Sky Sports Focus – Player List Analysis – Defenders

Last week, we published our first article on the Sky Sports Fantasy Football Player Price List by casting an eye over the Goalkeepers. We continue our assessment of the season ahead by analysing the defenders, breaking our options down into three categories – budget, mid-price and premium.

In terms of scoring, clean sheets remain the bread and butter of our defenders’ returns, with each successful shut-out bringing home five points. Bearing in mind that we’re denied the option to rotate defenders in the Sky Sports game, though, picking players from weaker back lines carries a greater risk: your defender will be deducted one point for each goal conceded. As a rule, you don’t want to be playing the fixtures too often in defence and should reserve your transfers for use further up the field, where big returns are available.

As we’ll see below, Sky Sports clearly place a premium on defensive returns. Chelsea and Arsenal delivered a clean sheet almost every other game last season, with 18 and 17 shut-outs respectively, and along with City’s main options and Everton’s attacking full-backs (16 and 15 clean sheets respectively), dominate the top price bracket.

As mentioned in our keeper analysis, if you’re reluctant to splash the cash at the back, opting for targets from consistent mid-price sides that are less likely tempt us into restructuring, is another viable tactic to consider. Last season, for example, Sunderland, West Ham, Southampton and Palace were fairly resilient both in front of their own fans and on their travels – they all kept at least six clean sheets at home and five on the road. Fortunes change from one season to the next, of course, and while we’ve some doubts whether the Saints will be quite so resilient under Ronald Koeman, the Black Cats and Eagles offer room for optimism, given their mid-season defensive progress under Gus Poyet and Tony Pulis.

Obvious attacking potential aside, another factor to consider when selecting your defenders in the Sky Sports game is the bonus point system, which rewards players for certain distribution and defensive qualities. There is an additional two bonus points on offer for 60 completed passes and also for four successful tackles – to put that into perspective, Angel Rangel and Pablo Zabaleta were joint-top for defenders bonus last season, with both earning 28 bonus points: almost the equivalent of six clean sheets. The Members area stats highlight the likely beneficiaries and can help you decipher which players from a particular back line are best placed to reap the bonus rewards.

Budget Bracket

It’s a real struggle to find many options from the three promoted teams this season, though Kieran Trippier (4.8) seems to stand head and shoulders above the rest. The Burnley full-back grabbed a goal and 12 assists in 41 appearances last term and also has a hand in set-pieces – while it’s highly unlikely that Sean Dyche’s side will get anywhere near the 18 clean sheets they picked up in the Championship, Trippier still looks great value. With home encounters against Chelsea and United in the first three, though, he has a tough start ahead and some may steer clear to allow him time to settle.

With 15 shut-outs accrued, Southampton’s backline was a great source of points last season. If they can come close to replicating that form, then Callum Chambers (4.9) could, potentially, be the cheapest way to get on board – with Luke Shaw now gone, Chambers could be asked to fill the void left by the departing England man or cover at right back with Nathaniel Clyne switching over. Pre-season could tell us more on the personnel situation and is also likely to give us an indication as to whether Ronald Koeman will be able to grind out the clean sheets in the same manner as predecessor Mauricio Pochettino. Young Matt Targett has started the last two at left-back for the Saints but has yet to be added to the Sky Sports game.

If you think Aston Villa can improve on last season’s nine clean sheets, then there are a few cheap options to consider. At this stage it’s not clear who is first choice to partner Ron Vlaar and the situation will require some monitoring; Nathan Baker, Philippe Senderos and Jores Okore are all 4.9 and the latter may be a real under the radar option, having recently returned to action following a long-term injury.

James Chester at 5.1, should retain his starting role for Hull and offers a cheap route into a defence that kept 10 clean sheets last season. Chester also bagged himself a goal and six points in tackling bonus over 22 starts, though his propensity for picking up injuries, in addition to the Tigers’ upcoming European campaign, dampen his appeal somewhat if Steve Bruce decides to rotate with greater regularity.

