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. SpaceCadet
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Cresswell or Zouma?

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

      Either is fine

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

      Zouma

    3. abhirup780
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Zouma if you don't own Chilwell and want to protect your rank from Chelsea CS.
      Cresswell if you want to play aggressive and chasing rank.

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

        Cresswell seems play LCD now than LWB. Not as attacking.

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

      As I commented earlier, Zumba currently bang on target for 16 goals & 16 assists. Not bad for 5.2m.

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

        **cleanies**

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

    TAA Robbo Podence -> Chilwell Coufal Bruno -4

    Yay or nay?

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

      Do chilwell first

    2. FantasyHero
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      yay get them pool defenders out

  3. The Big Fella
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    I am not sure why people are buying WHU defensive assets - this is still WHU we are talking about. They concede! Or am I missing something?

    1. abhirup780
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      WHU is looking good in their def. Good attacking threat from them.

    2. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      True that. I don't think they will play with same defensive approach Vs bottom half teams which is likely going to reduce the chance of CSs.

      But they are cheap, worth a shot for few games atleast. Similar to Villa defenders you can say...

    3. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Yes they have been good recently. They focus more on defence than attack. But i would still go for Cancelo or PVA over Cresswell

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

      From the games they have played this season, you have to say they are doing well defensively. But playing against top teams and bottom teams changes the approach. How they will fair against the teams they actually want to win games against...time will tell.

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

        This, spot on

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

    There are mid week games but still many idiots chose to do sales before that....

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

      Yip, I'm one of those idiots who took a chance and made their transfer right now. Otherwise I couldn't afford it.

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

        Best of luck to u

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

    Did anyone see Gogglebox last night? Some goat got his testicles squeezed out of it's scrotum by a locum vet and immediately had them fed to the farm dogs. He hardly batted an eyelid and got on with it.

    Hames is a wimp.

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

      Bet you like a WKD blue.

    2. pakornk
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      typical saturday

  6. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    McCarthy (Steer)
    TAA Saiss KWP(Justin)(Mitchell)
    Salah Son Grealish Hamez (Bissouma)
    Kane Ings Maupay

    2FT's, 0.2 ITB

    TAA,Saiss to Chilwell, Coufal after midweek games?

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Looks good on paper.

    2. the dom 1
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Coufal better option than Creswell?

  7. Jink
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Random question, will international break be cancelled?

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

      I hope so but doubt it

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

      Probably not. Celtic were playing in France on Thursday and the missus (who isn't in the slightest bit interested in football) asked me why they were actually there when that country is heading into lockdown. It's hard to justify.

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

        Well all international travel is banned unless essential. I wonder if international games qualify as essential.

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

          These games are far from essential; basically friendlies

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

    Best CHE attacking asset to own? Seems to change between Werner, Havertz, Pulisic and Ziyech every week!

    1. Holmes
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      I would personally avoid and look elsewhere

      One of Chillwell/Zouma is enough

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

        Yeah, one of Zouma/Chilwell looks sensible. I guess the attackers may end up sharing points, but CHE do look one of the better attacking teams, so It may be worth getting some.

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

      Was worrying that Frank was rotating them today ... Pulisic and Werner I’d say before but now ...

    3. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Ziyech by the looks of it.

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

      Tactical changes every week to match opponents, it seems.

    5. Kane Train
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Expect Werner to be rested next week. Will probs come on in the second half.

  9. Holmes
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Wonder when Liverpool and Man City assets will start firing... As of now it feels ok to not have them.

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

      Just stressfull not not own them but ya haven't lit the world on fire yet.

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

      Mane and Salah have been fine

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Yeah but not "scary" 😀

        Saw yesterday's game as well and I was more scared as an owner than non-owner 😀

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

          Having double City and double Liverpool is a real waste right now

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

    I'm about 70 points off my ML leader after a poor start to the season. I've had decent OR ranks in the past but I'm finding it hard to gain any ground. Any sense in being aggressive and taking hits at this stage of the season or best to be patient and trust the process? Feel like the United and City fixture swing will be a huge turning point in the coming weeks and I want to be ahead of the curve if possible.

