Dugout Discussion

City players missing with COVID-19 revealed as fit-again Ziyech returns

A Manchester City squad hit by injury and illness take on Chelsea in the second of today’s two Premier League fixtures.

Kick-off at Stamford Bridge is at 16:30 GMT.

The visitors are missing six of their squad because of COVID-19 positive tests.

The unavailability of Kyle Walker (£6.1m) and Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) we were already aware of, while social media posts from Ederson (£6.0m) and Tommy Doyle (£4.4m) all but confirmed that they too were among those self-isolating.

Ferran Torres (£6.9m) and Eric Garcia (£4.7m) have reportedly been added to that list, with the latter still struggling with injury, too.

Despite the shortage of options, Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) is still only among the substitutes for this afternoon’s fixture.

Goalkeeper Zack Steffen (£4.4m) makes his Premier League debut as Pep Guardiola makes three changes to the City side that beat Newcastle 2-0 in Gameweek 15.

Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) and Phil Foden (£6.2m) are also recalled, with Ederson, Torres and Nathan Ake (£5.4m) dropping out.

Ake is absent because of “fitness issues”, while Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) misses out because of a tight hamstring.

Benjamin Mendy (£5.9m) is on the bench, despite his off-field misdeeds.

Frank Lampard makes five changes to the Chelsea team that drew 1-1 at home to Aston Villa last Monday.

Timo Werner (£9.2m) is recalled, while Hakim Ziyech (£8.1m) makes his first appearance since suffering a hamstring injury in early December.

Thiago Silva (£5.6m), Kurt Zouma (£5.8m) and Mateo Kovacic (£5.3m) also return to the side.

Reece James (£5.2m) is again absent through injury, while Olivier Giroud (£6.7m), Andreas Christensen (£4.7m), Antonio Rudiger (£4.7m), Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.7m) and Jorginho (£4.7m) drop out of the starting XI.


Chelsea XI: Mendy, Azpilicueta, Zouma, Thiago Silva, Chilwell, Kanté, Kovacic, Mount, Pulisic, Werner, Ziyech.

Manchester City XI: Steffen, Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Zinchenko, Rodrigo, Gundogan, De Bruyne, Foden, Bernardo, Sterling

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2,436 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    that was the final kick of the game too. FFS

  2. JOELIO8701
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    lol

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

    Justin owners, time to laugh at City defense owners! Unless you own both

    1. Alex_thekid
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I do

    2. FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Both. Plus double defense in FanTeam 🙁

    3. Just For Kicks
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Justin & Cancelo here

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

      Both here... I don’t even feel that bad, I’ve gotten used to being let down this season

    5. Pep bites Kun
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      lol dweeb comment 🙂

  4. Party time
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hudson Odoi for President

      1. Esalman
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Amen

    • Sun Jihai
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      FFS predicted bps

      Foden (39)
      KDB (37)
      CHO, Gundogan (27)

    • CroatianHammer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      67 + Salah & that's that... Should be fine.

      1. Bobby Digital
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Same plus McCarthy

      2. Im New Here
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Huge score

    • Firminooooo
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Feel sick.

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I feel you mate

    • Karan14
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sickening to lose that double CS like that!!

      1. Balls of Steel
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I feel your pain dude

      2. PastaFasul
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        We know it...but we still hope in vain. Lost the double CS as well.

    • Niho992
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Coufal smiling from the bench

    • FPL Daniel
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I might go Stones instead of Dias and save the buck

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

        I am doing that.

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

      Fml

      You just knew it was coming 🙁

      25k drop from that goal!!!

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Terrible feeling

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

          Never gets easier despite it happening repeatedly this season!

      2. Gobigorgohome
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        50K drop ffs

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

          Luckily I ‘only’ had Dias

    • The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Horrible season so far, cup starts, 102 points, feel sorry for my cup opponent..

    • Top Lad Dakes.
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Foden over el ghazi for the BGW?

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I am tempted

      2. AlCapwnUK
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        No reason Foden will be any more of a starter than usual

        1. Camino Aleatorio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He got a big hug from Pep

          If he starts playing, he can play all the time

      3. Mid budget coach
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Been there,you'll play him first, then bench him then take him out for a hit

    • Bleh
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Stones and Dias cleanie wiped.

      Best part is I have Cresswell and Mitchell on the bench 🙂

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ouch. Rough

      2. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Similar here with Coufal and Dier. Blegh.

    • Camino Aleatorio
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Hudson Odoi and Andy Carroll

      Two Bush League villans that ruined CS value today

      1-3 is not that bad

      Chelsea needs Vestergaard, Ings, and Hassenhutle and they can win the league in 2021/22

    • Harper (No more Penandes)
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Dumbest season ever

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

        More jam this season than any season prior! And it was full of jam then.

    • Bobadoba
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Grealish and Son out for Kdb and Gundogan (8 point hit)?

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

        Lol. Dump salah

        1. Camino Aleatorio
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Wut!

          Could work, ballsy

      2. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nope.

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

      Back to 1-0 and 1-1 for the City double in GW19

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

        Buses being prepared as we speak

        1. Milk, 1 Šuker
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Kaney, are you keeping Son or Kane or both for the double? Sheff Utd looks too good a fixture to pass up...

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

            Did some planning earlier, the plan is just Kane that week.

            Midfield of:
            Salah | Bruno | KdB | Grealish | Soucej

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

              *Soucek

              1. Milk, 1 Šuker
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                That's an impressive mid. Have you got cheap strikers in addition to Kane? So are you going without Vardy?

