Scout Notes

Five Man City talking points ahead of the Community Shield final

Manchester City have now completed their pre-season friendly schedule ahead of the 2019/20 season, leaving plenty for Fantasy Premier League managers to chew over.

We will get one final look at Pep Guardiola’s team before the Gameweek 1 deadline when they face Liverpool in the Community Shield final next Sunday.

This presents a fantastic opportunity for Fantasy managers to put to rest any final questions they have about Manchester City assets.

This article highlights five key areas of their team that we should be keeping an eye on at Wembley next weekend.

Front and centre

Sterling in action for Man City during pre-season

The chances of Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) lining up as Manchester City’s centre-forward in Gameweek 1 strengthen with each passing pre-season friendly.

The England international was deployed as the striker in Guardiola’s 4-3-3 system in the win over Yokohama.

He scored in that final game of the tour and has now been involved in six pre-season goals this summer (four his own, two assists).

As has been reportedly already, with Sergio Aguero (£12.0m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) still on international leave following their involvement at the Copa America, Guardiola is clearly preparing Sterling to take their place in the Community Shield and possible beyond that.

We would expect him to start up front against Liverpool on Sunday but the key thing to look out for among Fantasy managers is how he gets on in that role.

It was discussed last week whether a shift to a centre-forward role is always beneficial to a wide-midfield player so an eye test against one of the best defences in the Premier League could prove a helpful test of Sterling’s credentials.

Sanéty Check

Sané’s position in the team came under threat after Sterling started performing well on the left

The implications of Sterling’s role as a centre-forward is also helpful for Fantasy managers in regards to other areas of the Manchester City team.

With the winger being pulled into a central role, it means there is much less competition for the flanks of Guardiola’s front-three.

The absence of Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m), following his successful African Cup of Nations campaign with Algeria, is also a benefit for predicting the team early on.

Leroy Sané (£9.5m) should be the chief beneficiary as he should have unrivalled access to the left flank of Guardiola’s attacking trio.

Despite the uncertainty over his future, the German international has been used extensively on the left-wing in pre-season and has been quite effective too.

After 239 minutes, two goals and one assist, Guardiola has Sané well-prepared for the new campaign and he looks likely to be an important part of the attack against Liverpool.

If he performs well at Wembley, then he could just book himself a place in the Gameweek 1 side.

Where’s Kevin?

De Bruyne has done very well in pre-season for Man City

There were media reports last week that Guardiola wanted to see Kevin de Bruyne (£9.5m) take up a deeper midfield role this season and Fantasy managers will have to keep an eye out for this in the Community Shield final.

In recent games played on tour this dropping deeper has not happened with too much regularity for the Belgian but that may be because of the quality of opposition.

Against Yokohama, de Bruyne was one of the best players on the pitch and emerged with a goal and assist to his name. That took his pre-season tally for goal involvement to four (one goal, three assists).

Despite those encouraging numbers, a match-up with Liverpool will prove a much more reliable event for seeing what de Bruyne’s positioning will be this season.

However, not only do we have to assess where he’s playing, Fantasy managers must also pay attention to whether or not a deeper role actually has any impact on his points potential.

For example, de Bruyne’s hand in set pieces won’t be affected by his positioning. But given his quality, there is still a possibility that de Bruyne could still hang back a bit more, and yet still create a decent number of chances.

Furthermore, the Belgian boasted a better minutes per shot than Sterling in 2018/19 and has historically been accurate from range.

Therefore, a deeper role could unlock other areas of de Bruyne’s Fantasy potential, which is why he should arguably the biggest focus of FPL managers during the Community Shield final.

Left-back… in the changing room?

Zinchenko may yet be the first-choice left-back for Man City at the start of the season

Now that we’ve seen Manchester City play four times in pre-season, we have a better idea of who will start at left-back too.

The signing of Angeliño (£5.0m) this summer complicated the task of predicting who the first-choice was in this position but pre-season line-ups have made things slightly easier.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) has recorded more minutes in friendlies at left-back than any other Manchester City player.

His total of 209 is made up of two outings over 60 minutes, and it was the Ukrainian that started in the most recent match against Yokohama.

Admittedly, Angeliño’s pre-season involvement is not that far behind Zinchenko, so it’s hard to be completely certain which one will be favoured in Gameweek 1.

The new signing (or re-signing) has recorded 151 minutes from to starts at left-back this summer.

