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

    This was all written. Did Foden-> Grealish this week.

    1. Tiki-Taka
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      same, still feel like it was the right move though, especially with foden's benching today which is a key reason i made the move

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

        Yeah bought Grealish for the run in.

        1. Tiki-Taka
          • 13 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          just the way it goes, grealish solo wondergoal could've gone in yesterday and foden could've come on at 70 and got a 1 pointer. hopefully next week!

  2. Duke Silver ☑
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Father and son coming on soon.

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

      Cute

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

      who

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

        Nuno Espirito Santo & Nathan Redmond.

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

          redmond plays for birmingham not west ham mate

          and nuno is the sheffield manager

          some people just don't know about football

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

          Made my day 😀

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

      Who's the son, KDB looks 15...

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

    City are such a crap team. Pep, end of an era...

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

    Great cross by Walker but no City players on the end of it

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

    If you own Foden surely you just play him every week otherwise whats the point.

  6. SoapAFC
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why did aguero come off?

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

      Subbed

      Tactical

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

      Probably injury, but we'll know soon enough...

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

      Not match fit

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

      Turgid performance

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

    Sterling fail... should have bought Son

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

    Amazing what a difference Foden makes. Add some urgency to this ponderous attack

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

    Apparently Man City have never lost a match when Phil Foden has scored (won all 15 before today)

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

      Essential.

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

        That one against Burton at 6-0 was crucial, Burton had them on the ropes.

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

          I love Bob

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

            You're too kind

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

              Bob - not Bobb - okay I love you too

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

      Are you saying he only scores in winnable matches?

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

        no I just read it and thought it was an interesting stat - make of it what you will

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

      In 104 away fixtures, City have only won once when they were behind at half-time. Which pointless stat will triumph - It's like putting buttered toast on a cat and dropping it...

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

    Many people here told me to get Grealish/Barkley for Barnes but I went for Foden instead. Their advice is important for me but feels good that I listened to myself!

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

      Well done Pep

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

      The thing that will trump us however, is a Barnesy brace.

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

        This is likely to happen as I sold for a hit 😆

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

      Just hoping he is nailed after 2 performances from bench and Pep doenst use him as impact sub ffs! I would get grealish and foden both, grealish was an inch away from goal of season

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

      Remember many people are your opponents in FF...

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

      Would be sensational testimony if it were Bamford for a hit instead 😉

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

      How do I learn this power!

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

    I know Foden earns only 60k per month, but he surely can afford something better than a Dumb & Dumber haircut... 😆

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

      all the insta thots like it

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

        They would like him if he had a hitler hair and mustache.

        $$$$

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

      60k only? What world you live in Mr.Billionaire? Docs in uk get that much a year after 10 years of studies till MRPCH!

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

        Gentle sarcasm - "only" in comparison to his teammates (e.g. KDB is on 1.5m per month) 🙂

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

      Hahahaha - mate its going to be 'in trend' now as my wife puts it. Just go out and get the haircut now so you can be ahead of the curve.

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

        No curve in that fringe at all... 🙂

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

    KDB coming on

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

      Party

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

    Foden to mop up the baps

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

    KDB on, let's gooo. More Foden goals please

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

    KDB incoming

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

    DeBruyne coming on

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

    KDB goal incoming

  18. Peter Ouch
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kdb 1 pointer incoming

  19. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    When FPL started, I made fun of my mate who went with Bamford. Who's laughing now? Time for me to just admit I was wrong and get him in for Brester?

    Ryan / Walton
    TAA / Lamptey / KWP / Dallas / Mitchell
    Salah / Son / James Rodríguez / Grealish / Harrison
    Kane / DCL / Brewster

    £2.1 in the bank, WC available

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

    So many KDB opinions

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

      I think he's secretly gay. Its sad he can't come out because of football

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

        why it's not the 90's still

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

          I know. He should be more comfortable 🙁 everyone would accept him

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

            Are you actually serious? Why would any one keep that a secret these days?

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

              No im not serious about kdb. He has a wife.

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

                oh, okay

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

        What an absurd comment

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

          yes, very odd!

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

          R u against him being gay

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

            You need to get lost

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

        He's got a kid.

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

          Wish I was a world class footballer

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

            Yeah, that would help.

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

    Foden ownership in top 1k?

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

      5

  22. Traction Engine Foot
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Cancelo has been excellent.

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

    2FT and absolutely no idea what to do. Spoiled for options this season.

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

      Same

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

    How do I switch off the cardboard crowd on my TV, they sound like they're underwater.

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

      Just wait for them to disintergrate

    2. Old Bull
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Some sort of crowd control you mean

    3. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      They should drown soon

  25. Gobigorgohome
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why Bilva is not very good in this City team while he is excellent for Portugal?

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

      Confidence player?

  26. Chief Break-Everything
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My rival wildcarded and essentially has the same template team as me now.. his differentials, however, are Bamford, Foden and Chillwell.. I have Grealish, Motto and Saiss.

    This Gw is trashed, but how on earth do i catch up, if his differentials are clearly better?

    1. Chief Break-Everything
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      *Mitrovic

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

      Season just started. Chill.

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

      No, they aren't

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

      It’s gw5..

    5. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Make better captain choices, among other things.

      Also think your Saiss could very well continue outscoring his Chilwell.

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

      Get other differentials would be the obvious way

      1. Chief Break-Everything
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks everyone. Reassuring and good advice.

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

    Fab great save from kdb screamer

  28. Sim Simma
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    ⚽ Team News 📰
    FUL: Areola, Ream, Aina, Robinson, Adarabioyo, Cairney, Lemina, Lookman, Anguissa, Loftus-Cheek, Aleksandar Mitrovic
    Subs: Rodák, Bryan, Le Marchand, Odoi, Reed, Kamara, Bobby De Cordova-Reid

    CRY: Guaita, Clyne, Mitchell, Dann, Kouyaté, Riedewald, Schlupp, Townsend, Milivojevic, Zaha, Batshuayi
    Subs: Henderson, Kelly, Sakho, van Aanholt, Meyer, Eze, Benteke

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

      Zaha off pens

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

      Mitchell still in the team

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

      PVA bench warming again

    4. Gobigorgohome
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Damn Mitchell

    5. Traction Engine Foot
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Mitchell starts! To block my Ayling points on the bench.

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

      Come on Fulham

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

      Fulham might actually nick a goal here

      Ward's finally dropped

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

        Ward has caused a couple of goals, and Sakho is also benched... so maybe they keep it watertight for a change.

    8. Pukki Party
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zaha not on pens

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

    Mitchell starts, also Clyne!

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

    Mitchell starts

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

      No Ward but will get Mitchell instead.