Pro Pundits

My best replacements for injured De Bruyne ahead of FPL Gameweek 20

Fantasy Premier League managers are now frantically searching for a viable replacement for Kevin De Bruyne (£11.9m) ahead of Gameweek 20.

I recently signed the Manchester City midfielder for Double Gameweek 19 and, considering he is our for four to six weeks according to Pep Guardiola’s last estimate, he is going straight back out again.

But who to replace him with? That is the key question, which I will look to answer in my latest article about how my team is faring in 2020/21.

BEST DE BRUYNE REPLACEMENTS

I excluded Bruno Fernandes (£11.3m) and Mohamed Salah (£12.5m) from my shortlist of five possible candidates since I already have them in my team but I think both of them are clearly the best choices if you are a non-owner. Despite modest performances in the Double Gameweek, we all know what they are capable of and both of them are set-and-forget picks for me right now.

RAHEEM STERLING (£11.4m): Manchester City plays against West Brom and Sheffield United in the next two Gameweeks so it is tempting to make a direct switch from De Bruyne to one of his teammates. Having started seven of the last eight Premier League matches, Sterling is probably the most nailed and explosive option among City’s midfielders, in my opinion. Looking at his numbers, if we split his season in half, it becomes clear his expected goals and assists per 90 minutes increased a lot in the past few months.

Sterling’s expected Goal Involvement xGI) per 90 minutes (Gameweeks 1 to 9 on the left and Gameweeks 10 to 19 on the right)

Regardless of this improvement, I think he is clearly overpriced this season, especially if we compare him with the likes of Fernandes, Son or even Grealish. Coupled with the ever-present possibility of a random benching in an easy fixture, I doubt Sterling is the best available option to replace De Bruyne.

SON HEUNG-MIN (£9.7m): After selling Son last week, I was fairly settled on Salah, De Bruyne and Fernandes as my heavy-hitters of choice going forward. But unfortunately, injuries cannot be predicted and so, Son is back on my plans once again.

At first glance Spurs’ fixtures seem really tough which may scare potential investors in the South Korean superstar. They do play against Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City in three of the next five Gameweeks, which is far from ideal. On the bright side, however, three of the next four matches are at home and it seems to be the perfect moment to play against Liverpool and Chelsea, given their recent poor form.

All in all, I think Son is definitely one of the best (if not the absolute best) options to replace De Bruyne. His attacking numbers are great, his finishing is second to none in the Premier League and his pricing seems fair considering what he offers.

JACK GREALISH (£7.7m): With just one attacking return in the last four Gameweeks, Grealish has been underwhelming as an FPL asset lately, which will possibly deter further investment from non-owners like me. It’s important to note, however, that he played against Chelsea, United and City and yet, he still managed to create the second most chances among all midfielders, only behind Mason Mount (£6.8m).

I think Grealish is still a great option going forward. He is at the heart of an impressive Aston Villa team and he is nailed to play 90 minutes in every single match, which is a very important factor these days. Even without spot-kick duties, I think he offers an impressive mixture of safety, attacking threat and price.

PHIL FODEN (£6.3m): With five shots inside the box and six chances created against Aston Villa, Foden immediately positioned himself as an appealing option for those on the market for a midfielder.

However, even after De Bruyne’s injury, Guardiola has a lot of attacking options at his disposal and I think it’s highly unlikely Foden will suddenly become a nailed starter, regardless of how many goals he scores or how many chances he creates.

I’m sure he will be worth £6.3m, even with the odd benching but, with so much money available right now, I don’t feel like sweating City’s lineup every Gameweek when there are several more reliable and safe options to pick from.

ILKAY GUNDOGAN (£5.5m):Having scored five goals in the last seven matches while playing at least 70 minutes in every single one of them, Gundogan looks like an absolute bargain, especially now that there is an extra-spot available in City’s midfield.

If we add spot-kick duties and two amazing fixtures to the equation, Gundogan becomes really hard to ignore. The only downside I can think of is the possibility of a rest very soon, given how much he has been playing lately and his history of long-term injuries.

