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. FPL_DON
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Few must be weighing this up, who to get in for Werner?

    A) Watkins
    B) Maupay
    C) Wilson

    Any help appreciated!

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

      Keep Werner. He wont have a barren run for long.

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

        He looks so poor, can't bear to ahah

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

          Its strange but the likes of Watkins and others cant sustain those numbers for longer.

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

      Ive gone Watkins as I want Trossard in midfield and not a fan of Newcastle's fixtures.

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

        Like the trossard shout, cant fit him into my structure though

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

      I did for watkins

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

        Nice, thanks mate

  2. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best option from these? cheers

    A. RJames/Foden -> Chilwell/Son?
    B. Barnes/Foden -> Rodriguez/Son?

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo Saiss RJames Lamptey Mitchell
    Salah KDB Podence Foden Son
    DCL Jimenez Brewster

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

      B for me

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

        Cheers

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

    Time to sell taa ? Thanks

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

      Not for me

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nah holding. He will come good.

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

        Cheers

  4. Danstoke82
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How on Earth did Shaw not get a Red Card for that tackle on Lucas? Shocker

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

      Yes, it was intentional, and challenges like that can cause bigger injuries.

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

      He's english

  5. Mind över Mata
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Knee jerk or brilliant?

    Mitro, KDB, TAA -> Kane, Son, Chilwell (-8)

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

      Incredibly tempting

    2. Danstoke82
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Still feel uneasy losing KDB and TAA. Both are class players and will come good. Then you’ve got to find a way of getting them back

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

        this

      2. Volley127
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Agreed. Too knee jerky for me.

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

      Terrible

      Its not just -8 this week but longterm

      Mitro KDB and TAA all have nice fixtures in week 6

    4. BenDavies
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      points chasing. all three of mitro kdb and taa could come good next gameweek. if it was for free, then sure, but not for a -8

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

      Too knee jerky. KDB and TAA could easily haul next week, find another way to get Kane/Son

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

      KJ

    7. The Mandalorian
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Genius

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

      -8 is mental. West Ham are gonna do the same they did today.

    9. diabydoesgallas
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would’ve been brilliant this time last week 😀

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

    Would you prefer Maupay, Watkins or Wilson?

    Doing Foden > Son & Ings > one of the above.

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

      Asked the same myself above, leaning towards Maupay

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

    bottomed...
    rmt.0.1itb

    Ryan steer
    Chilwell Sais Mitchell Lamptey Dallas
    Kdb Salah Hames Zaha Burke
    Kane DCL Wilson

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

    KdB (C) locked in for next GW.

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

      Any solid reason?

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

        City didnt get pen 2 GWs in a row. Law of numbers. He will haul.

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

          Arsenal arent pushovers nowadays. Wouldnt be easy and if Jesus isnt back, can see another loss there for them.

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

          Gamblers fallacy. Agree he could do well next week but to expect a pen because there wasn't one this week is nonsense

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

            I was joking about pen. City will bounce back and he is main man

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

    WC draft?

    McCarthy Steer
    Robertson Saiss Taylor Lamperty
    Salah Son Grealish Pulisic Anguissa
    Kane DCL Maupay

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

      strong

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

    Bailly is very popular with United fans and I have no idea why.

    His passing is horrendous, his positioning is horrendous, and his reading of the game is horrendous.

    He's aggressive and can launch himself into hollywood tackles well, but when it comes to using his head he's awful.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Better than Maguire

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

      With his athleticism, pace and tackling, he was a good defender when he first joined. However he's been injured about 70% of the time since then and has been awful for the last 2 years or so.

  11. panda07
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is going big at the back a thing of the past or do you think that things will settle down soon? The amount of goals being scored can't continue or can it?

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

      It will continue until Dec 31

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

      With the number of goals, you should go big in midfield and possibly forwards.
      The problem is knowing which ones will score big and which will blank. 🙂

  12. RealSocialDads
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is this defence too light? Would be playing 3 at the back every week

    TAA Taylor KWP Dallas Mitchell

  13. Rinseboy
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you keep from Barnes Havertz and Foden!???

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

      Barnes. Class player in a scoring team.

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

      Havertz- think biggest upside/ceiling and expect Chelsea to click post IB

  14. AIRMILES
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I think that during Covid restrictions, with no crowd in the stadiums, the penalty spot should be moved back two yards. Most of the pressure comes from fans in the stadium.

    1. IRBOX ⚽
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yes because football rules don’t stipulate 12 yards....

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

        Rules change.

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

      So when I play amateur football on a Saturday...? Ridiculous statement. Its a game with rules...

