Manchester City – Fantasy Premier League 2015/16
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[/three_fourth]Having finished 2nd in the Premier League and not won a single trophy, Manchester City will be looking to improve on a disappointing season and revitalize their title ambitions. Despite scoring *only* 83 goals last season, 19 goals less than the season before, City were still the highest scoring team and are extremely fantasy relevant due to their free-flowing, attacking football. Hence, I will take a look at what can be expected from City for the upcoming season, and try to provide some fantasy relevant tips.
Transfers:
In: Raheem Sterling, Fabian Delph, Patrick Roberts, Enes Ünal
Out: Scott Sinclair, Matija Nastasic, Dedryck Boyata, Micah Richards, James Milner, John Guidetti, Stevan Jovetic
Fantasy wise, Sterling is the only clearly relevant player. Roberts and Ünal are youth prospects and likely to go on loan. It is noteworthy that Kevin De Bruyne is heavily linked with City as well.[clear]
[clear]Preseason results:
Man City 1-0 Melbourne City (Nasri)
Man City 2-2 AS Roma (Sterling, Iheanacho)
Man City 1-4 Real Madrid (Toure pen)
Man City 8-1 Vietnam (Kolarov x2, Sterling x2, Silva x2, Pozo, Lopes)
Man City 2-4 Stuttgart (Iheanacho, Dzeko, Haha x4)[clear]
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Fantasy prospects:
Sergio Aguero (13.0):
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Very little needs to be said about Sergio Aguero. In an injury free season, he should bag 30 goals. He has not featured at all in preseason and only trained for two weeks. Comments from Pellegrini suggests that he may not feature in GW 1, with an appearance off the bench the best possible scenario. Last season he came off the bench and scored a goal the first few games, but with two away games and a home game to Chelsea in the first three you may want to keep money in the bank and get him around GW 3-4.[clear]
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David Silva (10.0):
Last season was by far Silva’s best as he scored 12 goals, assisted 12 goals and got 191 pts in 2646 minutes. Rather than being someone who merely supplied passes, he often moved into the box and ended up finishing the attacks he helped create. With City improving their attack with Sterling and possibly De Bruyne, Silva will possibly be less involved as Sterling’s speed will be vital in countering and KDB’s playmaking will make him see a lot of the ball too. Rather than being the focal point of attack, Silva might be one of several influencing players. On the other hand, this might make defenders focus more on other players and let Silva sneak into more finishing positions. I expect Silva to have a strong season yet again, but will rather have him on my watchlist than in my team.
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Raheem Sterling (9.0):
An excellent addition to City’s attacking arsenal, Sterling’s pace and dribbling will bring another dimension to City’s attack. While Yaya mostly has been the player to bring the ball forward on the counter, Sterling will probably have the same responsibility due to his pace. He could also use his pace to feed off Silva’s through balls and run behind the defenders, as well as dribble past defenders and feed other players himself. Last season he scored 7, assisted 10, played 3047 minutes and got 158 points. In preseason he has fitted right in, scoring 3 goals and getting 4 assists, and should certainly improve on his numbers from last season. If he is not in your team, he should definitely be on your watchlist.
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Yaya Toure (8.5):
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[/three_fourth]While most would consider his performance last season a disappointment, he still bagged 10 goals and 1 assist. While he is not an essential part of City’s attack, his finishing skills are excellent, hence he needs few opportunities to score goals. I believe that the increased strength of City’s attack will relieve him off offensive responsibility, thus allowing him to slip into good positions and get shooting opportunities. Personally, I believe that City’s strengthened attack will allow Yaya to flourish this season, and he is definitely one to put on your watchlist.
There’s not much to say about City’s defenders. Kolarov is obviously great when he plays, but the rotation with Clichy ruins it for him. Unless City prove that they are more defensively solid this season, I suggest you stay clear of City defence.
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Squad:
City have one of the best, if not the best, attacking squad in the Premier League, but questions can be asked about the quality of the defense. City have been exposed defensively on numerous occasions and consistently struggled against top teams, in matches that most managers would employ more defensive tactics. As a result, I believe Pellegrini will use the additional depth that Delph provides to possibly use a more defensive 4-3-3 against big teams rather than persisting with a naively attacking formation. It is noteworthy that against Real Madrid, in a midfield trio of Delph, Yaya, and Fernandinho, Delph played the furthest forward of the three. Against other teams, Pellegrini will likely use a 4-2-3-1 formation. He has used a 4-4-2 formation in the past, but that was with a more potent strike force. If Pellegrini desires to play 4-4-2, you will see 2 of Aguero, Bony, and Sterling starting up top together. While City have been relying primarily on Yaya, Silva, and Aguero the previous seasons, I expect production to be more spread around this season due to the addition of Sterling. This will be even truer if De Bruyne joins. Thus I believe points will be more spread around among the players, but if City can play the free-flowing football of 2 seasons back most relevant players should still score high.