CONCLUSION

At the moment, I managed to discard Sterling and Foden and it seems like my decision will most likely be between Son and Gundogan (although Grealish is still in the mix).

If you are looking to upgrade someone for a hit or even for free next week, I think the decision is fairly easy. Gundogan offers insane value right now with great attacking numbers, decent expected minutes and penalty-duties for just £5.5m.

For the rest of us, who are looking to buy the best possible option regardless of price , I think it’s really close between Son and Gundogan. It’s actually quite possible I get Son for De Bruyne this week and Gundogan for Soucek next week but, with three days still to go until the deadline, I am waiting a bit more before making my final decision. 

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1,673 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Fernando Torres
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 2 months ago

    Bench Antonio or Dallas?

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

      Bamford

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

      I'd rather play FWD than DEF

  2. Party time
      3 years, 2 months ago

      When do we get to see our next fpl cup opponent?

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

        Tomorrow

        1. Party time
            3 years, 2 months ago

            Dammit.

            Thanks

        2. sunzip14
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 2 months ago

          Lost by 1 point to a FH team 114 -115. Faced two FH teams consecutively. Managed to beat one but this was tight. Good luck to you!

          1. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Wow... That’s tough.

              I did well this gw unlike in gw 17, only 1 point difference, it was a narrow escape.

              The dream continues...Thanks buddy

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

          The article says it all. This is currently my plan too, although I’m a bit more swayed to do Kdb to Gundo first and Soucek to Son the next based on fixtures.

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

            considering the same

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

          Would you be tempted to play any of these over Robertson?

          1) Soucek
          2) Rodrigo
          3) Holding

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            I'm starting Raphinha & Cresswell over him.

          2. Ha.
            • 8 Years
            3 years, 2 months ago

            No

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

            Soucek maybe if you’re feeling risky

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

            Yes, playing Soucek. It is a hedge, if Robbo gets clean sheet I don't mind as Tottenham blank.

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

          How many people are holding Salah and keeping the faith in Liverpool?

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

            If I had Salah I would be keeping

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

            Holding currently. Too many fires. Also I’m a big pussycat.

          3. Party time
              3 years, 2 months ago

              A lot will including me

            • Ze_Austin
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              I'll probably get him in GW26

            • jia you
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              got rid of both Robbo and Salah in recent GWs...proving and excellent decision thus far

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

              sold before the blank, will get back at some stage before the doubles but fixtures are coming thick and fast so may look at getting a better bench with the funds until playing my WC near GW26

            • Better off with a pin and a…
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              With KDB, El Ghazi and Wilson in my side I have bigger problems than losing Salah right now!

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

            WC team
            Martinez Areola
            Dallas Tierney Coufal Stones Mitchell
            Grealish Maddisin Salah Son Bruno
            Kane Bamford Davis

            What do you think?
            Thank you.

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

              Balanced and good. Not great! And you’ll struggle to bench every now and then. The timing is also a question mark.

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

              with davis and mitchel perma benched, dont think your gonna have bench headache.

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

              Sanchez over Areola

              Tierney has his worst fixtures ahead (his fixture swing is in GW31). Dallas is a Leeds defender

              Maddison over Antonio doesn't sit well with me, nor does the lack of Man City attack while holding Salah

              Maybe I'm biased towards my players, but I'd restart here

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

              I'd want Antonio over Bamford.

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

            Liverpool is proving that if you spend too much around Christmas, you'll be broke after

            1. Party time
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Lol 😆

            2. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              One FA Cup result has gone against the FPL players who want max BGWs and DGWs (Arsenal losing to Southampton). Today is a much tougher day of fixtures. Need Fulham, Man Utd, Everton, Chelsea, and Leicester to win.

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

                Because you've held on to chips too?

                1. diesel001
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  I've got all my chips, but generally max BGWs/DGWs is good for FPL managers looking to gain OR.

