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. MoeZe3bi
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    WC Team
    McCarthy-Ryan
    Chilwell-Lamptey-Justin-Konsa-Mitchell
    Salah-Son-JRod-Zaha-Grealish
    Kane-DCL-Maupay
    0.4ITB

    Would it be better to do
    Konsa>TAA
    Grealish>4.4
    Or keep it as is

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

      I guess defence is fine but maybe time to let go of Justin for a 4.5 that rotates with Konsa or Lamptey.

  2. iL PiStOlErO
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ramsdale Steer
    TAA KWP Taylor Justin Mitchell
    Salah Sterling Jota Romeu Bissouma
    Vardy Werner DCL

    Would you do Jota + Werner to Son + Wilson for -4?

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

    Jimenez or ings >watkins ?

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

      Neither...

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

    Watkins or Maupay?

    Getting Maupay means selling Podence over Foden this week and also means I can't get Trossard.

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

      I'm in the same boat mate.

      Werner to watkins means i can think if I want to lose foden or podence for son.

      The other becomes trossard week after.

      So I'm likely getting watkins

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

        Getting Maupay means I can't get Trossard and I'll be stuck with Podence so that's another problem I'm seeing. Leaning towards Watkins and selling Podence.

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

          Me too

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

            Just hit the button on werner to watkins.

  5. thetommy14
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Watkins or Wilson?

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

      I think both are good but edging to watkins as I think Villa have a lot more Mdf creativity in their ranks than Newcastle and 0.5 cheaper

      1. thetommy14
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yeah think so too thanks

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

    Is Maupay a far better option then anyone below 6.5?

    Apart from Watkins.

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

      Antonio & Wilson have tough fixtures on paper but not bad options.

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

        Yeah true fixtures turn me off

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

          I want one of Trossard or Grealish too so the Maupay or Watkins decision is tough.

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

            I think Trossard/Watkins has the higher goal threat from open play but Maupay/Grealish (probably) have the pens. So depends on how many pens they'll get.

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

              Maupay & Grealish cost 1.6m more too so it's a tough call.

  7. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My team looks good but I’m a little worried about not owning son and Rodriguez as their prices will go up, and don’t wanna make an early transfer.

    Would you WC this?

    McCarthy
    TAA Justin Saiss Taylor (Mitchell)
    Salah Sterling Barnes ( Reed Bissouma)
    Kane Jimenez DCL

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

      No you have Kane and DCL

    2. Steve McCroskey
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Personally I'd keep. My team below is in a far worse state than yours

    3. ZAWAd25
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers!

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

    A. Salah Sterling Rodriguez Son Wilson/Watkins
    B Salah Son Grealish Rodriguez Kane

  9. Steve McCroskey
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you WC this lot? Such a strange season I don't know whether this is a decent team or not:

    McCarthy / Button

    TAA / B.Davies / Justin / Holding / Mitchell

    Bruno / KDB / Salah / Podence / Bissouma

    Jimi / Adams / Mitro

    1. ZAWAd25
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not owing spurs or Everton is worrying, plus Davies lost his spot. I probably would

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

      Think like this. How many players in you're teams do you want to get rid of?

  10. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Planned transfers are Werner and Anguissa to Brewster and Son. Werner looks like he might drop and Son could rise. Would it be stupid to do it tonight to save the 0.2? International break throwing a spanner in the works

    1. Ajax Hamsterdam
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm making my 2ft tonight if that's any help

      1. fr3d
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Now I'm definitely holding my 2FTs, thanks

  11. Twisted Melon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Current wild card. Any changes needed?

    Meslier Nyland
    Chillwell Lamptey Konsa Dunne Kilman
    Salah KDB Son Rodriguez Stephens
    Kane DCL Wilson

  12. Cousin Greg
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    any decent 4.4 defender, that's nailed ?

    1. MoeZe3bi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell?

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

        only playing whilst PVA out

      2. Cousin Greg
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        already have him
        current lineup is -:
        saiss shaw (out for 4.4) mitchell justin burr

    2. Twisted Melon
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      None that are nailed, ones that are getting most games will be dropped soon due to players returning from injury

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

      Lewis

      1. Cousin Greg
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        is he nailed though?

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

          Gibbs?

          1. Cousin Greg
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Lewis, O Shea, Ream, Cooper, Balbuena, Jack Robinson, Gibbs, Aliaski are my options but not sured which to pick

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

      Cooper right now

  13. Rash
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hit the wildcard button.

    Martinez steer
    Castagne chilwell lamptey mitchel
    Salah kdb son Rodriguez
    Dcl wilson brewster

    Fill the gaps..

