Having assessed the main goalkeepers from a Fantasy Football perspective in 2014/15 last week, our end of season awards continue this afternoon as we cast an eye over the defenders. Once again, we’ve released a poll in the middle column of the homepage to collect your votes – please remember that each person can cast four votes this time around.
Bear in mind that the vote is from an overall Fantasy perspective – overall points, price, performances and value across the Fantasy games should all come into consideration.
Although our selections are mainly weighted towards the Fantasy Premier League (FPL) game, we’ve also factored in performance in those games where clean sheet points alone are key to points output.
Before we take a look at this year’s contenders, let’s cast an eye over the fortunes of last season’s back-four of choice.
2013/14 Fantasy Football Scout Team of the Season Review
Goalkeeper – Vito Mannone
Defenders – Seamus Coleman, John Terry, Laurent Koscielny, Joel Ward
Midfielders – Steven Gerrard, Aaron Ramsey, Yaya Toure, Eden Hazard
Forwards – Luis Suarez, Daniel Sturridge
The Fantasy landscape at the back has certainly altered over the last 12 months. Not only have a new wave of budget differentials established themselves in our thinking, but both of the full-backs to claim a spot in our 2013/14 Team of the Season have slipped off the radar.
Part of one of the strongest backlines around last time out, Seamus Coleman also delivered an impressive six goals on his way to becoming the most popular defensive asset in the FPL game, and resultantly earned himself a weighty starting price of 7.0 at the start of this season. Having been eclipsed by team-mates Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines up until this point, however, the Irishman fails to find himself in the running for a spot in this year’s select XI.
Joel Ward was the surprise package of the previous campaign, with his set-piece duties and occasional out-of-position prospects making a mockery of his starting 4.0 price tag, as Crystal Palace went on to record 12 clean sheets courtesy of Tony Pulis’ installation at the helm. The Eagles have failed to reinstate that resilience this season, however, and having been deprived of any dead-ball responsibilities, Ward has failed to conjure up a single assist, and is currently to be found marooned in 38th place in the FPL defender rankings on just 83 points.
Centre-back duo John Terry and Laurent Koscielny are both once again in the mix for a place in our Team of the Season, with the pair’s roles in resilient backlines and penchant for finding the net still in evidence. Let’s have a look at how they, and this year’s other nominees, weigh up against each other:
BRANISLAV IVANOVIC
Nestled at the zenith of the FPL, Sky Sports and Daily Telegraph Fantasy Football games’ defensive rankings, Ivanovic has taken his performances to new heights this season. Managers were understandably wary around the Serb at first, with FPL handing the Chelsea right-back a hefty starting price of 7.0, higher than any of his Stamford Bridge defensive team-mates.
Ivanovic went about justifying that decision from the get-go, however, notching two goals and an assist on his way to collecting 29 points from the first three Gameweeks of the campaign, and sending managers scrambling to acquire his services. Despite then failing to register attacking returns between Gameweeks 4-19, the Blues’ defensive edge under Jose Mourinho ensured that the points continued to roll in. Five assists and two strikes since then have ensured that Ivanovic’s stock has only continued to rise, and the former Lokomotiv Moscow man now sits in over 30% of sides and holds an lofty price tag of 7.7.
Mourinho’s side may have drawn criticism for their disciplined style of late, but the champions’ rearguard exertions have proved just as invaluable for Fantasy managers this season as they have for the Blues’ own title chances, with their 17 clean sheets to this point outstripping all opponents. When you couple that record with a player who has tallied more touches in the opposition penalty area and more attempts on goal than any other defender, it should come as no surprise that the Serb has enjoyed such a fruitful campaign.
JOHN TERRY
Jose Mourinho has continued to demonstrate his faith in the 34-year-old, with Terry currently one of only five outfield players to have played every minute of Premier League football this season. The Blues skipper has played a pivotal role in earning Chelsea that aforementioned defensive record, and has proven the preferred choice for many who have been unable to stump up the extra budget for team-mate Ivanovic. Indeed, just two points short of the Serb at 174 in FPL, and with a considerably lower ownership throughout the campaign, there is good reason to argue that Terry has in fact been the pick of the pair from a Fantasy perspective.
As well as consistently delivering clean sheets, Terry has accumulated his highest goal tally since the 2011/12 season, with his five strikes unparalleled by any other backline option – that converts to a goal conversion rate of over 26%, underlining the centre-back’s ruthlessness in front of net. As a result of that strike rate, the Blues’ skipper boasts an immense 44 point-lead in the defender standings of the Sun Dream Team game.
NATHANIEL CLYNE
Boasting the highest ownership of any defender in FPL, Clyne has been one of the star assets in a defensive unit that has taken the Fantasy arena by storm. Having failed to earn a consistent starting role for the Saints last season, Clyne was handed a slim 5.0 price tag at the start of the current campaign, but Calum Chambers’ departure to Arsenal allowed him to nail down a regular berth under new manager Ronald Koeman.
Having since climbed to a peak cost of 6.2 (a price rise unequalled by any other defender this season), Clyne has gone on to compliment a record of 13 clean sheets with two goals and as many assists. His importance at both ends of the pitch is highlighted by the fact that the former Crystal Palace man is ranked second amongst the league’s defenders for passes received in the final third, whilst yet no other player in the league has registered as many tackles (143) this season.
RYAN BERTRAND
On the other side of the Southampton coin has been their equally marauding left-back, who has been more than successful in showing why former club Chelsea should have placed greater faith in his potential. Bertrand may currently sit two points short of Clyne in FPL but, having started one match fewer than his team-mate, the PFA Team of the Year member in fact boasts a higher points per game average (4.3 to 4.2) and betters Clyne for attacking returns, with two goals and three assists.
Indeed, despite being consistently in the shadow of his fellow full-back in terms of ownership and price tag, Bertrand has debatably been the most attractive option of the pair. The left-back also started with a valuation of 5.0, but has delivered more crosses (116) and created more chances (24) on the way to his 137-point haul thus far. Also worth noting is that Bertrand’s more impressive stats have ensured that he currently leads Clyne in the Sky Sports and Daily Telegraph games, with his pricing in both of those games (5.1 and 2.7 respectively) significantly lower than those around him in the upper echelons of the defensive rankings.
PHIL JAGIELKA
Whilst Coleman and Leighton Baines were understandably handed premium price tags at the start of this campaign, Jagielka was once again labelled a mid-price option, with an appealing cost of 5.5.
Two goals in the opening ten Gameweeks for the centre-back was complimented by three clean sheets, as the Toffees looked on track for another prosperous season at the back. The tables soon turned, however, as Roberto Martinez’s men set off on a 12-match streak without a shutout between Gameweeks 11-21, and Jagielka’s prospects plummeted as a result. It was all change again from Gameweek 22 onwards, though, with John Stones’ permanent installation alongside Jagielka bringing some much-needed stability to the Toffees’ rearguard. Since then, the Merseysiders have now collected seven clean sheets in their last 15, propelling them back up the league table and re-establishing Jagielka as an esteemed candidate for our backlines.
Central to Jagielka’s appeal has been his ability to pick up bonus points when the Toffees have earned shut outs, with only one other defender outscoring the Everton captain for bonus returns this season. The centre back’s record-high four goals have also bolstered his appeal, particularly with the likes of Coleman and Baines failing to find the net with as consistently as in previous years – indeed, Jagielka has tallied more goals (four) and more shots from inside the penalty box (13) than either of his full-back team-mates.
In the Sun Dream Team game, Jagielka’s dominant performances in the centre of defence have proven crucial, with the Everton man the highest ranked defender outside of Stamford Bridge.
LEIGHTON BAINES
Equal with Jagielka on 139 points, Baines is heading for his lowest FPL total in three years. Nonetheless, the England international is still sat in fourth spot in the defensive standings and has once again demonstrated the attacking impetus that earned him his premium starting price tag of 7.0.
Baines’ most fruitful spell came in the opening stages of the campaign, averaging an impressive 6.27 pints per game across the first 11 Gameweeks, in which he scored two goals and contributed six assists. Having earned a price rise to 7.3, however, the left-back failed to vindicate the show of Fantasy faith for the middle third of the season, and has suffered net drops in ownership prior to every deadline, save one, right up through until Gameweek 32. Despite being stripped of penalty-taking duties by Martinez, the Evertonian has experienced a strong backend to the campaign, returning four clean sheets, six bonus points and an assist in the last eight rounds of fixtures to suggest that, if he does remain off spot-kick duties, he may still be due a premium valuation next time around.
Despite his apparent woes, Baines, in fact, boasts a higher ppg average (4.5) than the likes of Bertand, Clyne or team-mate Jagielka and one look at his underlying stats highlights his credentials further. His tally of nine assists is the highest of any defender in the league, and with a chance created every 41.9 easily outstripping any other regularly starting backline option, it would seem that – despite the general consensus – Baines has enjoyed another highly successful campaign.
AARON CRESSWELL
With West Ham having endured a rather underwhelming campaign, Cresswell has largely flown under the radar as a Fantasy prospect, and currently claims an ownership of just 5.2%. As a result, the attack-minded left-back has proven something of a secret weapon for his small band of suitors, delivering a consistent supply of points at both ends of the pitch.
Another player to have started and finished every league fixture this season, managers certainly haven’t had to worry over Cresswell’s minutes, which have ensured that the former Ipswich Town man has benefitted from each of the Hammers’ nine clean sheets. However, it has been the full back’s offensive impetus that have repeatedly justified the extra outlay over his rearguard team-mates; the 5.6-rated man has notched two goals and four assists, and possesses a 35-point lead over West Ham’s second highest scoring defender, Carl Jenkinson. Cresswell’s free-kick duties came to the fore with his Gameweek 32 strike against Stoke, but his involvement in attacking areas certainly has not been limited to dead-ball scenarios – the left back is joint fourth amongst defenders for chances created, having forged 32 goal-scoring opportunities for his colleagues.
PABLO ZABALETA
Let’s face it, Manuel Pellegrini’s rearguard have flattered to deceive this season, with an ever-changing line-up costing them the Fantasy attention that’s been bestowed upon them in past campaigns. A total of 13 clean sheets is not to be sniffed at, however, and Zabaleta – as their most regular backline performer – therefore demands a spot in our poll.
The Argentine has been under pressure from Bacary Sagna for minutes throughout this term, but has managed to hold off the Frenchman’s endeavours for the large majority, and has resultantly recorded the second highest total of clean sheets (ten) amongst the Citizens’ defensive options. Going forward, however, Zabaleta has more than warranted an extra dose of attention, with his tally of four assists unmatched by any his backline team-mates and a total of 67 touches in the opposition’s penalty area highlighting his impact in attack. Indeed, had Zabaleta been offered a consistent run of starts by Pellegrini, he would surely have improved upon his record of 98 points and seen his ownership far exceed the current 5.2% level – as it is, however, we can at least expect his starting price to drop from 6.5 next season.
In the Sky Sports game, Zabaleta has fared far better, and currently resides in the top ten defenders on 110 points, with his total of 74 successful tackles earning him eight tackling bonus points up until now.
MARTIN SKRTEL
After a less-than-convincing first 12 Gameweeks of the campaign, Liverpool’s rearguard have kicked into gear throughout the remainder of this term, with Brendan Rodgers’ decision to field a three-man backline for a large portion of the season seeing their defensive assets reap the benefits. Seven clean sheets in nine outings between Gameweeks 21-29 brought Skrtel onto Fantasy radars with a bang and, despite failing to replicate the attacking output that harvested seven goals last time around, the Slovakian has still managed to validate his 6.0 price tag.
In fact, Skrtel has been somewhat unlucky to only register a single strike this season, with 16 attempts from inside the box highlighting his continued threat from set pieces. That hasn’t stopped the centre-back from making a big impact, however, with 12 clean sheets seeing him compete for a spot in the top ten of the FPL’s defensive rankings with a current total of 125 points. Indeed, his importance to Liverpool’s and Fantasy managers’ causes is underlined by the fact that Skrtel has acquired more bonus points than any other defender this season (25), with only five outfield players exceeding that tally, and had the Reds got off to a stronger start, we could well have seen the centre back become an ever-present in our Fantasy squads.
NEIL TAYLOR
Ben Davies’ rise to prominence at Swansea in the 2013/14 season saw Taylor complete only 593 minutes of football, and FPL subsequently chose to hand him a 4.5 starting price this time around – 0.5 shorter than many of the Swans’ other regular rearguard options. With Davies out of the picture, however, Taylor has taken up a permanent role on the left hand side of the Swans’ backline once again and proven far more than just a budget enabler.
In fact, Taylor is the highest placed sub-5.0 defender in FPL, with 106 points currently to his name, having delivered 13 cleans sheets. A slight price rise to 4.8 has ensured that the Welshman is still available for less than the likes of Ashley Williams and Federico Fernandez, whilst a pair of assists and total of 19 chances created is superior to any of his defensive colleagues, and have made him the preferred route into the Swans’ reliable backline throughout the campaign.
LAURENT KOSCIELNY
Having flown out of the blocks with a goal in Arsenal’s 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace Gameweek 1, Koscielny’s first half of the season was then marred by injuries, and it wasn’t until Gameweek 19 onwards that the Frenchman finally came into his own as a Fantasy prospect.
Since then, the 6.0-rated centre-back has reformed his imposing partnership with Per Mertesaker, and has gone on to bag a further couple of goals, bettering his tally from last year, and record ten clean sheets. In fact, Koscielny sits just one point adrift of his German team-mate on 109 points, despite having played over 700 fewer minutes, with his ppg average far superior at 4.4 to 3.4. His importance to Arsenal’s defensive efforts is further underlined by the fact that the Gunners have only managed two clean sheets in the ten matches he has failed to feature in. Even so, and in spite of that fact that the Gunners have only conceded five times in their last nine league outings, the Frenchman’s ownership has never passed the 10% mark, ensuring that he has remained a relative differential compared to Southampton’s and Chelsea’s rearguard assets.
DARYL JANMAAT
Another full-back whose talents have managed to shine through despite his gloomy surroundings, Newcastle’s marauding Dutchman has been the Geordie’s solely consistent Fantasy pick throughout the campaign.
Seven clean sheets represents the second worse defensive record in the league this season, and yet – even in spite of these overt shortcomings at the back – Janmaat’s displays in the final third have seen his price rise from 5.0 to a high of 5.4. Only two other defenders have registered more attempts on goal than Janmaat’s 28, whilst a total of eight assists is second only to Baines amongst defenders, with a 15 point-haul against West Brom in Gameweek 11 particularly notable for bringing his talents to the fore and earning the Dutchman plenty of attention round these parts. Indeed, whilst his first season on Tyneside may have been unsuccessful from a team point of view, Janmaat’s individual qualities have received much deserved applause in the Fantasy arena.
PATRICK VAN AANHOLT
Starting the season at a price of 4.5, a shoulder injury incurred in Gameweek 10 saw the Dutchman sidelined until January, and his value slipped down to a far more attractive 4.2 as a result. Since his recovery, the left-back has started all but two of Sunderland’s proceeding league fixtures, with his offensive tendencies, which have garnered five assists to this point, ensuring that managers have been offered plenty of value for their minimal investment. What’s more, with a double Gameweek 37 now on the horizon, Van Aanholt is now on the radar for a new set of potential suitors as the Black Cats aim to build on two clean sheets in their last five displays.
ANDRE WISDOM
West Brom’s budget on-loan right-back earned himself a major Fantasy bandwagon in the first half of the campaign. A mainstay in Alan Irvine’s rearguard, Wisdom soon caught managers’ attentions as one of the few 4.0-priced defenders in the game with a regular starting role, with the Baggies’ clash with parent club Liverpool the only game he failed to start between Gameweeks 1-23.
Wisdom proved to be more than just bench fodder, with eight clean sheets across that period often leaving his owners with the dilemma of whether to find a place for the full back in their first XI. A price high of 4.6 was attained shortly before Tony Pulis’ installation at the Hawthorns, at which point Wisdom was relegated to the bench in favour of Craig Dawson on the right hand side of defence – since when Wisdom has only made two appearances, both short cameos as a substitute.
ALAN HUTTON
Another budget option to have fallen out of favour after a strong start, Hutton began at a price of 4.0, but quickly set about making a mockery of that valuation. Three clean sheets in the first four Gameweeks saw the right back average 4.5 ppg and a host of managers set about snapping up his services. Another bright spell between Gameweeks 14-20 brought with it three further clean sheets, five bonus points and a surprise goal for the former Spurs man, earning him a fresh wave of owners and raising his price to a season high of 4.4. Whilst never the most glamorous pick, there’s no doubt that Hutton’s still played an important role in our seasons and provided reliable back-up from the bench for the vast majority of the campaign.