Palace’s form since the departure of Ian Holloway will have many looking to their rearguard as a source of points. Twelve clean sheets over the final 28 matches (seven at home and five away) highlights the impact of Tony Pulis and, assuming the Eagles boss doesn’t add to his central defence, then club captain Adrian Mariappa (4.8) or Damien Delaney (5.1) looks the cheapest options. With Julian Speroni at 4.8, though, some may opt for the stopper due to his strong save point potential.

West Brom’s pursuit of Liverpool’s utility defender Andre Wisdom brings the youngster into contention as a cheap option. Coming in at 5.2, he looks in line to be handed a chance in Alan Irvine’s back-four, though new Belgian full-back Sebastian Pocognoli is even cheaper at 4.7.

Rio Ferdinand also sets you back 5.2 after joining QPR for the upcoming campaign. The costliest option amongst the R’s back line, he looks nailed-on and Harry Redknapp will be relying on his experience to keep the the Loftus Road outfit afloat, with Ferdinand’s displays perhaps likely to earn him a few Man of the Match plaudits. It remains to be seen what price Steven Caulker will be handed, bearing in mind he scored five times for Cardiff last season.

Mid-Price Options

West Ham’s new left-back Aaron Cresswell comes in at just 5.2 and is the cheapest route into a defence that delivered 14 shut-outs (seven at home and seven away) last time round. In addition, the former Ipswich man produced two goals and 14 assists in the Championship in 2013/14 and his set-piece expertise could be very handy for Fantasy managers.

Mauricio Pochettino’s arrival at Spurs will ensure their back line needs monitoring. At 5.2, Younes Kaboul could be a snip if he can nail down a starting berth under the former Saints boss. Meanwhile, over at Everton, young John Stones (5.3) will be hoping to oust Sylvain Distin from the starting XI after impressing towards the tail end of last season.

Palace’s Joel Ward, is just slightly dearer than skipper Delaney at 5.5, though he offers far more potential in terms of bonus points. You can also find Ben Davies at 5.5, a player who offers the most budget-friendly route into Swansea’s defence. The Swans’ playing style reflects kindly on the bonus system, whilst Davies also proved himself as a decent attacking option with a couple of goals last term. A mooted move to Tottenham also has us on alert: Davies could offer a real value in new, more prosperous surroundings.

Villa’s Ron Vlaar also falls into that category. The Dutchman showed his qualities at the World Cup and is understandably the dearest option in Paul Lambert’s back line, at 5.6. If he can replicate that form domestically, Vlaar may be worth the money but with showdowns against each of last season’s top five from Gameweek 4-8, early investment in Lambert’s defence looks unlikely. Having said that, with Vlaar is being tipped for a move and his stock could rise should he find himself part of a more resolute defensive unit.

Stoke pair Geoff Cameron and Robert Huth are priced at just 5.8 and 5.9. The Potters picked up seven clean sheets at home last season and had the fourth most resilient defence in front of their own fans – if they can translate that form to away matches, Mark Hughes’ rearguard may be worth considering. Given that Stoke play only one of last season’s top five in the opening 12 fixtures, a strong start could be on the cards, though a 4.9 price tag for Asmir Begovic looks better value.

Hull’s Curtis Davies is available for 6.0 after finishing on 120 points last season – 55 points clear of any defensive team-mate. The centre-half carries a far greater goal threat than the rest of Steve Bruce’s backline and notched five times in all competitions last term, while his performances at the back earned him Man of the Match awards on a number of occasions.

Liverpool’s Jon Flanagan (6.1) racked up five clean sheets, a goal, an assist and 12 bonus points in 23 games after being installed as a first-choice full back by Brendan Rodgers. If the youngster can hold off the challenge of fit-again Jose Enrique and retain his starting berth, he offers the cheapest route into the Reds’ defence and has the attacking attributes to contribute at the other end of the pitch.

