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. Laurel and Vardy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hi all, would you mind taking a quick look at this FH draft:

    Martinez
    Doherty-AWB-TAA-Lascelles
    Bruno (C)-Salah-Son-Richarlison
    Jimenez-Rashford

    Bench is crap but don't mind since it's FH. Martinez the obvious weak link but no cash for a better one and will get some save points at least.

    Thank you and good luck everyone!

    1. THEKID_88
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Looks good

  2. ryacoo
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    How's this WC looking?

    Patricio
    TAA, Aurier, Doherty
    Mane, KDB, Martial, Bruno
    DCL, Rash, Jimi

    3.9 Lasc Guendouzi Robinson

    1. Mind över Mata
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Very nice but I think a triple up on United attack is too much

      1. ryacoo
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Yeah possibly - feels like most are on Bruno and Rash already though, so only +1 differential

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

          Don’t like the rash pick with bruno on pens, would rather have ings

          1. ryacoo
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 9 months ago

            Rash will take some pens - was about to take the 2nd one vs Spurs

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

              Still not good enough for me, a left mid who shoots a lot from outside the box and takes the occasional pen

              1. ryacoo
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 9 months ago

                He has more touches/shots in the box than Martial

      2. El Presidente
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Agree

  3. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Morning gents

    Who would you start:

    A) Holgate (nor)
    B) Saka (sou)

    1. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A for me

      1. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Cheers, think that’s probably the right call here

    2. Laurel and Vardy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Holgate

      1. Mind över Mata
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Thanks LV

  4. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Repost
    Pope McCarthy
    Trent Saïss Holgate Lascelles stephens
    Salah Mane KDB Fernandes (Hayden)
    Ings Jiminez DCL

    0.5 itb and 1 FT
    1. Save
    2. Stephens to Aurier

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Salah+Mané too much

  5. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Capt jimenez over mane/bruno?

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

      Thinking about it.

  6. potatoace
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    For this GW in mind.

    A. Vardy and Bergwijn (stick to the wc plan)
    B. DCL and Richarlison (sod it, one week punt)

    1. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      B

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

    Any Jota(c)ers out there?

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

      No

  8. 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)

    1. potatoace
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I'm all over him after the liv match

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

        Might do the same actually, seems a bit silly sticking a rotation risk in with Chelsea and Liverpool up next.

  9. Bobby_Baggio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Is putting Mahrez in my WC team over KDB a silly move?

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

      Probably, played 2 on the spin now due to suffer from Pep’s rotation for rest of season.

    2. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      More of a rotation risk, but more explosive. I'm currently on KDB, but he is tempting

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I get it it's tempting but going without KDB... can be a disaster. KDB is like Aguero doesn't need a lot of minutes to impact the scoreline...

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

    For those who just have freehit left, when are you using it?

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

      At the moment GW38, but depends on how the fixtures pan out and whether we get anymore double gameweeks.

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

      This week tough decision on TAA Son Traore or Soyuncu Martial and vardy

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

        Also tempted to use it this gw.

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

    a - Salah+Vardy
    b - Son+Kane

    Which will be better? TIA

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Don't like any

  12. Gowiththeflow
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Why the love for Son? Don't think Spurs are nearly an in-form team. I didn't watch their game, though. Did he looked in shape?

    1. G Banger
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Heard on here he did, also great fixtures and easy to downgrade

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

        Fair enough, but he's kind of an expensive mid and there are plenty of good options out there. Agree on the fixtures, though.

        1. G Banger
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 9 months ago

          Agree with the price issue, but if he doesnt perform you have options when downgrading, whereas he'd be harder to get in later

    2. ryacoo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Lots of shots but looked rusty to me and had defensive work to do, stayed out wide a lot

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

      Thinking the same toss up for me TAA Son and Traore or Soyuncu Martial and Vardy in my FH team

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

        I'm playing FH as well. Maybe i'll take a punt on Pogba... he completely changed the game (for the best) after came in. Good fitness, motivated, good partnership with Bruno.

  13. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Not having much luck getting any answers, but please help with my last spot 🙂

    Pope (Button)
    Doherty Taa Lascelles (Ngakia xxx)
    Salah Bruno Son KDB (Guendouzi)
    Rashford Jimmy DCL

    Best DEF a 4.3 please!

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

      The most helpful post you will receive today: Holgate

      Look at his fixture rotation with Lascelles

      1. G Banger
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 9 months ago

        Top stuff, cheers

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

    Help me out please

    X, Button
    TAA, Doherty, Lascelles, Holgate, X
    Salah, KDB, Fernandes, X, Saka
    Rashford, DCL, Jimenez

    Who do you prefer for the last 3 places?