However, only one of those outings lasted longer than an hour, hence the discrepancy of 54 minutes between him and Zinchenko.

Danilo (£5.0m) has 195 minutes to his name over the summer, just nine shy of Zinchenko, but he has predominantly been used at right-back and is likely to be Kyle Walker‘s (£6.0m) understudy this season.

Also, at least for now, Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) is out of the picture until September according to the most recent reports.

That is a handy development for Fantasy managers as they study the Community Shield for clues about the first-choice left-back.

Zinchenko remains the favourite to start that match, but Angeliño probably has an outside chance of being involved.

On Your Ederson

Ederson is yet to play a single minute of pre-season for Man City

Finally, it has not gone unnoticed that Claudio Bravo (£5.0m) has started and played 90 minutes in every single match of Manchester City’s pre-season so far.

Obviously, we know that Ederson (£6.0m) is still the first-choice at the Eithad Stadium but there could be a slight chance of him missing out on a start to the campaign.

The Brazilian has been away this summer as part of his country’s Copa America although is still behind Alisson (£6.0m) in the pecking order.

Goalkeepers are typically easier to drop straight back in a team with minimal preparation than outfield players, and with Ederson, he will probably be fresher than his Liverpool counterpart.

However, we know that Guardiola is a methodical man who values things should as preparation during pre-season, so it’s worth considering an outside chance of the cheaper Bravo starting the Community Shield.

1,784 Comments Post a Comment
  1. The Mighty Whites
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    Which ?

    A - Laporte, Siggy & Jota

    B - Zinchenko, KDB, Wesley

    1. Chazz69
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    2. UnitedFan
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    3. hogree
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      B

    4. Werner Bremen
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    5. Dr Mulholland
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      A

    6. Ziyech on the Bench
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      im on B

    7. Boxwoods
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Also on B

      1. Cert
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Yep B

  2. Chazz69
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 8 months ago

    The Wesley bandwagon is comical

    1. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      There isn't a bandwagon - it's in your head.

      1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        This .....

        Think Chazz has had a few beers this evening.

      2. Chazz69
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Oh really Slouch lol . Wesley is everywhere

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Mostly in your posting history

        2. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I just love these generic sweeping statements with no hard fact to back them up. If you wish to persist as a prat please try harder. Thanks.

    2. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 8 months ago

      Stop attention seeking.

      1. Chazz69
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Wild Rover Is there an issue of freedom of speech of here ?

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          More an issue of twattishness tbh.

          1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Can always rely on you to say it how it is 😆

            Crack me up !

        2. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          There's an issue with crap comment spamming like yours dragging this site into the pits. You are an example of why so many decent posters no longer come here.

          1. Chazz69
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Wild rover. Please elaborate

          2. Chazz69
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Hey Wild Rover . You seem to be a bully boy .
            As far as I am concerned the crap comments are originating from you . I don't think that I have been rude in any of my posts but you have certainly been offensive towards me and for no reason.
            Freedom of speech fella.
            No dictatorship .

            1. JohnnyMagrinho
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Freedom of speech? when you're factually incorrect but persist to be right... that's.... if you want to think that's your right then I suppose crack on, but you're spouting utter nonsense and you're factually incorrect.

                You can't just say something and posit it as fact and then moan about being called out when you're proven to be wrong.

                THIS is what's wrong with people feeling like they have a right to an opinion.

      2. Kiwivillan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I'm pretty aware of Villa players in teams posted. Not aware of a Wesley bandwagon or any Villa player bandwagon

      3. JohnnyMagrinho
          4 years, 8 months ago

          1.5% ownership.

          I think you've fallen off the wagon mate, rather than Wesley being anywhere near one.

          1. Ziyech on the Bench
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            This

      4. Ci Siamo
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Choose only one Bournemouth asset:

        A) Brooks

        B) King

        1. El Lobito 10
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          B

        2. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A

        3. Cleric
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A

          1. Cert
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            A

      5. UpAndAway
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Anyone having 2nd thoughts about double Liverpool defence? I know it's only pre-season, but how much do we read into it?

        1. George Sillett
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No.

        2. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Nope. Early fixtures are good enough to not panic.

        3. Brosstan
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No Allison, Mane, Salah, Firmino. If anything this will make Klopp more inclined to play them all against Norwich despite being recently back from vacation

          1. goriuanx
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            This. A loss to City and I wouldn't be surprised if even Mane started against Norwich.

