Scout Notes

Gündogan the Man City architect as Cancelo plays advanced role again

Burnley 0-2 Man City

  • Goals: Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m), Raheem Sterling (£11.6m)
  • Assists: Bernardo Silva (£7.4m), Ilkay Gündogan (£5.8m)
  • Bonus points: Jesus x3, Gündogan x2, Aymeric Laporte x1 (£6.0m)

GIFT OF THE GAB

Gabriel Jesus (£9.2m) is making a strong case for Pep Guardiola to regularly use a recognised centre-forward again.

Following a period on the sidelines with coronavirus (COVID-19), the Brazilian made just one Premier League start between Gameweeks 14 and 20, in which Manchester City predominantly played around a false-nine option.

However, Jesus has now played 90 minutes in each of the last two Gameweeks and has goals in each of them.

Having grabbed his chance with both hands, he will fancy his chances of earning more regular game-time once again. After all, Guardiola recently reiterated that it would take a sustained period of good form and goal-scoring to get Jesus back in the Manchester City team again.

“There are no doubts about Gabriel. We have been together for a long time. Last game he gave us three points and today he gave us the start. We are delighted with Gabriel all the time. He knows that but his contribution in many ways is fantastic.” – Pep Guardiola

SLOW START

For all the interest in Manchester City’s attacking assets, it took them a little while to work their way up to full steam against Burnley.

Over the first 38 minutes of the game, they had registered just two shots on target and their third-minute opening goal was arguably down to a rare error by Nick Pope (£5.4m).

“We were lucky to score early and after, [in] the first half, we struggled a bit to break the lines. The second half was much better. I want them to do the simple things well. We are trying to do it but today we lost more simple balls than usual. In general, I am satisfied because we had chances to score more goals today. We can do better.” – Pep Guardiola

It was Ilkay Gündogan (£5.8m) who got Manchester City into top gear as Guardiola ushered him to push into the more advanced roles that helped him to four double-figure hauls since Gameweek 13. On Wednesday night, only two colleagues registered more touches in the final third than the German international.

However, as we recently highlighted after the win over Sheffield United, Jesus’ presence in the team does stop Gündogan from shooting as often.

Indeed, against Burnley, he mustered just one effort on goal, his first attempt since the second half against West Bromwich Albion.

Still, with his runs into dangerous areas at Turf Moor, the former Borussia Dortmund man was, at the very least, able to provide an excellent level of creativity.

His passes in the middle of the field, and in the penalty box, were reminiscent of what we have seen Kevin De Bruyne (£11.8m) produce, helping him to an assist for a Raheem Sterling (£11.6m) goal in the first half.

And in the second half, Gündogan won the ball in the middle of the park and played a defence-splitting De Bruyne-esque pass to put Sterling through on goal only for Pope to produce an incredible save to deny the goal.

Manchester City’s fixtures are about to take a tough turn, with Liverpool (away), Spurs (home) and Arsenal (away) their next three opponents, which might lead to some concerns about Gündogan’s long-term appeal.

It must be said that, if Jesus does re-establish himself in the first-team again, which he is threatening to do, we might see less of the budget midfielder unleashing a healthy glut of shots on goal every game. But if he can maintain the creativity on show against Burnley, he can certainly still offer some value at £5.8m, especially as Manchester City’s penalty-taker in De Bruyne’s absence.

LAPORTE IS LEFT BUT NEVER ON THE TABLE

After keeping their 13th clean sheet of the campaign in the 2-0 win at Burnley, Manchester City’s impressive form at the back requires little analysis.

However, Fantasy managers do face some tough decisions surrounding their Citizens defenders with Liverpool and Tottenham up next.

The last time Guardiola’s men did not keep a clean sheet in the Premier League was their 3-1 win over Chelsea (before a run of six on the bounce).

Meanwhile, Spurs (two), Liverpool (one) are two of only three other sides to score against Manchester City since Gameweek 8.

Considering how he has lined up in each of his last two Premier League starts, owners of João Cancelo (£6.0m) might feel more comfortable starting him in Gameweek 23 compared to those holding John Stones (£5.2m) and Rúben Dias (£6.0m).

Officially, Manchester City used a four-man defence on Wednesday night but when they were in possession, Stones, Dias and Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m) spread themselves into a back-three and allowed Cancelo to step into midfield as an auxiliary central midfielder, similar to how he operated in the 5-0 win at West Bromwich Albion.

That led to Cancelo pushing forward and going close to a goal against Burnley, only for Pope to make a save. Crucially, he was replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.5m) in the 63rd minute, helping him bank a clean sheet and all but guarantee a start on Sunday afternoon.

Cancelo’s touch heatmap in Gameweek 22

If Cancelo were to perform a similar role against Liverpool, he could offer attacking threat despite the somewhat diminished clean sheet potential.

Meanwhile, Laporte continues to pose something of a threat to Stones and, to a lesser extent, Dias. This was his second successive Premier League start although this time he played alongside them. Officially, he was handed a left-back role but, as we have already alluded to, Laporte spent a large amount of time acting as a third centre-back at Turf Moor.

