Scout Notes

How Leeds restricted De Bruyne to unfortunate FPL blank in Gameweek 4

Leeds United 1-1 Manchester City

  • Goals: Rodrigo Moreno (£5.8m) | Raheem Sterling (£11.5m)
  • Assists: Ferran Torres (£6.9m)
  • Bonus points: Rodrigo M x3, Sterling x2, Liam Cooper x1 (£4.4m)

Owners of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.7m) can feel very unfortunate after he recorded a second blank of the season in Gameweek 4.

The Manchester City midfielder struck the post with a clever free-kick inside the opening exchanges, while some may feel that his penalty-taking should have been called into action late in the game.

Raheem Sterling (£11.5m) looked to have been brought down illegally in the box by Leif Davis (£4.0m) but neither Mike Dean nor VAR were convinced it was a foul.

On any other day, the typically brilliant De Bruyne might have come out of either situation with goals to his name but, on an evening where Leeds eventually stole the show, it was simply not his day.

DEFENSIVE DE BRUYNE

It was also clear that playing two games in three days had taken its toll on the Belgian who ended up tasked with more defensive duties at Elland Road than his 44.8% ownership would have liked.

Thanks to Leeds’ spirited and open play, they ended up with more possession than Manchester City’s men (52.8% to 47.2%), more big chances (five to zero) and more shots on target (seven to one).

As a result, De Bruyne was bogged down in a midfield battle for large spells of Saturday’s encounter, unable to operate in the exciting number 10 position that Guardiola had cast him in for City’s last away trip (at Wolves).

Reprising such a role was not possible for the Belgian at Elland Road. His freedom at Molineux had been unlocked by a defensive midfield double-up of Rodrigo (£5.5m) and Fernandinho (£5.5m), but the latter was named on the bench for Gameweek 4.

Contributing to defensive duties at Leeds was a job that De Bruyne performed, unsurprisingly, offering greater work rate than those around him and winning more tackles than any other colleague on Saturday.

But it probably goes without saying that finishing top of that metric for the evening is not something De Bruyne’s Fantasy owners were particularly enamoured by. It was only after Fernandinho came on for Mahrez in the 77th minute that the Belgian was freed up to make more significant contributions to attack, but it was a little too late.

“They make a good build-up with the goalkeeper and they put a lot of players behind our midfield line. After our attack, they are quick with their fast players outside. It is not easy to play against them. We were there and made a good defensive game but we had to do that more than usual because they are good in the transitions.” – Pep Guardiola

“If you watch when Guardiola makes a defensive change, when Fernandinho comes on, this is when they started to impose themselves on the game once more. It was a very intelligent substitution and it had a big influence on the game, which indicates a lot of the time that you have to defend better so you can attack well.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Meanwhile, as was the case against Leicester, De Bruyne was asked to split corner-taking duties with Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m), robbing him of a complete monopoly over set-play situations.

STRIKERLESS MAN CITY

This is now the first time since 2010 that Manchester City have failed to win more than one of their first three Premier League games of a season. The ongoing absence of a recognised striker for the Citizens was a key factor behind their draw at Leeds.

Guardiola handed Mahrez the central role on Saturday but he was largely ineffective during his time on the pitch.

The Algerian international struggled to cope with the physicality of centre-backs Liam Cooper (£4.4m) and Robin Koch (£4.5m), robbing Manchester City of something to aim at when pressing forward.

While Sterling finally found his first goal of the campaign, it was not from a centre-forward position. He received the ball from Ferran Torres (£6.9m) on the left-hand side, made a jinking run inside, past two defenders and guided the ball beyond Illan Meslier (£4.5m) 

It was a passage of play that highlighted how much better Sterling is as a winger than as a striker – another dilemma facing Guardiola in the absence of Gabriel Jesus (£9.4m) and Sergio Aguero (£10.4m). 