    A. Digne grealish
    B. Kwp pulisic

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

      A

  14. dunas_dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Son Chilwell and Maupay look like could rise in price tonight. Thoughts on these moves tonight for -4 ( leaves 0 m in bank hence why need to do tonight!) and gives team below. Yes or No?

    Werner Foden James to Maupay Son and Chilwell

    Fernández
    TAA Saïss Chilwell
    Salah KDB Son Podence
    Jiménez DCL Maupay

    Forster Burke Lamptey Mitchell

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

      Why sell Foden over Podence?

      Wolves struggled to create against Fulham and Foden is starting every match for the best attack in the league.

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

        Might be a money thing.

      2. dunas_dog
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Cash problem- would sell Podence by choice over Foden. Could move to 3-5-2 and get Brewster instead of Maupay- what do you think?

  15. Ady87
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Greenwood/Podence > Hamez/Jorginho
    B) Greenwood/Jimi > Jorginho/Kane
    C) Greenwood > Hamez

    Thoughts on these?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Names might be unavailable for a Pool game?

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hamez

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

    A timeline of the group thinking on here :

    GW1: Spurs are terrible , Son and Kane are trolls, Bruno a must. Vardy amazing. Ditto Jimenez
    GW2: Podence is a must , ditto KDB, Salah maybe not needed, Vardy a troll. Ings and Jimi are essential.
    GW3: Liverpool look amazing, Double Liverpool defence a must, + Salah, Vardy a must. Jimi is a troll.
    GW4: Son amazing, Kane a must, Liverpool are done, Leicester are finished. Podence and KDB are trolls. Watkins and maupey are musts.

    Did i miss anything?

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Haha, missed out the part where everyone said city would win the league and now shipping all their players

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

      Very good this ... shall we log out and let the team play themselves?

    3. El Presidente
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      People saying 8.5m for TAA would still be good value and now selling in droves....

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

      Vardy rotates well with Son+Kane

  17. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone know if Pulisic is off on international duty?

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

    Would you hit the WC button?

    McCarthy
    Trent Shaw Saïss
    Salah KDB Son Podence
    Jimenez DCL Adams

    Bench: Justin & cheapies

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No I don’t think so, just as much chance of it back firing trust me

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

    Yeaaah, make those early transfers.

    Bunch of casuals.

    1. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

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

      Well saaaawry... Have to take out Vinagre now -_-.

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

      Its all good.

      Nice to have a rank boost when nobody is playing for the next 2 weeks due to all the hits flying around.

      1. Calderano FC
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        #casual

  20. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Radical moves required?

    Reece, Jimenez, Mahrez > Chilwell, Wilson, Son?

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

      Reece will start next game.

  21. Meatballs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Feeling so sick need to post for first time. Did Son and Doherty to Harvey Barnes and Robbo for a 17 point loss. Dropping from 45K to 271K.
    Current set up
    Martinez McCarthy
    TAA, Robbo, Saiss, Webster, Ferguson
    KDB, Salah, Barnes, Soucek, Pereira
    Jimi, Mitro, Brewster
    £2.4 ITB
    Wildcard?
    Mitro and Barnes to Son and Wilson?

  22. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Imagine paying 7.5 for a defender who concedes 7 goals a game...

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

      Think your maths is off

    2. MoeZe3bi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      How stupid would it be to get him on a wc

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Liverpool are going to concede 266 goals this season?

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

        Based on the latest sample it's plausible

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

        They are definitely not gonna keep many clean sheets this season. Picking them for just attacking returns isn't worth it.

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

      Indeed, agree 7.5mil is underpriced.

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

    Is Gibbs nailed for West Brom?

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

    Guys, which option is better
    A : Mitro and Foden to Brewster and Son (-4)
    B: Mitro and Foden to Chillwell and Son (-4)
    Thx

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

    97 points this gameweek,very happy with that! What do you think about this move:

    AWB and Podence -> Mitchell and Son

    My team is:

    Martinez
    Digne - Justin - Saiss - Lewis - AWB*
    Salah - Sterling - Grealish - Hames - Podence*
    DCL - Jimenez - Brewster

    thank you!!!

    1. MoeZe3bi
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good move imo

  26. Ajax Hamsterdam
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Feels awful even saying it but time to sell taa ? Thanks

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

    (-4) for the last time this season, all the players i changing they haul..

    How it looks this g2g after transfera

    Mccarthy
    Taa mitchel taylor davies justin
    Salah son kdb bruno soucek
    Watkins Dcl davis

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

    1st in my ML get Grealish and ASM from the bench for JAmes and Mount. LOL

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

    Best 5.4 defender?.

  30. FreddyP3
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why no Trent OG? Shot was clearly going miles wide?

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

      He's English while Jimmy isn't, so he got awarded an OG last week when that header was on target.