Dugout Discussion

Aguero and Mahrez benched as Guardiola rotates again

Sergio Aguero (£12.2m) owners once again find themselves burned by Pep Guardiola’s rotation policy as he is named on the bench for Gameweek 9.

It represents the second successive away match that the Argentinian has been selected among the substitutes with Gabriel Jesus (£9.5m) chosen to lead the line at Crystal Palace.

Joining him on the bench is Riyad Mahrez (£8.7m), further frustrating those who signed the Algerian international ahead of Gameweek 8.

Against Wolves he was substituted in the 59th minute and this week misses out on a place in the starting line-up for the first time since Gameweek 5.

Those invested in Raheem Sterling (£12.1m) and Kevin de Bruyne (£10.0m) will be much happier ahead of the game as both of them feature in the first XI.

The England international continues his run of matches without a benching to three, while his Belgian colleague is back in the team after missing Gameweek 8 with an injury.

As Guardiola had promised before the international, it has proved not to be too serious and, after a pretty abject start to Gameweek 9, de Bruyne’s owners will be quietly hopeful of attacking returns.

Meanwhile, Guardiola appears to have shaken things up at the back by naming both Fernandinho (£5.2m) and Rodrigo (£5.5m), defensive midfielders by trade, in the two centre-back positions.

Nicolas Otamendi (£5.6m) has come in for some serious criticism of late and finds himself not even in the matchday squad.

Crystal Palace line up in a 4-4-2 formation with Wilfried Zaha (£6.7m) leading the line with Jordan Ayew (£5.1m).

Vicente Guaita (£5.0m) is missing from the squad, which may encourage those invested in the Manchester City attack, as Wayne Hennessey (£4.4m) comes in for him.

Crystal Palace XI: Hennessey; van Aanholt, Cahill, Tomkins, Ward; McArthur, Milivojevic, Kouyaté, Schlupp; Zaha, Ayew.

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Mendy, Rodrigo, Fernandinho, Cancelo; De Bruyne, D Silva, Gundogan; Sterling, Jesus, B Silva.

1,433 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Yank Revolution
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    All I ask is for Sterling to stay quiet, KDB to get something and Kun to come on and score. That ain't much, is it?

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

      No but instead we will get a 1-0 to palace now

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        I'd take that. Call this week another write off and try again in GW10.

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      All my wishes for this gameweek did not happen, so good luck with that wish ...

  2. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I think I need to get rid of Heaton. Who's his best replacement (up to 5.0M) over the next few weeks? Ryan, Pope?

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

      Get rid why?

  3. rozzo
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    I have had something like two goals from my team in three gamesweeks

  4. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling hardly makes runs into the box anymore

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

      He's no longer a good pick

    2. Cpt Crunch Scott talent
      • 10 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Time to get rid then perhaps

      1. SHOOTER MCGINN
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        KDB truly is the best City option by far. Sterling wide, Agüero and everyone else rotated.

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      That's Jesus' job when hes on the pitch. Sterling to keep width

    4. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Sold on WC, Salah too. KDB and Mane for me.

    5. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I’m looking to sell for Salah

  5. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Literally picked a decent captain in 2/9 games

    Salah - 24
    Sterling - 6
    Sterling - 16
    Sterling - 6
    Sterling - 4
    Sterling - 0 (Salah 10 VC)
    Kun - 8
    Kun - 4
    Tammy - 4

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

      Most are in the same boat, captaincy is a curse this season

    2. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A man's got to know his limitations...

    3. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I’ve been in rotten form with the captaincy too. Can’t get it right atm

    4. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      24, 12, 16, 6, 18, 34, 6, 4, 4 for me ... the last 3 GWs so meh

      1. Dirty Harry
        • 8 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Get out of here troll

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

          Why so?

    5. Liberate HK - antichinazi
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      26, 12, 4, 26, 4, 34, 14, 4 ...

  6. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    is Kelly injured? not on the bench even

  7. Manani
    • 12 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    the only saving grace for my WC is that I opted for Auba instead of Aguero. of course he might still come on last 15mins and get a few returns though

  8. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Guaita - McGovern
    Otamendi - Walker - Coleman (Kelly - Hanley)
    Son - Mahrez - Yarmolenko - Maddison - (Douglas Luiz)
    Pukki (VC) - Tammy (C) - King

    Suggestions?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      2nd team?

      1. Brosstan
        • 9 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        My mom's team

        1. Ógie
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          You should delete your mom's team Bross.

        2. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          I'm sure you can link it.

          1. Brosstan
            • 9 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            My mom wants to stay anonymous, too many FPL bullies.

            1. TorresMagic™
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              4 years, 6 months ago

              Great made up team.