          2. UpAndAway
            • 10 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Partly agree. Allison aside, it was close to a full-strength defence vs Napoli.

            1. Brosstan
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              A high pressing side like Klopp's suffers massively from lacking the front 3 who are most well versed in high pressing in the final third. Defensive structure starts at the front.

              1. Dr Mulholland
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Great point.

        4. Werner Bremen
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          No, but I wish I could drop one of the defenders to strenghten my attack.

        5. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Yep

        6. Marmalade Forest
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          My only doubt would be if I wanted Firmino a little bit more to play with Salah.

        7. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Nah.

        8. LSK
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'm not, but decided to try a Kane, Sterling, Salah team with only 1 Liverpool defender and it's fairly easy to do. I think I still prefer the 2 Liverpool full backs though.

      6. hogree
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A. Ederson + Perez
        B. Ryan + Bilva

        1. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          B

        2. Werner Bremen
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A all the way

        3. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A although I'm generally not an advocate of premium keepers personally.

        4. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A

        5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A

      7. Coaly
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        a) Digne DCL
        b) Coleman Jota/Deulofeu

        1. panda07
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          You could go Digne and a Southampton forward. I'm not too sure about DCL

          1. Coaly
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Prefer DCL unless Everton sign a forward

            Che Adams looks decent but will surely share time with Ings and Austin

            1. panda07
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              I think it will be Ings and Adams starting up front.

        2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          B as I think DCL is useless.

        3. Dr Mulholland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A for me.

        4. Blunder fc
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Coleman jota, look at jotas figures last season after he moved upfront

      8. panda07
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Would you upgrade someone here or keep the money ITB?

        Pope (Heaton)
        TAA VVD Laporte Digne Zinchenko
        Salah Sterling Siggy (Jorginho) (Dendoncker)
        Wood Adams (Wickham)

        0.5m ITB

        1. Marmalade Forest
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I don’t want Heaton and Pope.

          I want the Burnley keeper rotating with Krul.

          I’m probably going to do what you’re doing and spend a transfer getting the wrong one out if we don’t know which one gets the job early enough.

          1. panda07
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Yeah as soon as I know who the starting keeper is I'll downgrade the other to a 4m keeper- not a fan of rotating keepers myself.

        2. Cleric
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I’d do Zinchenko to walker. More of a guarantee to start.

          Strong team though

      9. Metropolis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Any love for Bernardo Silva? I don't see him in many teams on here

        1. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          World class player, but better FPL options at that price.

        2. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Better option than KDB imo and cheeper too.

          1. El Lobito 10
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Better than KdB? Not sure how you've worked that one out considering KdB blows him out of the water in fpl

            1. Chazz69
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              KDB in the new Guardiola tactics could possibly drop behind thus my comment on Berbardo Silva

              1. El Lobito 10
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Ah ok. Yeah, can see that. Bernardo is a strange fpl asset - can go 5 or 6 games playing brilliantly and nothing fpl-wise

                1. Chazz69
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  B Silva is only 24 yo. .... I think he has a bright future

        3. Ziyech on the Bench
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I have him locked with Sterling

      10. El Lobito 10
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        No Vardy, no party? Leicester under Rodgers look fantastic

        1. Drip Doctor
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I think Perez might take some points off him. They make similar runs, could get in eachothers way at times.

        2. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Leicester Mid offer better value imo.

      11. Cucuy
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Who do you think will start for Chelsea up front? Giroud could be a nice option if he is in starting 11. I mean their goals got to come from somwhere..

        1. El Lobito 10
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Tammy. All these Chelsea posts. No Chelsea player is a standout fpl pick, they all flatter to deceive.

      12. El Magico5
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Gtg fellas?

        Ryan (button)
        Robbo, laporte, taylor, (diop, kelly)
        Salah, sterling, fraser, perez, dedonk
        Kane, King (Greenwood)

        1. El Lobito 10
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Fraser over TAA? Please explain. Good side, prefer Jota to King

          1. El Magico5
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Fixtures and prefer not to double up on pool defense with how they are playing preseason

            1. El Lobito 10
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Understood, best of luck

      13. Andy Mac
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Will obviously watch CS to see if and how Salah plays, but really like this salahless side with triple city attack for first few weeks...Thoughts welcome!

