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. The Dead Parrots
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    a)Watkins (0.5 cheaper)
    b)Wilson (pens)...
    or Bamford or Antonio

    1. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Antonio looks unstoppable.

    2. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

    Score prediction Everton - Liverpool next GW?

    1. DRIZ ✅
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1-1

    2. Egg noodle
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      6-6

    3. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2-2

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

      3-3

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

      0-0

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

      If Adrian plays 2-2

      1. FPL_Crisis
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Klopp eluded to a couple of games for Allison

    7. Warby84
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1-3

    8. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      5-2 (adrian in goal)

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

      3-2

    10. ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      5-5

  3. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you WC?

    McCarthy
    Trent Shaw Saïss
    Salah KDB Son Podence
    Jimenez DCL Adams

    Bench: Justin & cheapies

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Defo not

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

      Have this exact team barring Shaw and I'm WC'ing.

      Here were my notes for doing so:

      - 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, managed to fit in a lot more premium mids and attackers

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

        What’s your WC right now?

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

          Martinez - 4.0
          Digne - Chilwell - KWP - Ayling - Mitchell
          Salah - Son - Hamez - Grealish - Bissouma
          Kane - Ings - DCL

          and 0.3 ITB.

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

      Lol sneaky RMT

    4. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      no but I dont think Shaw will play

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

    Did these moves for a hit!

    OUT : Mitro, Werner, Richarlison
    IN : Maupay, Kane, Wilson

    Hoping Kane doesn't get injured.

  5. Shake n Bake
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which one?

    A) Kane + Grealish (-1.1 ITB so needs a -4)

    B) Watkins + Son (+1.5 ITB)

    1. Salah(c)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A for me

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B. Saves 2.6 as well

    3. All about the galacticos
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

      A definately

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

    What do you make of this -4?

    Mahrez and R James to Son and Dier?

    1. Salah(c)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I don’t like the dier pick otherwise good

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

        Thank you!

  7. dshv
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner and Soucek -> Son and Wilson (-4) ?

    1. Salah(c)
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Go for it

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  8. Salah(c)
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Pickford macey

    Vvd Justin Mitchell ayling saiss

    Podence salah sterling foden hamez

    Kane Jimi Brewster

    What would you change with this lot? Thanks in advance

  9. CelticBhoy1
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner > ?

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

      Maupay

    2. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

    3. threeputt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      anyone !

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

    Do we keep KDB? Obviously a brilliant player but seems a bit deeper at the moment and City fixtures are very tough coming up.

    Funds better used elsewhere with plenty of mid priced options?

    1. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Keeping.

      Penalties are the only thing I think we can rely on at this stage.

    2. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Do fixtures even matter anymore?

    3. Sgt Frank Drebin
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Arsenal at home is very good fixture for me. But the next captainable fixture is GW10 Burnley. Might get him back for that fixture (or Sterling)

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        If not at WC I would 100% keep

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

      playing to deep for his price

  11. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which one to sell for Son?
    Salah or Kdb?

    1. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Neither

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

      KdB

    3. Slitherene
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      None

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

      Out of those two KDB

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

      One been blanking. Another hauls despite his team taking a pounding. Obvious based on current form

    6. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      cheers

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

      KDB

  12. sozopol
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Need to get vinagre out before he drops again. I have 2 ft 0.5 itb. Konsa a good shout at 4.5? Would prefer mings but he is 5.0 and I world rather hang on to my other ft until later in the IB.

    1. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think dallas or ayling are good for 4.5.

  13. Lilac Breasted Roller
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden -> JRodriguez, need to get 1.1 funds. Which little piggy would you send to the slaughterhouse

    A) Jiminez -> Maupay
    B) TAA -> Anyone really
    C) Podence -> bench 4.4

    1. FPL_Crisis
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Try B if you still have wc in tact

      1. Lilac Breasted Roller
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Unfortunately, no. But I think I'll go with this one

  14. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mitrovic > ?

