The Watchlist Updated – Defenders

News of Nathan Ake’s potential return to parent club Chelsea postponed yesterday’s publication of our latest Watchlist article. Twenty-four hours later, Ake’s departure has now been confirmed, with a far-reaching effect on Fantasy Premier League managers.

Ake was found in 9.8% of FPL squads having been acquired by more than 287,000 managers since Gameweek 13.

Previously ranked in our top five heading into the weekend, Ake’s return to the Chelsea squad has now seen him ousted from our Watchlist – at least until we gain insight into his role in Antonio Conte’s squad.

It’s presumed that Ake will return as back-up across the central defensive positions and, possibly even provide competition for the 8.9% owned Marcos Alonso at left wing-back. Certainly Conte has suggested as much…

“Ake gives me important options, because we are playing with three central defenders. He can play on the left, he can play in the middle. Also it’s important to see during a training session if he can play as a wing-back.”

Alonso’s stock takes a knock amidst such chatter: the Spaniard was already toppled at the summit of our rankings with a more testing schedule ahead, but now also falls below team-mate Cesar Azpilicueta with confidence dented.

We can only await developments and perhaps comment from Conte ahead of the Gameweek 21 visit to Leicester City.

With new uncertainty in the Chelsea defensive roster, Spurs’ Danny Rose is now ranked as the most desirable heavy-hitter option, with Azpilicueta and Arsenal’s Hector Bellerin trailing.

Priced at 6.0 and owned by a modest 8.3%, Rose has become a more significant factor in the Spurs attack of late and has also been delegated dead-ball duties from the right side.

The one caveat remains ill-discipline – he continues to accumulate yellow cards at an alarming rate, having picked up his eighth caution of the season against Chelsea, ensuring that he is just two yellow cards from a two-match ban.

Rose climbs to second in our rankings but trails West Bromwich Albion’s Chris Brunt at the top.

Having averaged 5.1 points per game over the last nine Gameweeks, playing predominantly “out of position” as a winger, Brunt claims top spot thanks to his attacking promise and an array of favourable fixtures (tot, SUN, mid, STO, whm, BOU, CPL).

He has registered two goals and three assists in his last seven outings, and, given that the Baggies have failed to keep a clean sheet since Gameweek 12, his output could spike if Tony Pulis’ men can convert the upcoming schedule into defensive returns.

Everton’s Leighton Baines. is a major climber in our latest update.

An established Fantasy favourite in previous seasons, Baines is now back on our radar as a result of reclaiming penalty duties for the Toffees and with an obliging schedule ahead.

Setting us back 5.4, Baines has also earned two assists over the last five Gameweeks to underline a rejuvenated attacking promise.

Ronald Koeman’s side have also registered clean sheets in two of their last three matches, and with kind fixtures following the Gameweek 21 clash against Manchester City (cpl, sto, BOU, mid, SUN), Baines’ recent form could be maintained.

A soft upcoming schedule (swa, BUR, WAT, che, HUL) also affords Hector Bellerin a notable rise up our standings, although priced at 6.5 in FPL, the Spaniard may struggle to divert traffic away from the likes of the cheaper Brunt and Baines in particular.

Bellerin is also currently an injury doubt, having missed Arsenal’s FA Cup tie with Preston; details on that setback and the prognosis remain vague.

Manchester United’s Phil Jones retains a mid-place ranking as he continues to offer value in a much-improved backline.

With Eric Bailly absent at the Africa Cup of Nations, Jones’ security of start has been boosted. The injury to Marcos Rojo in United’s FA Cup win over Reading does require monitoring, however. The Argentine a big factor in the recent form shown by Jones and Jose Mourinho’s defence.

With Ake now absent from our ladder, Charlie Daniels has become more difficult to ignore as an option in the Bournemouth ranks.

Outstanding recent form is somewhat countered by an increasing ownership (10.3%) and a 5.2 price point which appears rather lavish for a member of Eddie Howe’s rearguard.

Nonetheless, Daniels has proven to be a hugely effective asset bombing forward from left-back, having returned a goal and two assists in his previous two outings.

Daniels’ short-term fixtures (hul, WAT CPL) promise further returns and perhaps warrant that extra outlay.

In the mid to long-term, however, Adam Smith, at 4.7 is now back on the radar as an option and a cheaper alternative. Smith may well replace Daniels in our rankings once those imminent attractive ties pass by.

Given Southampton’s outstanding fixtures, Virgil van Dijk should be claiming a higher position in our rankings.

However, recent form and the continued speculation surrounding the future and starting role of Jose Fonte creates concern.

Van Dijk is an outstanding individual and has recently shown his threat in attacking areas with two goals in his last three outings in all competitions. However, Claude Puel’s side are without a shut-out in their last four, including their recent FA Cup tie with Norwich City.

Should Fonte remain frozen out, Maya Yoshida, at just 4.2, could also become an active, albeit riskier, alternative to cover the Saints’ schedule.

Middlesbrough are currently displaying more prosperous form having shut-out Leicester City and FA Cup opponents Sheffield Wednesday in their last two.

In Calum Chambers they boast a 4.4 option who will likely earn renewed attention in the light of the fall-out from Ake’s recall.

Aitor Karanka’s men have kept clean sheets in three of their last four at the Riverside in the Premier League, with the Arsenal loanee picking up bonus points in two of those matches.

Middlesbrough offer home fixtures against West Ham, West Brom and Everton, along with a trip to Watford in their next five.

A reminder that you will find our full current Watchlist standings in your right-hand menu on the homepage on desktop, or via the fourth button in the right slide-in menu on mobile and tablet.

Our recent summary of the Goalkeeper rankings can be found here.