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

        Simply an opinion, mate. Don't get your knick knacks in a twist, bro!

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

      Is this trolling?

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

        Nope, it's my genuine view. Penalties are much, much easier to score without a crowd.

  15. jam sandwich
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    who should I prioritise removing:

    Ramsdale - Steer
    TAA - Dier - Saiss - Justin - Ferguson
    Salah - KdB - Rodriguez - Podence
    Jimenez - DCL - Wood

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

      Dier, perhaps?

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

      Dier

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

    Adams and Mitrovic about to drop. Is it worth a -4 now to get Maupay and Wilson in? or just chill and accept the price drops?

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

      Mitro is the only route to goals for Fulham, so might be worth keeping. Then again, they won't be scoring many.

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

      i wouldn't swallow the drops

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

        Why?

  17. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or KDB on WC?
    (have Son)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Double up take advantage of both players on form

  18. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    After a poor Wolves performance against Fulham, worth doing Podence and Jimenez to Son and Antonio for a hit or Havertz to Son?

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

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

      Avoid hits unless 100% necessary

      You dont need to

      Play Ayling, Look in 2 weeks pre deadline to moving Jimi maybe

      Son you can get for gameweek 6 for free

  19. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    One has to go tonight, for Watkins (WC probably during int break, but not decided on it, I'll cool off a bit before pressing that button):

    A) Mitro - he has some shots in the box, and some nice fixtures (shy, CRY, WBA), I am leaning towards keeping him for a little bit. He's more likely to drop tonight, as he almost did last night.

    B) Adams - Southampton seem like becoming defensive side, fixtures are tough (che, EVE, avl) , but less likely to drop, maybe.

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Need to get rid of both but if WC then Mitro first

    2. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sell Adams

    3. Nanoelektronicar
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Cheers, thanks!

  20. 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 transfers

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

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

    Is going without Son or Kane foolish?

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

      yes rather go without KDB

    2. The Hunt
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think you need at least one of them. Barring injuries they're going to be pulling in the points all season long imo.

  22. Kodap
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden & Ings > Son & Wilson?

    Wilson has the better fixtures when compared to the likes of Maupay etc.

    1. super zlatan
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nice moves.

      Son looks great. Wilson good value also.

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

      Watkins has the best service with Grealish, Barkley & McGinn.

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

        Don’t like Watkins, tonight was an anomaly in my opinion..

  23. Totalfootball
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who is quitting FPL today with me ?
    (I m serious)
    THIS game is actually stupid .

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Had that thought myself then remembered I love trying different team combinations. 😀

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

    Should I keep Justin on a wc?

    1. The Polymath
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Have you locked him in a toilet?

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

    Best option to fund Son on free transfers ( probably need tonight to afford)?

    A Werner to Brewster and Burke to Son
    B Werner to Watkins and Foden to Son
    C Werner to Maupay and Podence to Son

  26. HippY
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Soucek Werner > Zaha Maupay and bank the money?

    Or would you keep Soucek over Podence?

  27. jdp219
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy, 4.0
    Trent, Saiss, Justin, KWP, Mitchell
    Salah, KDB, Son, Podence, Soucek
    Jimenez, Ings, Davis
    1FT, 1.5itb

    1) Davis > Bamford or Watkins
    2) Mitchell > Chilwell
    3) Soucek > Bowen
    4) Podence > Grealish
    5) Activate WC to get some EVE cover

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

      Why not Jimenez>DCL

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

    Trossard,Watkins,VVD
    or
    Grealish,Maupay,5.4 defender ( defender in GW 6)
    or
    Grealish,Antonio,Chillwell (GW6)

  29. super zlatan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I have the exact money for

    Werner and Podence > son and wilson (-4)

    Pull trigger ?

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

      Yes. Its a good long term transfers.

      U can also keep Werner for Southmapton and then.bring in Son after, but that would mean u will lose a lot of value. Expecting Werner to do better than Son next gw.

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

    Is it really difficult to WC now and manage having a great team for the next 30gws?
    I think this is why I'm probably not Wcing

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

      U get another WC in gw18/19

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

        U probably need a WC for the last crazy gws where there are blank/double gws etc.

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

      It depends on you thinking if the things have already settled or not, is the good form of some real deal or just the circumstances aligned in some of the games.

      For me, Everton are on good course, and Villa have fixtures coming up. So I would load up on them on wildcard.

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

        I agree... What about Spurs then?

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

          Yep, great next three or four if I'm correct. Not sure about Kane and Son double, but yet it seems so effective. Difficult to put Kane, Salah, KDB and Son in the team and there are value fwds.