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. dmcnam12
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Is it crazy to get rid of Kane and Son on a wildcard?

    1. TorresMagic™
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • Has Moderation Rights
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Before WBA, yeah.

    2. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes in my unbiased opinion

    3. Fernando Torres
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes, both season keepers

    4. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Mental!

    5. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I don’t think fixtures work with Kane/Son, they look like scoring against anyone.
      And for their price I’d keep for sure

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

        Out of curiosity what is your plan if any to get City players from week 10?

        1. FPL Blow-In
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          They are not scoring much. Currently Cancelo or Foden as cheap routes otherwise KDB only

        2. Big boy Bowen
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          At the moment, no solid plan in place, but in order of likeliness:

          1) Cancelo
          2) Foden
          3) KdB/Sterling (3rd as this means losing Bruno)

          Given the fact they haven’t shown any explosive signs yet that’s why the premium boys are 3rd in my list.

      2. FFSbet.com
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Same here,got them late but still good value.
        0 City probably

    6. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m finding it hard to get rid in gw9 even on current form

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

      Yes

  2. Gerd Mueller’s thighs
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    This article implies that careful analysis will actually lead to results......ha-ha!

  3. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic and Saïss ➡️ Ziyech and Balbuena -4?

    Allows me to do Maupay ➡️ Martial the next week for free?

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

      Nope

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m benching Saiss this week. Not sure it’s worth a -4, just sell Pulisic for Ziyech

    3. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Not for a hit, no.

      Can you just do the Puli move and bench Saiss?

  4. thegaffer82
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Just found out about Pulisic injury. That’s a proper bummer. Wanted to get rid of one of TAA/Saiss with my FT. But gunna have to sort this now...
    Which looks best for Pulisic?

    A) Rashford (exact funds)
    B) Ziyech

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

      A

    2. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m thinking of getting Bruno and dropping Robbo to Zouma

      I’m short of the straight swap to Rash

  5. Cookie Kid
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic replacement nice and easy with Ziyech?

    Or downgrade Robbo to find a way to Rashford instead?

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m thinking of downgrading Robbo also to bring in Bruno for Puli and going crazy and going for the Chilwell, Zouma double up!

      1. Cookie Kid
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Double chelsea defence, brave 🙂

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Or Cresswell but CHE defence starting to look very good and they have the assist potential too

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

    A) Chilwell DCL (Bissouma 8th attacker)
    B) Coufal Ziyech (Mitro 8th attacker)

    Hamez in the team so bench not unimportant but could also play Taylor (bri) or Mitchell

    1. Don Kloppeone
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      A imo

  7. King Conte
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Bowen or Fornals?

    1. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bowen

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Bowen

  8. Tingate
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    What are people with Reece James doing now? Surely attack is the best form of defence for Chelsea and Frank should just keep playing him, but will he?

  9. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Lost on last page

    Unsure what to do here. At least I have 2FT but often it makes it harder because you feel more pressure to make moves!

    2FT 1.1itb
    Martinez
    Robbo*, Chilwell, Dallas
    Salah, Son, Pulisic*, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Bamford
    (Forster) (KWP, Stephens, Branthwaite)

    Puli, Robbo > Bruno, Zouma/ Cresswell (2FT)?

    Thanks!

  10. dmcnam12
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Thought on this potential WC?:

    Mccarthy
    Chilwell, Masuaku, Dallas, Kilman, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Rashford, Ziyech, Grealish
    Kane, DCL, Brewster

    0.2 ITB

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good team
      Would upgrade mitchell though

    2. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Like it. Masuaku is a good choice.

  11. Manani
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    replace which first?
    barnes or podence?

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Barnes

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

    Is it too early to drop Saiss? How likely is it that Kilman keeps his place long term?

    1. Manani
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      i think sell if you don't have playing bench. but would just keep him till u got 2 FT to transfer him out if oyu got playing bench

    2. Do I Not Like Orange
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I'm keeping for now because I have more pressing matters to deal with (Trent, Mitro & Foden in that order). Will probably take me a GW or 2 to get them all sorted out, so happy to monitor Saiss during that period.

  13. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss, Pulisic to Rashford, Coufal for free seems obvious right?

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

      Yes nice moves

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

      Yes

    3. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yeah

    4. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes

  14. Babit1967
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Saiss/ Sterling to Chilwell/ Rashford for free is tempting but so is captaining Sterling against Liverpool, going to be a week of tough choices

  15. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Need some suggestions on what to do here. I think the first transfer is TAA to Coufal. Not sure on the 2nd transfer, maybe Vassilev to Antonio if fit or Rodriguez to a City/CHE/Utd Mid

    0.4itb 2ft
    Martinez
    Robbo Ayling Justin TAA*
    Grealish Salah Son Rodriguez
    DCL Kane
    (Peacock Bissouma*Taylor* Vassilev)

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I’m going against the majority and saying don’t sell Taa, I only own Robbo myself from the two but think both will come good and always offer attacking points, if I had I’d keep.