            3. DantheManinaPan
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Plan for me as things stand:

              KDB --> Gundo this week

              Adams --> Kane next week

              Trying to decide whether to move either of Strujik or Coufal out for Stones for a hit in addition...

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

                Struijk or no hit. Coufal can go in GW25 instead, to prepare for the DGW with more info after getting the best fixtures out of him

            4. _Gunner
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              What would you do with this lot? 1FT, 2.2 itb

              Martinez
              Stones Justin Coufal
              Grealish Bruno Salah Son
              Kane Antonio Bamford

              subs: Steer Bissouma Dallas Mitchell

              1. jia you
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                save FT

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

                Get gundog for bissouma!!!

            5. Karan14
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Martinez
              Cresswell Cancelo Dias
              Salah KDB Bruno Grealish Raphinha
              Antonio Bamford

              (Steer Robbo Mitchell Brewster)
              1 FT & 0.3m

              A) KDB ➡️ Gündo
              (Raphinha to Son OR Raphinha & Brewster to Kane & 4.5 mid for -4 in GW21)

              B) KDB ➡️ Son
              (Raphinha to Barnes/7.7m in GW21)

              Thoughts?

              1. _Gunner
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                B, since you don't have Kane

                1. Karan14
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  If B I will not be able to get Kane. With A if have the option of getting him in next week.

              2. Botman and Robben
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                A

            6. Miguel Sanchez
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Which option:

              A) Wilson (LEE)
              B) Soucek (cpa)
              C) Kane (LIV) -4
              D) H.Barnes (eve) -4

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

                Wilson, because of Leeds

                1. Miguel Sanchez
                  • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                  • 7 Years
                  3 years, 2 months ago

                  But it’s Callum Wilson... my FPL nemesis who I somehow now own

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

                    One more match then he becomes Kane for free, right? I'd hold... And endure

                    1. Miguel Sanchez
                      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                      • 7 Years
                      3 years, 2 months ago

                      Grrrrr.... very sensible

              2. Karan14
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                I think C if you want him for the next few games.

              3. Botman and Robben
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                A

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

              Martinez
              Dias - Zouma - Dallas
              Salah - Son - Bruno - Raphinha
              Vardy - Bamford - Antonio

              Coufal - Soucek - Kilman

              A) Zouma ➡ Cancelo
              B) Vardy ➡ Kane
              C) both for -4
              ..?

              thx!

              1. Karan14
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                C

              2. The FPL Units
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                A but to Stones

            8. And nothing else Mata'…
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Bench Willson or Dallas?

              1. The FPL Units
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 14 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                D

            9. Babit1967
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Guys on wc - Pogba (0 itb) or Foden (1.4 itb)?

              Martinez
              Cancelo Dias Coufal Holding Mitchell
              Mane Son Bruno Grealish ———
              Kane Antonio Davis

            10. diesel001
              • 7 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              There is still the possibility of GW29 only consisting of two fixtures.

              This would happen if Chelsea, Man City, Southampton, Leicester, Man Utd, Fulham, Sheff Utd, and Everton all make it through to Round 6 of the FA Cup (the QFs).

              1. diesel001
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Which would leave West Ham vs Arsenal and Brighton vs Newcastle as the only 2 PL fixtures in GW29.

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

              Was Kane's price rise out of the blue to you? Didn't see that coming last night but Gundo and KDB stay as was.

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

                It was predicted by the algorithms. Over 90%

                What was out of the blue about it was the speed with which people bought him when KDB and Vardy injuries were announced. He was around 27% minutes before those announcements

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

                  It was very easy swap, especially after KdB injury which helped those without funds.

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

                    Yup. One of the fastest rises from unrelated injuries that I've seen

            12. Easy Cheesy
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Options:
              A) kdb to sterling (captain for gw21)
              B) kdb/ son and robbo/ dias (son captain for gw21) for a -4

              My three city atm are kdb, foden and cancelo

            13. ChippyT
              • 13 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              McCarthy
              Stones - Coufal - Justin
              Salah - Burno - Soucek - KDB*
              Vardy* - Bamford - Antonio

              Steer - Raphina - Dallas - Bednarek

              Team is a mess.