        Pope
        Trent - VVD - Coleman - Cathcart
        Sterling - Sané - KdB - Tielemans
        Laca - Wilson

        1. Andy Mac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Sane can become Son when back

        2. Gentle_Turks
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Not for me.

        3. Dr Mulholland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          The sort of team that could blank regularly

      14. Till IE Mens
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Perez or Tielemans?

        1. Andy Mac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Was on A now on B personally

        2. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Tielemans because he's established

          1. Gnu
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Established?

            1. Chazz69
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Tielemans was at Leicester last year.

              1. Gnu
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                No kidding, for a full 4 months.

      15. Gentle_Turks
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        For me it comes down to who do you want from Everton, Digne or Sigurdsson.

        1. Andy Mac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Digne definitely

          1. Gentle_Turks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Tell me more...

            1. Andy Mac
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Offers more with set pieces and CS and Everton aren’t firing up front so far....

              1. Gentle_Turks
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Thanks. He's definitely better value. I got a feeling about Sigurdsson though.

        2. UnitedFan
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I've currently got both in my team but Digne's spot is more secure.

          1. Gentle_Turks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Reckon his price is more likely to rise quicker too. I'd like both but it ruins the rest of the team.

        3. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Digne

          1. Gentle_Turks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Why?

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

        Who do you think the best 6.5 forwards are?

        1. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Pukki

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Because he's established right?

            1. Chazz69
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              And now we have the positive and constructive comment from Wild Rover ! The bully boy who would like to dictate the forum. How pathetic.

              1. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                You're the one who keeps dissing players because they are new to the prem.

        2. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Wesley took penalty in friendly and didn't take penalties for Brugge. That increases his appeal

          1. Chilli Heatwave
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            What was the news on his injury mate?

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Knock. Manager hopes he will be right for last friendly

        3. Andy Mac
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Jota

        4. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Woods

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            This

            1. Wild Rover
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              And yes, he is in my BB team 😉

              1. Chazz69
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Ah look. Congratulations

              2. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                I need to know your two other forwards !

                Sounds like our teams are very similar....

                We’ll either be top 100 or outside top 1 million 😆

        5. Blunder fc
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Jota hands down. But bad fixtures early on so hold on a little

      17. Kobayashy
        • 4 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Perez or VVD? Already have Robertson, if that makes any difference...

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Different positions means other players are involved

          1. Kobayashy
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Perez and Dunk, or VVD and Donk.

        2. El Lobito 10
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Virg

          1. Kobayashy
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thank you

        3. Chazz69
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I wouldn't be a fan of doubling up on LFC defense

          1. Kobayashy
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            After their last match you mean? Keep in mind it was Mignolet, not Alisson, playing as goalkeeper.

          2. Gentle_Turks
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I think you might be in a minority of one.

      18. cravencottage
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Could use some advice please:

        A) Vardy, Wilson, Pogba
        B) Auba, Jota, Fraser

        1. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          C) Vardy, Wilson, Fraser

      19. Werner Bremen
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A Sterling and Jota
        B Kane and Fraser

        1. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          A

        2. Dr Mulholland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Definitely a

      20. cravencottage
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        A but not by much

        1. cravencottage
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Reply fail; meant for Chelseablues

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

        Is stones likely to be ahead of otamendi? I really can't remember if he was last season or how much he played when kompany was out?

        1. Wild Rover
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I assume Pep want's Maguire because he doesn't trust either but I would say stones would be preferred

        2. *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Looking likely. Otamendi hasn't played preseason as yet.

        3. Bada Bing
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Both of them are rubbish and I would steer well clear of them. I'd be surprised if Pep didn't buy someone better to partner Laporte.

      22. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Anything worth changing?

        Pope (Woodman)
        TAA VVD Zinchenko Diop (Lundstram)
        Salah Sterling KDB McGinn (Dendoncker)
        Vardy King (Greenwood)

        1. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I'd be worried about Greenwood minutes and King fixtures

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Bournemouth have the best fixtures of anyone 😕

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              They really don't

              1. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                May have been blinded by all the green on FPL but I only see City and Leicester as difficult in their first 7

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Sheffield H
              Villa A
              Man City H
              Leicester A
              Everton H

            3. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              That really is nonsense. 🙂

              1. Wild Rover
                • 13 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Don't even think about throwing your ticker numbers at me!

