Pre-Season

The best budget FPL defenders for 2020/21

Our position-by-position analysis of the Fantasy Premier League player price list begins with a look at budget defenders.

In this piece, we will scrutinise the 91 defensive assets currently available at £4.0m or £4.5m and pinpoint the players who stand out – as well as those to avoid.

With there being a glut of premium midfield options in FPL this season, budget-freeing players in defence may be in particularly high demand.

Indeed, six sub-£5.0m defenders currently have double-digit ownership at the time of writing.

£4.0m Bench Fodder – Or Better?

Lundstram delivers on recent promise as Grealish misses penalty

The 2019/20 golden goose that was John Lundstram (£5.5m) has been reclassified and handed a price rise ahead of the new campaign, leaving a £4.0m-shaped hole in FPL ahead of the new campaign.

It seems very unlikely that we’ll get a repeat of the erstwhile Fantasy defender’s out-of-position heroics from another source this season but there are always one or two names who emerge from the FPL bargain bin to establish themselves as bench fodder options or better.

Pre-season will be a good indicator of which of these assets may come to the fore and it was in Sheffield United’s friendlies last summer that it became apparent that Lundstram was going to be more than just a back-up option.

While very unlikely to match Lundstram’s achievements, Nathan Ferguson (£4.0m) could still replicate what Aaron Wan-Bissaka (£5.5m) did at Crystal Palace a few seasons ago.

Ferguson joined the Eagles from West Bromwich Albion this summer, having almost done so in January.

Able to play in either full-back position and at centre-half, Ferguson’s versatility could come in handy as Roy Hodgson’s side have a number of first-team defenders who are struggling to be fit for the new campaign.

Right-back is the role in which he will reportedly challenge in the medium term, however, with Joel Ward (£4.5m) at risk.

Teammate Tyrick Mitchell (£4.0m), who deputised for the injured Patrick van Aanholt (£5.5m) in two matches at the back-end of 2019/20, is also available at this price point and we’ll be eagerly awaiting news on the Dutchman’s recovery ahead of the new campaign.

While we would never wish misfortune on any player, an injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) would see Neco Williams’ (£4.0m) ownership figure sky-rocket.

The back-up Liverpool right-back saw plenty of pitch-time once Liverpool’s title win was in the bag but will be reduced to playing second fiddle at the start of 2020/21, unless anything happens to Alexander-Arnold – otherwise, the occasional start in periods of congestion or late-game substitute appearance is about the best he can hope for.

Much of what we have written about Williams also applies to most of the other £4.0m assets, in that they will be reliant on injuries befalling their positional rivals in order to get game-time.

Wing-back Oskar Buur (£4.0m) and centre-half Max Kilman (£4.0m) are some way down the pecking order in their respective positions at Wolves, while Manchester United’s Teden Mengi (£4.0m) has had only six minutes of senior football (in the Europa League) in his fledgeling senior career.

Newcastle United youngster Kelland Watts (£4.0m) and Burnley’s out-of-favour Ben Gibson (£4.0m) may well depart their club on loan or permanently, meanwhile.

Bernardo (£4.0m) will play back-up to Dan Burn (£4.5m) at Brighton, while Sam Vokins (£4.0m) is another understudy left-back on the south coast, this time at Southampton.

It’s worth monitoring the cases of Jarrad Branthwaite (£4.0m) and Ben Johnson (£4.0m) over the summer.

Branthwaite impressed at centre-half in injury-hit Everton’s final four fixtures of last season but will now face increased competition from the Toffees’ fit-again Mason Holgate (£5.0m) and Yerry Mina (£5.5m).

Right-back Johnson was the beneficiary of Jeremy Ngakia’s decision to leave east London on a free in June, starting West Ham’s last three matches.

Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m) was recalled to the team in Gameweek 38+ but Johnson still kept his place, switching flanks to cover for West Ham’s two injured left-backs.

Finally, a word on Leeds United’s £4.0m-rated quartet.

Leif Davis, Oliver Casey, Barry Douglas and Pascal Struijk started just eight Championship matches between them last season, with set-piece whizz Douglas responsible for six of them.