Even still, the Englishman’s evening was largely littered with some poor decisions and propensity to run down dead-ends in Leeds’ defence, although operating next to an ineffective centre-forward in Mahrez probably increased the pressure on him to fashion chances via take-ons.

Owners of Manchester City assets may take some comfort from the fact they host Arsenal in Gameweek 5, after the international break. Guardiola’s men beat the Gunners 3-0 in this fixture during Project Restart with goals from Sterling, De Bruyne and Phil Foden (£6.6m). However, they did so on that day with the help of Jesus leading the line, who currently has an estimated return date of Gameweek 6…

Wham Bam

While Patrick Bamford (£5.8m) registered his first blank of the season, it was not for lack of trying against Manchester City.

The Leeds forward finished this match with more shots (four) and more shots in the box (four) than any other player on the pitch, an impressive achievement considering the opponents.

However, Fantasy managers should probably keep an eye on Rodrigo Moreno (£5.8m) following his impressive cameo appearance.

He came on for central midfielder Tyler Roberts (£5.0m) in the 56th minute and contributed to a change of shape for Leeds. Instead of a 4-1-4-1, they were able to operate with two forward men on the field – and it had the desired impact.

Rodrigo pounced in the box to equalise when Ederson‘s (£6.0m) failed clearance clattered into Benjamin Mendy (£6.0m) and saw an effort turned onto the crossbar minutes later.

It will be worth keeping an eye on how often Rodrigo features for Leeds based on his contribution to Saturday’s draw, although Jack Harrison (£5.5m) will be back in the picture for Gameweek 5 – he missed this match as he was ineligible to face his parent club, Manchester City.

“Progressively he will begin to show the great quality that he has. Today, he had a very good start and perhaps the pace of the game hindered him towards the end of the half. When he is able to play at a good physical level for us I think he will make a difference.” – Marcelo Bielsa

Leeds United XI (4-1-4-1): Meslier; Dallas, Cooper, Koch, Ayling; K Phillips; Alioski (Poveda-Ocampo 46′), Roberts (Rodrigo M 56′), Klich (L Davis 77′), Costa; Bamford.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; B Mendy (Aké 71′), Laporte, Dias, Walker; Foden, Rodrigo, De Bruyne; Mahrez (Fernandinho 77′), Sterling, Torres (B Silva 65′).

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3,043 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Slitherene
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    OUT : Mitro, Werner, Richarlison
    IN : Maupay, Kane, Wilson
    Bench : Coady, Ward, Bissouma

    Exact money, should I take a hit?

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

      I'm currently rating Watkins higher than Maupay. but other two moves look good

  2. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Son to rise in price tonight?

    1. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probabaly

    2. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nope

    3. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gone from -65 to 59 since match ended

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

      Probably with the rate at which its going atm

    5. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No but kane is

  3. RAFA THE GAFFA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best move here guys?

    A. Werner+Zaha >> DCL+Son
    B. Werner+TAA >> Kane+Chilwell

    McCarthy
    TAA, Justin, Saiss, Davies
    KDB, Salah, Rodríguez, Zaha
    Werner, Ings
    (Nyland, Bissouma, Mitchell, Davis)

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A looks dreamy

      1. OneArseneWenger32
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        zaha good fixtures..so B

    2. IAWC ( It's a Wonderfu…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A. Pool will comeback

  4. thepirates
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you WC? 1ft 0,4 itb...

    McCarthy
    Robbo - TAA - Walker Peters - Justin
    Sterling - Fernandes - Salah
    Mitrovic - Adams - DCL
    Bench: Saint-Maximin - Mitchell - Bissouma

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

      I would tbh, Mitchell, and Justin not starting after IB. Robbo and TA too expensive to own together, Fernandes not performing, and Adams needs to be offloaded as well.

