Scout Notes

Guardiola explains why Aguero was benched as City rotation continues

Manchester City maintained the five-point gap between themselves and Liverpool with a 3-1 win over Everton.

We round up the main Fantasy talking points from the Saturday evening kick-off at Goodison Park in our Scout Notes below.

Everton 1-3 Manchester City

  • Goals: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) | Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m), Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m), Raheem Sterling (£12.1m)
  • Assists: Seamus Coleman (£5.4m) | Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) x2, Sergio Aguero (£12.2m)
  • Bonus: Mahrez x3, Coleman x2, De Bruyne x1

The notion that Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) is the ‘safest’ route into Pep Guardiola’s ever-changing attack was weakened somewhat on Saturday as the Argentinian striker dropped to the bench for the first time in the league since Gameweek 1.

Last season, Aguero was about as nailed an option as possible during the autumn months.

With the premium forward only starting two of City’s six UEFA Champions League group games and sitting out his side’s first two EFL Cup ties, Aguero was a reliable option for Fantasy managers, starting every single league match from Gameweeks 1 to 13 – only a groin injury halting that run in December.

His benching on the opening weekend of 2019/20 wasn’t a great shock given his late return from the Copa America but this latest demotion from the starting XI was more of a surprise, especially considering that Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) was given a 90-minute run-out at Deepdale on Tuesday.

Jesus was handed only his second league start of the season on Merseyside, however, with Aguero’s owners having to make do with a 25-minute substitute’s appearance and an assist for Raheem Sterling‘s (£12.1m) game-clinching strike.

David Silva (£7.6m) and Bernardo Silva (£7.9m), both of whom had started City’s last two competitive matches, also dropped to the bench for this encounter.

Guardiola explained his decisions in a broadcast interview after full-time and sounded some ominous comments about changing his team “every single game” going forward.

The City boss said:

I want to make everyone involved. Of course, Sergio can play and David can play but the last game in the Champions League, they didn’t play; I want to let them play in the Champions League, we play on Tuesday. So, I want them to play everybody.

For me, it’s tough. Some players don’t play regularly. I’m going to move the team every single game to be part of that. I know everybody wants to play, I understand completely, but it’s the only way to maintain the level for 11 months.

There was one final twist to the Aguero benching, however.

In quotes released from the embargoed section of Guardiola’s press conference on Sunday evening, the City boss offered a slightly different take on proceedings:

In Champions League, the first game, David and Sergio didn’t play and I will let them play the second game.

Yesterday, Sergio felt something a little bit in the leg. I said, ‘OK, to start the game I prefer Gabriel’. In the last minutes, sharp, go Sergio. He came in and makes two actions to shoot. The third goal came from him.

The reality is, we Fantasy managers are going to have to endure the occasional spot of rotation in order to tap into City’s blistering attack.

Sterling, Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.0m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) have seven benchings between them this season but all four players sit in the top ten FPL points-scorers of 2019/20 as of Sunday, so the risk is evidently worth the reward.

When Guardiola has in-form players like Mahrez at his disposal, of course, rotation is easier to implement from his point of view.

The Algerian winger was one of the game’s stand-out players, registering more efforts on goal and key passes than any of his teammates.

The former Leicester wide-man scored his side’s decisive second goal, curling in a free-kick after De Bruyne had been chopped down – although Jordan Pickford (£5.5m) should have done better with the effort.

There ought to have been other attacking returns for the Algeria international, with Ilkay Gundogan (£5.2m) and Sterling wasting glorious opportunities that he carved out.

Mahrez is one of the names that Sterling’s Fantasy owners have to be worried about and, in contrast to his teammate on the opposite flank, the England international had something of a stinker.

The premium midfielder was particularly out of sorts after the break, first wasting that aforementioned Mahrez assist when firing wide, totally unmarked, from 12 yards.

Sterling then failed to control a Kyle Walker (£6.0m) cross with the goal at his mercy and wasted possession on another couple of occasions when City were breaking at speed and in numbers.

The great thing is from an owners’ perspective is that, even on an off-day, Sterling can still deliver points.

The former Liverpool winger broke a three-game duck by following up Aguero’s saved effort in the 83rd minute to round off the scoring and the fact that he was getting into dangerous central positions was very much a positive to take from this second-half display, particularly after the concerns over his touchline-hugging role at Norwich and indeed in the opening exchanges at Goodison Park.

De Bruyne has delivered an attacking return in every league game he has started this season and he registered his eighth and ninth assists of the campaign here, first producing a sensational cross for Jesus to nod in and then being fouled for the free-kick that Mahrez despatched.

While he was not the completely dominant force he had been against Watford, there were still moments of genius from the Belgian playmaker and his pair of assists means that he is now the leading FPL points-scorer in 2019/20.

De Bruyne averages exactly nine points per match at present.

The Belgium international was withdrawn in the 79th minute on Merseyside and there were rumours of a possible injury to the in-form midfielder, although little else substantive has followed in the ensuing 24 hours.

