Here’s a good article talking about Man City’s FPL prospects from friend of the site David Brown. He looks at rotation, different formations and FPL player prospects
Man City’s FPL prospects are looked at by season ticket holder David Brown
Hi, I’m a Man City season-ticket holder and a regular visitor to the FFG web site.
It’s already proving a very interesting summer for Man City supporters and both Pep’s signings and potential signings have already raised many questions. My notes below are an opinion based on last season, local news and discussions with other City fans. Now that FPL is live I’ll concentrate on the players available and not bore you with all the outgoings.
Formation
It’s probably best to start with formation. Although Pep did try different formations last season his favoured formation is 4-1-2-3. Some would say 4-1-4-1 but the wingers play so high they make a front 3.
Rotation
I don’t think anybody will escape rotation at some point or other and if Pep gets the ‘super squad’ he wants then it’s anybody’s guess who gets rested and when. He may well make changes for nearly every game. Although on saying that, there will be certain players who will always play in the big games and he does seem to have his favourites.
Goalkeeper
The only thing I can say with reasonable certainty is that Ederson will be first choice and will play in most (if not all) PL and CL games. Although if your strategy is to sign a premium GK, at £5.5 others may be more attractive
Who turns out to be his backup is currently unknown; both Hart and Bravo have uncertain futures. Incidentally, why Pep let Willy go is a mystery to all City fans; a reliable, likeable, solid backup if ever there was one.
Rumoured signings:
Reina; 100% backup/cup GK
Defence
In central defence Kompany (£6m) will be one of the first names on the team-sheet, subject to fitness, and the defence always looks solid when he plays. It’s worth noting that at the end of last season he had a run of 7 games including a couple of mid-week fixtures which would indicate that both club and player were happy that he was fully fit.
The pecking order is then Otamendi/Stones and then Kolarov, all £5.5m. Of all these 4, only Kompany and Kolarov have a goal threat.
We currently don’t have any first team fullbacks although Fernandinho (£5m and classed as a midfielder) may become a backup after the Alves blow (if you can call it a blow, the fans certainly aren’t bothered). RB Walker looks close to signing from Spurs though
Rumoured signings:
Van Dijk (£5.5m); big bucks so would expect him to partner Kompany
Bonucci; big bucks and quite old so again would expect him to partner Kompany
Walker (£6.5m); first choice, 6 assists last season (top ranked and missed a few games). Close to signing as I said above.
Mendy; first choice, 8 assists last season (in the French league)
Bertrand (£5.5); backup/rotation
In summary, Van Dijk would be the stand out (without knowing one or two other values) and it would be a risk looking beyond him, Kompany, Walker and Mendy.
Midfield
Pep likes to play a ‘pivot’ who drops deep and sits in between the central defenders to start the attacks and 2 central, attack minded, midfielders.
Last season Fernandinho (£5m) and Yaya (£6.5m) mostly shared the pivot role with D Silva (£8m) and KDB (£10m) taking the other 2 spots. It’s worth noting that when both were available towards the end of the season he went with Yaya although equally that may be because he wanted Fernandinho at right back.
It’s difficult to predict what will happen next season as you can now throw in a fit Gundogan (£5.5m) and Bernardo Silva (£8m). Bernardo has been quoted as saying he will play centrally so I’m not sure how that works out. Pep likes Gundogan and he may be his pivot although there is a feeling that D Silva may play deeper with KDB and Bernardo the attack minded ones. Maybe it will depend on the opponent. A midfield trio of D Silva, KDB and Bernardo for an attacking formation. A more defensive midfield trio of D Silva, KDB and Gundogan /Yaya/ Fernandinho which could become an effective 4 with Bernardo on the right. That defensive formation though that means he’d only have 2 places left up front for Aguero, Jesus, Sane, Sterling and whoever else is signed.
Fernandinho and Yaya are likely to be bit-part players. Nolito, Fernando and Delph don’t appear to be in Pep’s plans.
Rumoured signings
W Carvalho; a good player but with the riches described above how do you fit him in?
Attack
It’s worth noting that although Pep treats them as attackers, Sane, Sterling (and potentially Sanchez) are classed as midfielders in FPL.
If he plays, Aguero (£11.5m) will score goals, but will he play? Based on the rumours, Pep wants to sign either Sanchez or Mbappe which may mean Aguero is the odd one out (difficult to believe, I know). He loves Jesus (£10.5m) so I think he will play and it would be very harsh to drop Sane (£8.5m) as if he improves again this season he will be frightening in terms of a goal/assist threat.
Sterling (£8m) looks like the odd one out and Iheanacho (£7m) looks likely to be sold. He may well be worth considering if he does sign for another team, he’s a talented and natural goal scorer.
Assuming nobody is signed his front 3 may be Sane, Aguero and Jesus. All three are goal/assist threats, it depends on your budget.
Rumoured signings
Mbappe; massive bucks so will play, maybe pushing Aguero to the bench
Sanchez; superb player so will play, maybe pushing Jesus central and Aguero to the bench
One things for sure, City won’t be short of goals next season.
Conclusion
It’s a real tough one, picking/recommending City players, I’d probably say think attack, attack, attack and give the defenders a miss. There is a massive doubt about Aguero who is historically a banker for a lot of people. I think the value/points lie in KDB, Sane, Jesus and maybe Bernardo with Gundogan as a dark horse. Time will tell.
My FPL Team
I’ve done a first draft (didn’t spend a huge amount of time on it) and currently have Bernardo and Iheanacho in my squad. I’d like KDB but don’t currently have the funds so Bernardo is my next choice (at £2m less). I think he will score more points that D Silva (who is the same price). I’m expecting Iheanacho to sign for another Premier League team and I’m sure he will score goals.
My squad will probably change many times; other players I’m considering are Sane and perhaps Gundogan. I’m struggling to commit over £10 to Jesus or Aguero if they don’t play every game.
I’m not sure about defenders, I may consider one if I can get one for £5.5m maybe one of the rumoured signings.
Manchester Evening News
Just to finish, here is a consolidated team prediction for GW1 based on a recent article by the Man City journalists at the MEN. The number of votes out of 4 in brackets:
Ederson (3)
Walker (3, although the other 1 was for Alves), Mendy (4), Kompany (4), Stones/Bonucci (2)
David Silva (3), KDB (4), Bernardo (4)
Sanchez (4), Sane (4), Aguero (3)
Interestingly, no Jesus (1) or Gundogan (0).
Thanks David really interesting insight. If you are a season ticket holder or blogger on any premier league team and would like to write about your clubs pre-season and transfers from an FPL perspective contact us on fantasyfootballgeek@hotmail.co.uk
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