      1. Botman and Robben
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        +1

    2. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah

      1. thepirates
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ty! Wc here we go

    3. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      yes definitely

  5. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ryan
    TAA Robbo James KWP Mitchell
    Salah Bruno KDB Podence Soucek
    Mitrovic Davis Ings

    Trying not to kneejerk, but should I wc?

    1. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      what would you change?

      1. how now brown cow
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Lose ryan taa james mitchell and whole front 3.

        Most of it.

  6. Ibralicious
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy - Steer
    TAA - Davies - Justin - C. Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - KDB - Hamez - Podence - Bissouma
    DCL - Jiminez - Adams
    (2.9 ITB - 0 FT)

    - No Spurs and could also use some well-priced-Villa assets (Grealish/Watkins)
    - Transfer deadline and IB imminent
    - Justin and Mitchell will not start after IB
    - Also thinking of going without TAA as the new template, with more premium mids and attackers

    A) WC!
    B) Jimi -> Kane for -4
    C) Adams -> Watkins for -4
    D) No hit and save the WC

    Cheers!

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      E) sleep on it and make your own decision

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

        🙁

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

  7. Ginkapo FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Liverpool FC have submitted legal preceedings against Hawkeye

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

      😀 Liverpool FC hardly a football club after that performance

    2. Drexl Spivey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      From the Avengers?

  8. TAT
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Too early doing Ings + Foden > Watkins + Son for a hit? Will set me up nicely for other transfers down the line.

    1. Kellz86
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No, go for it

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I hate doing early moves, but I'm currently at 4m OR and need to make a few swift moves that can give me some options going forward.

    2. Shineonme
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      nar don't like them moves

      1. TAT
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It's mostly about getting in Son without sacrificing another premium slot in midfield, as well as getting some additional funds to be spent elsewhere, should it be needed. It's not ideal I know, but I'm far behind in the rankings already, and feel like I need to change things up a bit.

  9. Nice to Finally Michu
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    TAA, Robertson, KdB, Adams, and Werner are all still good options and in teams for a reason

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

      Werner is dead to me

      1. Nice to Finally Michu
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I've played Fantasy Bundesliga the past two seasons and twice have missed Werner hat tricks after losing patience with him following dry spells. The ultimate purple patch player. I expect him to settle in with Kai playing closer to him going forward. I can't see Lampard playing him on the wing for a while, not with Ziyech and Pulisic back. SOU mun bur SHU new in the next 5. Bookmark this, he will score 5 in 5.

        1. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          playing to wide to be that affective

          1. Nice to Finally Michu
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            I don't expect that to persist and the next two matches look well positioned for him to capably run in behind

      2. Shineonme
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        going down again tonight too

    2. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      So are Zaha, Ings, Foden, Barnes, Rashford, Fernandes, Auba, Jimenez

      You cannot have them all and there is more quality in the prem then ever before. Have a plan and stick to it. Someone won fpl in a past season without ever having a liverpool player in his side.

  10. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mad to WC?

    Current team:
    McCarthy
    TAA VVD Justin Taylor Lamperty
    KDB Salah Zaha Reed Bissouma
    Ings Mitrovic DCL

    WC Team:
    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Dier Taylor Lamperty
    Son Salah

    1. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why does the WC team have less players?

      1. Oooo Matron
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        The screen moved!

        WC Team:
        McCarthy
        TAA Saiss Dier Taylor Lamperty
        Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish Anguissa
        Kane DCL Maupay

        1. Botman and Robben
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That looks real good.

        2. Shineonme
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          the wc team is much better

  11. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Watkins or Grealish?
    I favour Watkins because of the price but I can see other cheap fwd providing too while Grealish at 7.0 seems like a rare gift

    1. Valar(Keith)
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Which of the two would be on penos? Grealish I assume? Considering his record from last year he looks a safer bet

    2. Atimis
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tough one, defo want one as AV should have some nice scores considering the fixtures

    3. Kay317
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think Grealish will do well this season, has better players around him and they look decent. I wouldn't get carried away, he won't return like today every week but I think for 7mil you won't do much better.

