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. Scots Gooner
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    No idea who to ship Salah out for. Who'd have thought 17.6m ITB would be so difficult to use.

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

      19.8 in my case.

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

      Lingard

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

        😆 amazing isn't it

      2. Hart-ake
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What a season eh?

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

      Madison, Grealish, Saka

    4. Hart-ake
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Son if you don't have him.

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

    Get
    A. Grealish
    B. Son
    C. Both

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

      Surely steer clear of Spurs at the mo?

    2. One Man
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just Grealish. Son will prob blank against City.

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

        Why probably?

  3. Amans94
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Johnstone to:

    A) Martinez
    B) Pope

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

      Martinez season keeper

    2. Hansel
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I’m thinking Pope

    3. Honker Muddlefoot
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think Pope. Really like his next 3 fixtures. 3 of the next 4 are tricky for Martinez, and if you’re looking for a season keeper, Pope’s end-of-season run-in looks a lot more promising than Martinez’s.

      1. Stranger Mings
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Mendy ?

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

    Going to wait for pressers but what are the thoughts on these 2 FTs:

    Mitchell and Kane -> Justin and Vardy?

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

    Anyone considering bringing in Digne?

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

      Between him, Alonso and Justin.

    2. 1912 F.A Cup Winners
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Brought him in last week mate!!

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

      Thinking of selling

  6. MIDIMAN2010
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    World Number 1 has Soucek and Justin on bench....

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

      How can anyone bench Justin vs Fulham???

      1. Salarrivederci
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Had to chose between Watkins, Antonio, Justin and AWB.
        Chose Justin

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

      Justin against Fulham?

      Strange call

  7. dylano21
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Which teams could habe a double in 24 ?

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

      Man City and Everton but not confirmed

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

      City +

      Southampton or Everton

  8. BobbyDoesNotLook
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    When is next dgw? Mainly interested if Leeds Soton is around the corner?

    1. 272MK
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      26. Google Ben Crellin twitter

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

        Or 24

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

          Thanks. Had Crellin's papers in front of me but was wondering on something like Baps mentioned. Let's wait for more news.

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

      Man City and Everton in GW 24 highly likely

  9. 272MK
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bamford 15pts on the bench last GW

    Captained Salah instead of Bruno cost me 15pts again this GW

    The rank I couldve overtaken with those pts

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

      Loads did C Salah over Bruno this week for obvious reasons. Pointless captain hindsight posts

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

        It's still annoying though

        1. 272MK
          • 10 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          True. Point is, those extra 30pts in 2GWs showed whats possible if you dont make 2 mistake

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

    Which high scoring players in this season have you not owned/got any points from?

    Just realized I have not owned Soucek or DCL this season, and I brought in Justin for the first time this week, but he is first on my bench 😀

    Those three have been a real pain!

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

      Jacky. I went with Ross lol@me

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

      Grealish. Can't fit him in because got Salah - Son - Fernandes - Soucek - Raphinha.

      1. Scots Gooner
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Swap for Salah.

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

      Justin and Grealish

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

      Antonio
      Cresswell

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

      Sold Justin in GW5 and benched Soucek for every haul, played him in his 2pointers.

    6. Collie01
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      No Leicester, Wilson, Zaha, Watkins. They are probably the main ones.

      At one stage I owned 0 Spurs and each Son/Kane goal combo was costing me 500k in OR. That was the worst!

  11. AF90
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    3 city players are Stones, Cancelo & Gundogan.

    Would you;
    A) Keep Stones
    B) Sell Stones & Get Sterling
    C) Sell Stones & Get Dias

    1. beetlejuice
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I am doubting the same, horrible fixtures starting, may sell one of Stones or Gundo and may get Sterling for the sake of DGW

  12. Aster
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Will Son have more than 2 points lol?

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

    74 points and still a red arrow. Bloody hell Salah.

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

      Tough week! I’m on similar and dropping 20k

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

      Similar. 69 with a 15k rank drop

      Salah cap plus no Grealish, Justin etc

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

        Where are you guys ranked that you're falling with those scores? I'll be on 83 and have a 10k rise from 45k to 35k

        1. Don Kloppeone
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          I have moved from 75k > 89k so far this GW 🙁

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

    I know everyone loves Martinez on here but is a Sanchez a shout at 4.4 now 4 cleansheets in a row?

    1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Doesn't get save points

      If you can cope with his GW14-18 levels knock yourself out

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

        Villa have only keep 2 clean sheets in last 7 games

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

      Martinez conceded 3 and still got a BAP!

      1. Maximus Bonimus Pointimus
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        A bap AND 2 save points

        Thats why guys like himself & Pope top the charts - those save points add up so quickly over a season...

        Emy has 17 save points & 13 baps... Pope has 22 save points & 17 baps

        In fairness I wouldn’t put anyone off getting Sanchez thouh - Brighton have definitely hit on a formula for solidity recently

  15. zon
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    WBA are so shite even Spurs might score

    Spurs score equals Son scores

    = Son captain?

  16. Parsnips
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Should I save here?

    De Gea
    Digne Cancelo Coufal
    Salah Grealish Gundo Soucek Bruno
    Antonio Bamford

    Martinez DCl Stones Holding

  17. jia you
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    2 FTs Neto to Grealish best move?

