Scout Notes

The Aguero injury latest as City rotation gives Fantasy managers food for thought

Manchester City 5-0 Burnley

  • Goals: Phil Foden (£5.1m) x2, Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) x2, David Silva (£7.3m)
  • Assists: Bernardo Silva (£7.7m) x2, Fernandinho (£5.1m), Sergio Aguero (£11.8m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m)
  • Bonus: Foden x3, Mahrez x2, Bernardo, Silva x1

Pep Guardiola said Sergio Aguero‘s (£11.8m) knee injury “doesn’t look good” after the Manchester City striker limped out of his side’s 5-0 win over Burnley on Monday evening.

Aguero appeared to injure himself when winning a first-half penalty for Guardiola’s troops but the Argentine had been sighted holding his knee earlier in the game and his manager confirmed after full-time that it is an issue that has caused discomfort for some time.

The City boss said in his post-match interview and press conference:

He felt something in his knee. He was struggling the last month, some pain in his knee.

It doesn’t look good for this season.

Tomorrow we will see and know exactly what he has. But the doctor says it will take time. A few games [out] for sure but maybe tomorrow the tests he is going to get maybe some good news – we will see.

Aguero’s Fantasy assist for Riyad Mahrez’s (£8.5m) spot-kick was his last contribution at the Etihad and while it was at least some consolation for the premium FPL forward’s owners, his total of eight points across two Double Gameweek 30+ matches would have left many feeling short-changed.

The stock of Gabriel Jesus (£9.6m) could be about to rise as we await a proper diagnosis from the City medical department, although it should be said that Raheem Sterling (£11.7m) has operated as a ‘false nine’ in Guardiola’s various systems before and the Brazilian will surely not be starting week-in, week-out from now until Gameweek 38+ even if Aguero is sidelined.

With eight goals scored, none conceded and 174 Fantasy Premier League points plundered, Manchester City were the success story of Double Gameweek 30+.

The trouble is, of course, that the minutes and points were shared across 20 different City assets, with only Ederson (£6.0m), David Silva (£7.3m) and Riyad Mahrez (£8.5m) starting against both Arsenal and Burnley.

The Brazilian goalkeeper was, rather predictably, the only member of Guardiola’s squad who was handed three hours of pitch-time over the last week.

The City boss made a whopping eight changes from the side that beat the Gunners last Wednesday, with Jesus, Sterling, Kevin De Bruyne (£10.6m), Aymeric Laporte (£6.3m), Kyle Walker (£5.6m), Benjamin Mendy (£5.5m) and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.2m) all dropping to the bench.

Sterling (who has now missed out on 8-0, 6-1 and 5-0 wins), Mendy and Walker were all unused substitutes against the Clarets, while De Bruyne and Laporte emerged for one-pointers in the second half.

With the Citizens set to be in action twice a week between now and Gameweek 38+ and league results likely to be low down on Guardiola’s priority list, this ‘new normal’ (which is just the old normal on acid) is something Fantasy managers are going to have to get used to if they are to tap into this free-scoring City side.

Above: Manchester City players’ game-time in Double Gameweek 30+

Of the players who did start on Monday, Mahrez and Phil Foden (£5.1m) were the undoubted stars of the show.

The Algerian scored a fine individual effort after cutting in from the right flank on 42 minutes and, with Aguero, De Bruyne and Gundogan all off the field, stepped up to convert from 12 yards on the stroke of half-time after the Argentine had been felled by Ben Mee (£5.0m).

Guardiola’s comments in January about Mahrez being injury-resistant have been wheeled out as proof that the Algerian will be a regular starter during the forthcoming period of fixture congestion but it is naive to think that he too isn’t at risk; Sterling’s powers of “regeneration” had also previously been hailed by his manager and the England winger was consigned to bench duty against the Clarets.

While some of us will baulk at paying premium Fantasy money for assets that may only start every other game, Foden is arguably worth the risk at just £5.1m.

His 21st-minute strike from distance had broken the deadlock and he rounded off the scoring just after the hour-mark, finishing sharply after Jesus had miscued a shot in his direction.

Better still was his “assist for the assist” for David Silva’s goal, with a no-look pass setting Bernardo Silva (£7.7m) free in the Burnley box.