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

                  Yes, team would look like this:

                  McCarthy
                  Cancelo | Cresswell | Dallas
                  Salah | Bruno | KdB | Grealish | Soucek
                  Kane | Bamford

                  Steer | Lowton | Mitchell | Brewster/Davis

                  10 players in BGW18 (no hit)

                  -8 for DGW19, TC likely to be played

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

                    May also be just a -4 in DGW19 but that will involve only 9 players for BGW18 (Cancelo in a week later)

                  2. Milk, 1 Šuker
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    You've got plenty of TC options there tbf. I'm sure you'll make the right choice. Personally, it'd be KDB for me.

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

                      The bus mentality of the weaker sides puts me off KdB TC, I will likely go Salah

                      1. Milk, 1 Šuker
                        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                        • 11 Years
                        3 years, 2 months ago

                        Fair dos. GL Kaney.

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

                          Cheers mate, you too

                        2. Milk, 1 Šuker
                          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                          • 11 Years
                          3 years, 2 months ago

                          Ta

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

          Follow the Piper you Casuals, Follow!

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I hope you're not referring to me...

    • Jebiga
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Do you think Rhys Williams will start tomorrow ?

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

        Pace probably more important than height so yes.

    • Alex_thekid
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      No Justin now Cancelo gutted

      1. FPL Daniel
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Gutted too

    • AlCapwnUK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Need Salah and jwp to score less than a combined 3 points and I win my cup tie.

      1. AC/DC AFC
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        If Salah continues his recent form!!

        1. AlCapwnUK
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          I think I need Salah to attend a few weddings tonight to save me

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

      94 with Salah to go. This is close.

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

        Incredible

      2. JOELIO8701
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You’ll get 100! The dream for a single gw

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

          I hope Salah finally scores

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

        Hoping the game is off with just Salah (no captain) and McCarthy left.
        Gets me juicy Soucek points

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

          Who did you bench Soucek for?

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

            DCL... 🙁

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

              Moved him out for Kane when I sensed a dip.

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

                Perfect example of being ahead of the curve, no guts no glory.
                Well played. I’m giving him GW18 then he’s gone

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

                  Playing this season only on instinct. Has helped me move up from 1.7 mil to 171 K in 7 GWs

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

        KdB, Bruno, Son and Kane?

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

          KDB, Bruno, Son, Kane, Soucek...Salah to come. Holding in defense.

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

            Lovely

      5. Milk, 1 Šuker
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Nice work Looney! I'm not too far behind.

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

          Where art thou?

          1. Milk, 1 Šuker
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            83!

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

              Nice. I am sure you have Salah, Lets hope for a 17

              1. Milk, 1 Šuker
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                I do indeed! Let's hope the game goes ahead eh?

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

                  It should. Do well!

                  1. Milk, 1 Šuker
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 11 Years
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    And you! Good luck!

    • Begbie.
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      The funny thing is, most people celebrating the wiped City CS must have absolutely rotten OR's given how many points City defenders have racked up in recent weeks.

      It's like the people that celebrate when Salah blanks, I mean that's cool, but you're still the one that doesn't have the essential pick racking up the points.

      Far too many trolls on here these days.

      1. Ajax Hamsterdam
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I don't get folks celebrating stuff like that to be honest. Bit sad

        1. George Agdgdgwngo
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Don’t be salty. It happens all the time. Get over it

          1. Ajax Hamsterdam
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Nah I think people need to grow up a bit

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              More than a bit.

              1. Milk, 1 Šuker
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                This

      2. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Makes no difference, any points loss hurts.

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

        'Absolutely rotten' is a huge exaggeration.

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

        No city defence and I’m on 21 from 2 this week (Robertson to go)

        38 last week, 18 week before.

        Admittedly I’m only about 200k but more than one way to play

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

        I wouldn't say that. Have climbed from 1.7m to 171k in 7 GWs with no City defense.

      6. dogtanion
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        But...that is literally why we play..why would someone with no City defence not be happy about them conceding a last minute goal

        1. GreennRed
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Doesn't affect your own points. A bit sad being pleased by another's misfortune.

          1. JOELIO8701
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            But it’s their own fortune? It’s misfortune for non city def owners to see a city cs. It’s a comp, it’s banter, it’s a fantasy game. Ppl r too sensitive

            1. Milk, 1 Šuker
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I know right?

            2. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Some people are too sensitive no doubt. It still doesn't improve your points and I'm not a fan of people sneering at another's misfortune. If it was on a pitch they'd have their head cracked.

          2. dogtanion
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            It improves your rank though..which is why we play.

            1. GreennRed
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Definitely. Being delighted is one thing, rubbing people's noses in it isn't on for me. Though that won't stop the LOLers here.

              1. dogtanion
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Oh yeah I agree..posting about it isn't good form and a really bad look..I just meant internally being happy about it if it goes your way.

      7. Kane and Ablett
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        We’re all just having a laugh aren’t we? Of course we’re not, there’s nothing else to do in lockdown

    • ivantys
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      City defence owners counting their points before the game's over 😀

      1. Pukkipartyy
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yep still 73 and happy 😉

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

        I was dancing naked in the street outside my house. So embarresed.

    • Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        You love to see it 😉

        1. Christina.
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          hehe

      • Releasebreaks
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Chelsea goal is justice for justin owners

      • TomSaints
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What a beautiful result.

        Makes me feel better about McCarthy being out and playing with 10 this week

      • Rolls-Royce
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Magnus having mare on FPL as well as on the chess board this week.

      • JOELIO8701
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Justin.
        Bellerin.
        Mee.
        McArthy.

        Ruined my weekend

        City lose cs? I do not give a D

      • Deulofail
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Argh poop. That goal cost me 10pts and my cup game