Sky Sports

Who are the best Virgil van Dijk replacements in Sky Sports Fantasy Football?

The news that Virgil van Dijk (£10.9m) will be out for a considerable period of time not only threatens to harm Liverpool’s title defence but it also presents a problem for legions of Sky Sports Fantasy Football managers.

Over one in five Sky bosses own the Dutchman, making him the second-most popular defender in the game.

With van Dijk’s injury frustratingly coming one week after the Overhaul, owners will be forced to dip into their transfer allocation to replace the sidelined stopper.

In this article, we run down the runners and riders as we consider who could replace the Netherlands international.

ANDREW ROBERTSON (£10.2m)

Fabinho bolsters Liverpool defence as Werner shows promise ahead of West Brom

Cheaper than not only van Dijk but also Trent Alexander-Arnold (£10.6m), Andrew Robertson (£10.2m) is perhaps the obvious sideways move for those ditching the Dutchman.

Robertson has outscored both of his teammates this season and it’s not just the attacking returns (the Scot has three to van Dijk and Alexander-Arnold’s one) that has brought about that dominance.

The left-back has already accumulated eight points’ worth of passing bonus this season, only one shy of van Dijk’s tally. Alexander-Arnold, by contrast, has yet to get off the mark.

An increased role at set plays is aiding Robertson’s assist potential and the Scotland international has now taken ten more corners than his opposite full-back in 2020/21.

Robertson has almost four times as many penalty box touches as Alexander-Arnold, meanwhile, and is posing more of a goal threat from open play at present.

The loss of van Dijk and Alisson (£8.0m) obviously weakens the Reds from a defensive perspective but in this season where clean sheets are relatively hard to come by across the Premier League, perhaps it’s worth paying more attention to those defenders who can do the business at the other end of the field.

RUBEN DIAS (£9.1m)

It’s still early days for Ruben Dias (£9.1m) but the initial signs are promising.

Manchester City defenders are traditionally good buys for their passing bonus in Sky and Dias duly delivered on his first start at the Etihad, with three points added to his clean sheet return thanks to City’s customary retention of the ball.

Pep Guardiola’s defence is maligned in some quarters but they kept more clean sheets than anyone else last season and were second only to Liverpool in 2018/19.

Guardiola has typically built his backline around one almost-nailed centre-half in the past – Fernandinho (£8.3m) in 2019/20, Aymeric Laporte (£10.3m) in 2018/19, Nicolas Otamendi in 2017/18 – and Dias could well be that man this season, with his manager hailing his leadership qualities after last weekend’s win over Arsenal.

A saving of £1.0m+ on the somewhat injury-prone Laporte is significant, too.

The Citizens’ fixtures get really good from Gameweek 12 in Sky onwards but a double-header against West Ham United and Sheffield United next up is far from daunting, for those who have had their hands forced by van Dijk’s injury.

GABRIEL MAGALHAES (£8.0m)

Tipping up the highest-scoring defender in Sky is uninspired in the extreme but there is justification in highlighting the credentials of Gabriel (£8.0m).

It’s the passing bonus that sets the Brazilian apart, with 11 points-worth arriving in his four appearances for the Gunners.

Mikel Arteta’s insistence on playing out from the back is aiding Gabriel’s cause on that front and no Premier League defender has made more passes than the Arsenal centre-half this season, despite the fact that he missed out in Gameweek 3.

Therein lies the slight worry with Gabriel given Arteta’s plethora of options at centre-back but he has looked the pick of the bunch so far and, with Rob Holding (£6.4m) ruled out for the next three weeks or so, there should be few short-term concerns.

STUART DALLAS (£6.4M)

Stuart Dallas’ (£6.4m) performances haven’t gone unnoticed by the top 1k and he currently sits in 20.6% of those squads, despite his overall ownership being down at 3.6%.

The versatile defender has delivered bonus points in all five of his matches so far this season, with four of them owing to his tackling and the other one a tier 2 shot bonus against Sheffield United – which rather neatly encapsulates what the all-action Northern Irishman is all about.

Granted, the fixtures aren’t great: Leeds sit near the wrong end of our Season Ticker over the next half-dozen Gameweeks, with the likes of Leicester, Everton and Chelsea to come.

Injuries at centre-half and in defensive midfield also shake faith in a Leeds backline that has tightened considerably since their early-season goalfests.

But his total of 23 points is one of the best among sub-£6.5m defenders this season and the freeing up of £4.5m – should funds be required elsewhere – is something to consider.

ASTON VILLA DEFENDER

It’s not just form that Aston Villa have on their side but fixtures too, with the unbeaten Villans sitting near the top of our Season Ticker for the foreseeable future.

Emi Martinez (£6.3m) is the obvious route into this improving backline but for those without him who don’t want to waste a transfer on a goalkeeper, then their first-choice back four are all available for £7.5m or under.

Ezri Konsa (£6.1m) is the cheapest and sits just a point behind Tyrone Mings (£7.5m) but Matthew Cash (£6.5m) warrants a mention, given that he has already racked up tier 1 and tier 2 tackling bonus this season.

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396 Comments Post a Comment
  1. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Burnley defensive absentees stacking up. Reckon Kane could be the shrewd captain this week

    1. DaisyDaisyDaisyDaisy
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'll break him don't worry.

      1. xHaTr
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Not sure about that! Burnley have an absolutely dreadful record at home v top 6 teams

        They always have done, and they often get comfortably turned over

    2. F4L
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not if he starts tonight.

  2. Spurrsy
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez (Forster)
    Semedo/Saiss/Lamptey (Taylor/Mitchell)
    Bruyne/Son/Rodriguez/Salah/Foden
    Jimenez/DCL (Brewster)
    0.9 in bank
    1 FT

    What would you do with Bruyne and Rodriguez?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      kdb is training so expect to start
      i would get and start kilman for mitchell

  3. OverTinker
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mahrez Keep or move out for Grealish?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      move for me

  4. Sotamendi84
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) start chillwell
    B) get Killman with FT?

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Gotta start Chillwell if you own him right?

