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. DA Minnion (Former great)
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    This is my brand new team.
    Martinez Steer
    Dallas Justin Mitchell Chillwell Lamps
    Salah Grealish KDB Son Anguissa
    Wilson Kane Dcl

    Thoughts ?

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

      Well they all scored or made an effort this gameweek

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

      Looks pretty similar to my WC setup. I have Ings in place of Wilson though

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

      Isn't Mitchell's time up now that PVA is back training?

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Maybe but he's only 4M. Only need 4 defenders.

    4. Bring back Rafa
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Change Steer for Forster.

      I know you think having 2 Villa GKs helps but it doesn't. With Grealish you already have a triple up, so what will you do if Watkins starts smashing them in. Or maybe Cash or Targett start looking great.

      Better to just back Martinez in and if he does miss a game, just take a 0. Obviously if he's out long-term you just trade him

      1. DA Minnion (Former great)
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Great shout. Thanks.

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

    Jimenez > Kane
    Greenwood > Son
    TAA > Nailed 4.4

    (-8)

    Yes or no?

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

      Looks good on paper until Jiminez gets a brace to make the -8 hurt :/

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

      No

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

      Yes, Jimi won't score a brace....

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

        Yeah would be unlike him tbf 😆

        TAA coming good is the fear though

    4. Bring back Rafa
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nailed $4.4m is Cooper if that helps

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

        Cheers. I was looking at him or Lewis at Newcastle cause ideally prefer full backs but can't be picky at that price!

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

    Have you seen any high ghost ship teams? The best i've come across 39k, with team value of 100.3m

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

    McCarthy —> Martinez
    Davies —> Saiss
    TAA —> Chilwell
    Taylor —> Dallas
    Justin —> KWP
    Bissouma —> Klich
    Podence —> Grealish
    KDB —> Son
    Adams —> DCL
    Jimenez —> Ings
    Werner —> Kane

    Are these moves good enough to warrant a WC or am I being too knee-jerky?

    Other option is to do Werner + Jimmy —> Kane + DCL for a hit instead.

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

      Generally solid moves. Would not do KWP and Ings but other than that should be ok

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

        So I should WC the current lot then?

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

          I would if I were you

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

            Thanks

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

    Chances of Grealish price rise tonight?

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

      No chance currently.

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don't see it.

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

      Very slim

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

        I see. I have the exact funds to upgrade Foden to him but I don't want to be too knee-jerky.

        1. Bank$y
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Knee jerk tomorrow then

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

            Why are you having a go at me for?

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

    Yay or nay?
    Werner & Sterling (I have KDB too) > Kane & Son

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

      You'd have to be insane not to.

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

    Anyone know whether Kilman starting for Wolves is a one off?

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

      When Marcal is back, Saiss will go back to that slot

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

        Any idea when that will be?

  8. Bank$y
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How about the GW highest score of 160 with the triple captain on Grealish? What are the odds of that. Whoever made that team only started from GW3 too. Makes me wonder.

    1. baines is god
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      obviously seems crazy but hey there are 7 million players so it's not unlikely someone randomly clicked on some buttons this week and it paid off

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

      What does it make you wonder?

  9. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    is Watkins a good pick now than Grealish?

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

      Prefer Grealish

    2. DA Minnion (Former great)
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Grealish is the man.

  10. Saka Rice
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Quick, Watson or grealish?

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

      Grealish

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

      the one spelt correctly

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

    Werner or Richarlison out to get Kane?

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

      Richarlison and get DCL or Hamez for your Everton coverage imo.

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

        cheers.Werner->Dcl in gw6 is what i am thinking.Is just Richarlison against Adrian...

    2. Bank$y
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Rich

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

        cheers

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

    Dallas, Ayling, Zouma or Dier?

  13. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My team for GW5:

    McCarthy
    TAA, Coady, Justin
    Salah, KDB, Rodriguez, Barnes, Podence
    DCL, Brewster
    (Steer, Adams, Mitchell, Lascelles)

    Already made a transfer & I have £4.4m itb so plan is to do Adams -> Maupay/Watkins next GW then upgrade Podence to Son....any thoughts/alternatives!? Thanks

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

    Only had Jimenez for one gameweek, but already thinking:

    Jim, Davis > DCL, Watkins (-4)

    Front 8 right now: Salah, KDB, Son, Soucek, Podence // Ings, Jim, Davis

  15. LSK
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Just took a -8.

    OUT: Werner, Zaha, James
    IN: Kane, Son, Chilwell

    Had exact money and I’m doing terribly. What will be, will be.

