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

    Does Foden have a haircut? Or wears an Alice band in a very forward position?

  2. Booked4Dissent
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who thinks man of the match should count towards BPS?

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

      No. Why should Glenn Hoddle who knows jack s*** and thinks disabled people did something in a past life to be that way, have a role in FPL points?

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

      I don't think it should. Subjective.

    3. Andriy Shevchenko is Back
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Man of the match should in theory be based on the same stats that BPS is based on. Would be double counting

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

    The English commentators absolutely creaming themselves over Foden 😆

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

    So my boy Sterling blanked? Maybe someday he'll learn end product, 20 goals down the drain

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

    Think I might trade Sterling back to De Bruyne after watching that.

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

    Whatever Sterling. Stealing a living.

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

      We all enjoyed his performance

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

      Stat pads against relegation fodder a lot

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

      You are right. Over 20 goals +assists, 3 seasons in a role. He us uSeLeSs!
      https://www.flashscore.co.uk/player/sterling-raheem/pfm9avwi/

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

      I liked his performance.
      .
      .
      .
      as a non owner

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

      Stay strong fudgy! You are the real hero of this community.

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

        Cheers

    6. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      get over yourself

  7. Forza
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Sterling and Mahrez are pathetic.

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

    Nobody on here can convince me Sterling is a bad player. Nonsense

    1. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      knee jerking over reacting and pure hatred are common here

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

        It’s so immature

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

      He's not bad, but he's consistently failed to deliver in the big moments for far too long.

      1. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Oh yeah don't forget big matches stinking up the place in 99% of them

      2. F4L
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        he's not a striker. Not a good player with his back to goal, injuries are really hurting City.

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

          Exactly. Here’s some rational analysis. People are overreacting

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

            He wasn’t even playing up front. He’s playing in his ideal lw position but can’t do anything. Needs everything set up for him for a tap in. Most of which he bottles too. Put Mane/Salah/Rashford/Martial/Son in that city team over sterling and they would be unstoppable. Simply not a great player and the English have tried to hail him as their golden boy

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

        Don’t know what Sterling you’ve been watching mate

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

          Let me guess you prefer someone like Dan James because he runs for the badge?

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

            Dan James is awful shouldn't be starting

      4. @persecuted_by_mods
          3 years, 5 months ago

          He's not a bad player, he's a good player, his world class trait is making runs that get him chances. Everything else is average to good at best, he can't pass, can barely control a football, dribbles into himself half the time

          English and overhyped

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

            Okay we agree. Those saying he’s a bad player are talking rubbish

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Oh of course, he's very good but I can't call a man world class who struggles to do the basics so often. He's more the cherry on top when city are firing

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

                  Sterling is flattered by how phenomenal our offensive system is. Though I do believe he's a great player

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

            Tends to have either a wonder day or a mare. No real consistency

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

            Overreaction of course, but tbf he can't help himself with all the tap-ins he misses.

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

            I can see Granville having a field day with some of the replies on here. 😉

            1. @persecuted_by_mods
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Could have one right back at him it's easily done to anyone

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

                  Yep, but he was generally calling out the posters that are guilty of that kind of trashpost.

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

            1-1 is the perfect score when you have no-one on the pitch in your team.

            1. Das Boot
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              🙂

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

              or just have Foden

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

                I have gambled on Willian this week. He aint done anything since week 1, so hopefully he is due a few assists!

          6. A Pain in Niasse
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Sterling missed chances after chances. Pep should have taken him off at the half-time instead of Aguero.

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

              He never ever takes him of if they are chasing. You know why?

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

            Sterling end product is just horrendous man. Imagine if we had Son instead

            1. St Pauli Walnuts
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Soon as he has time to think about the finish he goes to bits. Worse than Darius Vasell when bearing down on goal!

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

            Should have done sterling to Salah!
            A) sterling to kdb
            B) sterling and James to Salah and balbuena/kilman
            C) sterling and James to Mané and Lamptey

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

              Lol. Keep Sterlo

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

            Lads anyone know why Aguero was subbed for injury or sluggish performance ?

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

              Not injured so tactical is my guess.

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

                King Mo please don't score too many today 😀

            2. NULL-X-VOID
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              The latter

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

              Hairdresser appointment

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

                Haha ok thanks all

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

            West Ham have now beaten Wolves 4-0, Leicester 3-0 and drawn against Spurs and City. Completely unexpected. Fair play to Moyes

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

            My lord Sterling is shocking, so glad i’ve not trusted him again this season, nit allowed anywhere near my side. Imagine if you’d captained! Man......

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

            Ok. Now Brewster scoring 5 goals 🙂

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

            Will foden be able to nick a bap?

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

              Missed out by 1 BAP, in Members Zone

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

            Sterling to Kane for a hit before SHU away ? Doesnt look that dangerous

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

              They're different positions so who's the other striker and midfielder involved?

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

                Thinking the same, sterling to Rashford, Jimi to Kane

          15. NULL-X-VOID
            • 10 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Why. The. Hell. Isn't. PVA. Starting.

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

              Because Mitchell is awesome

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

                Not Fit.

                1. NULL-X-VOID
                  • 10 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  oh, damn. I thought he was fit enough.

              2. NULL-X-VOID
                • 10 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                umm Roy doesn't judge his players from their FPL value. The guy has been really poor in Def.

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

                This

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

            Imagine giving the biggest bottler and whiner in your squad the armband... Just lol @ pep

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

            Was Cancelo good today or was Coufal bad?

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

              I thought Cancelo was poor. Gave possession away an awful lot. Did get an assist though but that was more down to Foden's work than anything else.

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

                Lol. Did we watched the same game!?

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

              Cancelo was amazing 2 gw's in a row

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

              he was good

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

            Foden scored 9, 2, 2, 6, 6 in his first 5 games and owners are moaning.

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

              I'm not moaning. Well happy with a sub return.

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

              Moaning he didnt start for sure. Hopefully Pep redressea that

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

              Foden owners now saying they aren't moaners lol u couldn't make this up, flip flops r us.

          19. Railwayman
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Wha isn't PVA starting ? Strange decision from Roy...

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

              Not match fit clearly

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

            The amount of people hating sterling either because they are unhappy he is in their team or gloating because he isn’t. Get a grip.

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

              I've been saying the same thing about him for years despite him being in my team the majority of that time. He's an excellent FPL choice. He isn't the world class player he's made out to be.

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

              Unbelievable

          21. DA Minnion (Former great)
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Should I get rid of sterling? Didn't see the game.

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

              Sell sell sell

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

              But why?
              He could scored 2-3 goals

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

              sell him and buy 2 Bamfords

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

              Of course not

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

            Foden pretty much nailed on for the next game.

            1. Nice to Finally Michu
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              against Marseille?

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

              Far from it

          23. Babelcopter
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            No baps for Foden??? If that’s true someone should be fired.

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

            Everton fans singing were top of the league

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

              They should sing “top half” so they can keep the same song all season

          25. Steve The Spud
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 4 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Thankful for that foden appearance with Konsa rotting first on my bench

          26. fusen
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            For anyone else who has gambled on PVA -

            Keep him and wait
            Transfer to a different defender from a different team
            Give Clyne a gamble at 4.5 who has attacking interest with the same fixtures?