Scout Notes

Cancelo stars for City as Sheff Utd’s weak right-side bodes well for Chelsea

Sheff Utd 0-1 Man City

  • Goals: Kyle Walker (£6.0m)
  • Assists: Kevin De Bruyne (£11.5m)
  • Bonus points: Walker x3, João Cancelo x2 (£5.4m), Aymeric Laporte x1 (£6.0m)

CANCELO CULTURE

João Cancelo (£5.4m) is fast-becoming the key Manchester City defender ahead of their fixture swing in Gameweek 10 as he starred in a 1-0 win over Sheffield United.

While Kyle Walker (£6.0m) emerged with a 15-point haul, thanks to his spectacular first-half goal, it was Pep Guardiola’s left-back who suggested more sustainable output.

Since making his first Premier League start at that position in Gameweek 5, Cancelo is yet to blank, averaging seven points per game.

In that time, the Portuguese international has collected two clean sheets and, even though he has only managed to provide one assist, that has not been for lack of trying.

In the first half alone against the Blades, Cancelo created more chances than any Manchester City defender in a Premier League match since February 2012. That impressive tally was a big reason why he was able to secure two bonus points despite registering no attacking returns.

DEFENSIVE CONSISTENCY

However, Fantasy managers may still want to hold off before going all-in on Cancelo or anyone from the Manchester City defence.

They face Liverpool (home) and Spurs (away) in the next two Gameweeks, two sides that are likely to be hard to contain.

Gameweek 10 looks like the time swoop for Cancelo, with home matches against Burnley, Fulham and West Bromwich Albion between then and Gameweek 13.

Waiting until then may also help Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) and Ruben Dias (£5.5m) settle into together as a centre-back duo.

The trip to Sheffield United was only the second time this season that Guardiola has been able to start the two players but there is plenty of promise about having the two of them together.

2019/20 was a sub-standard year for the Citizens in terms of defensive returns, and their manager has already highlighted that consistency at centre-back will make a big difference this season.

“(Laporte + Dias) are both playing really well. They are guys to give us consistency. We struggle a lot last year to have two central defenders (every week). This year, we will need everyone because these amount of games it is impossible to play both every game.” – Pep Guardiola

FRIGHT RIGHT

Cancelo and Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) were afforded a considerable amount of freedom on Saturday, as they made the most of Sheffield United’s weak right flank.

Between Gameweeks 1 and 6, the Blades conceded more chances down their side of the pitch than any other team in the Premier League and that trend continued at Bramall Lane.

As you can see from the match data breakdown, there was an uneven spread of opportunities given up by Chris Wilder’s men. They allowed 10 chances, of which 70% were constructed on the right-hand side.

While Sheffield United’s problems here may have helped Cancelo’s numbers, they bare more Fantasy relevance when examining the Gameweek 8 fixtures.

The Blades travel to Chelsea next weekend and, if Wilder has done little to shore up George Baldock‘s (£5.3m) side of the pitch by that point, we could see Ben Chilwell (£5.9m) and Timo Werner (£9.3m) take advantage.

FRONT AND CENTRE

Ferran Torres (£6.9m) can consider himself unfortunate not to have left Bramall Lane without some attacking returns.

Having netted as a centre-forward in the Champions League midweek, Manchester City’s number 21 was given a chance to reprise that role in Gameweek 7.

“It’s a new position for him but he did it well (against Marseilles). We have other people in the middle but the striker position is the most difficult one. He did really well and we try again.” – Pep Guardiola

Torres was the chief beneficiary of Cancelo’s marauding runs and incessant chance creation, as he had three golden chances to score during the game, Aaron Ramsdale (£4.9m) proving equal to him each time.

However, whether the £6.9m midfielder can offer long-term appeal as an out-of-position asset remains to be seen, with Gabriel Jesus (£9.3m) closing in on a return to fitness.

That should, hopefully, mean an end to Sterling having to deputise up-front as well. He was tasked with that role in the final 10 minutes of Gameweek 7 as Phil Foden (£6.6m) came on for Torres.

Sheffield United XI (3-5-2): Ramsdale; Stevens, Egan, Basham; Lowe (McGoldrick 81′), Osborn (Lundstram 55′), Ampadu (Norwood 65′), Berge, Baldock; Brewster, McBurnie.

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Laporte, Dias, Walker; Rodrigo, De Bruyne, B Silva; Sterling, Torres (Foden 81′), Mahrez (Gündogan 85′).

LESSONS LEARNED FROM FPL GAMEWEEK 7

1,752 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Robson-Canoe
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Who’s the best pick out of the Whu defenders?
    Cresswell on set pieces? Is he worth the 0.5 over both wing backs Coufal and Masuaku?

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal looks good

    2. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal

    3. el polako
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Don't think he is, Coufal looks best pick - more secure than Masuaku.