  9. TeddiPonza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Bottomed.

    Team:

    Pope (Button)
    VvD Tomori Rico (Lundy Hanley)
    Salah Sterling Mount Yarmo (Dendo)
    Kun Tammy Pukki

    2 FT . Which option?

    A. VvD, Dendo and Pukki to Kelly KdB and Connolly (-4)
    B. VvD, Yarmo and Pukki to Soyuncu, KdB and Connolly (-4)
    C. Kun and Dendo to Jimenez and KdB (bench Pukki)
    D. Kun, Yarmo and Pukki to Auba, KdB and Connolly (-4)

    Will probably wildcard next int break.

    Thanks.

  10. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Fellow Kun oeners, still keeping if just 1 pt xameo today? Hopefully he'll start next two home matches. Just frustrating hos price will drop now

    1. Yank Revolution
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Keeping unless Auba goes nuts.

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

      Just remove him, cant own such an expensive player that will start 2 out of 3 games.

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

        Will get rid after SOU, for sure

    3. nolard
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Why would he start in the easy games at home?

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

        I think he usually does

    4. MagicMessi
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Keep

    5. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Exactly. Immediate reaction is to sell but next 2 games are perfect.

      1. Salah’s Sonnet
        • 12 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Perfect for benchings

        1. SHOOTER MCGINN
          • 8 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          For Sterling yes

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

          this, with liverpool and chelsea later

  11. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sterling to Salah on the cards for me.

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Much better cheaper options

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

        Have Liverpool's good run in mind

    2. Manani
      • 12 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      why? is sterling doing poorly with KDB starting?

    3. The Mighty Hippo
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Would Mane not be a better option?

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

        Have mane

  12. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Palace looking shakey

  13. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Anyone else’s captaincy picks been rotten this season?

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

      Everyone

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        At this point. I feel like leaving it on Manè and forgetting about it.

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

          It is getting to that stage of just perma captain salah, Mane, KDB, Sterling

          Such a weird season so far - never
          Known anything like it

          1. Make United Great Again
            • 11 Years
            4 years, 6 months ago

            Seems the least stressful way.

            Very Very weird season

    2. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Anyone not had more fails than successfully?

    3. Fudgy
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Only casuals have done well captain wise

    4. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Salah gw1 and Sterling gw3 is my only successes. Otherwise it's 3 points or less.

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

      Just don't ....
      😀

      1. Make United Great Again
        • 11 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        😀

  14. svasei - Up (?) the Rovers
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Alonso looks to be the next Alonso.

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

      He's looking borderline essential again

  15. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    David Silva looks like a good pick right now. Sterling to Silva might be decent

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

      Good point, Silva very central and shooting

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Until he’s benched

    3. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      A player who plays every alternate match.

    4. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      It's his last season, he'll be fizzled out

    5. jia you
      • 7 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pep said he wouldn't sell Dilva for a billion pounds!

  16. fr3d
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    My dumbass was so confident Aguero would start. Never learn 🙁

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Yep

    2. SHOOTER MCGINN
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Me too 🙁

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

    Think I’m going Otamendi,Salah >> TAA,KDB next week.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Pool vs Spurs next.

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

        See how Salah does tomorrow

        1. TorresMagic™
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • Has Moderation Rights
          • 14 Years
          4 years, 6 months ago

          and midweek

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

            True

  18. Don Van Vliet
    • 10 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Why are City in that awful, luminous retina-burner kit again?

    1. HamezMace
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Marketing department know what sells

    2. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      They want to look fab

    3. Brosstan
      • 9 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      I got a sudden urge for a tequila sunrise for some reason

  19. Cojones of Destiny
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    hope kun stays on bench got mane (vc)

  20. TorresMagic™
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 14 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Milo yc 🙁

  21. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Mili 6th YC

  22. TheDragon
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    The dream team for this week costs about £50m

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

      Can we keep the change?

    2. fr3d
      • 6 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Dribbles was right. Cantwell can cover Aguero if you spend the extra funds wisely

  23. Team Cruel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Milo getting closer to a 2 game ban

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

      A week off at Xmas would be nice...

  24. Differential C (Mark)
    • 8 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Sub in Mahrez, Pep!

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Not looking at his phone.

  25. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Cancelo at 5.4 looks a great pick honestly.

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

      Midweek off and it’s go go go!

  26. Regin
    • 6 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    For the first time in my 9 year fpl career, i feel no joy playing fpl. On 13 pts currently.

  27. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Yay/nay

    Son jimi to CHO vardy for free?

  28. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Most captained is Kun 😛

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

      Plenty of teams become dead at this stage.

  29. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Hennesey with the strong right arm.

    1. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      left

  30. Bring the Cavalry
    • 7 Years
    4 years, 6 months ago

    Probably been asked loads already but what is the reason Ota isn’t even in the team?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      4 years, 6 months ago

      Knock

      1. Bring the Cavalry
        • 7 Years
        4 years, 6 months ago

        Cheers TM