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

      generally speaking hits less often help.

      But without knowsing your team hard to suggest something.
      Don't think any of the top teams are firing so bad that you need to take hits to get them in.

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

      Really early days ; 70 pts is nothing, just stick to your game

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

      As long as hits are calculated risk rather than just aggressive moves, it should be fine.

      But don't overthink at the moment, long way to go. Just make moves that will improve your team. Took him 6 weeks to get that lead, you have 32 weeks to overtake.

      Getting a Man Utd player this week is something I'm considering as well. Maybe even 2.

  11. IRBOX ⚽
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    The recency bias and points chasing here is sickening

  12. Letsgo!
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 4 months ago

    Pulisic owners, i am so frustrated really.this game vs burnley was the game where i see him scoring and yet he got injured durig warmup. Now asm will replace him in my fpl. Damnnn

    1. Party time
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Mané TC last season still haunts

      • JasonG123
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Double whammy with Werner coming off the bench and scoring.

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

      So many options - best of these?

      A) Mitchell & Holding -> Chilwell & Coufal
      B) Mitchell & Foden -> Zouma & Zaha
      C) TAA & Foden -> Zouma & Bruno
      D) TAA & Foden -> Chilwell & Rashford
      E) Foden & Jimenez -> Zaha & Werner

      McCarthy
      Trent, Lamptey, Bellerin
      Salah, Son, Barkley, Foden
      Kane, Jiménez, Antonio

      Steer, Mitchell, Bissouma, Holding
      Bank 2.0m, 2FT, WC available

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

        Friday ftw.

    3. Nabs Kebabs
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Man, Ziyech is tempting. Guy is class.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        1 shot and 1 goal only due to a Pope error really

        1. Party time
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Clinical finishing

      2. Aurora Borealis?
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        Guys did Ziyech definitely price rise? Ragabolly’s update is saying he did and is 8.0, but I’ve just checked the game and he’s still 7.9???

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

          He’s 8.0m on mine.

        2. Offs!de
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          He is 8

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

          7.9 on mine.

          1. Aurora Borealis?
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I think we temporarily went back in time just then.

        4. Aurora Borealis?
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ok I just refreshed the page for the fifth time and now he is 8.0m. That was really strange

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

            8.0 now here too

      3. jdp219
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 4 months ago

        2FTs, 0.2itb
        1) TAA, Jim > Zouma, Kane
        2) TAA, Soucek > Zouma, 7.3 or less (Zaha, Jack, Bowen, Fornals?)
        3) TAA, Jim, Davis > Zouma, DCL, Wilson (-4)

        McCarthy
        TAA, Cancelo, Saiss, Justin, KWP
        Salah, Son, Sterling, Soucek, Podence
        Ings, Jimenez, Davis

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

        TAA owners - anyone still holding?

        1. Dodge13
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I think so but definitely looking at other options now. Fixtures are pretty nice after City and he's looked more threatening. Concern is that even if attacking points come is he worth it with a lack of clean sheets?

        2. Party time
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Yes

        3. Dodge13
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Hi. Have 2FTs, 0.3itb. Happy with how my team has gone so far but would you consider this change of attack:
          Ings, Mitrovic > Adams, DCL?
          Would free up some cash for possibility of Podence > Bowen at some point too.

          McCarthy
          TAA, Justin, Coufal (Coady, Mitchell)
          Salah, Sterling, Grealish, Podence, (Bissouma)
          Kane, Ings, Mitrovic

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            happy with sterling and taa ?

            1. Dodge13
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Sterling, yes for now with City run after next couple.
              TAA - 60/40 in favour of keeping. But could switch to Chilwell or Zouma and then address Mitrovic (unless he goes big vs West Brom)

              1. Ajax Hamsterdam
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                i would really consider taa to chilwell. i did the same move a couple of weeks ago and havent regretted (so far 🙂 )

                1. Dodge13
                  • 6 Years
                  3 years, 4 months ago

                  Tempted. I took TAA out on the week of his massive haul vs Leicester last season so am mentally scarred!