    4. Gunners in Haaland
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Cresswell for me

    5. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal, cheaper

  2. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best 4.4 mid? Only as a fodder. Riedewald of Palace regular enough?

    1. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Burke at Sheff? At least gets minutes

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Burke has played for 254 against Riedewald's 284.
        Burke has not started any of the last 3. Riedewald has.

        1. stu92
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ok, so why ask then?

          1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            To check if there is any Palace supporter here who knows better, or if there is anyone else who has the potential to be more regular. For example Stephens from Burnley.

    2. FourLokoLeipzig
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Seems like he’s got the chance to become a regular at least, he’s performed well lately and Hodgson spoke highly of him. I went for him on my WC as I needed the 0.1 saving over Biss

      1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yes. And I need that 0.1 for sure.

  3. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking of getting vestergaard in. What position does he play?

    1. Dynamic Duos
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      CB

      1. Parsnips
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Him or Walker peters?

        1. Dynamic Duos
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          KWP

  4. g40steve
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is Mitchell a hold or get rid?

    Also have Saiss..... 🙁

    1. George Agdgdgwngo
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Get rid of both

    2. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Same here

    3. _Ninja_
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Hold Mitchell for now, sell Siass. Prob Zouma or Coufal if you need extra funds.

      1. g40steve
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers

  5. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Antonio to Bam Bam or wait?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      He will rise tonight

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wait on both

    3. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Why would you sell Antonio now?

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Apparently out for a month

  6. Dynamic Duos
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss and Pulisic to Coufal and Rashford?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No rush

    2. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Saiss > Coufal this week
      Pul > Rash GW9

    3. stu92
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Any idea how bad Pulisic’s injury is?

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

    Salah on 90+% eo the only player who has returned for me... Professionals punished again

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Professionals punished of they had the wrong players. Chilwell and Zouma were talked about all week (longer the case of Chilwell) as good options. I bought both in and got 6 and 14 after bonus. Have Mo as well.

    2. Top Dog
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Didn’t realise you got paid to play FPL

    3. George Sillett
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      You're paid to play this game ?

  8. FPLMACKEM
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Incredibly frustrated here as a double Liverpool defence owner.

    Is anyone actually going to be stubborn enough to hold onto them for the season? I vowed to at the start no matter what but it is becoming more difficult every gameweek.

    I do seem to remember though they went on a run of clean sheets last season from about gw10 onwards.

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I sold TAA for Chilwell. I might get rid of Robbo as well

      1. Parsnips
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Who are u replacing with robo?

    2. how now brown cow
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mings -Konsa double up would have got you 11 points more for £5 million less with 2 games in hand.....

  9. Flynny
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Hi....I have 1m and 2fts - but a rank of 3.5m and a whole squad of issues!!

    Where would you even start to sort this out?

    Martinez
    Taa james saiss lamptey Mitchell
    Salah son pulisic foden burke
    Kane dcl watkins

    A.....Pulisic saiss to coufal rashford

    B......Pulisic and Taa to Chilwell and Rushford (get rid of saiss following week)

    C..Trent pulisic foden to coufal ziyech and rashford - 4

    D.....something else

    Thanks!

    1. Stockport Hatter
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B

      1. Flynny
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Cheers mate...bad result today..

  10. Limbo
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Did anyone else watch the announcement - from what I gathered it’s a national lock down. Like full.

    We should be talking about 4 week break not price rises/next week...

    at least Pulisic and Hamez will be fit by then — small graces

    1. Hybrid.power
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Premier league still going on

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Man, think I got sold by a mates text. VERY Good news

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Sport continues

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Really? Thank f*#& !!

    3. Limbo
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      At very best, hold your transfers for news on FA Announcement IMO

    4. adstomko
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Elite sports, like the PL, can still play on, except Fulham

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Haha

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

      Why didn’t you just search up what’s going on in France with Ligue 1 before you made that comment

      1. Limbo
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Wut?

  11. Buck The Trent
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will wait until after UCL midweek, bit would you do Foden to Ziyech (-4) ?

    1. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      *but

    2. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah

    3. ThisTimeNxtYrRodney
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      No transfers for me until after European games, even if I'm priced out. All these games are gonna take their toll. Injuries much more likely. Bringing someone in early and then losing them to injury is not good.
      Good luck everyone.

  12. adstomko
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    TAA > Zouma, Jimenez > Kane for a -4. Yes or no?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just the first one for now

    2. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kane only good for 1 more week. Son the better option when their fixtures turn

      1. The Suspended One
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        I’m keeping both, no defenses that scare me, big teams just means they get more room to counter

  13. Magic Zico
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Will wait until deadline day: Saiss Jimenez > Creswell Martial, tell me about it!

