Dugout Discussion

De Bruyne, Foden on Man City bench as Aguero starts

Kevin de Bruyne (£11.5m) is back in the Manchester City fold after missing out through injury in Gameweek 5.

The Belgium star was also sidelined for City’s 3-1 win against Porto on Wednesday night but returned to training the following day.

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) was also pictured back on the training pitches, though is not part of Pep Guardiola’s matchday 18. Nathan Aké (£5.5m) also misses out for the Citizens.

Joining KDB on the bench is Phil Foden (£6.6m), who fails to earn a place in the starting XI despite only being used as a substitute in the Champions League. Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) captains the side.

Sergio Aguero (£10.4m), who netted a penalty in that Porto clash, starts for the third consecutive game in all competitions.

On the striker, Guardiola explained in his pre-Champions League press conference:

Having Sergio on the pitch, we are better, we are safer. We missed him a lot in important moments in the later part of the season. Now it is good news for us that he is back.

The important thing is that Sergio comes back in good physical condition, starts to get his rhythm, doesn’t get more injuries and and plays good.

At his pre-West Ham news conference, Guardiola said of his other senior striker Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m):

He’s getting better but a tough injury. Hopefully still he couldn’t train with us.

He will be ready when he does train because he gets the form quickly but maybe one week, two weeks before that [happens].

On new centre-back Ruben Dias (£5.5m), the City boss added:

He settled good. He came from Benfica fully fit. He still needs time to get some situations, some ideas, some rhythm and process we need. He’s open minded.

In Laporte’s absence, Dias is partnered by Eric Garcia (£4.8m) at centre-back while Riyad Mahrez (£8.4m) keeps his place from the XI that beat Arsenal 1-0 in Gameweek 5.

Joao Cancelo (£5.4m) looks set to operate at left-back in a 4-3-3 system, though Guardiola’s set-up against the Gunners saw the full-back tuck into midfield for large portions of the game.

While the City manager has named an unchanged XI from the Porto tie – his first time doing so since October 2017 – there are two changes from that win over the Gunners with Garcia and Ilkay Gundogan (£5.4m) replacing Aké and Foden.

On his line-up, Guardiola told BT Sport:

It is what it is. For the teams who play in Europe and international competitions, the schedule is tight with a lot of games. It happened last season, so with the covid situation we have to adapt.

We didn’t have much preparation and we have to get it during the game. That’s why today is another opportunity to improve what we’ve improved the last games and get up to the table.

We decide to continue with the same guys to get the rhythm as quick as possible for some players.

Yeah, he’s important [De Bruyne]. Aymeric is close too and Nathan as well so it’s important players come back.

David Moyes names an unchanged West Ham XI for the third straight gameweek, with the Hammers fresh off a thrilling 3-3 comeback draw against Spurs in GW5.

Michail Antonio (£6.3m) Tomas Soucek (£4.9m) Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) and Arthur Masuaku (£4.5m) are among the names that FPL bosses will be eyeing up ahead of fixture turn for the Hammers in Gameweek 8.

On new signing Saïd Benrahma (£6.0m), who does not make the matchday squad, Moyes explained on Friday:

He needs to get up to speed with what we want and where we are at so it has given me the opportunity to take a bit more time with him.

But I have said the same before with the boys from the Championship, I am not in any rush to put them in. I like to give them the opportunities at the right time.

I will take my time with him, bring him on when he is ready and get him in a good condition to start to then play well when he does.

West Ham United XI (3-4-3): Fabianski; Cresswell, Ogbonna, Balbuena; Masuaku, Rice, Soucek, Coufal; Fornals, Antonio, Bowen.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Garcia, Dias, Walker; Bernardo, Rodri, Gundogan; Sterling, Aguero, Mahrez.

1,445 Comments Post a Comment
  1. have you seen cyan
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    only 3 players today, zzzzzzzzzz
    Guaita, Bruno and Salah. None yesterday, such an exciting football schedule they have created

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah cap?

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Nah went with Kane in the end

        1. Bruce Lee
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I went with Kante, all the best

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            lol thanks you to, I was so close to capping Bruno. Bet he hauls

            1. Bruce Lee
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Penalty to United

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Feels certain, he also looked vgood last week, can see him assisting or scoring in open play also

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Trent Robbie and Salah captain for my 3

      1. have you seen cyan
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        nice

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          I hope so Trophé Mourinho I am currently on -1 from 2...

          1. have you seen cyan
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            triple pool is differential territory now. My gut said all week that TAA is gonna be a great option next 2

            1. FPL Blow-In
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Here’s hoping. Good luck this week.

              1. have you seen cyan
                • 4 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                ty u2

  2. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    There is nothing more naive than saying 'He won't play X Team every week'

    The sad thing is the people that say things like that actually believe it

    1. Ginkapo FPL
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Whats wrong with saying it?

      1. Bruce Lee
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Saw someone say 'Bamford won't play Villa every week' and meant it

        Before the game Villa were top of the league and lots had a triple up... the same people saying the above quote were saying Leeds would get swept aside by Villa. To go from one extreme to another is naive

        Also, it assumes that the player in question is physically unable to score against any other team

    2. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sometimes it can be true and sometimes it isn't.

      Nothing too wrong with saying it..

  3. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Raheem the Dreem let's go son

  4. PL Ball
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Went Aguero over Kane, and double downed by captaining him too.