At just 6.1, Mathieu Debuchy is far kinder on the budget than any other Gunners’ back line option after arriving from Newcastle earlier this month. Arsene Wenger’s side kept 17 clean sheets last season and coupled with Debuchy’s attacking style, it could be a match made in heaven. The Frenchman’s disciplinary record is the only real downside: he picked up 12 yellows and two reds in 46 appearances for the Tyneside team.

Southampton’s defensive form in the season gone by has resulted in a price hike for their back four regulars. The Saints have some excellent opening fixtures, though, and face just two of last term’s top eight in the first 12 Gameweeks: that could see them thrive early on under the guidance of Ronald Koeman. Nathaniel Clyne (6.1) is slightly cheaper than Jose Fonte and Dejan Lovren (both 6.3) but with Artur Boruc under 5.0, the value route looks to be with the Polish stopper.

Premium Prospects

Manchester United splashed out £30m for teenage sensation Luke Shaw (6.9) and clearly fancy him as much as the Sky Sports reporters. They awarded the left-back four Man of the Match awards on his way to a rank of eighth in the overall defender standings with 132 points. While Shaw is unlikely to catch the eye as often amongst United’s cast, the potential with Shaw is obvious. Should Louis Van Gaal bring his 3-4-1-2 formation to Old Trafford, we could even see Shaw fielded as a wing-back, furthering his attacking potential and with Patrice Evra now departed, Shaw’s chances of regular pitch time has also taken a turn for the better. At 6.7, fellow full-back Rafael could also come into consideration if he impresses the new man in charge and with an excellent opening eight fixtures, United have the opportunity to rack up the points.

At 6.8, Jan Vertonghen will be hoping the arrival of Mauricio Pochettino will spark a turnaround in his form. The Belgian failed to find the net last time around but, having scored five times in his debut season, the classy defender has demonstrated that he’s capable of delivering in the opposition box.

Martin Demichelis (6.9) is a much-maligned centre-back but, in terms of Sky Sports defenders, he’s a bonus machine. Picking up bonus points on 12 occasions from 27 starts last time around, he also managed 12 clean sheets, an assist and a couple of goals: he looks the best option in the Man City back line from the off. The concern here, of course, is that City will hit the transfer market and bring in a new face at the back, due to concerns over the veteran’s mobility – reports suggest Porto’s Eliaquim Mangala is poised to move to the Etihad in a £32m move over the next couple of weeks.

Seamus Coleman (7.1) is handed a significant price bump and it’s easy to see why. Fifteen clean sheets, six goals and two assists last campaign have resulted in him taking his place with the big boys at the premium end of the price bracket. With Leighton Baines available at 7.5, though, many may opt for the latter’s spot-kick duties and corners in spite of Coleman’s greater threat from open play.

Arsenal duo Laurent Koscielny and Per Mertesacker come in at 7.5 and 7.6 respectively. The former could be the better value of the pair, given that he bettered Mertesacker’s tally by 15 points last time around. With 11 goals against at the Emirates, Arsenal’s home record was second to none, though as mentioned above, Debuchy could be the value route into Arsene Wenger’s defence.

If you’re looking at investing in a Chelsea defender – surely a popular tactic – then John Terry, , at 7.9, appears to be the man to go for. While he’s the second most expensive defender in the game behind team-mate Branislav Ivanovic (8.0), Terry earns his price tag. Often a beneficiary of Sky Sports Man of the Match accolades, his passing bonus potential (20 points last season) added to a goal threat from set pieces and obvious clean sheet appeal make Terry the stand out premium option once again – at least while he remains immune to rotation.

Fantasy Football Scout League

For those playing the Sky Sports game, we’ve set up an official Fantasy Football Scout league – the name is FFScout and the pin number to join is 8009000. Once again, Sky are kindly offering a £1,000 prize for the winner of the Scout League as we look to win the Best League title for the third season on the trot.

Sky Sports Fantasy Football Scout League

We’ve already set up the official Scout League with a top prize of £1000 to the winner. If you’ve tinkered with your Sky team and are looking to get involved, our league name is FFScout and the code is 8009000.