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. Pukkipartyy
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Son rising tonight?

    1. PascalCygan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      In the morning...

      Bad joke, soz. I’m thinking of bringing him in.

      He isn’t playing during the break so early move could work

  2. Doctor Evil
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez

    Chilwell Robbo Saiss

    KDB Salah Bruno Son

    DCL Wilson Brewster

    Now that’s tasty as long as Brewster plays otherwise I’m a bit screwed as bench is

    Biss Mitchell Kilman

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

      SHU have terrible fixtures after Fulham

      Bruno is not worth 10.5 and has never been

      1. Doctor Evil
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I don’t mind for 4.5mil and as for Bruno he’s doing alright for me since I brought him in.

  3. Dont give a fuchs
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Whom would you transfer out for Son?

    KDB - Salah - James Rodriguez (FT)
    If; ASM or Harrison (-4 or -8)

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

      whoever you think will get the least points in the future

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

    McCarthy - Steer
    TAA - Davies - Justin - C. Taylor - Mitchell
    Salah - KDB - Hamez - Podence - Bissouma
    Werner - Jiminez - Adams

    to

    Martinez - Steer
    Chilwell - Saiss - KWP - Dallas - Mitchell
    Salah - Son - Hamez - Grealish - Klich
    Kane - Ings - DCL

    Have exact funds to do this. Worth the WC?

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

    Guys, have the exact funds to do:

    Foden and Mitro to Barkley and DCL (-4)

    Thoughts ?

    Thanks

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

      Don't like Barkley. He's only been a good FPL asset for about 4 weeks in his career.

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

    Would you WC this lot? Just took a -8 to get here and had a terrible week.

    McCarthy (4.0)
    TAA Digne Saiss Justin (Mitchell)
    Salah KDB Barnes (4.5 4.5)
    DCL Jimenez Adams

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

    So tempting to WC...

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

      So many good options. And with 2 weeks to ponder injuries/covid related issues, perfect timing IMO

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

      It is but bare in mind what Leicester did last week! Having the wildcard as late as possible can create a huge advantage for double gameweeks.

  8. Party time
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Today was fun 😆

    • Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How does this sound?
      Jimenez,Mahrez,Podence ➡️ Son,Maupay,Grealish -4

      Then following week Wood ➡️ DCL and VVD ➡️ 5.4 defender?.

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

        What happened to the Robbo plan?

        1. Champions League Varane
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Looool

          Adrian.

    • Dr. Ante Pavlovic
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Should I wc this team:

      Ryan, Button
      TAA, Semedo, Justin, Dunne, Ferguson
      Salah, Sterling, Zaha, JRod, Trossard
      Jimenez, DCL, Mitrović

      Into this:

      Martinez, Button
      TAA, Semedo, Chilwell, Justin, Mitchel
      Salah, Pulisic, Son, Jrod, Zaha
      Jimenez, DCL, Brewster

      ?

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

        No. Your current team is good enough

        1. Dr. Ante Pavlovic
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Im missing Son

    • Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would you rather keep KDB or Bruno?

      1. Feed tha Sheep
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        KDB

      2. FC Hakkebøf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        KDB

      3. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Bruno, that 1m makes a difference

    • Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Which one?

      A. Foden > Son
      B. Werner > Kane

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

        A

      2. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I like Son but I'm biased. Similar output but Son is cheaper.

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

      Why all the foden and podence hate, surely they are good picks for their price range?

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

        Better picks cost more.

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

        Foden's been one of my biggest trolls, and not even nailed. Will get rid

    • The Red Devil
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Vardy foden mitrovic
      To
      Kane son Watkins?
      Gotta do tonight for price rises or just foden mitrovic to son and Watkins?

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

        Good moves. Kane will outscore Vardy.

    • Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish & Maupay worth 1.6m more than Trossard & Watkins?

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

        Probably

      2. DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Trossard and Watkins probably worth it. Maupay on pens but 1.6 worth it

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      really wanted from Watkins to stay quiet tonight ffs so i can bring him. Now it's too knee jerky to bring him

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

        Yeah now he's scored a hattrick he's a bad pick

        1. Niho992
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          yeah, he will probably blank in next few fixtures. That's how s going this year tbf.

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

        I was going to bring him in after Leicester but he'll probably rise twice by the deadline so it's annoying for me too.

    • Bucket Man
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Worth it

      McCarthy
      TAA, Castange, Ayling, Taylor, Mitchell
      Salah, KDB, Rodriguez, Podence, Bissouma
      Martial, Ings, Mitrovic

      To

      Martinez, Steer
      TAA, Chilwell, Saiss, Ayling, KWP
      Salah, Sterling, Son, Rodriguez, Trossard
      DCL, Watkins, Brewster

      Or too knee jerk after awful start

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

      Please approve this kneejerk: Foden, Doherty > Son, Chilwell -4

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

        Looks solid to me

    • Pointless
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How nailed is Chilwell? Is he worth the saving over TAA? I’m thinking of selling TAA and keeping Robertson. Chilwell a good option?

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

        I think he is nailed but not sure about Chelsea's next two fixtures for CS potential. Southampton usually score against teams that attack them.

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

        TAA is not looking as dangerous as last season and Klopp will want to steady the ship, so I'd go Chilwell for upgrading elsewhere.

    • skodaole2
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Have Mitrovic and Jimenez. Having no FTs is it worth losing one of the two for a hit? Their teams main threats, both with ideal fixtures and on pens but on the other hand no form. Defence and mid are ok but so many good choices in attack this year. Any thoughts appreciated

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

        I’d probably move on Mitrovic though Fulham did look better today

    • Serendipity
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Deciding between
      Grealish and Robertson (+0.5m)
      or
      Chilwell and Son

      Chilwell to match Robertson? Son exceeding Grealish I'd imagine.

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

        For the time being surely Chilwell and Son as you want to be spending money in attack

    • Klaren
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Do we know if Allan and Gomes are expected to be back for Liverpool?

      1. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Allison is expected to be back in a couple of weeks is what Klopp said. Gomez is injured ?

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

          I mean the Everton midfielders, not the Liverpool players 🙂

          But thanks for the info anyway!

        2. The 12th Man
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          He’s talking about Everton players being back for the Liverpool game.

          Not sure about either.

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

        for the Liverpool match*

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

        Gomez had a shocker, so will likely be dropped for Everton

      4. Kryptonite666
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Sheesh.

    • Kryptonite666
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Hows this WC draft

      Martinez, Steer
      Robbo, Chilwell, Justin, Lamptey, Mitchell
      Salah, KDB, Son, Rodriguez, Grealish
      DCL, Maupay, Brewster

    • The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane/son/Dallas in for Bruno/Mitro/TAA?

    • Reacher
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Do both Reece James & James Justin need transferring out soon?

      I’m think both will get limited minutes/starts from now on

    • Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      This is crazy, Son is rising fast on fplstats!

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        We need to tell the casuals it’s international break!

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

        Easily will crack 100.

        1. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Tonight you think TM?

    • Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Worth making the early transfer Havertz to Son?

      1.4itb 1ft
      McCarthy
      TAA Robbo Taylor Justin
      KDB Salah Podence Havertz
      Jimenez DCL
      (Peacock Ayling Bissouma Vassilev)

    • The_FF_King
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is Holding out of favour in arsenal defence now?

    • DandyDon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looking at Werner + Greenwood to Watkins and Son (-4).
      Could backfire massively with fixtures next week
      Yes or No?

    • Zilla
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What a day lol

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

        Amazing, group chat with the buddies was super entertaining Pool fans mock UTD and it swings right around