which is going to significantly weaken your spending power in other key areas.

      1. Peter Ouch
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Actually I am going for a back 3 with
        Vvd robbo and digne/laporte, but i see your point

  4. The Royal Robin
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Is Mendy still the favoured LB/LWB? I’d love to start with him.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      He's not in the reckoning of any serious FF player.

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Sure...

        1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Well, sell him to me then.
          I think he's a chump.

    2. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Community Shield may be a clue.

      1. The Royal Robin
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Fair.

  5. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone looking at one of the Norwich mids? Stiepermann and Hernandez (both at 5.5) look great value. They had 8G 10A and 9G 8A last season.

    1. Wild Rover
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Not in the Prem they didn't. I'd wait and see, I don't have any newly promoted players atm and it will probably stay that way for the start of the season

      1. Robson-Canoe
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Good approach tbf, Max Aarons the only one that I just can't keep my hands off though. Looks a fantastic player.

    2. The Yorkshire Pirlo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Some decent young players but I think Norwich will struggle mate, especially with their run in.

  6. Dilzy
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How's this looking?

    Ryan
    AWB TAA Mendy Robertson
    Salah Redmond Perez Sterling
    Jimenez Wilson

    (Button Gibson Guendouzi Wickham)

    1. The Royal Robin
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I’d avoid AWB & Perez right now. Otherwise pretty nice. That’s a solid forward line considering you’ve got Sterling & Salah.

      1. Dilzy
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers! I wasn't sure about those two, especially Perez

    2. Peter Ouch
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I want Leicester.

      Wilson for Vardy
      Or
      Redmond for Madison

      If you can afford

      1. Dilzy
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks! I'll have to do some more tinkering, Maddison is a good shout

    3. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      bottom heavy but pretty good. reliant on Sterling and Salah to much imo.

      1. Dilzy
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers! I'd probably get rid of Sterling for more balance

  7. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    how about this liv/city combo
    fab, fod
    ROBBO, awb ( perm 1 of 3 fodder)
    KDB, STERLING,SALAH, siggy, fod
    giroud, king, calvert lewin.

    team till gw 5?

    really want KDB in there.

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      not like it

    2. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      This is the only team i've seen similar to my own at the moment: Fabianski, 7m Liverpool defender, KDB, Sterling, Salah, Siggy & King all in my team. Think it's great.

      I'm tempted by Giroud and may stretch to him if he looks nailed. Going with two forwards to allow more investment in defence is the main difference.

  8. tafrère
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    So am I the only one really frustrated that there isn't a space nor a comma in the rankings anymore ?

    1. Poseidon.
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I’ve been in touch with the police about it

  9. Ninja Škrtel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    man it's a freakin' nightmare this year.

    1. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      it is. they'll be so many template teams when you've got players like pukki and Jota on equal prices and brighton def .5 cheaper than every single spurs def in the game. its like that across the board.

  10. Andy'81
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    O'Neil sacked from Forest, never saw that one coming.

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Straight to the Newcastle job I assume.
      Given his history with Villa complaining about investment, that will not last long either.

      1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        That's a bold statement.

      2. Andy'81
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Can't see O'Neil working for Ashley, they'd be disagreeing from the off.

    2. Joss Ackland’s Spunky…
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Rowett to the rescue?

      Mark Hughes is also available....

      signed
      stoke fan

    3. Tommyg
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I did. Absolute nut case. When Roy Keane leaves the week before you know you've got problems.

  11. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Could be worth noting that most of Willian’s success has come when playing in Hazards position

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Definitely on the watchlist he is a great player for fpl.

    2. The 5% Team
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      a lot of good options in that 7.0M midfielder bracket

    3. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      if he keep his place especially without hazard now.

  12. The Yorkshire Pirlo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Better combo?

    A) KDB - Bilva - Zaha

    B) Sterling - Brooks - Jota

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Sterling>>KDB
      Bernardo>Brooks
      Zaha>Jota

      What matters is the rest of your team though, as Sterling is a huge captaincy pick

      1. The Yorkshire Pirlo
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Current 8 players...

        Ryan
        TAA, Robbo, Laporte, Digne
        Salah, Siggy
        King

      2. Zilla
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Why underrating KDB like that 😛

        1. ★Kuntheman★
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          KDB is great 🙂 but Sterling is a far better captaincy option

    3. Snevitz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A if you have Salah as captain, B if not.

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Wow, great minds etc

    4. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

    5. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A if you have Salah
      B if you dont

  13. Thinkering like a Boss
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    How my team looks? Any feedback much appreciate.

    Ryan, Button
    VVD, Mendy, Monreal, Cathcart, 4.0
    Siggy, Salah, KDB, Sanchez, Perez
    King, Kane, 4.5

  14. Krafty Werks
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    As of now i'm torn between 2 drafts (both 4-4-2), so is it A or B?

    A - Aguero, Zaha, van Dijk
    B - Jota, Sterling, Robbo

    1. ElliotJHP
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B for me

    3. 21Owen
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B

  15. ElliotJHP
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Most mundane dilemma yet

    A) Ryan, Zinchenko
    B) Kepa, Diop

    1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      B as they are both likely starters

      1. Thinkering like a Boss
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        this

  16. FlyingWithoutIngs
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    No love for DCL? Think he could work out nicely should Everton not sign another striker

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      They're in for Moise Kean. Also, he hasn't been anything super special in the time he's gotten.

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Big talk of 18 year old striker Ellis Simms being promoted to the first team as well. 40 goals last season.

      2. FlyingWithoutIngs
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Be very interested in him if he gets the move

  17. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Going without Salah/Sterling/Mane has been the theme of my tinkering today, this is the best I got so far. How does it look?