        4. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          I'm really not looking forward to Southampton-Villa game having Ings,McCarthy,KWP and Grealish..

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

            0-0

        5. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          2fts in the bank....

          a. Saiss > Creswell (WHU next 3 are nice fixtures)

          b. Saiss & Klich > Creswell & Barkley (Villa has a nice run of fixtures coming up)

          c. Saiss & Stirling > Creswell & Ziyech/Rashford?

          Thanks in advance for responses.

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            a 100%

          2. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            A

          3. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            thanks was 95% sold on the Cresswell move but pretty nailed now.

            what about Stirling, should I ship him to Rashford or Bruno for a few GW's before I get KDB back?

        6. Ajax Hamsterdam
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Fornals or bowen to replace perreira ? thanks

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

            West Ham have nice fixtures and Fornals was impressive today

            1. Ajax Hamsterdam
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              thanks

          2. Dodge13
            • 6 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            West Ham fan - Bowen has looked since he signed in Jan and I think is more nailed on to start than Fornals with Benrahma in the squad now.

            1. Dodge13
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              *has looked the better of the two

        7. JasonG123
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          What’s the verdict on TAA vs Robbo now that we have 7 weeks of data?

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            robbo if i had to choose but neither imo

          2. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            I'd take Robbo as well.

            love TAA but he is just not the same as last season just yet.

          3. Clintymints
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Just Robertson seems fine

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

            The data says LIV has the most goals against in the entire league. 🙂

        8. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Would you go for Cresswell/Coufal or Zouma if you already had Chilwell?

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            i went cresswell

          2. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Looking at Creswell myself lad.

            see my post above and lend your view pls?

        9. Sid07
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          1) Robertson + saiss + pulisic to chilwell + creswell + rash (-4)
          2) saiss to zouma

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            1.

          2. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Like 1

          3. Kane Train
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            1.

        10. pakornk
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Rank these

          Bellerin
          Cresswell
          Cancelo
          Coufal

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Creswell
            Cancelo
            Coufal
            Bellerin

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

          Liverpool’s defense wasn’t actually that bad, was it?

          1. Plant Based FPLer
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Robertson is fine. Trent is a little off. Gomez is nothing any attacker will be afraid of. He headed a clearance straight to Fornals right in front of him for West Ham's goal. The new guy wasn't a wonder. Allison isn't bossing things by any means. I don't know about the midfield.

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

              Good description

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

            Nope ; one poor header. West Ham had a couple other chances but given Gomez and Nat were playing together for the first time it was quite solid.

            1. Plant Based FPLer
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              I think you're just describing the score. Gomez is very panicky, and one thing done very poorly says more than the fact that it was just one thing. As for the rest, Liverpool look very out of whack right now. Not a single player is firing on all cylinders. Robertson is closer than the rest. West Ham without Antonio means something as well, as well as Moyes back on the touchline, imo. He's very uninspiring. They were better without him there.

        12. Kane Train
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Which one?

          A) Coufal
          B) Cresswell
          C) Zouma

          1. the dom 1
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 4 months ago

            Do you have Chilwell?

            If so Cresswell, if not Zouma 😉

            1. Kane Train
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 4 months ago

              Yeah got Chilwell

              1. the dom 1
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 4 months ago

                Creswell then !

        13. Clintymints
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Ziyech price rise already

          Whaaaat

        14. pakornk
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Should I sell Semedo or TAA?

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

            Both?

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

            Why either?

        15. davies
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 4 months ago

          Any objections?

          Robertson/Barnes > James/Rashford (2FT)

          Martinez
          James Lamptey Kilman
          Salah Sterling Rashford Son Soucek
          Kane DCL

          Forster Brewster Mitchell Dunne

          Cheers.