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. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    how many of you considering Salah to KDB?

    1. sminkypinky
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Was pretty set on going without. Now I don’t know. Messes up every plan.

    2. Amey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm selling Son instead of Salah

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

        same - I am torn between that.

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

        KDB had a mild 11 pointer today. Son gave you 12 yesterday.

        Today was as good as MCI has played.

        Yesterday TOT won on a leisurely trot, no drama

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

      Has to be done for the BGW. Will have Salah on FH19, assuming I go that route.

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

      I'm FH'ing 18, but no way for DGW. It's Son --> KDB for me.

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

        Salah can be brought back for the Double for Son.

        1. sminkypinky
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Not me. Had Salah from the go and can’t afford back for Son

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

      Already own both, sadly that’s because I don’t have fernandes

  2. Hybrid.power
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Played Stones and Bailly, 3 points. Benched Coufal and Mitchell, 12 points. Sigh

    1. Right In The Stanchion
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      That’s the way of FPL son. Don’t take it too seriously

      1. Hybrid.power
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ah it's grand, I've had worse days in FPL!

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

      Unlucky

  3. Right In The Stanchion
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So much pent up testosterone in this room.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Says this melt lmao

      1. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        What does melt mean? Did you learn it from love island?

        Just a sad 50 year old living out of a dumpster.

        1. Salah’s Sonnet
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          If you don’t know what means then I feel sorry for you. Love island? You actually know that show? Oh christ lmao!

          Not 50, wrong again. Also how does one live out of a dumpster? Is it because your mum brought you up in one? Aww diddums, Mahrez breathing harder lmao!

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

          melts
          The response to an extremely flattering of erotic comment indicating that the recipient is overcome with emotion to the point that their body instantly relaxes or they get butterflies in the stomach.
          Lady, I don't know what I want more right now, your body or your mind." Response:"Melts.

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

      *estrogen

    3. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      more like too many kids in the room.

      1. L S P
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Except they’re not kids

  4. The 12th Man
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    So KDB gonna cost 4 to get him for the double. Worth it?
    Options.
    A) Raphinia,Kane>> KDB,Rodrigo-4
    B) Keep Kane with 14 DGWers and save the transfer for gw20 when KDB can come in for free,
    C) Kane > Vardy and forget KDB. 15 DGWers.
    D) Vardy,Watkins >> Martial,Firmino-4 15 DGWers. Forget KDB.

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

      Concentrate on form & fixtures, before looking to lose points, would be my advice

      1. The 12th Man
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        B then and get KDB in for WBA in 20 for free.

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

    So the question now, especially for those on FH/ WC for GW18, what combo of MCI vs BHA?

    A) KDB/ Sterling + 1 def
    B) KDB/ Sterling + 2 defs
    C) KDB + Sterling + 1 def

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      B for me

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

        Thanks

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

      Their defence doesn't contribute to attacking returns, just get cheap one like Stones for the CS point, no need waste 0.8 more for Dias or Cancelo.

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

        So you’d get both KDB and Sterling plus Stones?

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Either A or C, depends which other players you want. Stones might not be needed if you can get cheap 4.5 defenders from other teams with decent fixtures.

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

        You've clearly not watched Cancelo's recent matches

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          He's a better buy than Dias for sure, he goes forward a lot but just 1 assist means a waste of money too.

          1. Gandalf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Had so many almost assists, the other players can't keep missing the chances he creates

    3. The 12th Man
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Probably A for me.

    4. Champions League Varane
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      C easily

  6. It’s gonna Ben Mee
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Robbo will concede tomorrow I’m afraid as I’ve enjoyed these wiped CS too much.

  7. Firmino
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Thank god City CS wiped. Close one.

  8. Comment removed. Please refer to our terms and conditions on posting comments.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Calm down

      1. COLLIN QUANER
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        I have ADHD

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

          You have moron

    2. seanie3
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      and so it should have been removed.

  9. F_Ivanovic
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Few pages back people were lambasting the decision of some who benched Dias... not feeling so smart now are they? ofc benching Dias vs Chelsea was correct providing your other defenders had significantly better fixtures. Ignore the price tag and that he plays for City and use your head.

    1. Salah’s Sonnet
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Oh dear

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

      Massively overpriced defender at 5.8, only thing he guarantees is nailedness. The only defender at 5.8 with no attacking returns at all this season.

      1. F_Ivanovic
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        At 5.8 maybe but most got him for less (5.6 for me) - he's not a season keeper but he's got 5 CS in 7 and still has a great run of fixtures for the next 6 where he could get another 4 CS easily.

        Then you can get rid after that when the fixtures turn.

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Or you could get Stones at 4.8 and get around same points as him.

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

    If you're not a Salah captainer would his points hurt your rank?

    1. Duke Silver ☑
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Most likely but also depends on your rank.

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

      Yes, but only slightly. Might as well hope that he hauls to generate TV and a reason to keep him.

  11. Rainer
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    No where to hide for Justin or City defensive owners, non owners love to see it as they move up the ranks.

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Zzzz

    2. TheDragon
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      We move?

      1. Rainer
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        That’s hidden in there, read again 😉

    3. wulfrunian
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I don't own them and i have 100k fall.Though i have only 9 players this gw with Johnstone, Raphinha, Bamford, Dallas, Barnes.

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

      lol

  12. wulfrunian
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    That was really unlucky.