                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  BOU : SHU 47 avl -127 MCI -437 lei -257 EVE -43 sou -93 WHU 44 ars -532

            4. Sterling Malory
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Haha, dem blades.

              Keep underestimating.

              1. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Might come 16th

              2. Kiwivillan
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Wait for 2 games in and Bournemouth 0 from 2 and everyone hitting the eject button on Bournemouth assets

          2. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Bournemouth fixtures?

            1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              BOU : SHU 47 avl -127 MCI -437 lei -257 EVE -43 sou -93 WHU 44 ars -532

              1. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                47, rubbish!

                1. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Not so. 🙂

              2. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                But yeah not the best 🙂

          3. Roy Rovers
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            King could be Deulofeu.....

        2. cravencottage
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          I like the McGinn selection

        3. Kiwivillan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          King 3 goals 0 assists in away games last season. How good are his early fixtures really?

          1. Annie
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Bournemouth did very well against promoted teams last season. I think Fraser and Wilson hogged the points but maybe they’ll be shared more this season?

            1. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Early prediction Villa 3 - 0 Bournemouth

              1. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Dreaming

                1. Kiwivillan
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 9 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Underestimating

                2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  + 42.

            2. Kiwivillan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              They beat Cardiff at home and Fulham away. Lost to Cardiff and Wolves away and Fulham at home and drew vs Wolves. 2 wins out of 6

              1. Annie
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Wilson and Fraser scoring heavily though..

        4. Dr Mulholland
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Not enamoured with Diop and McGinn

          1. Kiwivillan
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            You've obviously not watched McGinn. 5.5m is a steal

      23. Come on you Kante
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        I usually ply the sun dreamteam but followed this website most of last season so signed up.

        How’s my team looking?
        Edison (button)
        Vvd, awb, azpil, Kelly (Simpson)
        Salah, kdb, sterling, Zaha (dedonker
        Jiminez, king (Greenwood)

        Thx

        Any tips with chips?

        1. *sigh*
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Not bad. Don't like Kelly/Simpson. Id try and get money from Zaha to upgrade one of those. Id keep chips until later in season when we will have double and blank game weeks.

          1. Come on you Kante
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers

      24. Chelsea vs Reading Match Report
        Twisted Saltergater
        • 14 Years
        4 years, 8 months ago

        Was at the Reading v Chelsea match today. It was a cracking game that ended 4-3 to Chelsea. Here's a ̶q̶u̶i̶c̶k̶ long write-up for anyone considering Chelsea players. 🙂

        First Half (4231)
        Caballero
        Zappacosta - Christensen - Tomori - Alonso
        Drinkwater - Bakayoko
        Kenedy - Barkley - Pullisic
        Giroud

        Second Half (4222)
        Cumming
        Azpilicueta - Zouma - Luiz - Emerson
        Jorginho - Kovačić
        Pedro - Mount
        Batshuayi - Abraham

        What always strikes me about watching players in front of you (as opposed to on TV), is an immediate recognition of their ability. Perhaps it's their first touch, or how they manipulate the ball in crowded spaces, or simply how relaxed they look in possession, but it's very obvious to spot a weak or struggling player from one a level or so above.

        Chelsea took a good 15 minutes to find their rhythm in this game. The main culprit was Bakayoko, who looked hurried from the off but improved as the Reading press tired and he was granted more time on the ball. Chelsea's laboured approach meant that often the ball was worked out to Alonso and Zappacosta, only for them to lay the ball back or inside. Drinkwater and Bakayoko, surely backups for the season ahead, struggled to dominate and it needed Kenedy - positioned out on the right - to come short, from where he was able to spin in behind a couple of times and run at the Reading defence. Similarly, Alonso carried the Chelsea threat down the left, linking well with Barkley and these two were probably Chelsea's best players in the first half.

        Reading took the lead via a delightful lob from Josh Barrett, and it was he and Barrow's pace that tormented Zappacosta and Christiansen in the first half. It needed a soft foul on Giroud in a dangerous spot on the edge of the box, for Chelsea to draw level. With Alonso also over the ball, Barkley stepped up to curl one over the wall and past the keeper's dive to the right. Chelsea then settled down and we saw more of Alonso and Pullisic' influence on the game.

