With popular budget defenders such as West Brom’s Andre Wisdom, Chris Baird and Sunderland’s Patrick van Aanholt* seemingly out of favour, many Fantasy managers have a big decision to make with regards to their replacements. Here are some budget options (under 4.5) that could turn out to be the perfect replacement for your defensive deadwood. All Fantasy Premier League (FPL) ownership figures correct as of February 24.
Craig Dawson
West Brom
Value: 4.4
2.9% ownership
Next 6 fixtures: SOT, avl, STO, mci, QPR, LEI
Rotates home and away with: Aston Villa
Craig Dawson has recently ousted Andre Wisdom as WBA’s first choice right-back. It looks very likely that his name will continue to be on the Albion team sheet for a while after the Englishman earned high praise from his manager recently. Carrying a strong goal threat from set pieces and priced very generously for a defender under Tony Pulis, Dawson is a very popular buy ahead of a run of games where clean sheets look likely. Beware that West Brom’s final five fixtures are very difficult, so it may be worth planning an exit route for when Gameweek 34 comes around.
Kyle Naughton
Swansea
Value: 4.3
0.6% ownership
Next 6 fixtures: bur, tot, LIV, avl, HUL, EVE
Rotates home and away with: Stoke City
Signed in the January transfer window from Spurs, Naughton immediately slotted into the starting XI for his new club. The right-back has decent attacking potential, highlighted by his assist against Sunderland. Combined with the fact that Swansea have kept the fifth most clean sheets in the league (nine), Naughton is surely worthy of a place in our 15-man squads. Swansea’s immediate fixtures don’t offer too much reason for optimism, but it’s worth noting that the Swans have already kept clean sheets away at Everton and Southampton this season, so don’t rule out a surprise shut-out.
Ciaran Clark
Aston Villa
4.3m
0.7% ownership
Next 6 fixtures: new, WBA, sun, SWA, mun, tot
Rotates home and away with: West Brom
Clark seems to have got the nod over Jores Okore as Sherwood’s preferred centre-back partner for captain Ron Vlaar. Aston Villa have already accumulated seven clean sheets so far this season, and you’d think that they’d have to add to that tally if they’re to stand any chance of staying in the Premier League. With a goal and assist to his name already, Clark is a threat from set pieces and may interest West Brom defender owners who are tempted by their perfect home and away rotation.
Philipp Wollscheid
Stoke
Value: 4.5
0.4% ownership
Next 6 fixtures: HUL, EVE, wba, CPL, che, WHU
Rotates home and away with: Swansea
A popular choice on the Fantasy Football Scout boards, the towering Stoke defender was picked up by many mainly due to his favourable Gameweek 27 fixture. However, Stoke have looked anything but solid defensively, which is evident in Wollscheid’s disappointing points per game (PPG) average of 1.8. In saying that, he does carry a strong attacking threat and likes to get his 6’4 frame on the end of set pieces. If Stoke can see an upturn in their defensive form then the German may turn out to be an inspired pick at the budget price of 4.5. A good rotating option for Naughton owners.
Fabricio Coloccini (4.5, 4.2%) and Massaido Haidara (4.1, 0.9%)
Newcastle
Next 6 fixtures: AVL, MUN, eve, ARS, sun, liv
Rotates home and away with: Sunderland
Another team with a favourable Gameweek 27 fixture, Newcastle offer us two budget-priced defenders with plenty of upside. Coloccini is the bonus point magnet from the Newcastle defence, having acquired nine already this season, whereas Haidara is the more budget-friendly option and always looks to move forward from left-back. With the news that Paul Dummett could face three months on the sidelines, Haidara is Newcastle’s only option at left full-back so his place is secure for now.
The only downside is Newcastle’s immediate fixtures – their next seven games do not look good for multiple clean sheets. It may be worth picking up a Newcastle defender later in the season, however, as their final five games (SWA, lei, WBA, qpr, WHU) look favourable for defensive points on paper.
Anthony Reveillere
Sunderland
Value: 4.5
0.1% ownership
Next 6 fixtures: mun, hul, AVL, whu, NEW, CPL
Rotates home and away with: Newcastle.
Boasting a very impressive 4.5 PPG, the 35-year-old has flown under the radar as a Fantasy pick this season. After returning from injury in Gameweek 23, the Frenchman has started every game since and is very likely to remain in the Sunderland XI, whether it’s at right- or left-back. With Sunderland keeping a clean sheet in the game for which Van Aanholt was dropped, it’s likely that Poyet will stick with the same back-four for the time being. Adding to Reveillere’s appeal, he is the bonus point magnet from the Sunderland defence, highlighted by his seven from less than 1,000 minutes of playing time. Don’t rule out the odd assist from this full-back either.
*It may be too early to say that shifting Patrick van Aanholt is necessary as he may earn his place back over time or be deployed as a left-midfielder, but it’s unlikely that he’ll come back in to the XI straight after Sunderland kept a clean sheet.
9 years, 2 months ago
This is very timely. Lots of us with Wisdom etc looking to ditch this week. For me Dawson or Lescott look the best prospect. Part of me fancies an all or nothing Bertrand to slot alongside Clyne though.