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

    boy oh boy

  14. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Not sure if to remove Kane to fund Salah for DGW19

    1. It’s gonna Ben Mee
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Find another way. It’s Harry Kane vs Sheffield United. Could be carnage (although it could be Cardiff too).

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

        SHU are do a Climactic Game of Attack

        They are slowing sinking to Championship without a fight

        If they attack the Spurs

        8-2 victory for the Son-Kane Brotherhood

    2. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I'm considering it. I can either have Kane with Saka on bench or Son with DCL on bench.

  15. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    I see we are all playing nicely about the city clean sheet getting wiped

    Celebrate when your players do well but getting delight out of other peoples misery isn’t a great look

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I read on here the latter is more important though...

    2. Auntie Niemi
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      It's a competition why shouldn't I be happy?

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

    No City def's.
    We move.

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

      Don’t you have Chilwell?

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

        oh yes. And Justin. And Holding
        nice 50k green arrow so far
        Now just waiting for Adams to be out to get Soucek.

      2. Right In The Stanchion
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Looooolll

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

        Differential.

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

          Please tell me your team link is broken...

          ouch.

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

            I'm not smug in the first place to have to worry about it.

            You however...

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

              😎

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

              Embarrassing stuff Christina.

              Mark lives entirely rent free in your head, whilst I'm sure he even know who you are.

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

                shame man. run along. getting a bit hot here.

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

                  Nah I'm good. I'll start replying to your posts a lot more now.

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

                    cool, i've switched on my Nirvana blocker so go for it.
                    xxx

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

                      We'll see about that!

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

            Also. I know your history is decent but why haven't you linked yours?

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

              I'm not smug in the first place to have to worry about it.

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

                Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

    2. Party time
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Lovely 🙂

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

          jis, hows your gw pal?

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Average. Just need a haul from Salah(C) tomorrow

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

                good luck!

                1. Party time
                    3 years, 2 months ago

                    Cheers buddy

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

            “We move”

        2. aborg
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Foden and KDB battling it out for Max bps. Currently it’s on Foden. Anyone think that will hold?

          1. Rainer
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            It should.

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

          Hi guys
          For fpl draft league
          1) Antonio
          2) Che Adams ?
          Thanks

          1. seanie3
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            honestly wouldn't entertain either.. better options in that price bracket..

        4. mgilbert86
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          thoughts on son + wilson -> barnes + vardy after gw 18?

        5. Wizard of Ozil
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Aaargh losing the clean sheet was painful right on the whistle. Bloody typical . I don’t anyone has Hudson-Odoi.

          1. Dr Van Nostrand
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            looked offside too this season is the worst too many flukes

          2. mgilbert86
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            im still happy with my kdb points as no one seems to own him

            1. Digital-Real
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              21% do

              1. Dr Van Nostrand
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 8 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Atleast no one would have captained him

            2. Wizard of Ozil
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Luckily I do but I put C on Vardy

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

          For BGW 18 (only)
          A) KDB & Martial
          Or
          B) Kane & Rashford

        7. M1
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What a day to own Justin, Stones and McCarthy....

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

            What happened to McCarthy?

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

              Covid

            2. Bees4Lyf
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              He’s Self isolating, out of the game tomorrow

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

            Ouch. It happens.

        8. bitm2007
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Long-term

          A) Kane and Saka

          or

          B) Son with DCL

          1. mgilbert86
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Probably B

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

          This is fun.
          Neeeeext!

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

          If you are here - reading or writing a post - on a Sunday

          You are a troll without friends

          We are all equal

          Hudson By God Odoi!!!!

          Clean Sheet Pillager

          1. Salah’s Sonnet
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Ouch Right In The Stanchion lmao

        11. Saka Punch
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          For DGW19, who would you bench:

          A) Grealish (EVE mci)
          B) Adams (lei lee)

          1. Gandalf
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Adams

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

          https://twitter.com/primevideosport/status/1345797640181731328

          Frank Lampard is now statistically the worst Chelsea manager under Roman Abramovich

          1.67 points per game vs. 1.70 for AVB and 1.82 for Ranieri

        13. Digital-Real
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          What Hudson Odoi offside?

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

          Why do ppl even buy Dias? 5.8 with zero attacking return where a 4.5 one gives possible CS and attacking returns. Massively overpriced defender, only one that costs so high with zero attacking returns.

          1. mgilbert86
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            cause hes nailed, pretty simple

          2. COLLIN QUANER
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Why do people buy VVD at 6.5m?

            1. ivantys
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              cos VVD actually scores goals?

              1. COLLIN QUANER
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Meh the odd one here and there

                1. ivantys
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  lol so you're saying Dias will beat VVD's total last season okay.

                2. Alexis Nonsense
                  • 8 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  And baps

                  Dias has low bap potential

            2. Granville
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • Has Moderation Rights
              • 14 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              VVD scores goals.

          3. J ⚒ Gimme ur Mané
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            5 clean sheets in his last 7. Pretty good going.

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

            Well I've been happy with his regular points

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

            lol - salty about not owning City def?

            1. ivantys
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Nah not salty just don't understand the rationale. Cancelo and Stones are much better buys than him, you either save money or get attacking returns

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

          This GW has been a complete nightmare. Only a Liverpool masterclass against Southampton can save me. What can possibly go wrong.