Dream Team’s fourth-most popular midfielder suspended until after international break – 5 suitable replacements

PEP GUARDIOLA claims he told his players not to lose their heads in the second half against Nottingham Forest.

Rodri (£4.4m) was clearly too busy tucking into the half-time oranges to pay attention to his gaffer as the Spanish midfielder was sent off just 27 seconds after the restart for violent conduct.

Manchester City’s linchpin foolishly put his hands around Morgan Gibbs-White’s (£3m) throat following a tangle near the corner flag, leaving Anthony Taylor little choice but to produce the red card.

This moment came as a considerable blow to a sizeable chunk of Dream Team managers as Rodri is the fourth-most popular midfielder in the game at the time of writing.

Dream TeamMistakes were made[/caption]

The 27-year-old’s straight red will see him suspended for three domestic games, leaving over 20% of gaffers in need of a replacement.

Rodri will miss the treble-winner’s midweek Carabao Cup meeting with Newcastle, the trip to Wolves in Gameweek 7, and the highly-anticipated match-up at the Emirates just prior to the international break.

The Spain international will be available for City’s second Champions League fixture of the season against RB Leipzig but Dream Team bosses can’t afford to stick by him while he’s suspended domestically.

So which players make up the most suitable replacements?

Rodri owners may feel it’s best to stick by City by recruiting Phil Foden (£4.4m), who costs the exact same as his team-mate right now.

Against Forest on Saturday, the England international delivered the returns he’s threatened in recent outings in the form of a 12-point haul.

The 23-year-old opened the scoring with an exemplary first-time finish and also earned three bonus points to finish as the best performer on either side at the Etihad on Saturday.

EPAFoden is fresh off a 12-point haul[/caption]

Alternatively, Dream Team bosses may feel now is an opportune moment to back the relatively affordable Matheus Nunes (£2.8m).

The Portuguese midfielder has provided an assist in each of his last two appearances – an effort that has translated to 16 points.

Plus, only five players have earned more bonus points than Nunes’ 12 this season.

With Rodri suspended and other City midfielders sidelined with injury, the summer signing should get his fair share of minutes leading up to the next international break.

Similarly, if a change in formation is possible, Julian Alvarez (£4.4m) is a more than worthy alternative.

The World Cup winner mustered just three points against Steve Cooper’s side but he’s been magnificent this season.

EPAA class act[/caption]

Elsewhere, James Maddison (£4.4m) has to be considered a potential replacement – like Foden and Alvarez, his current price matches Rodri’s.

Tottenham’s No10 proved on Sunday that’s essentially fixture-proof as he returned ten points away at Arsenal.

With two goals, four assists, four big chances created and 11 shots on target to his name after six Gameweeks, Spurs’ new talisman is undoubtedly a top-tier asset.

The only drawback with Maddison is the fact he doesn’t have European fixtures to bolster his schedule – Ange Postecoglou’s are already out of the Carabao Cup too.

However, his tally of 63 points speaks for itself.

GettyHammer time![/caption]

Finally, James Ward-Prowse (£4m) is proving to be a fantastic signing for West Ham and his bright start to life in East London has transferred to Dream Team.

The set-piece specialist is the fourth-best asset in his position having amassed 52 points – a particularly impressive feat given he was still a Southampton player in Gameweek 1.

No player has more assists than Ward-Prowse’s five at this stage of the campaign and he’s scored two goals of his own as well.

The Hammers’ midfielder is currently the most-popular recruit ahead of Gameweek 7, suggesting quite a few gaffers see him as the most suitable replacement for Rodri.

David Moyes’ side host Sheffield United this coming Saturday…