Most are expected to be back-ups if they stick around next season although Struijk, interestingly, started Leeds’ last two Championship matches in central midfield (admittedly because of injuries and there being nothing tangible to play for) and impressed.

With Leeds still no closer to securing Ben White‘s (£4.5m) permanent signature at the time of writing, Struijk could even be in the shake-up for a start at centre-back in Gameweek 1.

Newly Promoted £4.5m Options

On the subject of Marcelo Bielsa’s side, there are four more Leeds defenders available at £4.5m.

Garnering the most attention from FPL managers at present are Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling, who are currently the third and fourth most-owned FPL defenders at the £4.5m price point.

Those two players were Leeds’ first-choice full-backs for much of the season, registering eight attacking returns apiece in a side that kept 22 clean sheets and conceded on just 35 occasions.

Dallas and the equally versatile Ezgjan Alioski (£4.5m) were both deployed ‘out of position’ by Bielsa on several occasions and it’s worth keeping an eye on the Whites’ pre-season friendly line-ups to see if there are any clues ahead of Gameweek 1.

Dallas seems to find a space in Bielsa’s side no matter if his services aren’t required at left-back, having started all but one of his side’s 46 Championship matches last season.

You can read much more on Leeds’ defence, including centre-back Liam Cooper (£4.5m), in our special player-by-player guide to the newly promoted outfit.

With the £5.0m-rated Semi Ajayi the stand-out option in the West Brom defence, there is little left to cheer in the £4.5m bracket.

Uncertainty in the full-back positions and indeed alongside Ajayi at centre-half means that we wouldn’t be able to call Slaven Bilic’s first-choice defence at this early stage and all eyes will be on West Brom’s pre-season fixtures, along with any Albion movement in the transfer market.

You can read an in-depth, player-by-player guide to the Baggies’ backline here.

As with West Brom, there are question marks over the competency of Fulham’s backline, as well as the personnel within it.

January signing Michael Hector (£4.5m) looks a secure starter after having had a transformative effect on the Cottagers’ defence in the second half of the season, although he didn’t particularly pose much of a goal threat after his arrival.

Neither did the ageing Tim Ream (£4.5m), starter of 44 of Fulham’s Championship matches, who was preferred over Alfie Mawson (£4.5m) as Hector’s partner this calendar year.

Scott Parker may well bring in a right-back this summer (especially if Denis Odoi departs), with Cyrus Christie (£4.5m) and Steven Sessegnon (£4.5m) his existing options in that department.

Again, we won’t retread too much over old ground and instead point you in the direction of our detailed player-by-player guide to Fulham’s defence.

Big Six Back-Ups and Potential Starters

 1

Brandon Williams (£4.5m) has been handed a price rise by FPL after his breakthrough season in 2019/20, although he is still in budget defender territory.

Given how prone to injury Luke Shaw (£5.0m) can be, we Fantasy managers will be watching with keen interest over the coming weeks to see if the more senior left-back has recovered from the ankle problem that prematurely ended his season.

Axel Tuanzebe and Timothy Fosu-Mensah are the other back-up United options available at this price point but it’ll be Williams who the FPL world will be monitoring once the Red Devils’ season gets underway in Gameweek 2.

Ole Gunnar Solskaer’s troops kept clean sheets in nine of their final 14 league matches last season, while Williams made 11 starts in the whole of 2019/20.

Juan Foyth‘s one league start under Jose Mourinho saw the Argentinean hooked at half-time, so it remains to be seen if the sole £4.5m Spurs defender is anything but surplus to requirements this summer.

Across north London, there is more intrigue in the £4.5m bracket.

While two of Arsenal’s four-strong contingent at this price are currently crocked, there could potentially be a bargain to be had in the shape of William Saliba.

The highly-thought-of teenage centre-back was signed for a whopping £26m at the age of 18 and is fresh back from a loan spell at St Etienne.