    Let's see how this goes..

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

      I bottled the Aguero move and kept Jimenez. Good luck!

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

      Ouch...

  5. Cok3y5murf
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden was always a rubbish coverage trap, so his owners deserve this. Sterling explosion please

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

      Foden will still score well this season as will all City mids and attackers.

      1. The Train Driver
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He won't

      2. Cok3y5murf
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He just racks up stats without actually finishing his chances. Massive troll

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

      No one deserves anything unless you kill flies in the summer.

    3. Maarrrr17
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thats a bitter disposition you have, maybe give the game break for a season?

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

    I need Raz hatty and Kane blanky

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

      Both for me.

  7. The Train Driver
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Man City vs WH 30-3 in the last 9 games...

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

      Is it too much to ask for Sterling hattie

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

      Wolves vs WH was 8-0 in last 4 games. Then they blew us away.

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

      If this season goes to form, it should be W.Ham 4, City 1?

      1. Old Man
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes - with hat-trick from Rice.

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

      And a Soucek hatty of course...

  8. Hansel
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best move? 2FT

    A) TAA, Mitro -> Lamptey, Kane
    B) Podence, Mitro -> Barkley, DCL
    C) TAA, Podence -> Lamptey, Bruno
    D) Podence -> Grealish
    E) Jimi -> Kane
    F) TAA, Podence -> Chilwell, Rashford
    G) Justin, Podence -> Kilman, Pulisic

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wait until the games are finished

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

    As a Leeds fan I've been purposely avoiding Bamford as I didn't have any real faith in him watching him last season.I didn't want the double pain of him not scoring and me not getting any fantasy points. But he has shown something that I hadn't expected.
    Is it time to bite the bullet and get him?

    1. Eat my goal!
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Dirt cheap enabler who scores points

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

      Who else can score regular for Leeds. He's gonna get lots of opportunities. I can see him and Antonio as part of the new template.

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

      I have and I'm a united fan so bringing in Leeds players is a bit of a craw in the throat. He seems on elf those players where if he is feeling confident he go on a long run of scoring. A remember him doing that for boro a few years back

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

        excuse all the typos

  10. No_Mo_Salah?
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Soucek brace incoming

    1. have you seen cyan
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      cek yourself

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

      Sou off

    3. The Knights Template
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Soueeeeeeeeeeeeee!

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

    Sterling, soucek and Antonio owner.....need goals!!!!

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

    Interested to see how Sterling does today

  13. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Can’t get Bam without a hit to swap Podence out, or losing Kane/DCL. Annoying. Hopefully doesn’t rocket in price before the GW is out

  14. Kun Tozser
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Maupay, Antonio, or Bamford as a second forward?

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

      Antonio

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

    Whose living their best FPL life.

  16. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does Coufal actually have attacking threat or was last weeks assist a fluke?

  17. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Brewster won't play Fulham every week

    I am keeping

    1. Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zero reason to sell unless he want to splash more on a 3rd striker

  18. Utopsis
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Those without City players... make room behind that sofa pls

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

      SOUCEK!!

      Rehearsing for later

      1. Andy'81
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Looking forward to buying him for 4.8 in a few more GW's.

        1. Old Man
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          He won't go down that far.

    2. Joey Tribbiani
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Nah

  19. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Yeesh, only 3 players today for me (unless I need Mitchell off the bench for Hamez) - Havertz Robbo Salah(c)

  20. I SPEAK ENGELS AND DRINK GI…
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would you transfer out Maupay to Bamford before the price rise today?

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Chasing yesterday's points, before Maupay even plays?

      Yeah, maybe...

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

    Oh dear a boring fulham vs palace game after this.

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

      Go Mitchell lol

  22. 1zverGGadeM
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Go Sterling Go!!!

  23. Top Lad Dakes.
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Please keep them out Hammers. Show some grit. Can’t have any dirty Sterling / Kun points 😉

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kun has pretty low ownership I suppose from an fpl perspective. Still want the hammers to win.

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

      We have to witness a Kun show tonight considering contract extension talks. I went Kane as more defensive play

  24. HNI
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Greenwood looks like another English kid ruined by media stardom. Ravel and Wilshere probably having benders with him. Probably thats why he cant come on time in training whereas seniors can. Hopefully Foden and Sancho dont turn out the same way

    1. Bruce Lee
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      ole said he is good in training?

    2. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You shouldn't believe everything you read by the media or online

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

      I think it's a bit early to make that call

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

      i hope I am wrong guys as he is fresh of breath air and looks to be one level above rashford too

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

    Sterling hattie incoming

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

      Yes

    2. fish&chips
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Please make it so

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

      Yeah I’m expecting this

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

    Foden 1 pointer isnt it?

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

      At best 4 if gets an assist like ucl match. Tiredof these City assets, nailed ones are too expensive but inconsistent amd cheap ones dont even play after rests... Feels like just focus on other top players like bruno kane salah and build around them

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

    COME ON SOUCEK LET’S GO!

  28. Danno - Emre Canada
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    pep roulette.... its all rumours... 172 games, the last time Pep fielded the same team!

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

    Like I said in midweek, Foden has been dropped, not rested. Lackluster performances lately..

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

    I have become a points chaser. Is there any cure?

    1. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just drink about 10 more and you won’t be chasing too much more after that

    2. Mambino
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No, no there isn't