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

    Masuaku has had a good game

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Was just about the say it.
      Looks more composed and mature this season.
      Talent was always there.

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

      Planning to bring him in in 2 weeks' time, as long as price changes don't prevent it.

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

        Yeah I was looking at Cresswell but Coufal and Masuaku both look decent for cheaper. Still think Cresswell our scores them over the season

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

          Agree, if you can afford the extra 0.5m. Cresswell has free kicks in his locker as well.

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

    Sterling get out of my team

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

      And Mahrez

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

    Antonio dropping to 6.2m tonight then. Hope it's not serious...

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

      Didn't see the injury, how did it look?

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

        Think he just pulled up saw him waving to the side line

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

          Has a history of hamstring injuries.

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

        Didnt look like anything he just signalled the bench and then went off a few minutes later

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

          He was moving fine after he signalled and before he went off

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

        I didn't either. Was making egg soldiers.

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

    Remember when the commentators used to say watching City was like watching Barcelona. What happened???

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

      It still is.

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

        This is too true 😉

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

      Barcelona are not very good atm either.

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

      Even City fans I talk to say the football is nowhere near as good as when Pep first came. I guess it's easy to be ignorant when brain cells are in short supply. Lollipop anyone...

  5. The Red Devil
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Would this be Sterling's first blank against West Ham in a long time?

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

    Would love a Haller winner

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

    Mahrez should be hitting that first time

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

    Formals 😆 surely was 2yards offside?

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

      Oh he was just about inside his half I’d say

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

    Lol at Mahrez

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

    He was on, ffs... 🙁

    1. Free Hat
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looked a toe off the midline at first glance.

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

    Spurs will win the league

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

      Time to go home!

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

      Not after losing 3 goal lead last weekend they won’t

    3. SAKA AND EMILE SMITH ROWE
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Defence is tripe, but will be up there sadly

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

      Now wouldn't that be a thing!?

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

    Cancelo had a good game. Was a brilliant Champions League fantasy pick for Juve a while ago, as was often played as a winger.

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

      His passes were so bad kept giving away the ball.

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

    Mitro to Bamford?

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

      See how today goes. He has WBA next week.

    2. Botman and Robben
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wait for Mitro's hattrick against Palace first.

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

    Yes Fabianski yes!

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

    Great goalkeeping.

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

    Sterling is stupid

  17. Zilla
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    lol raheem

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

    Sterling is nowhere near as good as is made out. And I say that as an owner.

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

      English bias.

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

      He is

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

    I swear that Sterling just smiled and said “Fudgy”

    1. @persecuted_by_mods
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He said season over

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

          😆

      • Debauchy
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        And again lol

      • The Ejiptian King
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Smirked, winked and mouthed, "season over".

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

        If his mind is on sweets it explains a lot

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

      Pep absolutely fuming. Sterling captaincy revoked

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

      that was Stupid from Mahrez too lol

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

      Sterling one on one sitter

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

      Mahrez is stupid

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

      Sterling you are rubbish

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

      Conflicted here now. Mitchell first sub for Hamez.

      Obviously best case Hamez starts/plays and returns - but would hate for that to glue a Mitchell CS to the bench!

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

      for crying out loud sterling, finish that!

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

      Oh Sterling..

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

      Does Pep have a Mahrez blind spot? He is everything the great Guardiola teams have not been

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

      Yarmolenko has no right to be on the pitch he has lost the ball so much he has been absolutely terrible today everything he has touched went to sh1te

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

        That's your 6th post on this page, must be a record

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

      Dear Pep,
      Please can you arrange for another Foden goal.
      Many thanks,
      Old Man.