Captain Poll

De Bruyne injury update impacts on Gameweek 8 captain conversation

Fantasy Premier League managers were rocked on Tuesday afternoon by news that Kevin de Bruyne (£10.0m) has picked up a groin problem ahead of Gameweek 8.

The Manchester City midfielder came off in the second half of his side’s 3-1 win at Everton and has since missed training with the first team.

On Tuesday, the club put out an official statement ruling him out of Champions League action this week, in which they offered no time-frame on his return.

“Kevin De Bruyne suffered a groin injury in the win over Everton and will miss the game against Dinamo Zagreb. The extent of his layoff depends on how well he responds to the rehabilitation programme overseen by the medical staff.” – Manchester City statement

At the time of writing, 16% of voters in the latest captain poll had declared de Bruyne as the best option for the armband in Gameweek 8, when Manchester City host Wolves.

However, we would now expect that number to drop in the build-up to the weekend.

Unfortunately, we do not have a specific update on whether de Bruyne will play against Wolves as the club are currently waiting to see how the player “responds to the rehabilitation programme”.

If de Bruyne is out this weekend, then his owners will have make a decision about whether to hold onto him, especially considering he has an international break to make progress in.

Either way, Pep Guardiola’s press conferences this week just became a whole lot more important.

The injury to de Bruyne may help to accelerate a shift in the captaincy conversation, away from the so far usual suspects.

After Liverpool started the 2019/20 campaign with some appealing fixtures, the quality of their opponents is set to rise in the coming weeks.

On Saturday afternoon they host a Leicester side that come into Gameweek 8 with the joint-best defensive record in the top-flight.

They have conceded just five goals in the first six matches of the season, level with Liverpool, who have let in the same number.

For that reason, Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) is already proving unpopular in this week’s captain poll and that may be the case for the next few weeks.

Liverpool travel to Manchester United in Gameweek 9 before they host Spurs the week after.

Salah, Sadio Mané (£11.6m) and their colleagues may receive some consideration again when they face Aston Villa at Villa Park in Gameweek 11, but Gameweek 12 pits them against defending champions Manchester City.

During that period, Arsenal sit top of the Season Ticker for attacking potential, which should bring Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (£11.0m) into the conversation.

The Arsenal forward is still without a blank this season and is embarking on even more encouraging fixtures than before.

He starts by hosting a Bournemouth side that has conceded five times in three away matches in 2019/20, which bodes well for Aubameyang to continue his run.

However, despite the latest injury news, some of Manchester City’s attacking options still hold their appeal for Gameweek 8 as Wolves come to the Etihad Stadium.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have struggled to hit the dizzy heights of their first season back in the Premier League and have conceded eight times across their last four matches.

Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) and Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) are both expected to challenge at the top end of the captain poll this week, which you can now vote in.

You can find it either below or on the sidebar of our website.

Joe and David also discussed the Gameweek 8 captaincy in-depth on our YouTube channel on Tuesday lunch-time.

Lessons Learned from Gameweek 7

490 Comments Post a Comment
  1. De Gea Van Dijk. 10
    • 5 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Pep Carnage.

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Strong line up this is

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

        Strong bench

        Strong B team

        Strong Loan players

  2. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Would you do Salah ➡ Sterling?

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

      Advanced strategy, try get both.

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      (S)terling?

      Probably.

  3. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    KDB out, will Cantwell step up?

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

    The rested Eriksen, Lamela & Lucas Moura behind Kane this weekend?

    1. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Very possibly

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

    Everyone selling KDB or what.

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Hopefully.

  6. SkeletONv01
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    Any PC builders here? Thinking about upgrading my 5 year old i5 4460, thinking about Ryzen 5 1600, good pick? Its dirt cheap here right now.

  7. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    On wc and this KDB news is certainly an uneeded curveball. What to do....d’oh!

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Placeholder until Villa at home.

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Was considering swapping out Sterling and going with Kun upfront but I think it would be madness to get rid of Sterling now.

        1. Fpl Richie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          You think correct

        2. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Pep mess in full flow atm!

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Is that assuming he misses 2 matches? Can't remember

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Palace away after the break, if Son was said placeholder, I wouldn’t make the swap that week.

          1. JELLYFISH
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            I wouldn’t go Son. Still wearing the burn marks from last season

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Hopefully Pep is nice to us on Friday.

            2. Salah’s Sonnet
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Huh?

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

      Start Lord Kelly.

    3. All de Gea no iDier
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      I've had Big Ginger Kev since Day 1 so it would be madness to sell and then later re-buy. Given that there are no real prospects in the same price band (already have Son) unless he is out for more than 4 GWs I will keep him.

      1. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I’m thinking of keeping with some contingency in the bank to jump on Mane or Salah if it’s long term

  8. Fpl Richie
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    IB wildcard looks good for me, so which would be the sensible 1 week punt...
    A. Cantwell to Yarmolenko
    B. KDB to Son (note: selling price 9.7, stand to lose 0.3).
    C. Rico to any 5.1 defender

    1. Sid1891
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      If don’t bother about .3 go B

    2. SkeletONv01
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      None, and play Cantwell this week 🙂

      1. Sid1891
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        That’s what lm doing as WC long gone

      2. Fpl Richie
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        I am anyway - Kev out would mean Lundy comes in.

  9. Stupendous
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 5 months ago

    If Kev is out some time..

    KDB and Ayew
    To

    Mahrez and C. Wilson
    Or
    McGinn and Auba

    1. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      B

    2. MTPockets
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Not sure. Mahrez is starting tonight and Algeria game is one of the last internationals - 4 days before GW9 match
        B looks ok if McGinn works for you through tougher fixtures

    3. barracuda
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Would you do Salah to Son for free? Some cash needed. Only after tomorrow's match of course

      1. Rinseboy
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        depends what the cash is used for. I was considering selling Salah to fund Barnes to Auba

        1. FPL.team
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          That's my plan to. Maddison and Auba feels better than Salah and Barnes.