        Pullisic looks so slight; I'm really not sure how he'll cope physically in the Premier League, but he's lively and good on the ball. Chelsea only really fed him once they had possession in the final third, and unlike Hazard who would have a free role, Pullisic stuck to the left-hand side, attempting one-two's with Barkley and Giroud to get himself into the box. Reading largely defending the threat well by doubling up on him.

        Chelsea's second came from a pass inside by Alonso, intended for Bakayoko but which found Kenedy central. Kenedy has all the time in the world to control and hit a left footer from around 25 yards. It wasn't the greatest of shots but the keeper makes a hash of it and it finds his bottom right corner. And that brought a very even and competitive half to a close.

        The second half was an entirely different Chelsea eleven and a change in shape. Jorginho and Kovacic immediatley showed their class in manoeuvring the ball quickly and tidily, finding Pedro and Mount in pockets of space, and visibly you could see Reading drop deeper. This gave Emerson and Azpilicueta greater freedom to get forward.

        I think the change in formation also helped and it'll be interesting to see if Lampard is tempted to start Batshuayi and Abraham together. It gave Chelsea a direct threat that Luiz was happy to exploit from the back.

        Their third goal came from Abraham again running the channel and squaring a ball to the edge of the box. The pass finds its way to Mason Mount who creates space for himself before firing a powerful shot into the opposite corner. A really great finish. Lampard-esque wouldn't be overstating it.

        I missed the strike for Chelsea's 4th unfortunately, but saw the shot seem to loop softly into the net. Perhaps the keeper was at fault but it was Mount again with the finish after smart work from Batshuayi.

        Conclusions
        A really entertaining game in which Reading contributed and gave Chelsea problems at times. Luiz was hilarious as he has so much quality, never looks ruffled, but just didn't want to defend today! Zouma was solid but not great with his distribution and it'll be interesting to see if he's preferred over Christensen to partner Luiz. Tomori was composed and largely untested.

        Azpilicueta is as nailed as they come at RB. On this evidence, I can't see Zappacosta even challenging him. On the other flank, I was very impressed with attacking quality of Emersen but he did appear to have more space due to the change in Chelsea's shape. That said, Alonso was a stand out player in the first half driving forward, and I think he'll start at LB.

        If it's a 4231, then the second half pairing of Jorginho and Kovacic as CM's comfortably won out. I think we'll then see Pullisic on the left and Pedro tucked in on the right. I haven't mentioned Pedro's performance but he was as busy as ever linking the midfield and attack. The only way he isn't nailed on is if Lampard has concerns over his stamina to start a game.

        That leaves the hard part. Barkley did enough imo to edge out Mount as the starting #10, but Lampard knows Mount from their time together at Derby and it wouldn't shock me if that position is rotated somewhat.

        Up front, and Abraham looked the most threatening. Giroud has no chance - struggled to hold the ball up and he's now purely an impact player from the bench. It's a close call between Batshuayi and Abraham though, and it may come down to which one is the better finisher. Both did well today carrying the ball and releasing Pedro and Mount. Batshuayi perhaps the more selfish in possession.

        1. Agger
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Jesus

          1. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            It's a very helpful post

        2. Twisted Saltergater
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Right, work in the morning so can't answer any questions immediately. God, it's a long post, sorry 🙁

          1. Skid Vicious
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Awesome post Twisted.

            Thabks a lot. Room for thought and especially fir us to monitor their assets now haz has left some workload for the rest to pick up.

          2. Baps hunter
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thank You Sir. And no reason to be sorry for an excellent and thorough article 🙂 Well written every word.

        3. Hits from the Bong
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Very helpful thanks

        4. Pep's Money Laundry
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 8 months ago

          Thanks for the insightful match report but soooooo long

          1. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            The more detail the better.

          2. Wild Rover
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Hard to do a short match report tbf

          3. JohnnyMagrinho
              4 years, 8 months ago

              What a shhhhhh itty comment. Way too long.

          4. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I feel like I was at the game. Really enjoyed it too.

          5. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks for taking the time to do this mate, great post/insight.

          6. LSK
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Thanks a lot. Appreciate it. Don't worry about the length, it takes about 60 seconds to read. Really do think Chelsea will provide the best enablers this season, just a shame it's difficult to start with any as so much is still unknown.

          7. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Was a nice read! Thank you.

          8. sirmorbach
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Can't believe y'all are actually complaining. Look at what the guy did. Don't want to, just don't read. Jesus.

