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

    After the turn of Spurs fixtures forward line of Antonio Bam Bam and DCL?

  2. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    This City team are a shadow of the side 2/3 years ago

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

      Mendy injuries destroyed him. So City have no good left-footed LB.
      Walker's age is beginning to catch up with him so he isn't as good.
      Kompany not replaced.
      Silva not properly replaced (Bernardo and Foden have not stepped up to his level).

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

        Fernandinho's age has also caught up with him and Rodri is not as good as Fernandinho was 3 years ago.

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

          No Dilva no Sane no Mendy

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

          And no Sane providing width on the left hand side

    2. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Agüero injuries catching up...

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

    West Ham defending well here

  4. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez is trash. Why isn't Gundo on. YC.

  5. Keep Calm and Play On
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    How is that not a card after the play from Gundogan??

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

    Stupid new rule, if the ref gives advantage and there isn't dangerous play then he can't give a card after that.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Extremely stupid...

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        😉

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

      Really? Wow

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Used first time in this match...

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

    How scared are you having no hammers today?

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

      Rank destroyer

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

      Im ok

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

      Luckily I have cover, otherwise would have been scared

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

      I’ve got Soucek but not expecting much 🙁

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

        I raise you Antonio, but first sub.

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

          Ouch! Who you playing instead?

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

            Ayling and Kilman

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

          I know it’s hindsight but who did you start ahead of Antonio?
          City defence not that strong

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

      Glad I went tripple hammers on my WC

      1. Keep Calm and Play On
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Wow bold! Still lots of game to play but looks good as of now

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

    Yeah, I was right to be worried. West Ham have become a very good team under Moyes and this City team is lacking offensive ability with the double pivot.

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

      GW8 im doing Saiss to Cresswell

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

        James to Masuaku for me probably

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

    Gundo has to come off here. Not sure why he's even starting after he started against Porto. This is a Foden game

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

      t. Foden owner

  10. manu4life99
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio or Bamford?

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

      Bamford surely

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

      Both they look amazing value this year

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

        Getting rid of Kane and DCL?

  11. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Should have gotten Masuaku. Westham looking solid.

    1. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Or Coufal?

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

    30 minutes and Fabianski not even make a save yet

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

    Nice London bus by West Ham

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

    Antonio is so strong, I’d say he’d take Traoré 😆

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

      From behind?

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

        What every your into buddy 😉

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

          *whatever

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

          *you're

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

            Ta

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

      Just get in the West Ham defender who marks Antonio in training

  15. Bartowski
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    The current top four is:
    Everton
    Aston Villa
    West Ham
    Leeds

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The top 6 have joined the European Premier League

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

      Give it a few GWs and the Top 9 teams will be the same ones - Man City, Liverpool, Chelsea, Man Utd, Arsenal, Spurs, Everton, Wolves, Leicester.

      Then you will have Leeds, Villa, Southampton, Palace, West Ham, Newcastle fighting for 10th.

      Burnley, Sheff Utd, Brighton, Fulham, WBA fighting relegation.

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

    Everyone start buying Antonio I want those price rises fast

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

      i will tonight

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

        No point, he's on -98.3

    2. Springbank
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah he will rise fast but I’d rather his points on my team than mocking me on my bench :((

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

      I prefer Jimenez (CPL) to Antonio (liv), so nah, I'll wait a week.

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

        No VVD no Alison, Antonio is better bet than Jimmy

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

          Roy defense is decent

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

      Liv next, nah

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Without VvD, Alisson perhaps not certain yo start...

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

          Still Liverpool.

    5. Bobby Reds
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Would of been quicker to just type "I have Antonio and he scored".

  17. Springbank
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Need Soucek to return something- even an assist at least - or I’m going to be a very unhappy Antonio ‘ bencher’ 🙁
    One of those 50/50 that has gone wrong again..

    1. manu4life99
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      You benched Antonio over Soucek?!?

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

        I did:((( went to the wire
        Found all sort of stupid reasons at deadline time to play Soucek:(

        1. manu4life99
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Sorry to kick you when you're down but that is more like a 80/20 call not a 50/50!

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

      Never in a million years would I have played Soucek ahead of Antonio. Isn't he on pens too? What was the logic behind that?

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

        Well said I dont get the logic too, why bench the striker and play the DM?

      2. Springbank
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I know... it’s painful trust me!

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

          Yes we've all been there. Soucek could still deliver mind you.