    A) DDG, Saiss, Sarr (potential benching headache each week)
    B) Patrício, Robinson (Bench fodder), Bergwijn
    C) DDG, Simpson (Bench fodder), Bergwijn

    I can’t get Son unless I lose another premium

  15. Dacra
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Hows this WC looking? Planning to BB 32.

    Patricio (Pope)
    TAA - Aurier - Saiss (Taylor, Lascelles)
    Kdb - Mane - Martial - Fernandes - Son
    Vardy - DCL (Nketiah)

  16. hustler7
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    What is the general consensus with Salah? Is he injured or returning from injury? Is Mane the safer pick or he is he likely to be rotated after starting against Everton? Any help appreciated.

    Current WC team:

    Patricio/Martin
    TAA/Maguire/Doherty/Lascelles/Robinson
    Salah/Bergwijn/KDB/Fernandes/Guendouzi
    Vardy/Jiminez/DCL

    May downgrade Vardy to Rashford...

  17. Holte Enders
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who would you pick out of Vardy and Jesus following Aguero's injury?

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

      Vardy now, Jesus later

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

    Current WC team. Have looked at getting DCL into the team, but it requires downgrading Patricio, Aurier and one of Lascelles/Holgate. Not sure if it is worth it?

    Patrício (Martin)
    Alexander-Arnold, Aurier, Doherty, Lascelles (Holgate)
    Son, De Bruyne, Fernandes, Mané (Saka)
    Rashford, Jiménez (Greenwood)

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

    Not sure whether to include KDB on WC or not. I need differentials but I'm not sure his spot is worth messing it. City will definitely prioritise the cups & give Foden etc plenty of minutes in the league. Worth a punt of the likes of Alli/Mahrez?

    1. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      They all gonna play and be rotated. The question Is, with his ownership % do you really want to take that shot? That's what you need to sort out.

    2. Livinginapool - Top 100 Any…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      I don't think KDB is the player to mess with. Great value still and he'll get a lot more points.

      Look for other differentials if you need them. Personally, I've always found that good captain calls and picking good players for the fixtures tends to claw back MLs over kneejerk differentials at this stage.

  20. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Thoughts on this WC team?

    DDG/Martin
    TAA/Doherty/Saiss/Holgate/Lascelles
    Salah/Son/Mahrez/BrunoF/Foden
    Rash/Jim/Ings

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

      Benching headaches galore

    2. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      Too much in def and too much in mid

  21. Fire Chief Moe
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Auba or Rashford for next two?

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

      Out of principle that Auba and Arsenal are an embarrassment - Rashford

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

      Have both but I would keep Auba for 2, he looked alright vs Brighton.

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

    on WC which do you think is better?

    1.Pope and Ritchie
    2. De Gea and Lascelles

  23. cjhewitt92
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Best replacement for Aguero

    A) Jesus
    B) Kane
    C) Rashford
    D) upgrade midfield to include Sterling and 5.0 fwd

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 9 months ago

      A or C, prob C

  24. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    WC, Too risky? I’ll be moving to more man city players in 2GWs, probably Mahrez and/or Jesus:

    Lloris (3.9)
    Maguire, TAA, Doherty (Kiko, Lascelles)
    KDB, Son, Bruno, Bergwijn (Cantwell)
    Rashford, Jiminez, DCL

  25. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Who's my best captaincy pick here?

    A. Salah
    B. Fernandes
    C. Jimmy
    D. KDB

  26. Henning
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Free hit or take a hit so sort out the biggest issues

    Henderson Leno

    Doherty TAA Egan Stevens Fernandez

    Saka Mount KDB Grealish Fernandes

    Agüero Aubameyang Jimenez

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

    TAA Son and Traore 5 in midfield or Soyuncu Martial Vardy 4 in midfield 3 up top

    Other mids & attack KDB Bruno Salah
    Rash and Jiminez
    Cheers

  28. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    Rashford or Martial ?

    Thinking Martial can be an easy switch to other mids at that price range

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

      I have both but worrying about Rash rotation

  29. Apollo Sanchez
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 9 months ago

    A) Dubravka & Kiko
    B) Foster & Lascelles

    Newc have 3 great fixtures but Burnley are so poor. Defender wouldn't play often

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

    On a WC:

    A) Martinez, KDB, Hayden
    B) DDG, Mahrez, Foden
    ?