            Thanks, mate! Thanks indeed.

            1. Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              welcome, thanks for having my back!

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

            I'd love to have either Barkley or Mount on my team. Trouble is they are exactly the ones who should be rotated the most

          10. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 14 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Cheers for the report.

          11. JohnnyMagrinho
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Now THIS is exactly the kind of post this place needs.

              Nice one mate. Very informative.

            • jtreble
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              “... Alonso was a stand out player in the first half driving forward, and I think he'll start at LB ...”. :). I’m hopeful.

              1. Baps hunter
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                The problem for me is that it looks like the 2nd string started the game and Alonso was there 🙁

            • Chandler Bing
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Great analysis. Answers a lot of questions but still leaves me with a 50-50 on most Chelsea players.

              Barkley-Mount
              Tammy-Bats
              Andreas-Zouma

              I think the best thing to do now would be to start with double Bournemouth attack as placeholders for Chelsea players come GW3 (Nice turn of fixtures) as they would surprisingly need a downgrade to get one of the Chelsea boys. The Alonso comment is also definitely intriguing. Might switch VvD with him if he looks first choice later in the season.

              1. ENZO SZN™
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Also Alonso-Emerson

              2. ENZO SZN™
                • 6 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Alonso-Emerson

            • IRBOX ⚽
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Great substance, insightful post. Thanks mate

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

                Terrific report, TS. Just what I needed.
                Personal take-aways:
                1. Take Zouma out of my draft - not certain enough that he starts.
                2. Don't start with Alonso - again not 100% certain. Go with the safe option of Azpili.
                3. Don't start with a Chelsea striker - also need to be sure which one is nailed.
                4. The most painful one - I really want to punt on Mount, but it's another that will just have to wait a GW or 2.

                1. Twisted Saltergater
                  • 14 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Decent summary. I wish I could give a nugget of info with all the answers, but still so much up in the air unfortunately.

            • fclackless [Brazil Nuts]
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              cheers TS

            • The Overthinker
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Was looking forward to this.

              Thank you for the scouting report.

              Luiz definitely someone on my wishlist.

            • Lebowski85
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Fantastic. Thanks

            • Eytexi
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Very nice post, especially to read as a Reading season ticket holder who wasn't at the game!

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Ha, shame on you! I was genuinely impressed with Reading's performance. Bodes well for the season ahead.

                1. Eytexi
                  • 5 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  It's looking a lot better than it was a couple months ago, I'll say that much. Would love to see another keeper, a forward and someone capable or playing a deeper midfield role come in still before i get hopeful.

                  1. Twisted Saltergater
                    • 14 Years
                    4 years, 8 months ago

                    Yeah true, I wasn't at all impressed with Virginia(?). Two of the goals were soft and he threatened to pass it straight to a Chelsea player a couple of times. At least he's confident enough to try the passes, I guess.

                    Charlie Adam was still able to boss it when he came on, btw. Not sure if he's ever had the legs but he hasn't lost his technical ability!

                    1. Eytexi
                      • 5 Years
                      4 years, 8 months ago

                      Virginia is only a teenager in on loan, yet everyone seems to be happy with him starting for some reason. Personally hoping Walker (who still isn't great) starts if we don't sign another keeper.

                      Very nice - was Adam playing quite deep or still more of an advanced playmaker like back in his prem days?

                      1. Twisted Saltergater
                        • 14 Years
                        4 years, 8 months ago

                        Quite deep, spraying the ball from left to right. Shame as if Reading can get him closer to the opposition’s penalty box, he can let fly.

                        Even with his reduced stamina i think he’ll be quite useful as an impact sub.

            • Whats the Mata?
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              How do you think will Willian impact the lineup? Does he start?

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                He should if Frank goes with the 4231. I'm not sure he does in a 4222, however. The reverse is probably true for Pedro.

            • HNI
              • 10 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Why you missed the fourth goal? Was checking FFS on phone? :p

              1. Twisted Saltergater
                • 14 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                Haha, I'd downed a pint at half-time expecting to enjoy it in my seat but not being allowed back in! I think it kicked in around 60th minute 😉

                1. HNI
                  • 10 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  Yeah they close the gates pretty early. London stadiums are more strict due to obvious crazier aggressive crowd

            • Twisted Saltergater
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Thank you for all the positive comments!