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

            Thanks Granville yeah let’s see.. I’ve just tried to play it too clever or I blame Joe’s goals imminent table !

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

      Soucek is garbage, not sure why so much hype over him.

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

      50/50 😆

      Not even saying this in hindsight but that was never a 50/50 call

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

        For me anyway

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

          Really? Ouch I genuinely thought it was with Soucek set pieces treat and Antonio slight hamstring scare

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

            I didn’t realise Antonio was a doubt but even in that case he was either likely to play or not feature at all. Penalties for Antonio too right?

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

            Hope Soucek drops to 4.7 or 4.6

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

            It’s unfortunate. I’ve made terrible decisions myself every week so far this season.

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

            Soucek a good option, but even with anotonio injury scare he should have been starting and if injured soucek would play. But in fairness, id still say city are there for the taking still, and soucek is getting in the box

    5. Mike2795647
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wow, that should not even be a 50/50

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

    I can't quite believe this transformation of West Ham. They look like a top 6 side. City however just look like a team of individuals.

    1. FPL price manipulators are …
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      They're playing the West am way

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

      Agree. After the first few minutes of the game last week, I thought it was a blip but the manner in which they fought back was incredible.

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

      Antonio has been Drogba since January

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

        Drogba? Really?

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

          His underlying stats are amazing

          Why i have him.

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

      They've been this good since at least lockdown - check out their data from that period!

      Soucek and Bowen were amazing signings for them in January.

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

        yes, I agree as players but do you think Soucek is gong turn out to be one of those really good players who doesn't;t translate to really good FPL player?

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

      Bowen too. They look powerful with plenty of pace.

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

      The manager benched a lot of overhyped players and that worked

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

      And Spurs scored 3 against them so easily

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

        Feeling confident about Kane captain

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

      Won't play city every week

  19. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo very attacking. Sadly he is not nailed.

  20. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Bring Foden at HT

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

      KDB

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

      *Kdb

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

      this

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

    West Ham making that tough fixture run look like a joke.

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

      LIV next week what’s your verdict?

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

        0-4 Antonio poker

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

        DCL showed he’s a definite play

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

        I guess don't captain Salah

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

        Pool defence without Allison and VVD surely makes them a bit more weaker

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

      Tough for defenders, not so tough for mid & fwd.
      Not buying with antonio due to haller threat... Not a thrrat anymore i guess.

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

    Soucek doesn't go that far forward, does he? Could be the opposition

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

      Not this game he isn't, and rightly so. Against lesser teams he plays as a centre forward at times.

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

      He's a DM like Rice. Just he can play the 'Fellaini role' for Moyes when West Ham need a goal and has threat at set pieces.

  23. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    City will concede a second here. They look vulnerable each and every time westham push forward. Flappy has hardly been tested.

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

      Ay KDB will come on

      1. Mike2795647
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Agree and then city will then score, will be interesting if Moyes then moves the bus

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

      Antonio need to score another one

  24. boc610
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez has one trick and he will never be as good at it as Robben was

    1. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who said he was as good as robben 😆

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

    This is how I imagined Spurs vs Hammers were going to go tbh

  26. ⭐ Bemba_Da ⭐
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    City have become a possession based side lacking threat

    Pass pass pass. If you cut out the passing channels they really struggle.

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

      All Jorginho whatsoever

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

      They need KDB for those passes. Silva is a big loss.

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

    I'd say the smaller teams who aren't affected by the normal pressure of playing in front of a crowd. These improved performances are going to catch out managers of top teams like Pep. So more surprising wins by lesser teams.

  28. Boomerang V
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Tempted to go with this front line of DCL/Antonio/Bamford

    I thought Bamford was going to be like Pukki last season. He would start getting some goals but would regress to a poor average; however, with Bielsa attacking style I think he will score plenty of gol throughout the season.

    1. Boomerang V
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      *plenty of goals

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

      Me 2. After those Kane fixtures turn I might do it if I don't go Kun

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

    Had a quick look at some wolves fans forum

    They want Saiss dropped but expect Kilman will be rested for Marcal this week

    Either and im happy to get some Antonio points

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

      If only fans decided the team. I want a lot of changes for my team too but they never happen

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

        Sometimes it can be of use.

        Leeds forums had the team spot on last night

        I reckon there is a good chance Kilman is rested since he is 1) Young 2) Nuno may want a more attacking lwb with Saiss moving inside

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

      Rested? For what

  30. FER FUSCH AKE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why start Mahrez ahead of foden?