The Athletic’s Sam Lee reported the following on Saturday evening:

Reflecting on the game overall, Guardiola said:

Absolutely outstanding. At Goodison Park it’s always difficult, this stadium. We started incredibly well, as usual, we created chances and scored a goal.

After that we had a lot of problems to control our left side with Sugirdsson because in that area they had one more player there. We had a lot of problems.

In the second half, except set-pieces, conceding free-kicks and some long balls we played again good. I had the feeling we had clear chances but not many for the last control, we arrive in positions with Sterling or Riyad and the control could be better.

Ederson made two incredible saves at 2-1.

As Guardiola alluded to there, it wasn’t all plain sailing for City.

The defensive insecurity that was punished by Norwich in Gameweek 5 was again in evidence at Goodison Park, with makeshift stopper Fernandinho (£5.2m) at fault for the hosts’ strike.

That wasn’t an isolated moment of weakness at the back, with Ederson called on to make smart stops from Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£5.8m) and Yerry Mina (£5.5m) late in the game.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (£7.6m) also found himself clean through on goal but couldn’t control a lofted pass.

Guardiola said of Fernandinho and his defence:

We don’t have any other options, he’s going to play in that position, except if injured. The best defenders in the world make these kind of actions. With the ball, Fernandinho was outstanding today.

That is what it is, we have to go with these two guys and after, young players. We’ll see what happens next Tuesday if they are fit and recovered for the Champions League game and hopefully John [Stones] will come back from the international break, can be fit to help us, to have more players in that position.

It’s worth saying that no side has kept more Premier League clean sheets than City this season and they will continue to record shut-outs even with a centre-half pairing of Otamendi and Fernandinho, as they did against Watford and Shakhtar.

Their aggressive pressing from the front and the fact that they hog the ball for long periods of the game are defensive assets in themselves, although any team willing to have a go at the reigning champions may find more joy than they would have with Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m) in the side, based on the evidence of the last few weeks.

Everton certainly gave a positive account of themselves and were more convincing from an attacking perspective than they had been in Gameweek 6 – although breaking down the ‘smaller’, more defensive-minded clubs (Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, Sheffield United) has been their problem this season.

Reflecting on the game, Marco Silva said:

Manchester City were better than us until the first goal but we showed a reaction and the desire to challenge them to try to get a different result.

The reaction was really good, we equalised and the game was more balanced. Our players showed that desire to react and challenge them.

Then the second half was better. We spoke at half-time about being more aggressive in our organisation and in the challenge.

The reaction after City scored the free-kick was very good again and we had two big chances.

We have to keep the attitude and desire we showed in the second half. In this way, we will score and get results in the next games. From good results confidence will come and everything will be different.

A first goal of 2019/20 for Mina surely can’t be too far away, with the Colombia international a constant threat from set plays.

Having Mina and Michael Keane (£5.5m) to aim at is good news for Lucas Digne (£6.1m) and, although his delivery was below-par at times, the left-back still could have emerged from this game with an assist when Mina forced Ederson into a fine save from his corner.

The impressive Seamus Coleman (£5.4m) did get an attacking return, with his goalbound effort being turned in on the goalline by Calvert-Lewin.

While there were glimmers of hope from an attacking perspective, Everton have conceded at least two goals per game in each of their last five league matches – only Watford have shipped more in that time.

Digne remains the same attacking threat as he always did but the Toffees do look less than solid at the back, with Idrissa Gueye‘s departure and an injury to Jean-Philippe Gbamin (£4.9m) perhaps leaving them more exposed than they were at the back-end of 2018/19.

Members Analysis

Everton (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne; Delph, Schneiderlin (Davies 81′); Walcott (Iwobi 7′, Kean 74′), Sigurdsson, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.

Man City (4-3-3): Ederson; Walker, Otamendi, Fernandinho, Zinchenko; De Bruyne (Bernardo 80′), Gundogan, Rodrigo; Mahrez, Jesus (Aguero 65′), Sterling (D Silva 86′).

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

1,463 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Got 2 FTs and think am gonna drop Salah and play the fixtures for the next 5-6. Salah could do well of course but will get him back when fixtures turn better.

    Thoughts on Salah and Barnes to Yarmolenko and Auba. 
    Leaves 3.1 ITB for Pukki to Vardy if I fancy it next week.

    Pope
    TAA Otta Soyuncu Rico Lunds 
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell 
    Barnes Pukki Tammy

    1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      keep for this week imo

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        any other suggestions then?

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Honestly I would leave it as is.
          Salah + Barnes can easy outscore Auba + Yarm this week..
          Might be better to make the moves next week and also get Leicester assets

    2. mik-hail-tal
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Getting Yarmalenko feels like chasing points.

      1. mookie
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        CRY, eve, SHU, NEW, bur
        Not the worst run of fixtures.
        Last season they won 3-2 vs. CRY, 1-3 vs. eve and 2-0 vs. NEW.