    Martinez
    Cancelo Diaz Maguire Digne
    Sterling Bruno Son Maddison
    Antonio Richarlison
    (Forster Neto Coufal Brewster)
    2.5itb

  18. Don Kloppeone
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Another horrible red arrow...

    Looks like Robbo has to go..... but for who?! And plans to drop Soucek for a LEI mid also look pointless....

    What would you do here for next week?

    2FT 2.1itb
    Martinez
    Dias, Dallas, Coufal
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Gundogan, Soucek
    (Johnstone) (Robbo, Stones, DCL)

    Cheers

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

      Who u are playing upfront?

      1. Don Kloppeone
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Oops...!

        Bamford and Antonio

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

          I was thinking robbo to cresswell maybe

  19. Ange Ball
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    160pt gap should I play hope to catch up or just accept my crown is gone like Liverpool.

    1. Ragabolly
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      I think it's realistically gone 🙁

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

      Shame on you conceding so early on. I'm ranked 1.7m & fighting tooth and nail

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

      Fight!!!

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Like your spirit BAPS I felt flat all season don't think recovered from last season. It's hard to maintain the crown for 3rd season it would be running

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

      Your crown has gone. Running out of GWs and the player pool is smaller now than in GW1 so harder to choose differentials.

    5. The Ilfordian
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      What’s the chip situation? Think it’s unlikely but if you have all your chips and they don’t, it’s possible to pull back 100 + points over 16 GWs.

      1. Ange Ball
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        only used my FH still got WC TC BB

        1. The Ilfordian
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Well, hopefully you can work your way through the doubles and blanks with that and gain 15-30 pts with each of those and be strong going into the last few weeks. To be honest, I don't like to get over 100 gap off the lead, even at this stage but it's not impossible I wouldn't think, especially if the players you're up against are liable to take their eye off the ball for a few weeks and you can get your captains and benchings right

          1. Ange Ball
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            cheers thanks for positive feedback and advice.

  20. Tcheco
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Need 8 points from Son

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

      Fair enough. I'm getting 18.

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

    Kane back next week?

  22. CloudSky
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Salah is the only player to have blanked amidst 17 most owned players in top 10k.

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

    With 2 free transfers
    A Robertson cavani to cresswell Antonio
    B Robertson to cresswell and save second transfer
    C Robertson gundogan to cresswll Grealish

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

      Just get Antonio

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

    No ones laughing now at my Bamford to DCL move last gw

    1. Rainer
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Aren’t you still well down?

  25. Hazz
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Martinez
    Cancelo / Stones / Coufal
    Salah / Fernandes / Gundogan / Raphinha / Soucek
    Bamford / Antonio

    Forster // DCL / Digne / Mitchell

    I'm not really even sure where to start with who to bench. Plan was originally to sell Raphinha for Son, but doesn't feel right with how he's been performing.

    Bench DCL & Digne vs. MUN?
    Salah > Son?

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

      Who would you captain? If son looks good against Chelsea I’d bring him in

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

        Can't see how it wouldn't be Son with how humungous the EO will be.

        Antonio has a very good case.

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

          Antonio is a good shout. West Ham have been impressive

  26. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Lingard or Soucek for the next 2?
    Then I'm gonna WC

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

      Has to be Soucek, surely.

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

      Lingard.

      When are the DGW(S) and BGW likely to happen?

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

      For two weeks you can try Lingard imo

  27. Nanoelektronicar
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Bench:

    A) DCL
    B) Gundo

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

    Benched Bamford last week. Antonio this week.

    Benching headaches are horrible.

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

      It's psychological

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

        True. I was never going to drop Salah for Antonio lol

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

        If you can't cope with points foregone you focus on the guy on the bench.

        The truth is it's the lower scoring player in your team.

        That you selected.

        That should be the focus.

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

      Well I didn't want bench headache last week, took out Bamford, 13 points lost there.

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

        Who for?

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

          DCL. So it eases the pain somehow. And I would probably had benching headache this week. But still hurts, losing that much points directly from a single transfer.

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

      There is even a School of Thought on here.
      V. Prevalent. I get it.

      That benched points are a headache, wasted etc.

      In a tight season with ppg yep.

      But it's wide open with loads of unexpected benched players or non starters so really bench points are a safety blanket.

      But u choose your focus
      ....

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

        Sorry, points per million

        Not now tho

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

        For me, the pain comes from making a tight decision. Both players seem good, I would gladly play either of them, I see the potential, but I have to bench one. That's what eats me up.

  29. slove
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Getting to the point were if I don’t turn my season around it’s going to be worst of all time , would really appreciated advice on what transfer to do this week
    A) Pieters -> Rudiger
    B) Johnstone -> Sanchez
    C) Both A+B for a -4
    D) Sterling -> Gundogan , Johnstone -> Pope (-4)
    E) D but add Brewster -> Antonio for a -8

  30. marcos11
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Who would you start next week?
    a) Dias (Liv)
    b) Holding (Avl)

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

      Dias- if Liverpool cannot score against Brighton then.... And think Villa will score against Arsenal

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

      Holding

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

      Dias - with Luiz and Leno out I do not back that Arsenal defence