Foden is seen as the long-term successor to the ageing Silva but they were both deployed in the same team here, with the young midfielder operating further up the left flank.

Guardiola said after full-time:

When David said it was his last year I told the board we have Phil, so we don’t have to invest.

It is difficult to find a replacement but [in Foden], we have a young Manchester City fan who every time he plays gives us something unique and special.

In the next decade, or 15 years, he will be an outstanding player for us. I don’t have doubts.

Foden won’t start every City league match from now until Gameweek 38+ and chances are that he may be back among the substitutes at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

As a fifth FPL midfielder, however, he certainly has his merits and if we could sense that a start was in the offing, perhaps via a team news leak or the feeling that he was “due” a run-out following a benching or two, then Foden may prove decent value for money in the run-in.

From a Burnley perspective, this is simply one of those games to forget about and move on.

The Clarets couldn’t lay a glove on City and managed just one shot all match but “easier” tests await, starting with a home clash against Watford on Thursday.

There is a sense that all is not well within the Burnley camp, however.

With Chris Wood (£6.1m), Ashley Barnes (£6.1m), Johann Berg Gudmundsson (£5.9m) and Robbie Brady (£5.5m) all injured, the Clarets were further weakened by the loss of another four players ahead of kick-off; Joe Hart (£4.2m), Jeff Hendrick (£5.4m), Aaron Lennon (£4.6m) and Phil Bardsley (£4.3m), all of whom are nearing the end of their contracts, were not even among the substitutes as doubts linger over their futures.

Four academy products made it onto Dyche’s under-strength bench as a result, with two goalkeepers among the seven substitutes that the Burnley boss named.

Dyche was evidently irked by his board’s attitude, saying:

These situations didn’t need to occur. That is something the chairman and the board must learn from.

The COVID crisis has not been helpful for sure but it’s not been the cover story because I’ve been talking about this for 18 months.

It’s a strange situation with contracts. Players who haven’t been offered things have decided not to finish their contracts.

We have had a healthy return but the chairman makes the decisions. I can only advise. Life at Burnley is tough at times.

With many of us opting for Nick Pope (£4.9m) between the posts between now and Gameweek 38+, there’ll be concerns that those off-the-field issues could be adversely affecting the Clarets’ on-field displays during the run-in.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Fernandinho (Laporte 60′), Otamendi, Zinchenko; Foden (Sane 79′), Rodri, D Silva; Mahrez (De Bruyne 60′), Bernardo, Aguero (Jesus 45′). 

Burnley XI (4-4-2): Pope; Lowton, Tarkowski, Mee, Taylor; Brownhill, Westwood, Cork, McNeil; Rodriguez (Pieters 59′), Vydra (Thompson 88′). 

Members Analysis

Double Gameweek 30+ FPL Lessons Learned

1,460 Comments Post a Comment
  1. C'mon the Fylde
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I have a Free Hit available.
    It'll take a 4 pt hit, to fix my issues.
    Would you activate it?

    Henderson(!)
    TAA Doherty Basham Mings
    KDB Mount Mahrez Fernandes Grealish
    Jiminez

    Leno, Nketiah, Aguero,Egan

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      You mean free hit, or take a 4pt hit?

      Easy. Take the hit!

    2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      No...GK swap...play Eddie

    3. Deulofail
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would FH, yeah. Not the best fixtures for Basham, Mount, KDB, then you have your issues on top of that.

      1. Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Hmm maybe not actually. I assumed you also had WC available.

        I would probably take a couple of hits tbh. Perhaps get Martinez, sell Aguero and redistribute the money saved wit the third transfer.

    4. mad_beer ✅
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      FH only delays your pain.

  2. buzzkill
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    I'm wildcarding next week but for this week only how does Auba to Kane sound for the West Ham (h) game?

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Yes

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Meh.