      1. Big boy Bowen
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Finally someone with the same opinion as me 🙂

        1. Babit1967
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Won’t be long before he is racking up the points, look at last season, I actually wish I had him

          1. Big boy Bowen
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            At the end of the day, they’re still scoring goals and creating chances. Clean sheets were just a bonus

            1. Tonyawesome69
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              TAA has only 1 assist in 7 games and LIV are not keeping any CS any time soon. Of course he can haul but he isn't showing enough to justify keeping him.

              1. Big boy Bowen
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Surely the clean sheets will come soon though? City have scored one goal in each of the last 4, implying next week is a good chance?
                I know it seems obvious because everyone is selling him, but sometimes I think we should take a step back and look at the player being sold, it’s not like he’s a 10+ premium, he’s under 7.5, and it’s Trent.
                Not to mention being a bit different and seeing him as a genuine differential going forward.

    2. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Has TAA showed anything to suggest he is worth 7.4? I could easily downgrade to a Coufal and use the money on the attack.

      What suggestions do you have for the 2FTs?

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

    Saiss to Creswell/Coufal or Zouma?

    Martinez
    Robbo Chilwell Lamptey
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish
    DCL Kane Bamford

    Forster Podence Saiss Mitchell

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

      I already chose Zouma, three goals in seven weeks good omens?

      Coufal looks underpriced

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

        Cheers, yeah or maybe used all his goals for the season already 😛

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

    Looking like this for next week, got to play Robbo & Salah correct?

    Martinez
    Robbo, Zouma, Chilwell,
    Grealish, Salah, Zaha, Son
    DCL, Kane C, Bamford

    Steer, Podence, Mitchell, Lamptey

    .9

    1. Babit1967
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Good team, like double Chelsea defence

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

      Lamptey home to Burnley next week, Mitchell plays Leeds so i'd have him last sub.

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

        Good spot

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

    Is Zouma a trap?! Or the cash freeing option I’ve been looking for by selling Robbo?! (Should I pull the trigger before price rise tonight?!)

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

      CL mid week wait until Friday imo

  19. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Coufal or masuaku?

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal

  20. Kryptonite666
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Ziyech or Grealish ?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Grealish in my Opinion. He doesn't share many points in comparison

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

    Which combo do you prefer going forward?

    A Ziyech Chilwell
    B Rashford Kilman

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

      A

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

      A

    3. FPL Blow-In
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      B for me

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

      If playing both, then A

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

    McCarthy
    TAA Robbo Lewis
    Salah son jrod Barkley
    Mitro Jimenez maupay

    Steer Podence Taylor Ferguson

    2.8itb and 2ft

    My initial thoughts are TAA + Podence >Chilwell + Rashford. Then bench Mitrovic.

    Any other suggestions?

    1. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Like it. Think that's the best option

  23. BERGKOP
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    For free:
    TAA - Klich -> Zouma - Ziyech too knee jerky?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Have you got a Chelsea defender already? If not then looks good to me

      1. BERGKOP
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        No Chelsea. Cheers

  24. Tinmen
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Folks, Jimmy to Ings -4 or keep?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes from me.

  25. dmcnam12
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Coufal or Masuaku...?

    1. Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Masuaku has much better stats

  26. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Rashford or Fernandes?

    1. FF Dirtbag
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fernandes

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fernandes more reliable with pens but depends what you can do with the mill

    3. BERGKOP
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Fernandes

  27. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    How does Hamez to ziyech sound? I have DCL up front.. And no Chelsea attacker.

    1. jimmy.floyd
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I like it

    2. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Wait on hamez news. Rather a fit hamez than ziyech

  28. jimmy.floyd
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Creswell worth .5 more than Coufal?

    1. Big Hands Barry
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      If you are playing regularly then yes, but for the sporadic good fixture then probably not

  29. Marcin the Pole
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy
    Saiss TAA KWP
    Salah Bruno Son Podence
    Mitro Kane DCL

    Nyland Justin Mitchell Bissouma

    Extremely tempted for TAA, Saiss, Mitchell -> Chilwell, Coufal, Ings for a hit. Any thoughts?

    1. Marcin the Pole
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      And by Mitchell I mean Mitro, *facepalm*

  30. ZAWAd25
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Would you WC this? I have 2 FT, 0.5itb

    McCarthy
    TAA Saiss Mitchell Justin
    Salah Sterling Son
    Kane DCL Watkins

    (Nyland Taylor Bissouma Reed)