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. Paul Psychic Octopus
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well that's stopped the Antonio bandwagon in its tracks.

    Knee-jerkers back to Bamford.

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

      For -4 now.

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

    Fodennn!!! Yes

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

    Game on!

  4. Seanigula
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    This couldn’t be going any better

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

    Of course Foden scores. No surprise the way this season is going

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

      TBF he passes the eye and stats tests. Yet ANOTHER great option.

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

        Passing the eye test is subjective

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

          So if the eye test is subjective, and as you said 'He just racks up stats without actually finishing his chances' - so you can't trust the stats, where does that leave you?

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

            With other players

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

              So is he still a rubbish coverage trap?

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

                Rubbish coverage traps score sometimes. Look at Jorginho

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

                  I wanted to contest that point and then I checked the data... I don't know what to say.

                  Perhaps it seems different because Foden is an emerging player and so the stats rules don't apply in the same way?

                  Anyway I can certainly see your point now.

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Passes the rotation test aswell

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

    Granville is on a roll, tells you everything about this season...

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

    That's what you get with foden. Unsure of starts, but still a possibility of goals.
    Non owner, have sterling.

  8. Hotdogs for Tea
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well, Kun & Struijk hasn’t worked out very well on my WC 🙂

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

    Pep's a total fraud, doesn't even know his best 11

    1. Ozzy smith
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lol

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

    Haller is a better player than we have seen from him in the PL. Maybe now he will get his shot.

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

    Took Foden out two weeks ago, he’s returned two weeks in a row... you have me to thank everyone who still owns!

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

      Thank you Hryszko

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

      Cheers lad

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

    People don't actually own Foden really?

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

      have grealish

      1. Neves say Neves
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Same. We’re idiots.

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

      You mad?

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

        No. Stunned

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

      Casuals who can't afford someone better picked him and got rewarded as usual

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

      You would rather have Aguero?

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

        Wouldn't own any city player

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

      Had him post restart. He was getting lots of minutes but still blank.

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

    Beautiful Foden redemption for owners

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

      Yes

  14. Obi Wan Elokobi
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    4 point hit Bruno and Wilson out for Grealish and Aguero. I love dis game. Might stick a tonne on Wilson and a Bruno goal

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Poor moves really

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

      Selling Bruno seems strange especially for a hit

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

        this

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

        indeed, bad move imo. Bruno was great last week and has Chelsea this week

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

      Why'd u get rid of bruno after that game against Newcastle and then psg too

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

      Aguer sub was tactical or injury?

  15. Salah’s Sonnet
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Lol Foden still shocking even with the goal, quick everyone flock to him!

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

      Already own him. 6.5 for a regular goalscorer from the most attacking team in the league. Easiest pick in the game.

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

    Foden in

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

      high speed internet

  17. Ze_Austin
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Thank you, Foden

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

    Sterlig useless

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Water is wet

  19. Clintymints
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Antonio off and Foden scores after being subbed on

    What a time to be alive

    1. AC/DC AFC
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Old Man moaning back then too!

      Classic...

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

        Oh come on! xD

        Get over it please!

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

          Ha ha!

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

            Hahahaha! My bad!

        2. AC/DC AFC
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Hattrick of poor finishes?

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

      Post enough guff you'll eventually get one comment to stick 😉

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

        😆

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

    Antonio off

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

    Told you. Antonio is to injury prone. Really sad for owners.

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

    2 points from 4...

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

      seriously? im guessing you took a hit

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

        Yep

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

      -1 from 2 here 😆

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

        We are in alot of trouble!

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

          Nah I’m ok. Still have Trent, Robertson, Salah(c), Son, Rodriguez, Trossard, Pereira, Kane and DCL to go.

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

            Lucky..

            Only have (S)alah,Kane,Son,Pulisic,Lamptey,SaissMaupay

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

              With a bit of luck we can still have a green arrow. Here’s hoping Tony.

              To be honest I’d take a minus score from all of my players if it meant United were to beat Chelski

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

    Surely this means Foden is a guaranteed starter now?

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes that's how pep works

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

        for 1 week

      • bitars
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Nah, he didn't even start today and KDB is going in to the team.

      • Meinhoff
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Of course not, it's Pep

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

        Not guaranteed but ups his chances

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

        Mahrez has been off the pace. He should be ahead of him but this is Pep we are talking about.

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

        Until KdB is fit...

      • OverTinker
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hopefully

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

      Well done Scout picks, you proved the doubters wrong, you don’t need to start to score 🙂

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

      Classic FPL, Foden doing bugger all for 2 weeks for me after WC, sell him (for Son, in fairness) and he has G+A and counting in 2.

      Lovely stuff

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

      Soucek makes a run into the box EVERY time the ball is on the wings. What a hardworking lad

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

        He’s going to have a massive haul one week!

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        And that’s why he’s a season keeper

    5. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Benched Foden for JRod & Lamptey, but this at least reassures me he's not a priority to ship (and maybe even decent City cover at a time when their premiums really aren't impressing).

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

      Does the scout picks have budget?

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

      Foden running the show since he came on.