      Kane looked miles off the pace. Could be a few weeks before he's looking anything like peak Kane

    3. CostaCoffee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nah stick with Auba, Kane looked proper shite against Utd

  3. CAN'T STOP THE ZLATAN
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Choose team A or B

    Team A:
    Foster button
    Maguire TAA Aurier Doherty Holgate
    Salah KDB Son Sarr Dendockner
    Jiminez Rashford Connolly

    Team B:
    Martinez Button
    TAA Aurier Doherty Holgate Simpson
    Mane KDB Son Sarr Dendockner
    Jiminez Rashford DCL

    Thanks!!

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A

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

    Foden+Pope or cheaper midfielder+Patricio?

    1. Adsequor
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Foden and Pope

  5. kamdaraji
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    which combo is better long term? GK will be set and forget

    1. Martinez and Ritchie
    2. De Gea and Lascelles

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      on WC

      1. TheTinman
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        2

    2. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I’ve gone Martinez/Lascelles

  6. Deulofail
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hallo.
    Bench order and captains.
    What do you think?

    McCarthy
    TAA Aurier Doherty
    Salah Mane Fernandes(c) Grealish
    Jimenez(v) Jota Ings

    Button | Baldock (mun), Cantwell (EVE), Stephens (ARS)

    1FT. 1.0 ITB

    1. Adsequor
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Owning both Salah and Mane still captaining Bruno. Interesting.

  7. Rhittique
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    a - Salah+Vardy
    b - Son+Kane

    Which will be better? TIA

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Wouldn’t go double Spurs at,

  8. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Morning all...back from a FH disaster GW...Team for GW31 is...

    Pope (Hendo)
    TAA Lascelles Taylor Saiss (Egan)
    Mane Salah KDB (Saka Dendoncker)
    Jimi(c) Vardy Ings
    0.6m ITB

    A Save FT ?
    B Vardy to Rashford
    C Egan to Holgate (bench Taylor)
    D Salah to Fernandes
    E Ings to DCL

  9. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    20points being ML leader looks like hell need a hit this week best time to claw some points back
    FH team 1/2/3 or summat different
    1)
    Pope
    TAA Lascelles Saiss
    Salah KDB Bruno Traore Son
    Jiminez Rashford
    Martin Taylor Robson Connolly

    2) Patricio
    Aurier Soyuncu Saiss
    Salah KDB Martial Bruno
    Jiminez Rashford Vardy
    Martin Ngakia Robson Guendouzi

    3)pope
    TAA VVD Boly Saiss
    Salah KDB Martial Bruno
    Jiminez Rashford
    Martin Cantwell Robson Connolly

    Cheers

  10. Bullet Eder
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Which duo on Free Hit?

    A. Mane (CRY) and Rashford (SHU) in a 4-3-3

    B. Salah (CRY) and Richarlison (nor) in a 4-4-2

    1. Wheato182
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A)

  11. Wheato182
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Foden worth the punt? Which one looks best?

    A) Rashford + Foden (3-5-2)
    B) Ings + DCL (3-4-3)

  12. Iwantmorepointsthanks
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) DDG, Taylor, Ings
    B) Pope, Maguire, DCL

  13. Chief Break-Everything
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Bottomed

    TV is trash, WC Team 0 ITB

    Pope (Button)
    TAA, Saiss, Kiko (Robinson, Ngakia)
    Mane, KDB, Son, Bruno, (Cantwell)
    DCL, Jimenez, Ings

    Do I sacrifice Mane (City & then winners on holiday) to get in Richarlison & a better defence?

  14. TaiwanHC
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is this FH team GTG?

    Patricio
    TAA - Doherty - Maguire
    Salah - Son - Fernandes - Richarlison
    Rashford - Jimenez - Calvert-Lewin

    No bench.

    Thanks guys!

    1. trinzoo
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sure!

  15. Stimps
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    FH team, how's she lookin?

    Alison
    TAA Doherty Ritchie
    Mane Son Bruno Richarlison
    Vardy Jimi (c) DCL

    3.9 Dendonker Lascelles Simpson

  16. Strchld
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is Simpson, Guendouzi and Lascellas too weak bench?

    1. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      All solid bench players IMO

  17. rkpower1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On my WC:

    a) Mahrez + cash to invest elsewhere
    b) KDB

  18. ManTree(v2!) or just JAY!
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    RMWCT please!

    Pope
    TAA , Saiss , Ritchie
    KDB , Son , Fernandes, Mahrez
    Rashford , Jimenez , DCL

    Subs: Martinez, Foden , Ward , Holgate

    0.4m in bank

    1. Scooby75
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Pope to Martinez

      1. MY DJ NAME IS PIMP CURRY
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Not only is Martinez one of the worst keepers in the league, the Arsenal defence is in tatters with injuries + key players injured. The injury to Xhaka and lack of fitness for Torriera means we won't keep many clean sheets, if any.

