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. afcblegend
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    "City have had at least one major season-ending injury the last 4 seasons: Gundogan, Mendy, De Bruyne, Laporte/Sane, I'd like to see how Liverpool would have done losing their equivalents!"

    Tom Poynton in Bristol

    Consider me triggered

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

      Guess we'll find out this season.

    2. Rolls-Royce
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gundogan and Mendy shouldn't really count.

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

    Will KDB snatch PKs back from Aguero when he comes in?

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

      We shall find out soon hopefully. Does affect my transfer a lot

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

    City missing that fear factor

  4. Mario Balofail
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    KDB to come on it seems...

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

    Remember when Antonio was used as a wing back...

    1. Mario Balofail
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Those days haha...

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

    No Van Dijk, No Alisson. Think it may be time to stock up on West Ham a week early.

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

      Alisson will be back

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

    Bernardo Silva is no David silva

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

      Haha, so not even close, David Silva one of City's greatest ever players and was just a magician on the ball

    2. Penang Sandman
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      running around like a chicken for the past 2 seasons now

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

      He cannot play that position. Look how he plays for Portugal... but the Catalan genius knows better...

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

    Gundongan getting himself in the box often (checks price)

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

      Don't do that to yourself.

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

        I Fodened myself already

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

          Große

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

    first time really watching Declan Rice play and to be honest he is not worth 40million pounds. Average player overated by English media.

    1. Dr Van Nostrand
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Indeed English premium

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

      Like Longstaff valued at 50m LOL

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

      I thought he has been decent actually

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

      jeez hes playing well what game you watching

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

        This time of the week is always full of useless comments.

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

      You could say that about anyone after ONLY watching for 45mins, wtf

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

    I've got a bad feeling about my decision to captain Sal over Kane

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

      I did the opposite and also have a bad feeling. Will always be like this.

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

      Based on nothing, relax.

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

        it might be my hangover that's the real issue

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

      I have a good feeling cappin Salah no cap

  11. Bobby Digital
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    So many good forward options this season

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

    Moyes > Pep

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

      Never in doubt

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

    City are an overpriced fulham right now. Pass pass pass, no plan or real threat.

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

      Pep's maybe stayed too long?

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

      100%

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

      It's pretty obvious all the eggs are in the Champions League basket.

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

        that's not a good basket to put eggs in

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

    City averaging a goal a game

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

    city on the ropes.

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

    Where did this coufal fella come from? He’s quite good

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

      Came from a Czech team early October for £5.4m. Good scouting.

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

        The Czech connection with soucek

        Shows some real bargains to be had. I thought he’s looked very good since he’s come into the side

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

      Keep it quite now! Hidden gem.

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

        Him and Masuaku are both 4.5m wingbacks.

        Prefer Masuaku personally.

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

          But isn't cresswell on set pieces? I'm being swayed to him. Is masuaku better than him as an option too? Disregard the prices. I will switch saiss to one of them in gw8

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

            Disregarding prices, Cresswell will probably outscore Masuaku slightly.

            But I think Masuaku is better value than Cresswell.

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

              Actually wouldn't be surprised if Masuaku outscored him tbh.

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

      Slavia Prague

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

    soucek attempting Gru's scorpio kick.

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

      I am getting for WBA most probably

  18. lordkippe
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling looks a real fail for me this gw. red arrow coming

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

    Aguero off pace. could he hooked off at HT.

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yeah they’ll bring on Niall Quinn on as they have so many strikers on the bench.

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

      Right on the money

  20. Fudgy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Absolutely horrific start. Sterling out my team and never come back you pathetic rat!

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

      Not even halfway through the game Fudgy.

      If West Ham score 3 goals in 10 minutes, so can City.

      1. Fudgy
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not feeling it unfortunately and I'm fuming with Sterling

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

      They do face sheffield next tho

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

      Yikes

    4. Jarnathan
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      City have shown none of the form from last season so far, so why did you think he'd suddenly spark?

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

    Looks Reece James to Coufal is on cards. We need to assess Whu 4.5 assets. Will be difficult to pick the correct one.

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

      Is he nailed on?

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

        The way he is playing he should be?

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

    Aguero off at HT? City on the counter and he’s walking past the halfway line...

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

      Yea noticed that too. He just passed the ball on and then jogged lazily behind.

      1. Warbling Wendy
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He's shattered

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

      He's not looking up to speed - and well spotted by the way.

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

    Aguero is looking absolute garbage. Not pressing, lazily jogging around, poor ball control, doesn't even bust a gut when they have a chance to counter

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

      He needs time to get match fit

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

        If he's too unfit to participate in a counter attack after 40mins he shouldn't be on the pitch

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

      He's making me sick

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

      I was looking to bring him in this week. Not sure what to do now.

  24. Chirsbom
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Staying of City for a while. First I want to see form improvement, then the fixtures. Way too many other options to support premiums from that team.

  25. Warbling Wendy
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Aguero walking around at the end of that half, he looks shattered already.

  26. el polako
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Anyone can explain to me how come Gundogan wasnt booked for his pull on Declan Rice ?

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

    I don't fancy Salah captain against this West Ham team. Kane against Brighton seems more appealing. Anyone else

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

      Bruno captain next week Vs Arsenal. Was on Salah vs Westham but hammers look like prime AC milan right now.

  28. Pep's Money Laundry
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who looks better to own?

    A. Coufal
    B. Masuaku

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

      Coufal has looked better

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

    City need a new coach or new players. Ideally both

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

    Is bowen having a good game?

    1. Yankee Toffee
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      great game actually