Saliba is thought to be the long-term plan on the right-hand side of Arsenal’s defence and, with positional rivals Calum Chambers (£4.5m) and Shkodran Mustafi (£5.0m) sidelined, may find himself starting a Premier League game sooner than thought.

Rob Holding is also available at £4.5m, but despite starting the Gunners’ last three league matches and the FA Cup final, was way down the pecking order until injuries stacked up at centre-half and may find himself struggling for game-time yet again.

Top-Half Understudies

All eyes will be on Nuno Espirito Santo in this summer’s transfer market, as any inactivity from Wolves could present us with a £4.5m-rated route into an impressive backline that kept clean sheets in nine of their final 14 games.

A serious injury to Jonny (£5.5m) has temporarily paved the way for Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m) to start at left wing-back but Wolves are reportedly in negotiations for Napoli’s Faouzi Ghoulam, which would swiftly nip the Vinagre bandwagon in the bud.

Teammate Ryan Bennett (£4.5m) was farmed out on loan by Santo in the second half of last season and may move on this summer.

Sheffield United’s one remaining sub-£5.0m defender, Jack Robinson (£4.5m), will again be reliant on left-sided centre-half Jack O’Connell (£5.0m) picking up an injury in order to be given game-time.

Leicester City’s quintet of £4.5m-rated FPL defenders are all back-ups when the first-choice options are fit but with Ricardo Pereira (£6.0m) not thought to be back until October, James Justin (£4.5m) could be given a stay of execution at right-back for a favourable run of games in the first five Gameweeks.

Luke Thomas (£4.5m) may also start the season on the left if Ben Chilwell (£5.5m) fails to recover from injury or departs for pastures new – although if that latter situation occurs, Brendan Rodgers will surely dip into the transfer market.

Jonny Evans‘ (£5.5m) three-match ban also temporarily opens up a spot at centre-half but the Leicester boss may very well reinforce his options at the back with only veteran Wes Morgan (£4.5m) and the untested Filip Benkovic (£4.5m) for cover.

Vinagre is the only £4.5m defender currently owned by more FPL managers than Charlie Taylor.

The Burnley left-back is one of five Clarets players who are available at this bargain price despite the fact that only Manchester City kept more clean sheets than Sean Dyche’s (15) side last season.

Four of those options are admittedly competing for two positions and, while the tussle for the right-back slot between Matthew Lowton (£4.5m) and Phil Bardsley (£4.5m) seems set to drag on, Taylor was mostly preferred over Erik Pieters (£4.5m) at left-back when he was fully fit.

Admittedly, there isn’t a great deal of attacking threat posed by these cheaper alternatives to James Tarkowski (£5.5m) and Nick Pope (£5.5m) and Burnley do blank in Gameweek 1.

But this is a tried-and-tested backline with little risk of rotation when things are going well, so plenty of us will be revisiting the Clarets from Gameweek 2 onwards.

The Best of the Rest

Walker-Peters has fixtures but as yet unproven pedigree as a budget FPL defender

Southampton are one of the sides we picked out for the right reasons in our first Frisking the Fixtures piece of 2020/21.

It could be that three of their starting back four are available for £4.5m in their Gameweek 1 clash with Crystal Palace, with new arrivals Kyle Walker-Peters and Mohammed Salisu joining Jan Bednarek at this price point.

Salisu could be competing with Bednarek for the left-sided centre-back role and, although the Pole could potentially move over to the right, perhaps the safest cheap route into the Saints backline – for now – would be Walker-Peters.

The former Spurs man impressed in the run-in after a slow start to his Saints career, although only four chances created from Gameweeks 31+ to 38+ was hardly a ringing endorsement of his FPL potential.

Jamaal Lascelles faces a race against time to be fit for the new season but, when available, the Newcastle centre-half is the most-nailed of the Magpies’ seven £4.5m FPL defenders – three of whom are right-backs.

Simply put, Lascelles starts every match when not on the sidelines.

The Magpies’ opening four matches are reasonably appealing but Steve Bruce’s recent change to a more attacking 4-2-3-1 has perhaps come at the expense of their usual solidity at the back, with only two clean sheets arriving in the post-lockdown era.

