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11 August 2025 664 comments
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Shortly after the relaunch of Fantasy Premier League (FPL) for 2025/26, we attempted to pick out the best £4.0m defenders in the game.

Now that we’ve seen every pre-season friendly take place, we have an even better idea of which of these bargain buys will start in Gameweek 1.

£4.0M DEFENDERS – PRE-SEASON GAME-TIME

Before we go further, a quick look at the £4.0m defenders with the most pre-season minutes. This data comes courtesy of our trusty Pre-Season Minutes Tracker.

We should stress that some sides contested friendlies, especially earlier in the summer, that were played behind closed doors and were kept relatively hush-hush. Line-up information wasn’t available for those games, so the true number for some of the names below may be slightly different.

With that caveat ringing in your ears, here are the leading names for (known) pre-season game-time:

 

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  1. Vasshin
    • 6 Years
    3 months, 26 days ago

    Which option is better:
    1. Munoz in starting 11 and 4.0, 4.0 defenders in bench
    2. Lacroix in starting 11 and 4.5,4.0 defenders in bench

    Other bench players will be Dubravka and 4.5 forward and you aren’t sure when to use bench boost

    1. The Pretender
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      2.

      I prefer Munoz but Lacroix isn't much behind him. It's the 4.5 that makes a difference, they're much better than the 4.0 stocks, and having 2x 4.0 doesn't appeal to me at all.

    2. cravencottage
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      I think 2 - it gives you more rotation options

    3. teddy.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 16 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      I think with DCs and converting some goal threat Lacroix can outscore Munoz, for less

    4. Bggz
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 15 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      4.0 x 3 give you nowhere to go when you need to change things

  2. cravencottage
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 months, 26 days ago

    Which looks best:

    A) Ekitike and Porro
    B) Gyokeres and Lacroix

    1. FPLamateur
      • 1 Year
      3 months, 26 days ago

      Depends on rest of your team. Guess you’ve got Salah and no Saka so would go B in that case as Arsenal cover but not convinced on Gyokeres as will likely get subbed at 70 minutes for Havertz. I personally have Saka and Ekitike

      1. cravencottage
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        No Salah, but have Wirtz

        1. FPLamateur
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Also think Murillo/ Milenkovic are better 5.5 options. Possibly also James all better than Porro

          1. cravencottage
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            I dont see James in any teams- why not do you think?

            1. AAAFootball
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Gusto competition and injury record.

                Plus cucu is only 0.5 more for much more nailed and more attacking

              • FPLamateur
                • 1 Year
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Injuries would be my guess and people going Sanchez or Cucu as a way into Chelsea back 4. But on set pieces and pretty attacking so a good differential in my opinion

              • Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
                • 1 Year
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Far too brittle

              • FHRITP
                • 2 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Can't be bothered getting 4 games of 58 minutes out of him then injured

    2. Raiser153
      • 5 Years
      3 months, 26 days ago

      Rate my team please lads

      Sels (Dubravka)
      VVD, Konsa, De Cuyper (AWB, Esteve)
      Salah, Wirtz, Palmer, Rogers, Anderson
      Gyokeres, Joao Pedro (Gulu)

      0.5 ITB

      Any upgrades or changes you'd make?

      1. teddy.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 16 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Strong

      2. AAAFootball
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Not bothered with dubruvka.

          Possible injury, might not start, and likely to fall in price.

          Sels very unlikely to get injured, and even then i would not want to play dub, would rather take the hit for a new gk

          Personally just going hegyi because i cant see myself needing a whm triple up
          also has a funny name and a clean haircut

        • Bushwhacker
          • 6 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Would truly wait for Gyokeres to prove he can score in a top league consistently. It's a huge step up for him, find the money for Watkins.

          1. Raiser153
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Watkins is the same price as Gyokeres. I put him in as I want arsenal exposure and putting Watkins on would give me AV double with Rogers. It's a step up, but I think he's shown in the CL that he can deliver on the top level.

            AAA - will look for another GK to rotate with sels - have a spare 0.5 so may go for Kelleher...

      3. shredder
        • 15 Years
        3 months, 26 days ago

        Evening all, team almost done now.
        Just 1 spot to fill and it's the one I'm struggling with the most and would appreciate any advice. Have 6m to spend or 6.5 of I swap Munoz for Aina.
        1. Rutter
        2. Tielemans
        3. Damsgaard
        4. Do the swap and get a 6.5
        Cheers

        1. AAAFootball
            3 months, 26 days ago

            I like rutter or damsgaard

            1. shredder
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Cheers, I had Tielemans for a while last year and he did ok for me. Damsgaard I like cos of his set pieces, Rutter should play up front for a while. Tricky

          • teddy.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Don't like any of the 6.0 mid options, I'd go 5.5 and invest 0.5 elsewhere. I have got an eye on Ndoye for Forest at 6.0 as he's apparently looked good in preseason, but not one to start with.

            Lots of choice at 5.5:
            Reijnders
            Malen
            Caicedo
            Zubimendi
            Wilson
            Arias
            Alcaraz
            Bobb

            1. shredder
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              That's an interesting idea actually. I notice u don't list Anderson, any particular reason ?
              Good players listed there alright. Need them to play each week so I'd be nervous of a couple of them like Alcarez and Malen

          • Raiser153
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            I'd go with Anderson personally

            1. shredder
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              I've had him in a few drafts, it's just Forest not scoring goals at the moment is putting me off a bit

              1. Raiser153
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                He's in there for his defensive points tbf & I can see Forrest continuing their counter style which means he should be a nailed 4 points s game with the potential of scoring / assist upside

                1. Kloppen Schloppen
                  • 8 Years
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  He won’t get DC every game. The best was Tarko with 40 odd which is 2/3 of games, using last seasons data. Good pick, just clarifying he’s not a nailed on 4 a game.

                  1. The Pretender
                    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                    • 10 Years
                    3 months, 26 days ago

                    When you add in CS, and his attacking returns, it should work out to be north of 4 a game on average, but agree no such thing as a nailed 4.

          • Tanaka'd
            • 9 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            I like Minteh

        2. SpaceCadet
          • 12 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Which draft do you prefer folks?

          A.
          Sels
          Cucu Murillo vdv
          Palmer Saka Bruno wirtz gakpo
          Watkins pedro

          Dub konsa esteve guiu

          B.
          Sanchez
          Cucu Murillo vdv
          Salah Palmer wirtz sarr reijnders
          Watkins pedro

          Dub konsa esteve guiu

          1. Bushwhacker
            • 6 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            A

            1. SpaceCadet
              • 12 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Same, but not sure I can make it to deadline without Salah though

              1. Raiser153
                • 5 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Agree with this

          2. shredder
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            I like A and it's very similar to what I'm going for

          3. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 26 days ago

            A

        3. Oldbloke
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Apologies if I missed this in previous messages, but I don't think enough discussion has been had re newly promoted defenders and defcon points. My searching leads me to believe players from Soton, Ipswich and Leicester would have ranked in the top 6 last season, with 40, 34 and 34 points. If you want to go light at the back to load up on those premiums, pick the right three centre backs from the 4.0s and they may not look too shabby. Would I be brave enough, probably not.

          1. The Pretender
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Been plenty on it - the problem is non-promotion guys were able to match them, in much better sides capable of some CS.

            those 3 guys still wouldnt have cleared 100 total points (two under 90), which equates to 2.5ppg. There will be players in the 4.5 bracket who get into the 120's or possibly 130's, so a full point per game for just a 0.5 investment. Nearly the best 0.5 you can spend in the game id say is a 4.0 def to 4.5 def. Maybe 4.0 gk to 4.5 gk.

            1. Oldbloke
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Great reply, thanks...where to find those 0.5s

        4. Zoostation
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Good to go?

          Sels (Dubravka)

          Cucurella Tarkowski VVD (Gudmundsson, Esteve)

          Palmer Wirtz Gakpo Ndiaye (KDH)

          Haaland (C) Watkins Fullkrug

          1. Raiser153
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Don't like the Everton double up personally

        5. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Would you pick Sunderland players if you were doing BB in GW1 and WC in GW4. Sunderland's first 3 fixtures look really good. Any assets worth considering for that run?

          1. 3 A
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Xhaka looks good, Reinildo Mandava just 4.0. Adingra proven in Prem.

        6. Hibbopotamus
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          presume everyone is fit:

          A. Kudus/Sarr/Evanilson
          B. Semenyo/Anderson/Solanke

          1. Raiser153
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            B

        7. Costa Nostra
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Is there a LMS league code floating around out there?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            In a day or two.

            1. Costa Nostra
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              I’ll be looking. Only league I care about besides my money mini league! Thanks

              1. The Knights Template
                • 12 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Vqc49y

                Quickly!

                1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
                  • 1 Year
                  3 months, 26 days ago

                  You’ve posted this previously, what is this about, if you don’t mind me asking?

        8. FDMS All Starz
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Which defence is better?

          A) Gabriel, Tarkowski, Richards, N.Williams, Esteve
          B) Tarkowski, Murillo, Munoz, Dorgu, Esteve
          C) Tarkowski, Murillo, Lacroix, Dorgu, VDV

        9. the dom 1
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 11 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Is Füllkrug an option yet or just go with Beto for the first 3 games and reassess?

          1. Zoostation
            • 11 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Seems to be a legit option and the fixtures are good to start

            1. the dom 1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              That would mean dropping to 4 mids instead of 5 playing mids?

          2. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Beto probably won't start with Barry around.

            1. the dom 1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Playing a 352 with Beto 1st on bench if that matters TM?

          3. 3 A
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            he is the best 6.0 right now

        10. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Familia, A or B, por favor

          A. Kudus
          B. Rice

          If you hate those options I’m all ears on suggestions for a 6.5 or less mid

          Gracias mis amigos

          1. Bggz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Tentative on Mitoma

            1. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Thank you for the input

          2. Bggz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Amad too

        11. Pep Roulette
          • 8 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          RAN starts GW1 100%?

          1. TorresMagic™
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • Has Moderation Rights
            • 16 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Against Wolves, it would be tough to be benched.

          2. The Pretender
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            It seems that way, the question is do they rotate in the first 3 weeks. I think if he was locked into 3 straight starts, that he is as appealing as VVD.

          3. Benedict_Alexander_Arnold
            • 1 Year
            3 months, 26 days ago

            With you st the helm hardly anyone is 100%

          4. Bggz
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Yeah pretty sure

        12. Freshy
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 15 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Getting down to it

          Kudus-Ekitiké
          or
          Rutter-Gyökeres

        13. Meta12345
          • 1 Year
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Arent people aware that lamptey, hinshelwood, kadioglu and igor have played in decuyper’s position before and did well? Plus decuyper is a new signing, he might be introduced slowly

          1. 3 A
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Thats right but from the pre season line up and performance, De Cuyper seems the best. That goal from tight angle is amazing.

            1. Meta12345
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Si now you are brighton head coach assistant?

              1. 3 A
                • 10 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Lol. dont ask question if u just want to provoke. And dont pick anyone who u r not confident. Simple as that kid.

        14. Dutchy
          • 7 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Best 4.5 defenders?

          Virgil Sanchez or Cucurella Sels?

          1. Freshy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Diouf-DeCuyper-Konsa make for a nice 2 of 3 rotation thru GW9
            I like sels better

            1. the dom 1
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 11 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              I like this too Freshy

        15. 3 A
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          I want to show off my team.. but... hmm nevermind. Dont want to be copied 🙂

        16. tbos83
          • 5 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Wood or Pedro?

          1. Freshy
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 15 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Pedro

          2. Mainoo Magic
            • 10 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Pedro

        17. Mainoo Magic
          • 10 Years
          3 months, 26 days ago

          Hi All, how does this GW1 team look? £0itb

          Sels (dubravka)

          Aina frimpong VDV (Dorgu, Esteve)

          Salah fernandes wirtz rogers elanga

          Gyokeres pedro (Guiu)

        18. tobyjc
            3 months, 26 days ago

            what are thoughts on Tosin at 4.5 to get into chelsea's back line? I don't see him being talked about much

            1. ☈☾
              • 8 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Fofana is back

          • ☈☾
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Saka or Gyokeres?

            Money not an issue

            1. Bggz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Saka

          • b91jh
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Xhaka vs KDH?

            1. Veni Vidi Vialli
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              KDH.

          • ☈☾
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Which combination?

            1. Haaland + Saka + Wirtz + Raya
            2. Marmoush + Gyokeres + Salah + Gabriel

            1. vincentwsho
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 7 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              1

            2. Bggz
              • Fantasy Football Scout Member
              • 15 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              1

          • Cruyff's Eleven
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 7 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Would you pick Virgil or Tarkowski in a BB GW1 squad?

            1. Drop Dead Tsimikas
              • 14 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Virgil, easy

              1. Cruyff's Eleven
                • Fantasy Football Scout Member
                • 7 Years
                3 months, 26 days ago

                Cheers, I'm getting FOMO from all the DEFCON articles

            2. iFash@FPL
              • 1 Year
              3 months, 26 days ago

              But one is also 0.5 cheaper. I’ll rather go with Tark.

          • Koflok
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 13 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Havent been around this past few seasons. See a lot of Anderson in draft. Any reason why?

            1. 3 A
              • 10 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              Defcon. He get quite a lot of them and he just 5.5 .

          • ☈☾
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            Who is the best 4.5m GK?

          • tbos83
            • 5 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            RMT

            Sanchez
            WanB Frimpong Aina
            Salah Reijnders Ndiaye Palmer
            Wood Gyok Watkins

            Dubravka Konsa Miley Esteve

          • Tiamani Warrior
            • 12 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            KDH or Xhaka as a starter until an early wildcard?

            1. Veni Vidi Vialli
              • 4 Years
              3 months, 26 days ago

              KDH. Everton should have more goals in them.

          • Kloppen Schloppen
            • 8 Years
            3 months, 26 days ago

            RMT

            Sels / Dubrav
            Konsa / De Cuyp / Diouf / Reinaldo / Esteve
            Salah / Palmer / Wirtz / Rogers / Reijenders
            Watkins / Pedro / Evanilson

            BB2