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This is how I believe City will line up most often in their three formations:
4-2-3-1:
Hart
Zabaleta – Kompany – Mangala – Clichy/Kolarov
Delph/Fernandinho – Yaya
Sterling – Silva – Nasri (KDB if he signs)
Aguero (Bony/Sterling until Aguero’s fit)
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4-4-2:
Hart
Zabaleta – Kompany – Mangala – Clichy/Kolarov
Sterling/Nasri (KDB) – Delph/Fernandinho – Yaya – Silva
Aguero – Bony/Sterling
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4-3-3:
Hart
Zaba – Kompany – Mangala
Fernandinho – Delph – Yaya
Sterling – Aguero – Silva
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I hope you found the article helpful. Thanks for the read!
Hey Teks, thanks for a really nice and in depth article about your club. This is a really cool idea, would love to see some more articles like this about other clubs from their supporters who post here.
I’m kinda torn on getting Sterling from the off. The first 2 matches aren’t very appealing, especially with Kun most likely getting phased in slowly. Do people really think Sterling will outscore Theo or any of the other Arsenal boys against Pulis’ WBA away the first week and Chelsea in gw2?
Thanks Red. Regarding Sterling, then his pace could easily cause troubles for WBA’s and Chelsea’s defense. That, or they could physically overpower him and take him out of the play. It’s prob gonna be one or the other
Haha, thanks Tekno- good call, that!
Wally up top…is it arsenal overkill going with him and Ozil at the start of the season?
Don’t think so. I just saw Teks ain’t playing a City player at the start of the season, which is weird to me. :p
Wally assist.
Ox goal.
That was a great goal. BTW, is anyone worried that Theo and Giroud will be rotated this season? I’d love to get Theo in if he’s starting regularly, he’s one of my favorite fantasy players to have. Just nervous about how nailed he actually is with Giroud waiting in the wings who Wenger seems to love and all the other options in midfield.
Hoping he will play on the right or the left when that does happen. He should always play, imho.
I think even when Walcott starts this season he might not get 90 minutes. I reckon we’ll see quite a few Giroud for Walcott (and vice-versa) substitutions throughout the season. Probably won’t see them start together often unless there’s an injury.
Wenger just read this comment of youre bihom, 65min walcott Out giroud in …
Annnnd suspicions confirmed bihom. Don’t think I’ll be in for Walcott (or Giroud) to start. Not going to give up a premium spot in midfield or my second striker slot to any players that aren’t nailed on to start and that don’t play 90 minutes, doesn’t matter how nice their fixtures are. It’s too bad really, Walcott is an amazing player yet it seems from the outside looking in that Wenger doesn’t rate him all that highly. As a Liverpool supporter, I really wish we could’ve got our hands on him before he signed his new contract!
I’d be happy with 60 mins from Wally up front
, I guess we’ll have to take game flow into consideration with potential Arsenal rotation, depending on the score line it won’t always be Wallcott who makes way for Giroud or vice versa, lets not forget that Wally can also play (And play well) as part of the three behind the striker. I’ve got wally in my team and would only consider Sanchez now as a possible replacement for Arsenal attacking coverage.
How so, Raz? I ain’t gonna get a City player just because I’m a City supporter.
Naaah, attacking City is strong. Dude had 2 assists versus Stuttgart in the last game, before that he was pretty much involved in 50 percent of the goals. So he’s key, and they will score, especially since it’s very likely they will concede. 😉
For fooks sake Raz, now you making me think. Since Costa is injured and has been shit in preseason, I will at least have to consider taking him out. What do you say – Costa and Milner, or Benteke, Sterling and 1m?
For me the second option, by a long mile. 😉
Also, depends on the rest of your team though.
Raz, I’ll post my team in a bit.
Need some help Francis or Mings or anyone else cheers
Mings will definitely play but some people say he is defensive minded
Francis is their star player and some say that his connection with wilson is superb, also he is attacking minded.
But yesterday he doesnt play..
Hmm…
I will go for franics
Thanks LaB was thinking Franics
GP reported last night that Francis played Friday night, and was just being rested. Yesterday may have been a B fixture.
FWIW.
RMT anyone?
Haven’t really been following the threads on here closely so would appreciate a quick heads up if I’m picking people it’s generally considered unwise to.
If Aguero & Benteke aren’t fit next weekend then they’ll be replaced (probably Rooney and someone else).
Grateful for all thoughts.
Change speroni to mccarthy maybe
Kun n benteke maybe will play as sub. R u ok with that?
I will change richards to mathews sunderland or huth leicester
Others look ok
Falcao already looking better in blue than he did in red the entire season for United. Bwahaha. Also, looking better than Remy. 😉
So will u slot in ur favourite player in your fpl team
Hi guys, could someone help me with my team please