Unfortunately, Guardiola is offering up no clues as to how Laporte fits into the Manchester City picture this season either. Rather than clarify his role against Burnley or elaborate on his long-term prospects for starting, he explained Laporte’s Gameweek 22 start was simply as a result of the busy schedule.

“What we have done so far is because everyone has made an incredible contribution and he is no exception. When we see the February schedule we want to run away but the amount of games we have everyone will be so important.” – Pep Guardiola

Burnley XI: Pope; Pieters, Mee, Tarkowski, Lowton; McNeil, Westwood (Benson 81′), Cork (D Stephens 71′), Gudmundsson; Vydra, Rodriguez (Mumbongo 77′).

Manchester City XI: Ederson; Laporte, Dias, Stones, Cancelo (Zinchenko 64′); Gündogan, Rodri, B Silva; Sterling, Jesus, Mahrez.

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2,049 Comments Post a Comment
  1. HollywoodXI
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    10 of my players get a CS or attacking returns. 1 player didn’t. Get which one I captained!

    1. JJeyy
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      same, alot in this position

    2. Il Capitano
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Johnstone and Salah(C) my only blanks so far, feels like I've missed a trick this week

    3. Kiwivillan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No outfield player in my team scored less than 6 except Salah C

    4. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here so far.

    5. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Same here.

    6. Monya Meow Meow
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Many in the same boat

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

    My strikerforce is

    DCL, Watkins & Bamford

    I had planned to do Watkins to Kane, but he isn’t even fit yet. Should I just do Watkins to Antonio and worry about Kane when he’s firing.

    If Watkins goes, I’ll get targett as my 3rd villa player

    1. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I'm considering Watkins to Antonio as well. But I don't have any other Villa attack atm so less sure of it

    2. Coys96
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I have same, really want Antonio

      Probably DCL out despite the DGW

      1. George Agdgdgwngo
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Nah keep DCL

      2. School of Poch
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Thinking the same maybe

  3. Mile Plankton
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Thanks everyone who talked me off doing Sterling->Salah on Sunday night.

    1. Toby Lerone
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Play your own game

  4. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Why do I bench Soucek?

    It's stupid really

    1. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I benched him for Richarlison! Don’t be hard on self lol

    2. Goodfeathers
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I feel your pain. You’d think we’d learn after he bagged 15 points the other week.

      1. Toby Lerone
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I've had raphina on bench for his 13 and 7 points

        1. Toby Lerone
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Oh and benched bamford last week for 15

  5. JJeyy
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    75 points and a red arrow surely must be some sort of record

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Top 10K avg 75

    2. Mufc202020
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Is there a website where I can view live leaderboards??

      1. Monya Meow Meow
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Yes LiveFPL

      2. STEP rOVERS
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        FPL Live

        1. Mufc202020
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Thanks both!

  6. Pompel
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Difficult transfer decision coming up - do I get

    A) Son who has WBA and probably juicy dgw26
    B) Antonio who's erturning every gw at budget price , but less probable dgw
    C) Both for a hit

    1. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends who you’re getting rid of.

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Plan was Soucek to Son - but now thinking getting rid of Salah!
        Deco-reid to make way for any striker , Antonio, Watkins or Kane

    2. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am bringing in Son for Salah for -4 depending on how Son plays tomorrow

    3. School of Poch
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Depends on the who for for the hit. But A and B both good people to bring in

      1. Pompel
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Soucek or Salah, and Deco-Reid to make way. Tempted to do both for a hit

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

    Play lacazette or Gündogan

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundagon

    2. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Gundo. Liverpool no proper defence, Gundo gonna get in there and smash them like Khabib unless Liverpool turn up like drunk McGregor then Gundo still gonna smash them like Khabib

      1. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        LOL.. MMA seems your preferred sport

  8. School of Poch
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    What to do with the FT here?

    A: One of the strikers > Antonio (which?)
    B: Upgrade one of Neco or Riedewald for stronger bench
    C: Save
    D: Other?

    Martinez Forster
    Dias Cancelo Dallas Coufal Neco
    Salah Bruno Son Barnes Riedewald
    DCL Bamford Watkins

    1FT 3.8ITB

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

      Nice

    2. STEP rOVERS
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      The hate is real

    3. The Train Driver
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Of course Dragon is there to post nonsense as per usual

  9. SINGH
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah to Son next week guys?

    1. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Makes sense but Salah will score next week

      1. SINGH
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Doubt it. City are tight defence and Liverpool are not connecting up front. It will either be 1-0 city or 0-0 in my opinion

        1. Magic Zico
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I doubt on so many things and this season always does the opposite ...

          1. SINGH
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            I understand. I too have many doubts, for example I doubted that my uncle is my uncle but is my aunty only for me to doubt again that my aunty is my aunty but instead is my uncle and then my uncle turned out to be my aunty before my aunty turned out to be my uncle. Morale of the story, don't doubt.