        1. Scooby75
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          I’m switching back to Pope after your words!

  19. lindeg
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any obvious mistakes in this WC?

    Patricio

    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles

    Mane, Son, Fernandes, Richarlison

    Jimemez, DCL, Ings

    Button, Saka, Kabasele, Simpson

  20. Areyouthereyet
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    On wc. Keep or sell Lundstram?

    1. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sell

    2. Pep Roulette
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Sell

    3. Areyouthereyet
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Thank you lads!

  21. fpork
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Current WC team, probably Mane captain. How does it look? Could I do any changes to upgrade Greenwood to DCL?
    Patrício (Martin)
    Alexander-Arnold, Aurier, Doherty, Lascelles (Holgate)
    Son, De Bruyne, Fernandes, Mané (Saka)
    Rashford, Jiménez (Greenwood)

  22. StoichkovFPL
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any Watford fans around? Cheers!

    Who is most nailed (best option) out of: Kiko, Masina, Kabasele?

    1. Carlton Palmer's Eyes
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'd say Kiko. Janmaat out. Mariappa came on late at RB and gave Chilwell too much space. Kaba could get rotated. And so could Masina although he's first choice and should be.
      So 1- Kiko 2 -Masina 3- Kaba.

      1. StoichkovFPL
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        cheers!

  23. LloristheHounds
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Free hit team

    Martinez
    TAA, doherty, Saiss
    Martial, Bruno, son, salah, richarlison
    Rashford, Jimenez

    Thoughts??

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Like it although you’re heavily reliant on MUN attack.
      It’s not dissimilar to mine with exception of Pope, KDB, Lascelles in for your Martinez, Martial, Richarlison

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        I also have Aurier instead of Saiss

  24. n14mul
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Morning,

    Anyone know why shane long is a yellow?

  25. Firminooooo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    My last WC. 0.1 ITB. Ok?

    Patricio Martin
    TAA Doherty Aurier Holgate Kiko
    Martial Salah KdB Son Bruno
    DCL Greenwood Jimenez

  26. circusmonkey
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Patricio and Fernandez
    B) Foster and Saiss
    To start both for 3 weeks minimum.
    Now wondering whether I need the 0.3 extra that B gives me to enable Aguero's return.

    1. Areyouthereyet
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A. I’m guessing you have Doherty as well?

      1. circusmonkey
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yes I do.

  27. Viper
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For myself who is languishing back in 500k and desperately gunning for top 100k, who is a better pick?

    A. Mane

    B. Salah

    C. Alli. 2 game punt (also going Son)

    1. POLSKA GOLA
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I would pick Salah C personally, the injury may deter enough people off captaining him to make it a slight differential

  28. POLSKA GOLA
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How does this WC look? Have very low TV. From one disaster (DGW) straight into another, right?
    Pope
    TAA, Doherty, Aurier, Lascelles
    Salah (C), KDB, Bruno, Son
    Jimi, Rashford
    Bench: 3.9, Taylor, Hayden, Nketiah
    0.0itb
    Any obvious mistakes apart from being forced to play 442?

    1. kamdaraji
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      similar to mine but I have De Gea, Saiss, Saint-Maxim and Connolly instead of Pope, Taylor, Hayden and Nketiah

      1. POLSKA GOLA
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Are you going to play 352 with Saint-Maxim or 442 with Saiss?
        Seems like a benching headache and I cannot afford to leave money or points on the bench

  29. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Guys, Do we think Bergwjin is nailed on for Spurs now that they have everyone back ??

    1. CAN'T STOP THE ZLATAN
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Nope

  30. Clumsy Sakho
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Any Jota (c)ers out there?

    1. lindeg
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Capping jimi, so close