We roll out our third article on this season’s Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player list this afternoon. Having assessed the Goalkeepers and Budget Defenders, we now cast an eye over the mid-price backline options, focussing on those players in the 5.0 to 5.5 bracket.
FPL’s decision to price Arsenal’s defence under 6.0 looks to offer Fantasy managers strong value next season. The Gunners conceded just 37 times in 2012/13 – the second best backline in the league – with Per Mertesacker once again looking the most secure option under Arsene Wenger. The German registered 135 points last season and with three goals to his name, seems the Gunners’ first-choice central defender; he would have ended last term as fourth highest defender in the new Bonus Points System, had it been implemented. Laurent Koscielny may transpire to be a viable alternative, though – he ousted Thomas Vermaelen from the picture as the season unfolded and scored twice in 20 starts over an injury-hit season. Although Wenger still looks to have faith in Bacary Sagna as a first-choice right-back, question marks hang over the other side of the Arsenal defence, with neither Kieran Gibbs or Nacho Monreal assured of starts.
Two goals and four assists sum up Matt Lowton’s attacking potential for Villa but with cheaper alternatives in Paul Lambert’s backline, it’s difficult to justify splashing the cash (5.0) on the raiding right-back, bearing in mind his side kept a mere five clean sheets in 2012/13. Seamus Coleman has the potential to be one of the bargains of the season under new Everton boss Roberto Martinez. If, as expected, he’s utilised on the right of midfield in a 3-4-3, the 5.0 priced Republic of Ireland international will be snapped up for his attacking potential alone and should be a highly sought-after Fantasy commodity in 2013/14. Staying on the subject of right-backs, Fulham’s Sascha Riether will be looking to replicate a debut season at the Cottage which harvested a goal and six assists. At 5.0, though, he is less friendly on the budget than team mate Fernando Amorebieta, at 4.5.
Jamie Carragher’s retirement is likely to afford Fantasy managers a strong mid-price Liverpool alternative next time out. Both Kolo Toure (5.0) and Martin Skrtel (5.5) are vying for the role alongside Daniel Agger – if the Ivorian gets the nod, he’ll be snapped up by Fantasy managers aplenty as a route into a backline that registered 16 clean sheets last season. Bearing in mind he’d also be cheaper than both Liverpool’s keepers and Toure has the potential to be a significant asset over 2013/14 if he forces his way past Skrtel in the Reds’ pecking order.
Matija Nastasic remains under the 6.0 mark at City. The young Serbian has been priced at 5.5 and is seen as the ideal partner for Vincent Kompany in Manuel Pellegrini’s defence – the new manager’s intentions are yet unclear, though, and with a more expansive style of play expected, City may struggle to deliver the same level of resilience which has produced 18, 17 and 18 clean sheets over the previous three seasons. The likes of Micah Richards and Joleon Lescott are similarly priced but may struggle for regular game time by comparison, with Nastasic looking the most secure of City’s mid-price options under the Chilean.
Over at Old Trafford, both Rio Ferdinand and Jonny Evans will set you back 5.5 but, again, there remains uncertainty over David Moyes’ preferred starters at the back for United. Evans produced three goals and a pair of assists in just 23 appearances last time out, though, and if he can finally cement a role as a regular under the new regime, the Northern Ireland centre-half has the attacking edge over his team-mate.
With a goal and four assists to his name last season, Davide Santon was the most attacking of any Newcastle defender. If he can mirror his 2012/13 displays, the Italian looks the pick of Newcastle’s 5.0 priced defenders but with cheaper options elsewhere in Alan Pardew’s back-four, the Italian could struggle for our attentions. Certainly, there’s no doubting the ability of Mathieu Debuchy, who’ll be looking to improve upon a return of a single assists in 14 appearances since joining up at St James’ Park in January.
Seb Bassong and Russell Martin will both set you back 5.0 as a route into a Norwich defence that produced 10 clean sheets in the season gone by. While Bassong looks nailed-on at centre-half, with Steven Whittaker providing competition for Martin’s right-back berth, Michael Turner’s 4.5 price tag plays a part in how we assess the Canaries. Considering all three notched three times last term, Turner looks the best value of the trio.
The Stoke defence all come in at mid-price after a season which saw them concede just 45 times – only two more goals against than United. With Tony Pulis gone, however, there’s a feeling they will struggle to keep out their opponents and as new boss Mark Hughes prepares to go on the attack, the Potters may not offer the same value we’ve come to expect. New boy Erik Pieters (5.0) will be tasked with bombing forward down the left and is cheaper than central defensive pairing Robert Huth and Ryan Shawcross, at 5.5 apiece.
Angel Rangel’s three goals and an assist in 2012/13 have persuaded FPL to elevate the Swansea right-back to 5.5 – the priciest option of any in Michael Laudrup’ backline. Ashley Williams and Chico should guarantee starts in the centre of defence at 5.0 apiece. Intriguingly, Williams’ displays would have seen him finish as second top defender (and fourth overall) in the new Bonus Points System, were it implemented last season – the fact he failed to produce any goals or assists highlights its not all about attacking contribution. Ben Davies’ game time looks anything but secure now that Neil Taylor is back in contention. With Michel Vorm similarly priced between the sticks, the Dutchman’s save point potential and propensity for stopping spot-kicks may well make him the best Swansea option but with United Spurs and Liverpool in the opening four Gameweeks, faith in the Swans defence is understandably diminished from the off.
Fit-again Younes Kaboul is the most intriguing option at the back for Tottenham. Coming in at 5.0, the Frenchman started Gameweek 1 last year but failed to play again due to injury – he is favourite to get the nod as Jan Vertonghen’s central defensive partner, with his pace crucial to Spurs’ high defensive line, though there’s the possibility Andre Villas-Boas may utilise rotate Michael Dawson and Steve Caulker (both 5.0) in order to maintain the trio’s fitness. Benoit Assou-Ekotto (5.5) may remain in the driving seat for the left-back role – the Cameroon international has competition from Danny Rose but FPL’s decision to classify the latter as a midfielder virtually kills his Fantasy appeal.
Gareth McAuley is the priciest option at the back for West Brom. The centre-half comes in at 5.5 after racking up three goals and three assists last season but despite playing six more games than Ben Foster, outscored the keeper by just eight points in FPL. Foster, at 5.0, is likely to prove better value due to save points, while the likes of Liam Ridgewell and Jonas Olsson also mirror the keeper’s cost. At West Ham, Joey O’Brien has rocketed from 4.0 to 5.5 this season – the most expensive defender on offer under Sam Allardyce. Razvan Rat, at 5.0, looks more secure at left-back but with James Collins offering a 4.5 priced route into a backline with 11 clean sheets in 2012/13, many may be content with the former Villa man instead.
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