            1. Magic Zico
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 5 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              I am a simple guy, just want a green arrow

  10. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Scored 20 above average and still facing a 20k red arrow!

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Dead teams

    2. Scholes Out For Summer
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Normal average or top 10k average?

      1. Magic Zico
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I guess normal

    3. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Exactly the same

  11. Feed tha Sheep
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Play one this week?

    A. Justin (wolves)
    B. Stones (Lpool) (playing cancelo)
    C. Dallas (palace)

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

      A I think I have to get him into my team

  12. sergioaguero67
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Never bench Soucek. Lesson learnt.

    1. Feed tha Sheep
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Amen

    2. Magic Zico
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Nobody learns and never will 😉

    3. Gross Blank Point
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I sold him for Salah

  13. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Firmino & DCL to Bamford & Watkins for free?

  14. Simon69
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Foden > Son a no brainer or better options out there with Kane out? Also have my eye on Grealish.

    Other mids Salah, Bruno, Maddison and Soucek.

    1. Can’t beat em so&hell…
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Leave Spurs alone

  15. HD7
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should have benched Salah and captained Bissouma 😀

  16. Guru Mediation
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Benching Justin for Holding and switching Bruno to Salah captaincy just before deadline....sad times

  17. TheDragon
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Help: Any reason not to do Robertson -> AWB tonight?

    1. Guru Mediation
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Injury
      Covid-19
      Weather

      Always wait for pressers dude

    2. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      This is the season to wait as late as possible on transfers (also shaw is a better option)

  18. Make United Great Again
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lingard is a great pick

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Fixtures as well!

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

      Time will tell.

  19. Iceball
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Antonio or Son captain at weekend?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      See how spurs look against Chelsea

  20. FF Dirtbag
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Is Vardy meant to be back this weekend?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yes I think Rodgers mentioned he expects him to be back

      1. FF Dirtbag
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Hmmm...

      2. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        I thought he was having an op?!

        1. Pat Bonner
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          It’s in the FFS tweets somewhere

    2. SINGH
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He is back this weekend but not sure if he will start

  21. The Frenchie
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Gundogan out / Grealish in: done
    Stones out / ? in

    A) Dallas
    B) Wan-Bissaka
    C) Thiago Silva
    D) Other? (6.0 max)

    Fabianski
    Cresswell - Coufal - ?
    Salah - Bruno - Son - Grealish - Maddison
    Calvert-Lewin - Bamford

    Meslier - Dias - Holding - Brewster

    1. MikeS
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why? Grealish is crap and gundogan has an easy game in loserpool

      1. The Frenchie
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        It’s done 🙂

    2. dimo_fpl
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Why do you want to get rid of 2 city assets... surely having triple city is near essential, especially with their doubles coming up. Also, why the early transfer?

  22. bench boost for every gamew…
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Stop moaning about salah and Liverpool. If you take out Stones, laporte, dias, ederson, Bilva, rodri, mahrez and sterling City would also have lost for Brighton Who outclassed Spurs WHOs only signifikant player out was Kane.

    1. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      If you capped salah then that was a bad choice.

    2. Qaiss
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Liverpool are not even the half as good as when Van Dijk is there though. Man City have won the league without KDB for a whole season.

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        One player out is not comparable to 6-7. If Liverpool were only without vvd they would have led the table by 10 points.

    3. Maeki2
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      City dont have Aguero and KDB isnt that enough?

      1. bench boost for every gamew…
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Difference between 2 players and 6, 7 is that 2 does not interupt the system and rythm. And tbf aguero is past it.

  23. MikeS
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah to soucek?

    1. Pat Bonner
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Lingard?

      1. MikeS
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Not a bad shout

  24. diesel001
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should be through to the next round of the FPL Cup (provided Son doesn't score worse than -5 pts). Anyone else likely to make it through?

    1. Crunchie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No my opponent got 97 points lol. Justin being the difference. I still have Son and Chilwell left but dont expect a 20 point rise with that combo

    2. Hiddenpaw
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Yep I’m through again. Never made it past Round 4 before. Quite pleased.

  25. Ozzy smith
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2k to 20k in 3 gameweeks. Yuck.

  26. Bury94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Really interesting transfer decision this week, I can either:

    A) Replace Steer for another back up keeper, so I have a spare Villa slot for whenever they have their DGW

    B) Get Yedlin out for a playing 3rd sub

    Season defining decision

  27. Bank$y
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Jesse Lingard spearheading the FPL team of the week. #thenewnormal #fpl

  28. boogle
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2FT:

    Leno > Sanchez
    Second transfer, unlimited funds??

    Sanchez
    Dias Stones Chilwell James Dallas
    Salah Son Bruno Gundogan Soucek
    DCL Bamford Brewster

    1. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Brewster to Antonio? Gives you more of a benching headache though.

      1. boogle
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Had exactly the same thoughts. Also Stones > Cresswell maybe?

  29. DickFranDyke
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Leno to ...? Got Martinez and money no option.

    1. The Invincibles
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      DeGea?