Scout Notes

Injury latest on De Bruyne as Gundogan emerges as Man City’s best FPL attacker

Man City 2-0 Aston Villa

  • Goals: Bernardo Silva (£7.4m), Ilkay Gündogan (£5.5m)
  • Assists: Rodrigo (£5.4m), Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m)
  • Bonus points: Rodrigo x3, Gündogan x2, João Cancelo x1 (£5.8m), Ruben Dias x1 (£5.8m), B Silva x1

KEVIN!

Pep Guardiola and owners of Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) alike will be sweating on his fitness after the player was forced off in Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa.

There were already concerns about the Belgian’s condition going into Wednesday night considering he was given a rest during the final 20 minutes of the 4-0 thrashing of Crystal Palace.

De Bruyne was able to start for the 13th straight Premier League game but he lasted just 58 minutes in the second match of Double Gameweek 19.

And Guardiola only heaped further concern on De Bruyne’s owners by confirming post-match that the injury could be muscular.

“Kevin De Bruyne put his hand on his leg, so I have the feeling it will be something muscular. These things happen with this amount of games.” – Pep Guardiola

It is, of course, too soon for either Guardiola or Fantasy managers to know the full extent of De Bruyne’s injury and the player is likely to have a scan on Thursday to assess the damage.

It is worth saying that there is slightly longer than usual for De Bruyne to recover considering that Manchester City’s next Premier League match does not take place until next Tuesday.

There is also an FA Cup match against Cheltenham Town on Saturday which will allow Guardiola a chance to rest De Bruyne.

Crucially, it means we will have at least two pre-match press conferences for the manager to update us on the Belgian although not many in the Fantasy community will enjoy being at Guardiola’s mercy in a media briefing…

HAPPINESS IS A WARM GÜN

Ilkay Gündogan (£5.5m) extended his impressive run of form for Manchester City on Wednesday evening.

His fifth goal of the season, and second of Double Gameweek 19, helped the German international to a third double-digit haul since Gameweek 13, more than any colleague across the same period.

In total, Gündogan has racked up 54 points in his last seven matches (7.7 per game) and, with West Bromwich Albion (away) and Sheffield United (home) up next, interest in his signature is sure to increase.

His new advanced role has been well-documented of late but what helped him get on the scoresheet against Aston Villa was his place in the penalty pecking order.

With a flagging De Bruyne removed from proceedings after 58 minutes, it fell to Gündogan to dispatch a 90th-minute spot-kick after Gabriel Jesus (£9.1m) had forced a handball out of Matty Cash (£5.0m).

And if the Belgian is set to miss a few games, then Gündogan’s stock can only increase further, especially if he has a stronger claim to penalties than Jesus and Riyad Mahrez (£8.1m), who he shared the pitch with during stoppage time against Aston Villa.

Raheem Sterling (£11.4m) had gone off by the time Gündogan put Manchester City 2-0 up but his troubles from the spot this season have been well-documented.

SILVA LINING

For the second time in three Premier League matches, Bernardo Silva (£7.4m) was selected to occupy the false-nine role for Manchester City.

With Jesus consigned to the bench for the second time during that run, Guardiola’s preference for a more fluid front-three comprised of midfielders is becoming clear.

Judging by his pre-match comments, it sounds as if that outset may continue until either Jesus or Sergio Aguero (£10.3m) can start finding the net again – when given an opportunity, that is.

“Strikers have to score goals. The way we want to play does not depend on strikers, centre-backs, full-backs. We have a special way to play, sometimes we need strikers, sometimes we don’t.” – Pep Guardiola

Silva is already reaping the rewards of his false-nine role as he scored his first Premier League goal of the season against Aston Villa.

But he went close on other occasions including a well-saved header at the back post in the third minute.

“Bernardo Silva, I said many times, is one of the most intelligent players I have ever seen. He can do everything in every position and he has the quality to score goals too. It’s really good for him and us. A fantastic goal.” – Pep Guardiola

CANCELO CULTURE

The João Cancelo (£5.8m) rollercoaster still had plenty of dips and loop-the-loops in the second match of Double Gameweek 19.

Fresh from a one-point cameo against Crystal Palace, the full-back returned to the side on Wednesday evening, playing in the left-back role initially and securing a clean sheet and one bonus.