              Realise there's Willian, Kante, even Rudiger to come into contention. As such, it's difficult to recommend any Chelsea player outside of Luiz and Azpilicueta for the time being.

              Personally, I had Barkley pencilled in after the first half, but Mason Mount just won't let up. I still think Barkley edges it based on seniority but it's far from certain. If you were to push me on a striker, I think it'll be Abraham.

              1. HNI
                • 10 Years
                4 years, 8 months ago

                No way most will go down that Barkley road after flash in pan he did last season. He is basically a blue mans walcott except inconsistency is to barkley what injury was to walcott

                1. Pieterke30
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  4 years, 8 months ago

                  I hear you, but Im still tempted tbh

            • 2right
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              This is an excellent match report for ff

            • datamunkey
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Well done TS; as some have already said, exactly what this place needs more of. Gonna take a punt and go with Mount GW1, see what happens; cheers fella.

          12. Hits from the Bong
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Any obvious changes needed?

            Pope
            TAA VVD Digne
            Salah Sterling Fraser Tielemans Perez
            Wilson Deulofeu

            Button Lundstram Johnson Wickham

            1. Hits from the Bong
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Kiwivillan - give it to me straight

            2. Sterling Malory
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Dunno if you need both Tielemans and Perez. I'd Downgrade one and upgrade Wickham to a 6.5 personally.

              But I really like it. Similar to mine.

          13. BigDaveSaves
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            I think I’m finally set until seeing the Community Shield..

            4.5
            Walker TAA Robbo Zinchenko
            Perez Salah Sterling Fraser
            Wilson Wood

            Any thoughts? Really started to fancy Wood/Barnes as a differential punt as no one will have them in my leagues and Wood seems to be doing the business in pre season.

            Cheers.

            1. Pep's Money Laundry
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Wood's gw2-4 fixtures aren't very good that would put me off otherwise looks good enough

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

            I think everyone I missing the point that there's a handful of strikers who are capable of scoring 25 to 30 goals and no one's picking them.. You're all going for those who migt get 15..

            1. Agger
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Might*

            2. 3 A
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Auba, Vardy, Haller?

            3. Annie
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              We can’t afford more than one of those...

            4. Wild Rover
              • 13 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              We're spending our money on mids who also might score 25 goals and get an extra point for each plus a clean sheet point

            5. LSK
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Salah and Sterling will most likely get the highest points totals even if the strikers reach the upper end of that estimate. You can just about squeeze one of those big scoring strikers in as long as some decent enablers become available. Whether it's worth the downgrades elsewhere isn't evident yet. Lots seem to have ruled it out completely, but we will see.

            6. Maddi Son
              • 6 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Aguero is in that category and KDB outscored him pretty comfortably in 16/17 and 17/18.

          15. 3 A
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            Quick one guys,

            A) Sane + Duffy
            B) Richa + Van Dijk

            1. BigDaveSaves
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              B for sure

            2. Doosra - ☭DeclanMyGenius…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              B).

            3. UnitedFan
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              B easy

            4. LSK
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              B mate, unless you are a masochist and want to triple captain one of A

          16. Lukakwho
            • 6 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            How’s this looking for a draft. This is my first RMT of the season so please go easy. Only joking tear me apart. No idea how template this is.

            Ryan

            Robbo, Van Dijk, Zinchenko

            Sterling, Salah, Moura, Pereyra, Zaha

            Wilson, Jota

            (Button, Greenwood, Smith, Gibson)

            1. LSK
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              Decent. Not keen on Pereyra myself. I would prefer Doucoure or a punt on one of the Chelsea mids.

          17. Agger
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            The Arsenal and Chelsea squads look so weak when you have at look through it. They're like midtable players for the majority

          18. More Salah
            • 4 Years
            4 years, 8 months ago

            1st timer, please RMT
            Lloris, (Button)
            Robbo, TAA, Coleman, Walker, (Lundstram)
            Salah, KDB, Sane, Fraser, (Kante)
            King, Ings (Greenwood)

            Contemplating Lloris to 4.5 & maybe Walker to Zinc, to upgrade a striker
            Or Sane to Siggy, but placeholding for Son & could score big early doors
            Any thoughts?

            1. Blunder fc
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              4 years, 8 months ago

              I'd get ings out and go 5 at the back or Loris out to upgrade him. Keep sane he's gonna play 1st few games because of other players being late back for preseason