        1. Murder On Zidanesfloor
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          How is getting a form player with good upcoming fixtures chasing points? My definition of chasing points is if you get a player who has been quiet all season and hauls once. Yarm has provided consistent returns over the last 3 or 4 weeks

      2. George Sillett
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Getting a form player for a decent run of fixtures is chasing points ?

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      How about getting Mahrez in?

      1. Not again Shirley
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Mahrez and Yarm very good picks.

        Wish I had gonads to swap sterling for Mahrez but you just know sterling will bag Hattie when I do that.

  2. Pukki Party
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Best transfers here? 2ft 0itb

    Pope
    TAA Robbo Digne
    Salah Sterling KDB Mount Cantwell
    Haller Jota

    Button Lunstram Rico Greenwood

    A) Jota, Digne to King, Otamendi
    B) Jota, Digne to Pukki, Soyuncu
    C) Jota, Robbo to Wilson, Soyuncu

    1. Whats the Huth
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Soy and Vardy possible?

      1. Pukki Party
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Not with 2ft, Cantwell to Dendo -4 and i can afford. Vardy overpriced though atm

  3. SomeoneKnows
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Assuming Aguero starts in the champions league this Tuesday, does that mean he's likely to be benched vs Wolves?

    I really can't read Pep anymore and don't know if I should transfer Aguero out for Aubameyang

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Depends on how much he plays midweek imo.

    2. Flaming Flamingo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Think Aguero will start both personally.

      1. Takedog1
        • 10 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        id imagine Jesus would start 1 out the 2.

    3. Jusagoras
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It doesn't mean that. More likely Aguero was rested this weekend precisely for the reason that he could then play midweek as well as vs Wolves.

      But I don't deny that there is now a nagging doubt!

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

    What are your thoughts on CHO? Is he ready to play after the injury?

    1. mookie
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Won't be nailed imo.

      1. faver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Why? At this moment, after the injury, he won't be nailed, sure. But I think with all the talks about his potential and speculations about Bayern move (which proves that he's decent not only for my eyes but Bayern scouts also), he can jump it the starting 11.

        1. mookie
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          He is competing with Pedro, Willian and Pulisic for one position. I personally can't see him nail down that spot in the starting 11.

          1. faver
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Cheers. I want to believe at least

          2. faver
            • 8 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Thats what i meant with my post. Is there a Chance that he can win with one of them. I think there is a Chance, but you are right. For this moment, he is far from nailed.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yes
      Good option.
      Might cash in Mount for him if he looks good

      1. faver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I missed the Mount train but for once I wanted to be Ahead of the curve and went for Dendo > CHO move with Cantwell as 5th mid.

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          Yep
          I'm also looking closely.
          I'd take the Punt.

    3. Murder On Zidanesfloor
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Didn't he already play? Off the bench but he was on the pitch and got the assist. Hardly possible if he is not ready to play

      1. faver
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        With my post i meant is there a Chance he will be nailed. He got goal i FA Cup and Assist in the league. If player with such potential can be playable for 5.9 for next GW?

        1. Amey
          • 5 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          He's bound to be a superstar !

  5. Stef rocks
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Reid dropped to 3.9 - come on people, everybody get on the Reid bandwagon to save that precious 0.1 🙂

    1. Eleven Hag
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yeah but both Kelly and Lund seem to be nailed and can't sell either of them

      1. St Pauli Walnuts
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Kelly isn’t nailed.

        1. linkafu
          • 4 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          He is! Look at the 3 Palace's CS, Kelly on the pitch! No Kelly, no cleansheet.

          1. St Pauli Walnuts
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            That fact alone doesn't make him nailed though does it. There's now plenty of competition for his place with other player being fit again or nearly fit and not enough data to confirm if he is nailed or not since the other players have been available.

            1. Crump
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              I agree, probably not nailed yet esp as Tomkins is back.

  6. linkafu
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Pep is crazy.

  7. Kempfrost
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Good day any advice on how to trim my squad? I don't mind minus points. Am in a bet of $200 for October and we're 20 members in it
    DDG/STEEN
    Soyunco VVD Kelly walker-Peters chamber
    Kdb sterling maddison cantwell martial
    Aguero rashford wickham

  8. Riverside Red
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    1.3m ITB, think its time to get rid of Salah

    Salah ----> Son
    Haller ----> Aubameyang

    Any views?

  9. NUFCAndrew
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Thoughts? Have 2 FTs & 0 ITB.

    Pope Button

    TAA Otamendi Soyuncu Kelly Rico

    Mane KDB Son Cantwell Hayden*

    Aguero Abraham Pukki

    Hayden to Saka/Dendoncker & bank 1 FT to reassess Cantwell/Pukki after Villa at home?

  10. ⓙⓚⓙⓚ
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    1. ⓙⓚⓙⓚ
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      1. ⓙⓚⓙⓚ
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago