In this article, we look at the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) defenders who have recently boasted the most attacking threat.
To be included, a player must have featured for at least 270 minutes (three full games) from Gameweek 14 onwards, the start of our sample period.
GOAL THREAT
| Player | Team | Minutes per shot |
|---|---|---|
| Diogo Dalot | Manchester United | 57.3 |
| Josko Gvardiol | Manchester City | 63 |
| Nikola Milenkovic | Nottingham Forest | 70 |
| James Justin | Leicester City | 71.1 |
| Lisandro Martinez | Manchester United | 73.3 |
| Neco Williams | Nottingham Forest | 75.7 |
| Trent Alexander-Arnold | Liverpool | 76 |
| Pervis Estupinan | Brighton and Hove Albion | 77.1 |
| Daniel Munoz | Crystal Palace | 77.1 |
| Matty Cash | Aston Villa | 85.6 |
Diogo Dalot (ยฃ5.0m) is yet to produce an attacking return under Ruben Amorim, but he leads the way for minutes per shot.
Only five of his 11 efforts have been from inside the opposition area, but the Portuguese wing-back regularly ventures forward under his new manager, with a more aggressive mindset instilled.
Indeed, as part of Amorimโs plan to target Trent Alexander-Arnold (ยฃ7.2m) in Gameweek 20, Dalot had the most penalty box touches (five) and made the most open play crosses (five) of any Manchester United player.
You wonโt be surprised to see Josko Gvardiol (ยฃ6.0m) riding high in the above table, the defender with the most final-third touches (537) and penalty box touches (63) this season.
Incredibly, heโs had more Opta-defined โbig chancesโ (five) than Dominic Solanke (ยฃ7.5m), Chris Wood (ยฃ6.8m) and Nicolas Jackson (ยฃ8.1m) since the start of December.
Josko Gvardiolโs shot map in Gameweeks 14-20, via StatsBomb
As for set play attempts, Nikola Milenkovic (ยฃ4.8m) is out in front. All bar one of his nine efforts in this sample came from a free-kick or corner.
Itโs perhaps not the best time to be transferring in Nottingham Forest players due to a tricky run of fixtures, but they do face Southampton and Bournemouth in the next three Gameweeks, two sides who have looked susceptible from aerial balls and set plays at times this season.
Meanwhile, team-mate Neco Williams (ยฃ4.3m) has had at least one shot in six of his last seven appearances. He stands to benefit when Nuno Espirito Santo switches to a 3-4-3 formation, most notably when Forest are trying to see out games.
James Justin (ยฃ4.2m) has already found the net twice this season, while Lisandro Martinez (ยฃ4.4m) rifled home the opener against Liverpool on Sunday.
Finally, Crystal Palaceโs wing-backs are key to Oliver Glasnerโs approach, with Daniel Munoz (ยฃ4.7m) often popping up in ridiculously advanced positions.
Heโs taken a while to get going this season but has two goals in his last seven matches and had another one chalked off at Brighton and Hove Albion, offering a glimpse of his attacking potential.
ASSIST POTENTIAL
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