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. Brosstan
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kepaesque from Ederson. Reacted like he was stuck in a barrel of gelatin

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

      Theres no way to react to a hit like that at point blank, nothing like flappy kepa

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

        De Gea, Pope or Fabianski would all save that no problem

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

          Or Henderson or any other good shot stopper

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

          De Gea is the most overrated player in the league bar none

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

            He's a great short range shot stopper

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

            Adama Traore is.

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

              Firmino...

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

            Tell me how that's not a pen compared to the one Rashford got against Newcastle?

    2. Murder on Zidane's Flo…
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barrel of gelatin #vivid

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

      Probably could have done better but had no vision or line of sight the way it was hit

  2. Fred54
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    DCL > Antonio. Who wants to try that?

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

      nobody until DCL stops scoring for few matches I expect

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

      No chance. There are too many good forwards at the moment, can't have them all.

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

    Shame - I wanted Antonio to keep his powder dry for a week or two.

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

      Finding form before a great run of fixtures is even better do.

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

    Foden to come on for a masterclass

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

      Let's hope!!

  5. mitro
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Coufal looks like a good cheapie

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

    Sterling has barely touched the ball

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

      Oh good. I have him.

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

      Touching the ball doesn't get you points.

      Not being involved in the build up is arguably a good thing.

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

        You have to touch the ball to get points?

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

          only once though

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

    I can see City singing Antonio next season, can I put a bet on that?

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah i’ll bet you £50 they dont

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

        they so will

    2. IN SANE IN DE BRUYNE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not Peps type of player

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

      I think he's good enough to play for a top club.

      Offers so much.

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

      If not City then who? A big club is gonna come knocking

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

      Never heard of the song Antonio. Is it good?

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

        it's raining it's raining again, Antonio, Antonio, it's raining it's raining again

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

    who is the best long term defender up to 5.6m to replace reece james?

    Backline is:

    Martinez
    Taa saiss lamptey mitchell

    Thanks

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

      Dias

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

      Everton defender....maybe Keane

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

      Telles could be interesting

    4. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Telles/Bellerin/Dias/Dallas/Zouma

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

      Coufal/Cresswell

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

        Thanks

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

    Why are city playing long balls? Ran out of ideas?

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

      No creative midfielders

  10. jason_ni
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    City really are a different beast without kdb aren't they.

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

      most teams are without their best midfielder

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

        Maybe, but if liverpool lose one of salah or mane, it doesn't seem to affect them like city without kdb.

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

          that's true - the exception that proves the rule?

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

      And Laporte

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

      They miss Dilva too. Haven't replaced him.

  11. LarryDuff
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So glad i kept Antonio from the start through the price drops

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

    I like Antonio but he is way to injury prone.

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

      too

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

    Form over fixtures lads 🙂

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

      This is only his 3rd goal, he doesn't have form.

      1. FPL_Hazards
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He’s passed the eye test for me

    2. Fred54
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Man City have been leaky ever since Kompany left...

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

        so hard to replace world class CB's

  14. Dexters Laboratory
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden - Keep or Sell. GW10+ fixtures are fantastic

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

      Keep for next week and then see

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

      Sell. Too many nailed on players in that price range.

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

      I would have sold by now. Kdb back

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

      sell. i have him too and he's gone on my potential wildcard. no time for benched players

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

      Depends on structure
      With 2FT I’d like to sell but haven’t got a target replacement just yet

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

      This is the risk with foden, no? Still think he could be a good pick, just have to be patient

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

      A lot of City player vying for the same places.

      If you're happy with benching and sub appearances, sure thing.

      A lot will be out off and move to similarly prices assets, also with good fixtures, who are nailed.

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

    Mahrez just use your right foot lad!! So one footed

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

    Happy antonio owner. But should have done sterling to Salah

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Let's celebrate Antonio owners juhuuuu

  17. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    That was a pen grrrrrr

    1. FPL_Hazards
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Ref doing all he can

      Blatant pen
      Blatant yellow

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio juhuuuuuu get in juhuuuu

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

      Dial up?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not watching on a Family dinner in a yard on a splendid weather and just saw it. Is that ok to celebrate?

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

      My first sub.

      Was always a risk but couldnt find a place for him this week

      Meslier
      Ayling TAA robbo Saiss Kilman
      Hamez Sterling Salah Son
      Dcl

      Still hoping for Nuno to rest Kilman for Marcal

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I would have benched Ayling

        1. FPL Daniel
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Great team btw

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

            Yep, still reckon i have a 50% chance of Antonio from the bench with Hamez / Saiss/ Kilman all possibly benched

            Lets see. Annoying though,

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

    Cancelo looking decent

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

      Rotation and no CS. No thanks

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

        Never an option unless someone gets injured but from a non fpl view

  20. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Michael u beauty I adore you.

  21. FPL_Hazards
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Raging. Should be a pen, Antiono hacked when one on one

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

    Stirling invisible

  23. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    We want more we want more

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

    Foden and Brewster to Bamford and Costa for free (2 FT)?

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

      yes

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me

  25. Baines on Toast...
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    City have no width. Amazing how much they have declined in the last year

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why they sold Sane?

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

        Sane wants to go and good choice he made

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

      No creativity just a bunch of overrated frauds who think they are gods gift to football because they've been tapping in kdb and Silva assists for years

    3. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      City were quality when Mendy and KDB were both fit. Mendy gave them a lot of width down the left and KDB was good at passing it around to create space for the full backs.

      Walker is getting older and is not as good as he was 3 years ago as age catches up with him. Mendy's injuries have destroyed him.

      1. Baines on Toast...
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Agree with this. And agree with the above that they never replaced Sony

        1. Baines on Toast...
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Sane

  26. De Gea is GOAT
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to replace Wood with?

    A) Antonio
    B) Bamford

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

      A

    2. GOTHAM City F.C.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Whoever scores next

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Bam Bam

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

      B

    4. De Gea is GOAT
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Thanks guys!

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

    Soucek assisting the assister 😎

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

    Gundogan not getting booked... refs had a mare there.

  29. Fer Fuch's Ake
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez or Bilva off Foden in at HT surely?

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

      KDB in.

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

        Absolute farce of a decision that was! Crazy

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

          Reply fail... this was for the lack of yellow

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

    No yellow card? how the heck

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

      How that is not a yellow is ridiculous

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

        Ref forgot that incident happened