  12. Oooo Matron
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Reply fail.

    WC Team:
    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Dier Taylor Lamperty
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish Anguissa
    Kane DCL Maupay

  13. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Prior to GW4 everyone thought Watkins was terrible - now weveryone thinks he is amazing

    Knee jerking is the new normal

  14. Dirty Harry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Do I just YOLO a -8 and go have a beer?

    Foden + Pereira + Ings
    To
    Son + Grealish + Watkins(or other 6.0)

  15. Will J 256
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys. Are you keeping Reece james?

  16. camarozz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    It's WC time and I'm gonna build a team of winners

  17. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to sell for son?

    A...foden

    B ...podence

    C.... sell both for son and trossard - 4

    Thanks

    1. Prison Mike
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Either, probably Foden

  18. Prison Mike
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Exact cash for:

    TAA & Foden -> Chilwell & Son (-4)

    Yay or Nay?

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Step away from the team and come back in 10 days

    2. Neves say Neves
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      siuuuu

  19. FDMS All Starz
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    (2.2itb,1FT) what needs changing here? Bruno?Davies?Adams? Would like to catch some price rises preferably

    McCarthy
    TAA - Justin - Davies
    Salah - Kdb - Bruno - Podence
    DCL - Wilson - Adams

  20. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2ft. Cant afford both without a hit. Whats more important?
    A) Reece James to Chilwell
    B) Foden to Grealish

  21. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2FT used. Feels freeing.

    Few hits can be taken if injury-forced

  22. THFC4LIFE
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Tempted to make my moves early due to price rises/falls but a bit worried by injuries/COVID

    Who’s risking it?

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      same worries but gonna risk Werner Foden to DCL Son for free

    2. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not risking it
      I banked 0.1m in team value by moving out Son before a price drop, but probably lost half a million to my rank by doing that
      COVID-19 makes the situation worse - especially with players travelling internationally across the IB
      Waiting till the press conferences and logging out of FPL for a while

  23. Aladdin Sané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy Steer
    TAA Saiss Justin CTaylor Mitchell
    Salah KDB Rash Podence Bissouma
    Werner DCL Mitro

    WC or throw hits at the thing?

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Even -12 can be ok at this stage

    2. Oooo Matron
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Similar boat to me. I'd say Werner, Rashford, Justin, Mitchell all good for the chop.

      I'm also on the fence with KDB. Obviously great player, but not really working with tougher fixtures coming. Maybe better to spend 11.5 on Grealish/Rodriguez mids.

    3. BOATIES FC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      just rash to son?

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

      rash werner mitro Mitchell all have to go imo. Rasford was awful again..

    5. Aladdin Sané
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks all

  24. Reddonkeyham 42
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martínez, McCarthy
    Mitchell, digne, Justin, KWP, Vinagre
    Kdb, Salah, podence, klich, Rodriguez
    Calvert lewin , Adams, Jiminez

    2.9itb

  25. bitars
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Are Son and Kane gonna play for the International teams in the break?

    Have the exakt cash for De Bruyne+Richarlison to Son+Kane.

    1. Orion
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Son, no

  26. Atimis
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Any sudden price changes or coerced or would you say that only ones already around 100%?

  27. how now brown cow
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ignoring grealish and Watkins, is mcginn actually the best villa pick?

    1. Nice to Finally Michu
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The defenders and Martinez don't look like bad shouts

  28. RVP20
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Should I WC? My team is:

    McCarthey - Steer
    TAA - Davies - Justin - Vinagre - Mitchell
    Salah - De Bruyne - Greenwood- Barnes - Podence
    Werner - Calvert-Lewin - Brewster

  29. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden > Son done.

    Time to step away from Fantasy for a well needed break from this sh*t!

    I’m not even thinking about football until 1 day before the deadline when I check to see if any of my players got injured on the IB

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      might be a move I make too fella