              Can't see past KDB + Vardy --> Gundo + Kane for -4

              Yes or no?

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

                Why today if not yesterday?

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

              Hey guys, haven't paid too much attention this year and ended up over 80 points behind in my mini league. I have more free time and going to try to catch up. Any immediate changes I should make/direction I should look in?

              Martinez Johnstone
              Zouma Stones Dier Mee CTaylor
              Salah Fernandes Son Neto Anguissa
              Kane Antonio Watkins

              1 FT
              0.2 ITB

              WC still available

              1. Carefree Crew
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Zouma may have lost his place, didn't play either game in the DGW. Rudiger came in for him.
                Not sure if that's permanent, but one to look at.

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

                Neto to Gundogan or zouma to Dias/cancelo

            15. jimbo90
              • 8 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              KDB and Brewster > Gundo and Kane is a no brainer, right?

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

                Yes

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

                Is it for free ?
                I'm contemplating this for -4 or would just play Soucek

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

                Do it

            16. Earn your Spurs
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              How does Fabio get that view of his team at the top of the article, where it shows points for each player against recent teams? I only have the current game showing

              Thanks for your help 🙂

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

                On desktop "better fpl" google extension or something like it.

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

                Fpl tools chrome extension

              3. Earn your Spurs
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 9 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Thanks guys

            17. stu92
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 4 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Really struggling with my bench this week, thoughts on this?

              Martinez
              Robbo Stones Coufal Targett
              Salah Son Bruno Raphinha
              Antonio Bamford
              (Johnstone Vardy Alioski Soucek)

              1) G2G
              2) Vardy to Ings (-4), bench Raphinha
              3) Start Alioski, bench Raphinha

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

              DDG Johnstone
              Chilwell, Cancelo, Stones, AWB, Coufal
              Salah, Bruno, (son/Gundo), Soucek, ESR
              Bamford, Antonio, Wilson

              Which players should I bench this GW?

              Coufal, soucek and ESR??

            19. dimas np
              • 11 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Which 3 to play out of this 5

              A. Robbo
              B. Justin
              C. Stones
              D. Coufal
              E. Mee (obviously not this right?)

              F. Robbo > Cancelo for free?

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

                F

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

                DC and A/F

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

              How can you tell if progressed in cup? In cup game score was 106-106 with same number of goals scored each.

              1. Van der Faart
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 12 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Clean sheets then I think is the next one they use

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

                Whose team (entire team, first XI) conceded less goals.

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

                  Thanks. Do you know if that includes bench for player who bench boosted? Or just first 11 of both teams

            21. Earn your Spurs
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 9 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              El Ghazi to :-
              a> Rashford
              b> Pogba

              Are either worth a hit this week?

              1. EmreCan Hustle
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                A

              2. EmreCan Hustle
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                Not worth a hit.

            22. Ando
              • 10 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              Do KDB ➡ Gundogan (wba) for -4

              or

              Play Adams (ARS) next GW and do KDB & Adams ➡ Gundogan & Kane for -4 the GW after?

              1. EmreCan Hustle
                • 11 Years
                3 years, 2 months ago

                If the hit is unavoidable then do it now. The West brom game can be good

            23. Von Lipwig
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              How am I looking lads? GTG?

              0FTs, 2.2mITB

              Martinez
              Stones Cancelo Cresswell
              Salah Bruno(c) Son Gundogan Raphinha
              Bamford Antonio
              (Forster Dallas Kilman Vardy)

              Could play Dallas (NEW a) over Creswell (CRY a)? But that'll be triple Leeds...

            24. andres
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 2 months ago

              What do you guys think about Watkins...?

              Part of a well playing team but not deliverying much points...

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

                I've owned him for a few months now and, though he can be frustrating, all in all I enjoy owning him. Villa are a fun team to watch & he always gets chances, so it's far preferable to me than owning a Wilson and just praying for a penalty.