Dugout Discussion

Aguero and Bernardo benched for Manchester City opener

Pep Guardiola has given Manchester City’s rotation roulette wheel its first spin of the season with Sergio Aguero (£12m) dropping to the bench for the 12:30 kick-off against West Ham United. 

The benching of Aguero, owned by 19% of managers, will be seen as a serious blow to the Argentine’s ability to be considered as a starting striker with further concern over whether he can be a reliable asset for the 2019/20 campaign.

Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) taking up a place in the front-three alongside Raheem Sterling (£12.0m) but at this stage, we are not sure which of those two will be in the centre-forward role and which will feature on the left flank of the attack.

Guardiola’s decision to bench Aguero, while influenced by his busy summer, is eerily reminiscent of the 2017/18 campaign for Fantasy managers following the arrival of Jesus at the Etihad.

It must be remembered that the Brazilian actually spent longer at the Copa America than Aguero and yet has been given a greater role for City since his return. So this could mark a worrying precedent for Aguero owners ahead of the new season.

At a price of £12m, Aguero simply must be starting every week for the Citizens in order for Fantasy managers to be getting a reliable starting asset at a premium price.

Kevin De Bruyne (£9.5m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) are among City’s attacking trident to support the Brazilian, with Mahrez’s ownership of 1.3% giving managers a potential differential in the City frontline. 

David Silva (£7.5m) also features in City’s opener against the Hammers, marking his final season with the Citizens with a start in the capital, whilst Bernardo Silva (£8.0m) drops to the bench and, in the process, joins Aguero as an asset that will come under further scrutiny in the opening Gameweeks.

The Portuguese midfielder is currently in over 27% of teams, so his benching will be a big blow to the Fantasy community.

City’s defensive quartet is made up by Kyle Walker (£6.0m), John Stones (£5.5m) Aymeric Laporte (£6.5m) and Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) with the latter offering a strong value-for-money option in picking defensive coverage for City at a competitive price of £5.5m. 

For the Hammers, club-record signing Sebastian Haller (£7.5m) starts up front, with attacking support from Manuel Lanzini (£6.5m) Felipe Anderson (£7.0m) and Michael Antonio (£7.0m) as Manuel Pellegrini aims to conjure up a forward line capable of causing City problems in their Premier League opener. 

2,236 Comments Post a Comment
  1. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Goal given

  2. The Mandalorian
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Off side

    1. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Wrong

  3. ★Kuntheman★
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    THANK YOU

  4. Four Hit Wonder
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    And THIS is a goal! Ridiculous. Absolutely ridiculous.

    1. Simon69
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      What's wrong?

  5. thepeen555
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    goal stood

  6. Niho992
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Goal yes

  7. La Roja
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Goal given

  8. Weasel Boy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Ahh
    Lundstram starts

  9. moment
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Bit of VARiability in the decisions imo

  10. tiger
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Not this time VAR, not this time...

  11. Podge
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lovely finish regardless

  12. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Goal stands!

  13. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    loool was that one not offside!?

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

      Thought so at first but I'm pretty sure the red line showed it was alright.

  14. thepeen555
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Zaha on the bench

  15. james 101
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Our with my family do not watching.

    What’s the general verdict on sterling today?

    And also kdb.

    Not a bunch of stats. More an eye-test.

    Thanks!!

    1. moment
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I have KDB and am happy. I'm cross I do not have Sterling. Both look good, but Sterling looks essential.

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        I have him.

        Not kdb yet though. Thought about it but so many value midfield options this year...

    2. thepeen555
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Kdb good sterling also good. Have both would be epic

      1. james 101
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 7 months ago

        Yeah. Tempted!

  16. TomSaints
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Given, wtf

  17. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    WTF that was clearly offside

  18. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rico wb, NICE!!

  19. Podge
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Onside 😆

  20. Free Hat
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Now this was more offside to me than previous one...

  21. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling (c) here. VAR not doing my nerves any good!!

  22. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    had enough

    sterling out
    var in

  23. tm245
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Rico!

  24. Bubz
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Sterling was the captain pick afterall

    1. Nightcrawler
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      Still happy. I think those with sterling cap probably don't have salah so they're missing out on his points

  25. Supersonic Marv'
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    F**king Trossard. Why on earth did I listen?

    1. RyanKent14
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      I’m with you on that unfortunately

  26. TOBY1
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Lundstram & Rico start...

    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      so is Kelly

  27. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    oh my its too ez for sterling

  28. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    What the Var.

  29. jtreble
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    I don’t think Stones will start GW2. Poor.

  30. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 7 months ago

    Why no trossard??

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 7 months ago

      We listened to the scout cast & fell into a trap, but got a good bench.
      Some you win / lose, 40+ from 3 I can take it 😉