Crystal Palace are another team who have traditionally been a good bet for a clean sheet when playing the Premier League ‘also-rans’ and the Eagles have an excellent run of matches at Selhurst Park to begin the season with.

Three of their five £4.5m defenders are currently flagged in FPL, however, in the form of centre-backs Gary Cahill, Mamadou Sakho and James Tomkins.

Having ended the season with a patched-up defence and eight matches without a win, it may be another makeshift backline involving Joel Ward (£4.5m) and Martin Kelly (£4.5m) that is sent out to face Southampton in Gameweek 1.

There are eight Brighton defenders available at £4.5m but Dan Burn, Tariq Lamptey and Adam Webster are the three who had established themselves alongside Lewis Dunk (£5.0m) in Albion’s first-choice backline towards the season’s end.

Where new signing Joel Veltman, who is able to play at right-back and centre-half, and Leeds target Ben White fit into all this is another question, and Graham Potter’s unpredictable rotation will be enough for many FPL managers to bypass the defence and head straight for risk-free goalkeeper Mathew Ryan (£4.5m).

Aston Villa were much improved from a defensive perspective after the restart in June, with only three clubs conceding fewer big chances.

There’ll still be some mistrust at a side that conceded more goals than all bar Norwich City last season, however, and a Blank Gameweek 1 is another black mark against them.

Kortney Hause‘s (£4.5m) set-piece threat really caught the eye when he briefly made Dean Smith’s starting XI and the assist potential of Matt Targett (£4.5m), creator of more opportunities and ‘big chances’ in 2019/20 than any other defender in this piece, has been well-documented, but there’ll realistically be few takers.

Finally, few of us will be going near West Ham United’s £4.5m-rated defenders anytime soon with the Hammers bottom of our Season Ticker from Gameweeks 1-8.

That should give us plenty of time to see if Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m) or the £4.0m-related Johnson is David Moyes’ first-choice right-back ahead of the fixture swing in Gameweek 9.

Best players by position:

1,293 Comments Post a Comment
  1. SADIO SANÉ
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    also, playing Anthony Gordon in GW2 vs WBA ... ? could that be a thing?

    1. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hes my bench fodder, will not start him

    2. Piggs Boson
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Hopefully pre-season will tell us.

  2. sirmorbach
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    I don't really like my drafts in which I try to plan GW2 and GW3 transfers for City and United. I'm seriously considering a GW1 team + BB, and then wildcard GW2 or 3.

    1. Jordan.
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      by gw3 2 major chips spent to maybe get a few extra points,patience i believe is the better strategy this season ,bb and w/c after lockdown was huge last year .....

    2. TomSaints
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I’m not sure if bench boost. But I am seriously looking at wildcard GW 4 or 5.

      It can work most years but especially this one with so much uncertainty and a short summer.

  3. Champions League Varane
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Guys any suggestions? Is my bench to bare?

    McCarthy
    Trent BDavies Vinagre Saliba
    Ziyech Salah Periera Auba
    Kane Jimenez

    Bench:4.0,Ferguson,4.5,4.5

    1. Gudjohnsen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Don't really know what kond of player Ziyech is.

      Is he a playmaker or?

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yes, playmaker expected to get a fair few assists this season

    2. Gingerman
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      What gives you faith in Davies? Ziyech is a wait and see for me and Kane I'm not sure but both could be gold. I prefer Justin for Leicester than Vinny at the moment.

      1. Champions League Varane
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Spurs and Mou..

        I can see them keeping many cs this season Mou is so defensive and always does well in his second season in charge I also think Kane will hit form with them fixtures and I just have a slight nudge about him

        And Ziyech is just a Chelsea attacker. I want to have atleast 1 in my team

  4. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Wolverhampton Wanderers are interested in signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles from Arsenal in the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

    1. diesel001
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      He's not really a LWB though?

      1. Ask Yourself
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Arteta and emery disagree

      2. Siva Mohan
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        can play as a midfielder, winger, full-back or wing-back

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I think he’s there to fill in at LWB short term and then be moutinho’s replacement long term

    2. King Kohli
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Gives them cover for both Wing back positions.
      Would have to drop Vinegar if it happens

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        And AMN is 5.0

    3. Ser Davos
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Doesn't seem like there's much faith in Vinagre

    4. KingKanu
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Player sees himself as an attacking midfielder and is only considering leaving Arsenal due to being played mainly at full back and wing back.

      So no way he is talking to Wolves about playing full back.

      I’d think their discussions centre around him being
      a) groomed to replace Moutinho
      or
      b) slotted in as a wide attacker in a scenario where Adama is being sold.

      No, he’d not go there to replace Jonny Otto.

  5. Gudjohnsen
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Anyone know the extent of Pulisic injury because I think he could be a steal at 8.5?

    1. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Number 1 Che asset IMO, if fit .

      I guess that does not answer your question though, no idea about the injury.

    2. Zimo
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I think the steal would be to get the penalty taker for chelsea when he's on the pitch

    3. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Just get Ziyech. 0.5m cheaper. Nailed on the RW.

  6. Zimo
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any Southampton fans?

    Is Armstrong going to be a regular or was he only starting to play regularly because of injuries to others?

    1. Gabbiadini
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Regular starter.

      1. Zimo
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Where does djenepo fit in?

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          On the bench.
          When he is to play... he prefers the left, so replacing Redmond... Remond could be deployed on the right but if there's an option of both I'd be playing Armstrong in the RM/RAM as he is the best in the squad in that position.
          Going forward I also am not against Djenepo being deployed in a 2nd ST role alongside Ings, in the same way, we previously used Mane if we want something slightly different to Long/Obafemi if Adams has to be replaced.

          1. Zimo
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Cheers thanks! 😀

  7. Pep Roulette
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Any idea how Spurs are going to line up?

    1. farmerfat
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Sh*t

    2. Ask Yourself
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not sure on the CBs. Think there could be a signing to come there but I expect this

      Kane
      Son Lo Celso Ndombele/Alli Bergwijn
      Hojbjerg
      Davies CB CB New RB
      Lloris

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Kane in defence as usual 😉

        1. Ask Yourself
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Lol

    3. Flair
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Currently

      Son Kane Moura
      Ndombele Lo Celso
      Højbjerg
      Davies Alderweireld Dier Aurier

      Apparently they're looking to sign Skriniar and possibly sell Ndombele in which case Alli would come in. Also Aurier wants to leave and Mou is looking for a more experienced - and probably more solid defensively - replacement. Wilson has been touted as a Kane backup

    4. I'M 2 OLD FOR THIS HIT
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      How about Danny Rose?

  8. Roy Rovers
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Would much appreciate your thoughts on this....0.5 ITB to cover price increases.

    Set and forget GK & DEF

    Auba & Vardy become KDB & Aguero when required.

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    TAA VVD Doherty (Saliba & Ferguson)
    Salah Auba ASM Soucek (Greenwood)
    Vardy Mitrovic (Davis)

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Looks pretty good tbf, but what are you going to do with VVD in GW2?

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Keep....why?

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          You really doubling up in defence away against Chelsea? That's why.

          1. Pipermaru
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 9 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            You can't chop and change your defense every week, yes, they are going to have a bad fixture here and there but points will tick. I'm doubling Liverpool defense as well, best in FPL.

      2. Rasping Drive
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Captain him probably

        1. Roy Rovers
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Have I missed something re VVD?…great Grav!!

          1. Rasping Drive
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 14 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            Hehe, no it was a sarcastic response to the fella that asked what you were going to do with VVD. Thanks by the way

    2. Botman
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      looks good. I'm the same I always leave 0.5 ITB. I like that you've gone for tried and tested prem players. Not many risks

      1. Roy Rovers
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Cheers Isaac.....yeah the new Chelsea boys can wait for the first few weeks.

  9. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts on this team?