That made for an eight-point score for the Double Gameweek while John Stones (£5.1m) and Ruben Dias (£5.8m) enjoyed 27 and 17-point hauls.

But Cancelo certainly had chances to get close to his central-defensive counterparts as he struck the crossbar in the first half, which would have resulted in a De Bruyne assist had he found the back of the net.

And in the second half, the Portuguese international drove through the middle of the pitch and fired an arrow of a shot at the bottom corner before Emiliano Martínez (£5.1m) turned away a certain goal.

It is worth saying that Cancelo was more involved in the game during the first half when stationed on the left-hand side of Manchester City’s defence.

However, he was forced to staff the right-back berth after the 28th minute when Kyle Walker (£6.1m) was forced off with a knock and replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) – a switch that somewhat limited his involvement.

That said, Cancelo’s chances of starting games and avoiding further benchings could be boosted if Walker faces more time on the sidelines.

“I haven’t spoken to the doctor. If Kyle Walker asks to be out, it is because something happened. Hopefully just a kick.” – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City XI (4-3-3): Ederson; Cancelo, Dias, Stones, Walker (Zinchenko 28′); Gündogan, Rodri, De Bruyne (Jesus 59′); Foden, B Silva, Sterling (Mahrez 72′).

Aston Villa XI (4-2-3-1): Martínez; Targett (N Taylor 75′), Mings, Konsa, Cash; McGinn, D Luiz; Grealish, Barkley (Ramsey 68′), B Traoré (El Ghazi 68′); Watkins.

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1,041 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Nightcrawler
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Terrible week gets worse. Just 84 atm

    Started at 20k
    Dropped to 26k by monday
    30k on tuesday
    35k now

    Only saving grace is that all the chips are still intact and Salah(c) could work out

    1. Rhodes your boat
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Subtle brag

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

        Doubling ur rank is no brag

      2. LC1
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Not so subtle

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Inspiring top post

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

      Unlucky mate, doubt Salah blanks again.

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

        Thanks man its been tough

    4. Hotdogs for Tea
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Sounds like a Craig David song 🙂

    5. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nobody cares try and understand

  2. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Limping through the double with 83... hoping to bounce back next week... anything to do here or just save?.

    Martínez
    Stones| Holding | Dallas
    Grealish | Salah | Fernandes | Soucek | KDB*
    Vardy | Bamford
    -----------------------------------------------------
    Button | Coufal | KWP | Brewster

    1. nisag17
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Great team. I wouldn't touch it. Though I would start considering who to downgrade to get one more city def with 2ft.

      1. G Banger
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks for the boost, will be looking to do that next week 🙂

    2. PAs lag
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Soucek 》Saka for me

  3. Steve The Spud
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What’s the Rashford situation? Now sitting with kdb and Rashford in my mid, was he dropped or just rested? Should start v shu or 50/50? Surely he’s better than martial

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Was Just rested for sure.

      1. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Ok thank you pele

    2. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Defo wasn’t dropped

    3. LC1
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I think it was a mixture of rest and poor performances. He has been rubbish the last few weeks and was getting caught offside practically 4every 5 minutes. As a Man U fan I was really glad he was finally dropped for a game.

      I'm certain it won't be a longterm thing and he'll be starting against Shef

  4. HVT
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Who to buy? (Have Dias)

    A - Cancelo
    B - Stones

    thanks

    1. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      A

  5. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Cancelo a better option now playing in midfield or does it just create additional rotation threat?

    Not sure whether he is worth the extra over Stones...

    1. Steve The Spud
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      His goal is coming

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

      Think a triple up on City defenders is valid.
      Only team in the league looking likely to return a CS most weeks.

      I am looking to take out KDB and bring in Cancelo next to Dias and Stones.
      With Walker off injured I think Cancelo is worth the 'risk'. He is looking like the most advanced defender in the game, many shots on target, many opportunities for assists.

      Cancelo > Dias and Stones at this point.

      1. IRBOX ⚽
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Cancelo was never a risk

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Youre going to triple up on City for three weeks only? Then what happens when the fixtures turn in gw23... going to be a scramble to remove them all

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

          Nono. Triple and starting all three for as long is KDB/Sterling/Gundogan/Foden does not looked nailed and for as long as they look solid at the back playing focused in all 95' minutes even when up by 2 goals.

