Man City stars Aguero and Bernardo Silva dropped vs West Ham and fantasy football fans already in hysterics
PEP GUARDIOLA has left out Sergio Aguero and Bernardo Silva for their opening game of the season against West Ham - and fantasy football fans are in meltdown.
Striker Gabriel Jesus was given the nod to lead the line, after Raheem Sterling was deployed in a false No9 role against Liverpool in the Community Shield last weekend.
Argentine Aguero, who is coming back into the City side after reaching the semi-final of the Copa America last month, was again benched.
Community Shield scorer Sterling will reverted back to the wing with Mahrez coming in on the right ahead of Silva.
The Portuguese playmaker started on the right at Wembley last week with German Leroy Sane on the left.
But after the Bayern Munich transfer target tore his anterior cruciate ligament ruling him out for half a season, Mahrez was chosen ahead of Silva on the right this afternoon.
But Jesus repaid his manager's faith by netting the first goal of the day at the London Stadium, while Aguero scored from the spot - after VAR ordered him to retake his first missed penalty.
City marched to top of the league after thumping West Ham 5-0.
FANTASY FOOTBALL FURY
City fans - along with those who picked Aguero and Silva in their fantasy football side - were in disbelief with Guardiola’s squad selection.
One said: "Pep doesn’t take Fantasy players seriously. Both Bernardo and Aguero on the bench."
Another said: "Pep knows you all had Aguero and Bernardo Silva in your fantasy football teams..."
One commented: "This is why I try to steer clear of Manchester City players in fantasy football. Pep rotates too much.
"First game of the season and Aguero and Bernardo Silva left out."
Mahrez struggled for game time last season, making just 27 starts as Silva and Sane were preferred on the right.
, Portugal international Silva is expected to be partnering Kevin De Bruyne in an advanced midfield role for City this season.
As Sane suffers six months on the sideline, Guardiola revealed Mahrez will be given the opportunity to seize the moment.
Most Read in Football
The City boss said: “The quality, that speed we get from Leroy — you cannot find it anywhere around the world.
“Riyad doesn’t have it, he’s not a substitute for Leroy. But from what I saw during the summer, I was quite impressed.
“He didn’t play too much last season because of Bernardo and Sterling but with Leroy absent we have more spaces.”