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

      Maupay

    2. Biggsy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wilson

    3. Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Watkins

    4. Kip
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maup/Wilson/Brewster

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

      Maupay

  15. royals forever
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you WC this team or just do a -4

    McCarthy Nyland

    TAA Dallas James Justin Davies

    KDB Salah Barnes JWP Bissouma

    DCL Werner Wilson

    2FTs 0.7 ITB

    Any ideas would be welcomed

    1. Kip
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The structure is good and you have 2FT so i’d hit if with the -4

  16. Sgt Frank Drebin
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Wasn't Ancelotti saying something Rodriguez may not play after the IB? Can't find it now. Why is everyone taking hits to get him when he has 3 games to play in South America?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is it 2 or 3?

      1. Sgt Frank Drebin
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Oh I'm sorry, only 2. Thought they play 3 games too.

  17. Piggs Boson
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    As long as no more than two of my players are out after the international break I'd be satisfied.

    Two free transfers ready to handle it.

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What about the extra money needed?

      1. Piggs Boson
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        There are so many alternative options that I'm not sure it matters so much anymore.

  18. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How do these look for -4?

    Foden, Rashford, Werner > Salah, Son, Brewster

    1. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      They look good at the moment.

      See who survives internationals first.

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

    Sorry for another question. What do you make of this -4?
    Mahrez and R James to Son and Dallas?

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

      good move

  20. tabzy
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So it’s happened.

    The Wildcard is active... under the encouragement of Malbec- which led to a covetous myopia... I want all the in-form players!

    Tell me I’ve not been an absolute Neanderthal on this one!?

    Martinez
    Lamptey Ayling Saiss
    Son Grealish KDB Salah Rodriguez
    Kane DCL Brewster

    1. tabzy
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The bench is:

      Steer Brewster Mitchell and Ferguson.

      Weak I know... but look at my shiny new first team!

    2. unido
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Go on my son

    3. Kip
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Noice!

  21. Aaa
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Early doors but....

    Werner/Adams/Burke -> Brewster/Maupay/Son (-4)?

    Ryan/Button
    TAA/Davies/Taylor/KWP/Mitchell
    Salah/KDB/Pereira/Podence/*
    Kane/*/*

  22. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Chillwell worth a punt on a WC?

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

      I’m going for it

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  23. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy, Nyland
    TAA, Tierney, Justin, Dier, Taylor
    KDB, Havertz, James, Podence, Bissouma
    DCL, Werner, Ings

    2 free transfers, 1.9M in the bank

    a) Werner to Kane, Havertz to Son
    b) Werner to Wilson/Maupay, Podence to Son
    c) Werner to Wilson/Maupay, Havertz to Salah
    d) Werner to Kane and waiting for the next days
    e) TAA to Chilwell, Podence to Son, but what with Werner??

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

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

    1. Hulk Smash
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fix say Son is going up 60%+ each hour

  25. leo_messi
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    will Mitchell keep his place next gamweek??

  26. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On a wc because it was a mess....

    What's the thoughts on this? 0 Mill left in the bank...

    Martinez steer
    Castagne Chilwell Reguillon KWP Mitchell
    Salah Fernandes Son Rodriguez Stephens
    Jiminez DCL Wilson

  27. Camzy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The guy that won the FanTeam one week shot has the most crazy team.

    Fabianski
    Azpi Cresswell Silva
    Sterling KdB Grealish Rodriguez
    Ings DCL Watkins

    Insane. Before the Liverpool game he had just Grealish and Watkins to come and he's blitzed everyone lmao.

  28. Lukakwho
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Opinions on hitting Werner, ASM, Trent > Chilwell, Son, DCL for a -4 tonight ? Will make good value and have wildcard for if things emerge in international break?

    1. mr messi
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes

  29. Mackans
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thoughts on my ATTACKED WC team?

    McCarthy
    Saiss Lamptey Konsa
    Salah KDB Son Rodriguez Grealish
    Kane DCL

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

      lovely team. Rather have sterling over KDB though. KDB playing to deep for me

  30. humar816
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I know it’s internationals but reckon it’s worth swapping Klich to ASM rn whilst he’s cheap?