  16. Saxe-Gotha
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I don't know what's more shocking. United losing 6-1, Liverpool losing 7-2, or someone using the TC on Grealish.

  17. Scratch
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do

    McCarthy / Meslier
    TAA, Justin, Lascelles, Ferguson, Bavies
    Salah, KDB, James Rod, Foden, Reed
    Wilson, Jimenez, Mitrovic &£2.5m itb

    Can exactly afford Foden -> Son if I do it tonight and take the risk.

    Few other areas need attention like Davies, Reed, and probably Mitrovic and Ferguson. Don't think it's worth a WC though.

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

      It would be Foden to Son or Mitro upgrade for me

      I think Son is essential at this point

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

      yes for me

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

    A) Taa,Werner,Podence-->Chilwell,DCL,Son(-8)
    B) WC this lot to catch price changes and fix that defence.
    C)Something else

    McCarthy,Nyland
    TAA,Bavies,Justin,Mitchell,Buur
    Salah,Sterling,JRod,Podence,Bissoum
    Werner,Jimenez,Mitro

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

    Watkins,Trossard,Robertson.
    or
    Grealish,Maupay,5.4 defender.

    Leaning toward B but thoughts?

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

      B looks better by miles just for Grealish.

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

        Agreed just having no pool defender scary

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

          I'm scared of having TAA. Everton could absolutely destroy them.

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

            True but what about after that!?

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

              Yes it feels risky. Maybe Gomez for Liverpool coverage? Lol.

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

      A. Liverpool’s fixtures are unreal

  20. steven8991
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner, Podence, TAA (have Robbo) to Kane, Grealish, KWP for -4. Do it now?

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

      Only if you're worried you won't be able to afford it later.

      1. steven8991
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        will still leave me 0.4ITB. no need to secure those players before price rise?

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

          I dunno. Players could get injured during IB so don't like doing transfers early. If you have your wildcard spare and are willing to use it as a backup then maybe go for it.

  21. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kane Son rising tonight?
    Che Adams losing 0.1?

    Or will they be adjusted for Wildcards?

  22. SoapAFC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Taa to chillwell

    Barnes to son?both for free

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

    Dallas, Ayling, Zouma or Dier as a replacement for R James?

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

      Whichever is the cheapest option.

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

    Ok, early transfers done. Losing TAA may come to bite me, but hey. Anything to change here?

    Ryan (Martinez)
    Chilwell Castagne Saiss (Taylor Mitchell)
    Salah [C] KDB Son Rodriguez (Burke)
    Jimenez DCL Wood

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

    Barkley looks like he could be an option. Very impressive tonight

  26. Luton_Fan
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Jose is a liar. Son was never injured, it was all mind games. So amnoyed.

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

      Agreed. I benched for fear of a 1-point, 15-minute cameo. Can't say I'm thrilled. But at least he's still in my squad already.

    2. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah snap took a -4 to get him in gw3 - got rid of Bruno.
      Now took a -8 to get Son back in! He is not moving all season now unless I hear he has lost a leg!

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

    McCarthy, 4.0
    Trent, Saiss, Justin, KWP, Mitchell
    Salah, KDB, Son, Soucek, Podence
    Ings, Jim, Davis

    Jim, Davis > DCL, Watkins (-4) --- ?

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

    Havertz to Son?

    Meslier
    TAA Robertson Dier
    KDB Fernandes Havertz Foden Podence
    Jiminez DCL

    Steer Brewster KWP Ferguson
    1ft £0.8m

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

    Can you RMWCT please? Thank you

    Martinez, Button
    Chilwell, Semedo, Justin, Mitchell, Dunne
    Salah, Sterling, Son, JRod, Zaha
    DCL, Jimenez, Brewster

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

    Best sub £7m striker? Very hard to call.

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

      Antonio is on fire and I think he's pretty much fixture-proof.