Fantasy Premier League – Player List Analysis – Premium Defenders

Having assessed the goalkeepers, budget defenders and mid-price defenders over the last few days, we continue our look at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) player list with an analysis of the premium backline options.

For this group of 6.0 and 6.5 priced players, FPL managers deserve the very best.

These players should offer a strong chance of a clean sheet, be assured of starts and have a significant attacking threat. They should also impress FPL’s Bonus Point System (BPS), which favours those who are accurate with passing and crossing and who contribute plenty of clearances, blocks and interceptions (CBI).

With 172 FPL points accrued, Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin (6.5) was in sensational form last season and is now among the game’s highest priced rearguard options. Across a raft of statistics, including five assists and 18 clean sheets, Bellerin ranked top amongst defenders and, if he can improve on his haul of a single goal, he looks destined to once again be a regular source of points at both ends of the pitch.

Bellerin is currently the most popular defender in FPL and sits in just under 30% of squads.

Gunners centre back Laurent Koscielny (6.0) offers a cheaper alternative, with heightened bonus potential and goal threat. Last season the France international was in the top ten for defenders in terms of CBI and scored four times, though he is currently less popular than his Spanish team-mate having been selected by 17% of FPL managers to this point.

Nacho Monreal could be an overlooked option. Owned by under 7% of FPL managers, he matched Bellerin for starts (36 apiece) last term and comes in at 6.0 – he was almost on a par with his fellow full-back for shots (12 to 13) and bettered him for key passes (29 to 23). Monreal’s performances last season relegated Kieran Gibbs (5.0) to a cameo role and we’re anticipating that trend to continue this term.

A strong early fixture list, which contains away ties with Watford, Hull and Burnley in the first seven Gameweeks, certainly promotes the case to include an Arsenal heavyweight defender in your initial squad, though one of Per Mertesacker or Gabriel (both at 5.0) could provide value options here if either can nail down a starting role.

Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld keeps Bellerin company at the 6.5 price point and is currently second to the Gunners’ man in terms of ownership (25%).

With 166 FPL points, the Belgian was last season’s second-highest ranked defender, thanks to four goals from 40 goal attempts – only Sunderland’s Patrick Van Aanholt had more shots on goal from the back.

Alderweireld’s bonus point potential is also strong, particularly in terms of CBI, where he was 2015/16’s third best performer.

We should also expect clean sheets: no side conceded fewer goals than Spurs last season, with 13 shut outs accrued.

Danny Rose (6.0) offers a slightly cheaper alternative, but with fellow Spurs full back Kyle Walker priced 0.5 cheaper his appeal is greatly reduced this season. As mentioned previously, we’re also expecting Spurs to rotate at full-back around Champions League ties; it’s hoped that Alderweireld will be immune to that.

Under new Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho, Chris Smalling (6.0) has the potential to improve on 2015/16’s FPL point tally of 135.

He’s expected to remain a mainstay in central defence having been pivotal to the Red Devils achieving 18 clean sheets last season. Smalling was also among the top three defenders for winning aerial duels, and in the top five in terms of interceptions.

With Luke Shaw looking particularly appealing at 5.5, though, Smalling – who is suspended for the opener at Bournemouth – will have to improve his attacking output to convince he’s worth the extra outlay – he mustered just a single assist last season.

Chelsea’s backline have been handed reduced prices as a result of last season’s nine clean sheets.

Cesar Azpilicueta (6.0) has all the ingredients for success under new manager Antonio Conte. Last season he was second among defenders in terms of successful tackling as well as third for passes in the final third. If Conte opts for a 3-5-2 formation, Azpilicueta could be given even more license to attack and add to his tally of three assists and two goals.

So far in pre-season, though, Conte has preferred a back four, which could force a reassessment in his likely starters.

Both Branislav Ivanovic and Gary Cahill also set you back 6.0 and the Serbian, in particular, could be one to monitor if he can retain a starting berth and reprise the form that served up four goals and six assists in the Blues’ 2014/15 title-winning season.

Again, though, there are likely to be cheaper options, with Kurt Zouma (5.5) certainly one to consider when he returns to action in September.

Man City trio Vincent Kompany, Aleksandar Kolarov and Nicolas Otamendi are the remaining premium options for our five-man defences.

All three are priced at 6.0 apiece, though, arguably, Otamendi looks the safest bet at present. Although Kompany is believed to be winning his fitness race ahead of the new season, the Belgian’s abysmal injury record dents his appeal – despite sitting joint-top for points per match (5.4) at the back last year, he was restricted to just 14 appearances.

Kolarov, meanwhile, could drop behind Gael Clichy in the pecking order – a 78.7% pass accuracy last term was lower than any City defender, which hardly bodes well for his role in Pep Guardiola’s possession-based tactics.

Despite scoring just once in 2015/16, Otamendi’s tally of 21 efforts inside the penalty area was bettered by only four other defenders, highlighting his aerial threat in and around the box.

Much depends on Guardiola’s restructuring, though, given that John Stones continues to be heavily linked with a move to City. At a price of just 5.0, there’s no doubt that Stones would be heavily targeted by Fantasy managers should he roll up at the Etihad and offer a secure route into a defence that racked up 16 shut-outs in the previous campaign.