  14. Gandalf
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    4.5 4.0
    Chilwell Zouma Cresswell Justin 4.0
    Salah Son Rashford Ziyech Soucek
    Kane Wilson Antonio/Bamford

    Thinking of aiming towards this kind of team (and maybe wait and see how Kane/Son cope with the tougher fixtures). Any comments?

    1. JONALDINHO
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Kane to KDB easy

      1. Gandalf
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yup true KDB will come in if gets back in form

  15. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which trio is better

    A. Kilman, Coady, Werner
    B. Zouma, Coady, Jimenez

    Thanks

    1. Kurt Zouma
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  16. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Best Foden replacement for 8.2 or less?

    Have Grealish already

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech looked great today

    2. Buck The Trent
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech

  17. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    So Salah cappers pleased or not?

    1. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      They should be

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Just ‘meh’ really. Wanted a haul, but he got something. Worse scenario is Kane/Son getting a few points more as I own both.

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

      Yup. 8 pointer is great. Kane will need 2 attacking returns to better him i think

    4. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Eh.. will take it

  18. FPL Daniel
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Dallas or Coufal?

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Are you sure? I would be happy to keep Dallas long term, not so sure about Coufal. He looks like a trap for me

        1. osceola31909
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          No, I am not sure. But West Ham have nice fixtures coming up, and his stats are good. That would be my pick. Low risk with 4.5 defenders really.

  19. Vazza
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Which moves are better

    A. Saiss => Zouma
    B. Saiss, Jimenez => Kilman, Werner

    2 FT so both moves are free. Also have Coady in the team.

    1. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A

  20. Heiro
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thinking Sterling to Ziyech? Seems a bit rash but Sterling looked disinterested today and two tough fixtures on paper.

    1. osceola31909
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Is Ziyech nailed?

      1. Heiro
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Maybe a gamble but with pulisic out, how can you not play him after today's performance?

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

      Did we watch the same game? Sterling was great today. Essentially did everything bar score a goal unfortunately.

    3. FPL_trail_runner
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Poor move.

  21. osceola31909
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    My defense is a mess and needs to be sorted:

    TAA - R. James - Saiss - Lamptey - Mitchell

    0.0 itb, one free transfer. What's the best option this week:

    1) TAA --> Zouma/Chilwell. Risk is Mitchell/R. James/Saiss don't play, leaving just two defenders.
    2) Saiss --> Creswell. Gives me three starting defenders, but I feel I need a nailed Chelsea defender.
    3) Saiss --> Zouma. Gives me three nailed defenders. Kicks the issue of R. James and overpriced TAA down the road.
    4) R. James --> Creswell. But what if R. James does in fact play next weekend? Would likely have to do this move tonight.

    1. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      2.

    2. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Are you suggesting that Zouma is nailed?

      1. osceola31909
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Is he not? Well, I don't want him if he isn't.

        1. Vazza
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I think Zouma and Chilwell carry the same amount of rotation risk

  22. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Should I double up with Chilwell and Zouma?

    1. The Suspended One
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      At your peril

    2. g40steve
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      The new Pool double, been working past few weeks

  23. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Soucek or WHU defender for their favourable fixtures?

    1. Parsnips
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Defender

  24. RamboRN
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo Saiss Mitchell
    Salah Son Rodriguez grealish
    Kane DCL Jimenez

    Subs Steer Podence Dunne Bernardo. 2ft 0.1m itb

    Was planning to do Jimenez and rodriguez to rashford and Bamford but it seems as though I may only now have 1 playing defender so is sorting that first better? Or could saiss and Mitchell still play?

  25. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Robertson > Balbuena / Coufal a decent move to free up cash to bring in City / United attackers? Already own Cresswell and Semedo.

    1. Vazza
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not really

  26. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Didnt realise until today Creswell is playing lcb not lwb

    Coufal and masuaku better picks then?

  27. The Hunt
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Adieu Terence Mon ami.

  28. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Trent and Foden to Chilwell and Ziyech worth a -4?

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

      Why not

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

    Werner and Salah keeping their bonus?

  30. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Martinez (ars) | (Button)
    Chilwell (SHU) | Lamptey (BUR) | Struijk* (cry) | (Kilman Saiss* (lei))
    Salah (mci) | Sterling (LIV) | Son (wba) | Grealish | Barkley (ars)
    Kane(C) (wba) | Maupay (BUR) (Brewster (che))

    Wildcared last week, went a little bit different and so far haven't made any gains (Looking at you Sterling!) Have just three defenders next week, but I am fine with Chilwell Lamptey and Kilman (if Struijks gets dropped). Eearly ideas (2FT, 0.1 itb):
    A) Sterling, Barkley > Rashford, Ziyech
    B) Sterling > Rashford (with an eye on DCL/Richarlison gw 9 vs Fulham)
    C) Sterling, Barkley > Rashford, Jota (it leaves some money itb)
    D) Saiss > Ayling/Dallas/Masuaku/Coufal