    Ederson (Button)
    Robertson TAA VVD Digne Coleman
    KDB Sigurdsson Zaha (Dendoncker, Romeu)
    Kane Vardy (Wickham)

    1. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      im not a 5 atb fans, so its a no from me

    2. Eytexi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Considering you're restrictions it isn't bad, but think you need at least two of those big names.

      1. Eytexi
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        your*

      2. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I'm inclined to agree. My actual team at the moment is:

        Ederson (Button)
        TAA Robertson Digne Coleman Ake
        Salah Sterling Sigurdsson Zaha (Dendoncker)
        King (Nketiah, Wickham)

        1. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          I like the Kane team more

    3. pingissimus
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I was on something very similar but you’ll be short on captain options in even weeks unless you’re happy with KdB. Kane is great in the odd weeks and compensates for Liverpool attack who are generally home in odd weeks.

      I’ve restored Sterling and downgraded my front 5 to include King and Fraser who look tasty in weeks 1 and 2

      1. ★Kuntheman★
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        I was thinking of rotating captaincy with Kane and Vardy (it works pretty decently) but in the end, yeah I agree. Probably going to stick with the team I commented right above your comment ^^^. It just seems too easy, I quite like that team.

  18. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Interesting comparison in the member's area:

    Rashford (GWRange: 1-19) v Rashford (GWRange: 20-38)

    What a difference...

  19. Athletic Nasherbo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Draft #1 Pretty standard. Thoughts?

    Heaton
    TAA VVD Stones Yoshida
    Salah Sterling Sigurdsson Zaha
    Vardy King

    Button Chalobah Gibson Greenwood

  20. Sillet Bang
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Not spotted man decent 4.5 mids ?

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I put Dendoncker in because he has funny sounding name.

      Also he's nailed on in a team with a decent defence (3pters!), and only got 1 YC last season. He also showed a little goal threat toward the end of the season too.

      Hayden wants out of Newcastle unfortunately and Gendouzi is a card magnet.

      Dendoncker has the best chance of getting 3 pts, which is what you want from a 4.5m.

    2. Thinkering like a Boss
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      only players that will get you 2-3 pts every match.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Realistically, though, any mid day under £6.5 can pretty much be labelled in that category now.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Any mid not any mid day!

  21. The Chosen One...
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    seems like the days of the cheap defence are over. not many good 4.5 gk and def options while plenty of good premium options

    1. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      There are still decent options at that price, but the pricing structure is making you think more now.

      People with last season's power 3 defence are going to struggle to get a balanced attack and midfield.

      Equally players with more than 1 premium striker will likely have to have a cheap backline.

      I actually like this season's pricing because it kind of forces you to be more creative.

  22. The_Fish
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    I thought going 541 this season would be maverick and everyone would think I'm a fool... turns out it's pretty standard.

    1. THE SHEEP HUNTERS
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      😆
      You found Nemo yet?

    2. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I was already on that train at the tail end of last season. Had Robertson+TAA for the last 10-15 GWs and it was a beautiful run. Figured our cheapies like Fraser, Jimenez, Wilson would get huge price rises too.

    3. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Might even end up with effectively 6:4:2 due to TAA or LaPorte captaincys.

    4. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      In my opinion it is also pretty risky

      If more pens get given and scored due to VAR and fewer clean sheets result.......

  23. Je suis le chat
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Surprised Kdb is so expensive (3m more) compared to say VVD, who got over 200 points, more than the former ever did.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      17/18 season?

      1. Je suis le chat
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Strange pricing for an injury prone player. Bilva looks a safer bet for 1.5m less.

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 9 months ago

          Strange if a draft or dead team. Transfers mean collect the points if they are there and sell when the injury arrives.

  24. Nomar
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Anyone else think that the £1m difference between Salah and Mane isn't enough to not have Mo?

    1. ★Kuntheman★
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      The key thing for me is the assists.

      Mane 22 goals+3 assists
      Salah 22 goals+12 assists

      And add that Salah gets some pens too...I'd pay the 1.0 up, think he's a better captaincy and it's always easier to downgrade. Would be a harder decision at a 2m difference.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        This for me too.

    2. Je suis le chat
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Manes him record last season was amazing, great captain pick if replicated.

    3. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      I want the highest scoring Liverpool asset regardless of price, and that's Salah. He's arguably the best captain option in the game.

      The small difference in price between the two players makes it a no brainer now imo.

      1. Nomar
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        And this.

  25. ToonToon88
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA, VVD, Digne, Zinchenko.
    Salah, Sterling, KDB, Maddison.
    King, Calvert Lewin.
    Cheapest bench.
    Who would you swap out of this 11 to improve the bench? Really want to keep Salah, Sterling, KDB and the defence. Thanks

  26. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Right, first go.

    Ryan
    TAA VVD Coleman Zinchenko
    Salah KDB Sigurdsson Brookes
    Kane King

    Button Kelly Dendonker Nketiah

  27. Ógie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Good luck everyone with picking your team.

    I hope the champion is going to be one of the ffs regular posters.

  28. Emiliano Sala
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Is arnie a safe starter ?
    China rumours and injuries all gone?

    1. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Absolutely key

    2. Speédy
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Preseason will be key there.

    3. antis0cial
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Unless he has a tantrum or injury, which are both likely!

  29. Miguel Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    A) Ederson and Azpi
    B) Kepa and Laporte

    1. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      A baps

  30. pingissimus
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 9 months ago

    Any chance Luiz will be on pens this season?

    1. Thescaff
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Possible

    2. Nomar
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 9 months ago

      Jorginho, I believe.

      Only £5m and nailed.

      1. Thescaff
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 9 months ago

        Somewhat nailed