      2. Maddamotha
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Next week

    4. Rinseboy
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Madness to consider KDB and Barnes to Yarmolenko and Auba for free?
      If KDB out for weekend. Worry they wont want to rush him back to quick.

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

      1. Epic Fail
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        There's a 2 week break after this GW anyway.

        1. Rinseboy
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          are the moves mental then Epic?
          Want Auba in to be fair.
          Could drop Salah instead? thoughts big guy?

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Seems decent enough to me. A decent chance KDB might only miss 1 game though so that's something to think about. Obviously wait for actual news though.

            1. Rinseboy
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              will do. Ta

    5. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Brugge red card

      1. Brehmeren
        • 13 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Again, Real favor. And now they scored. Jesus.

    6. HD7
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      2 FT; 0.6 ITB

      Salah Greenwood to Auba Yarmolenko and go 3-4-3?
      will bench KDB if only missing 1 GW

      Pope
      TAA Ota VVD Guilbert
      Salah Sterling Mount KDB
      Abraham Haller

      Subs: Button, Greenwood, Dendonker, Rico

    7. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      On WC. Is Rico out for Kelly a good move (got Lundstram)?

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Huh I was thinking of doing the opposite move!

        1. JELLYFISH
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Lol. Maybe have both?

      2. Visionaries
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Would rather have Rico
        Better fixtures

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

      First hit incoming.

      KDB> Rez.

      No Brainer.

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

        Forgot IB, my bad.

    9. R.C
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 5 months ago

      Why is Vardy rising so quickly

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Scored 2 and 3 bonus

      2. MTPockets
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Brace against 10 men and nobody checks fixtures

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

          Pardy on.

        • Epic Fail
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          He got lots of points last game.

      3. andres
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Pope
        TAA Pieters Lund
        KDB Sterling Mount Cantwell
        Kun Tammy Pukki

        Ceballos, Kelly, Soy 1FT, 2.9M

        A Ceballos => Yarmolenko and play ahead of Cantwell
        B Pieters => Cresswell (have Pope)
        C Aguero / Pieters => Auba / OTA (-4)

        1. andres
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          For sure doing a transfer if kdb is a doubt. Will need to bench to step in, so probably ceballos needs to go as priority

        2. Visionaries
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Seems very odd to be getting rid of Pieters. He's not going anywhere for me

          1. andres
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            It is the double up with Pope that I am kind of sceptical about

      4. The Overthinker
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Jesus to start at the weekend ?

        1. Rainer
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          How many minutes does Kun play tonight?

          1. The Overthinker
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            70-80

            1. Rainer
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Then no.

              Even if 95+, no.

              It’s Kun at the Etihad...

              1. The Overthinker
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                K

              2. GOTHAM City F.C.
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                so how long should Kun play for Jesus to start?

            2. Ser Davos
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              and then raring to go to catch up the 5 point gap

        2. andres
          • 12 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Cant believe pep will bench aguero two PL games in a row

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            He’s done many things odder than that, wouldn’t surprise me if he did

            1. andres
              • 12 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              I am selling aguero anyway, sooner rather than later. Was hoping for a good bye haul though 🙂

              1. Salah’s Sonnet
                • 12 Years
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Yeah that would of been nice, much better with the likes of Auba imo

      5. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 5 months ago

        Standard English-media-bubble proclaiming Kane is ahead of Lewa

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

        Who would be most likely to see more minutes of KDB was out for any amount of time or still in roulette territory. I would have thought maybe more Dilva minutes?

        1. SADIO SANÉ
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Gundog I guess, still roulette City, unless Bilva gets banned

          1. GOTHAM City F.C.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            if Bilva gets banned then advantage Mahrez.

        2. The Overthinker
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Kdb will rest for next 3 games ( club and country combined)

          Means he will be well rested for 9

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

        Have 2 FT

        Sterling, KDB, Mount Cantwell*, Mane*
        Kane, Pukki*

        A Cantwell > Mcginn
        B Mane & Pukki > Auba & Bilva/Maddison

        1. GOTHAM City F.C.
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB*

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Source?

          2. Rhodes your boat
            • 7 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            What are we making of this?

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

              groin strain i reckon

            2. George Sillett
              • 8 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              Nothing more than he's injured and out tonight at the moment.

            3. GOTHAM City F.C.
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              4 years, 5 months ago

              That people don't know how to pick between A and B.

            4. MTPockets
                4 years, 5 months ago

                Hoping Pep says more after the game

        2. SkeletONv01
          • 6 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          So, Coutinho said he left Liverpool and joined Barca to win the CL, now he plays for Bayern, what happened? :>

          1. Epic Fail
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            4 years, 5 months ago

            Did he actually say that?

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

            He didnt get game time at Barca

        3. sirmorbach
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          Safe (a) to say that Sterling starts against Wolves and (b) to captain him instead of Salah (LEI) or Pukki (AVL)?

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

          Have 2 FT

          Sterling, Mane, Mount Cantwell*, KDB
          Kane, Pukki*

          A Cantwell > Mcginn
          B KDB & Kane > Auba & Son
          C KDB & Pukki > Yarmo & Auba

        5. jia you
          • 7 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          I thought it was just a dream but I did sell Aguero for a hit last night in a random drunken move!
          Aguero + Zaha to Kane + Mahrez
          ...this is going to bit me in the ass isn't it lol

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

            I was hacked, that was it...hate these hackers!

        6. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          4 years, 5 months ago

          KDB,Barnes > Dilva,Aubamayang for -4 worth it?