    McCarthy-4.0
    TAA-Vinagre-Fredericks-(Ferguson-Branthwaite)
    Auba-Salah-Son-Armstrong-(Gordon)
    Werner-Mitro-Jimenez

    0.0 itb.

    Any comments are welcome.

    1. h3nh3n
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Maybe slightly to pricey in attack?
      But great team

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Until Manc teams are starting to play, I don't see any other players I want in midfield.

        1. JBG
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Or at the back.

    2. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Paper thin at the back

      1. JBG
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Burnley players will come in when they start. Don't see any other teams that are that are worth investing in at the back, other than. Burnley, Wolves, Pool and maybe Man Utd.

        1. Gabbiadini
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          I had pretty much the same team but adjusted for the likely United/City players I will pick up, who are trading to?

          1. JBG
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 7 months ago

            I'll just wait and see what I will do, might play 352 and turn one of my strikers to 4.5, so I can easily bring in a ManUtd midfielder.

            1. Gabbiadini
              • 6 Years
              3 years, 7 months ago

              Like I couldn't find a way with your side to get to KDB, Fernandes and Martial using only 3 trades

  10. Jay Jay Okocha
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Better starting trio?

    A) Doherty, Maddison, Mitrovic (3-4-3)
    B) Aurier, Son, KWP (4-4-2)

    1. JBG
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      B imo.

    2. 2999 - Lady of Legend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      A.

  11. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    ASM or Armstrong

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Good write up on the merits of Armstrong on one of the previous pages. But somehow I am on ASM and triple Saints (McC, KWP, Ings)

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        KWP won't get attacking returns. avoid.

        1. Miguel Sanchez
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          He may just be a one week punt

    2. moz_1983
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Armstrong for me.

    3. Gingerman
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm leaning towards Armstrong, ASM seems to like an injury too.

    4. Jay Jay Okocha
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      ASM has a higher xG+xA and less competition for minutes

  12. h3nh3n
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Soucek + 0.5
    Or
    ASM

    1. h3nh3n
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Or Armstrong

      1. Gabbiadini
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Armstrong

        1. h3nh3n
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          Sorry, Soucek
          Or
          ASM (forgot that I already had Armstrong;)

  13. Baps hunter
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Breaking news: Harry Maguire arrested at Mykonos

    1. El-Kloppico
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      News has been floating for some time now.

      1. Baps hunter
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I had been here...

    2. Baps hunter
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Not very important, but if that is his way to spend the whole summer vacation, I expect MU to concede a lot...

    3. Now I'm Panicking
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      For VAR crimes?

  14. Siva Mohan
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    *Pulisic Update*

    United States men’s national team coach Gregg Berhalter yesterday..

    “I talked to Christian today,” Berhalter said on a media conference call.

    “He’s doing well. The leg is doing really well. It’s recovering, it’s healing. We have a lot of confidence in Chelsea and their medical staff. He’s a good who’s exploded on the scene in the Premier League and we’re excited to see how he comes back.”

    --

    Chelsea forward Christian Pulisic is excited for CONCACAF World Cup qualification with the United States, and hopes for a potential "revenge" match against Trinidad & Tobago, who eliminated the USMNT from qualification for the 2018 World Cup.

    "I'm really excited. All the guys have been (excited). We've waited such a long time for this. We have a really good group of guys who are hungry and just want to be in the next World Cup having not been in that last one. Even more so for me. I want to be in this one bad. We're really looking forward to this challenge."

    --

    "We will get him fit and ready. If he misses the first part of the season, the first one or two games, then we will have a firing Christian hungry for restart,” Lampard said before Chelsea’s game against Bayern.

    1. Pipermaru
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Yeah...I have a feeling we're gonna have a lot of these updates this season. Injury prone player.

      1. Miguel Sanchez
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yup - Werner, Ziyech and Mount/Havertz may be the safer picks

      2. Jay Jay Okocha
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        Yup, extremely worrying as a diehard US soccer fan

  15. PocketZola
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    GTG?

    Mccarthy
    Tierney TAA Vinagre
    Auba Salah (c) Ziyech Armstrong Soucek
    Werner Mitro

    subs, Martin, Fergurson, Douglas

    3.5 ITB, Ziyech to KDB in gw2

    1. Gingerman
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Keep an eye on Wolves transfers in terms of vinny. Weak bench, I'm not a fan of 3 big hitters but could work.