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

            Gundogan looks as nailed as possible under Pep

  6. elwardio
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    What a frustrating last few matches, they promised so much more

    Vardy 2
    Kdb (TC) 1
    Stones 6
    Cancelo 7
    Fernandes 5
    Rashford 1
    De gea 3

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

      After the haul, getting greedy with Stones? 6 and 7 from those two defenders is not too bad!

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

      Vardy and Rashford are probably the ones I would be most disapointed with.

      KDB (TC) was unlucky imo it was the right time and player to use it on but sometimes things don't work out.

      Still 18 gameweeks left.

  7. tbos83
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Was planning to cap Bruno but if he starts in FA Cup on sat surely he'll be rested? VC currently KDB but that's now dodgy as well.

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

      Reckon hes benched vs pool

      1. tbos83
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Hope so!

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

      United need to do well in the cup as they’ll fall away in the league. Bruno will start imo

  8. R.C
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    My cup run continues to be close this GW, who do you think will win?

    1. Martinez, Grealish, Salah (C) + 6 points
    2. Targett + Salah + Wilson

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

      1
      I'm also through

  9. OPTA FPL
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Saka or Gundogan??

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

      For?

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

      Gundogan

  10. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG?

    DDG
    Stones, Cancelo, Coufal
    Saka, Salah, Bruno (C), KDB (VC)
    Bamford, Antonio, Vardy

    Subs: Martinez, Tierney, Soucek, Mitchell

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

      Yep

  11. Wally banter
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Feeling good finally..
    When gw17 started i was 3.1 million and with three weeks 17, 18, 19 reached upto 1.1 mn
    Just salah tc remaining, didn't use any other chips... all of a sudden feeling hopeful on 500k finish.

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

      500K could be easily achieved imo.

      More than 50% left of the season.

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Yea... hopefully 🙂

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

      You'll get there mate, I went from 1.5m to 100k in a few weeks

      1. Wally banter
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 2 months ago

        Thanks mate... its incredible to achieve that fate at the moment.. coz of the point gap... still hopefull

    3. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      gone from 2.2m to 7k myself so you should be aiming for top 100k

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

    Player's I want most, 1. Kane 2. Justin 3. Gundogan.

    KDB and Brewster to Kane and Gundogan?

    Martinez
    Stones Dallas Coufal
    Salah KDB* Bruno Son Grealish
    Bamford Antonio
    Johnstone Holding KWP Brewster*

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

      If you got 2 transfers and KDB is injured I would do it.

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

        Thanks mate.

  13. WVA
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Like everyone I'm desperate to get 2 City defenders in my team but by the time I have a free transfer to do it they'll be starting the below fixture run, is it worth it?

    Away v Burnley
    Away v Pool
    Home v Spurs
    Away v Arsenal
    Home v West Ham
    Home v United
    Away v Fulham

    1. chrismoo75
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      I would say yes but I already have double City.

      Obviously changed something this season to make them more defensively minded which has meant their attacking threat has been nullified

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

    Probably plenty in the same position, but it’s frustrating that gundo has scored in 4 of the last 5 matches. The one he didn’t score in... the week I FH him in *Urgh*

  15. Aster
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    GTG or I should get someone in? I was thinking Grealish for Son, potentially Gundogan for KdB:

    De Gea

    Dias- Cancelo- Shaw

    Bruno-Son-KDB-Soucek-Saka

    Antonio-Bamford

    Bench: Mccarthy, Coufal, Dallas, Wilson

    Torn about Coufal, Dallas and Shaw.

    1. Sigurd's Son
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Setup nicely for next GW, would be inclined to save FT

  16. Oggle22
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    1ft 1.8m itb
    Martinez
    Konsa Stones Holding
    Salah Son Bruno Foden
    Kane Antonio Bamford

    Steele Soucek Mitchell Kilman

    Stick with foden or sideways to gundagon?

    Kilman to another city defender?

    Hold ft?

    Cheers

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

      I would leave it as it is.

    2. Sigurd's Son
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 2 months ago

      Nice team. No pressing issues so would be inclined to save FT