  16. Ser Davos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    mmm Leeds' fixtures are actually decent aside from Pool/City

    1. ow00019
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      and not easy away to Shef U and Home to Wolves?

      1. Ser Davos
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        for a 4.5 defensive asset, I think they'll be decent

        1. ow00019
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 7 months ago

          If you think so then go for it. Plenty of other 4.5 options you can switch to if it doesn't work out.

    2. Gingerman
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I'm not so sure, tough start.

  17. Warby84
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    McCarthy
    Trent Doherty Justin Ferguson (Taylor)
    Ziyech Salah Aubameyang StM (Bissom)
    Kane Adams (Davis)

    2m itb for Aubameyang/Ziyech -> Bruno/Sterling GW3

    Thoughts?

    1. Gingerman
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Adam's to much of a punt for me, but you've got to concede somewhere if you want the big hitters.

      1. Warby84
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 7 months ago

        I can move to Mitrovic if I need to..

  18. ResultatFar
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Am I the only one going for both Salah and Mane in GW1?

    1. Godfrey
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      I like that idea

    2. FOMFF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Thinking about it.
      At the cost of who though? Auba?

  19. JBG
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Will the teams have pre season friendlies?

    1. bitm2007
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      Some will Spurs (Ipswich) and Everton (Blackpool) have them tomorrow.

  20. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Not massively pleased that wolves have been looking at Ghoulam and now Maitland-Niles in the lwb role. Don’t think Vinagre will be first choice come the start of the season

  21. Krishpiz
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Thoughts?

    McCarthy (Nyland)
    Trent Vinagre Justin Ferguson (Douglas)
    Ziyech Salah Aubameyang Son (Saint-Maximin)
    Werner Mitrovic (Davis)

    Later - KDB and Man Utd player

  22. FPL_BallX
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Have not read all the comments so apologies if echoing someone else.

    Great article, but does JonJoe Kenny (4.5m) at Everton not deserve a mention. Had a fairly decent time in Bundesliga last year and Coleman certainly not the player he once was.

    Sidibe certainly got lots of minutes last season

  23. Khurram Sikandar
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    1) First of all the comment box should be at top before all the comments as we have to scroll down a lot to post a comment.

    2) The title of this article is "The best budget FPL defenders for 2020/21" but you've mentioned each and every possible available defender on the roster that makes people confuse. As the title you should mention 5 - 7 best budget defenders instead of telling us each defender's story.

  24. prgmtctchr
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Want a new challenge? Join Fewest Points Wins!

    That's right: the team with the lowest score at the end of the seasons--last in the league table--wins. Perfect for those of us who want to use our skills of choosing the wrong players at the wrong time and finally win something!

    Rules:
    1) Use your entire budget. You must have $0.0 remaining.
    2) No transfers or substitutions once the season begins. Set and forget.

    Will you try to find players likely to transfer out or be injured? Will you risk expensive rotation players who might score big one week and not play the next? Will you go with low-scoring regular starters? As long as you spend all your money and make no changes once the season begins, the decisions are yours!

    The "best" score ever is 409 points (2015/16) and the "best" ranking is 7495284 (2019/20).

    Fewest Points Wins: 2ybs3f

    Join now and spread the word!

  25. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    Is there actually a nailed 4.5m defender from Palace?

  26. Gozzys Galacticos
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 7 months ago

    What do you think...
    GK Lloris, Kepa
    DEF AAT, Egan, Vinagre, Dallas, Ake
    MID Sterling, Bergwijn, Ziyech, Fernandes, Burke
    ATT Werner, Nketiah, Brewster.

    0.5mil ITB. Thinking Ake to Walker-Peters to free up and extra mil to upgrade Burke/Nket/Brew

    1. FOMFF
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 7 months ago

      If/when Brewster moves, he's a season keeper.