  5. The Mighty Hippo
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who would you have first on your bench from Brewster, Dallas, Mitchell?

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      dallas

    2. dbeck
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      mitchell

    3. Whiskerz
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Dallas

  6. JELLYFISH
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which is better (on WC):

    1. Rashford and Keane
    2. Zaha and Robbo

    1. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      2

    2. FPL Theorist
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      1 out of those, Palace are terrible at scoring goals despite the fixtures.

  7. Pukki Blinders
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Why is the Barkley wagon so popular but everyone ignoring McGinn?

    Mcginn had a higher average position than Barkley last week...

    1. JELLYFISH
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Villa fan here, and I think McGin is a better FPL pick. Barkley will likely be more explosive, but McGinn will be more consistent imo

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        thought so, cheers

    2. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      + some corners

    3. Seanigula
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I brought in McGinn...seems like a great 5th mid option

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Will be my 3rd mid in a 434... sounds crazy

        1. Pukki Blinders
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          443*

  8. Super Nashwan
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Podence (newc h) to grealish (Leeds h) worth a hit?

    1. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not for me

    2. Sotamendi84
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      nah

    3. Bullet Eder
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No

  9. xHaTr
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Should I:

    A: Foden to Grealish (Free)

    B: Save FT

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Save, Foden will start

  10. _Ninja_
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Barnes -> Grealish/Pulisic worth a hit?

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo Saiss Chilwell Lamptey Mitchell
    Salah Son Rodrigez Podence Barnes
    DCL Jimenez Brewster

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      tough one, it's a toss-up imo

    2. xHaTr
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Given you have Rodriguez as well Id be tempted to make the move.

      Personally prefer Grealish to Pulisic

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      not for a hit

  11. Kane Train
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Grealish or Barkley?

    1. DannyDrinkVodka
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barkley, if he's on pens

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Grealish if you watch football.

        1. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Barkley if you like points.

        2. Party time
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Barkley if you understand football

      2. Nimby
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I reckon Barkley purely for how cheap he is.

      3. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Barkley is good punt tbh

      4. BenW3989
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Grealish

    2. Weeb Kakashi
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Pick one

      A Mitro
      B Watkins
      C Adams

      Have Barkley. Thinking of Mitro for Pens.

      1. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        A

    3. Pukki Blinders
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Play 2:

      A) Justin (ARS)
      B) Lewis (wol)
      C) Soucek (MCI)
      D) Bissouma (WBA)

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

        c d

    4. Crouching Tiger
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I'm on my WC, but can sell Rodriguez only with 7.7 and buying him back later would be 8.0.

      Bench him and play Jorginho or Dallas, or sell him (for who? Zaha?).

      1. KLOPPS AND ROBBERS... the s…
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        easy bench

      2. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Bench, no standout pick in that price bracket

        1. Crouching Tiger
          • 11 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Agreed. Thanks for comments.

      3. Ginola
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I'm on WC as well and keeping him. Small chance he features this weekend and big chance he features next week. So bench him and flip a coin on Jorginho/Dallas.

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

      Recon I should just bench Hamez and keep FT ??

      Martinez
      Robo/Reguilon/Lamptey/Chilwell
      Salah(c)/Son/Grealish/Hamez
      Kane/DCL/Maupay

      Martin/Mitchell/Stephens/Hamez*

    6. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Long-term which is the better pair.
      1. Mane + Bamford/Wilson
      2. Werner + Grealish

    7. Big Ronnie
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 10 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Late to the DCL party but my plan was to get him in for Jimenez this week. Think that can wait a week with the Rodriguez news today?

      1. Holmes
        • 10 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yep

      2. Kurt Zouma
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes, Jimi has a nice fixture too

      3. Latetotheparty
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        You called? 🙂

    8. The White Pele
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Is Maupay still a good option this week with Hegazy & ivanovic back?

      1. el polako
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Hegazy & Ivanovic.... *goes to check what year we have ?*

        1. The White Pele
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Not 2017

      2. Pukki Blinders
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Makes Maupay an even better option

        1. Party time
            3 years, 5 months ago

            😆

      3. Steve The Spud
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Is Ben mee excepted to be back for spurs ? Looks like he only just got back to training. Currently flip flopping between Kane or salah cap

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          No

      4. Kurt Zouma
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Play Lamptey or Chilwell this week?

        1. La Roja
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Lamptey

      5. The Polymath
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Can get this team by Week 8 and 9. Worth it.

        Martinez
        Sais, Cresswell, Lamptey
        Salah, Son, Fernandes, McGinn
        Aguero, Kane, Antonio

        Subs: Forster, Bissouma, Kilman, Mitchell

        1. Wrong Captain Choice - Ag i…
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Impressive you're on the ball well done on the planning.

      6. JELLYFISH
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        On WC, who would you keep from the following:

        1. Keane (sell value 5.1m)
        2. Justin (sell value 4.6m)

        1. Kurt Zouma
          • 9 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Neither

        2. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Not 2. Maybe 1.

          1. JELLYFISH
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            was leaning towards that, think Keane is flying under the radar a bit

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

        BUR's xGC is 4.52, the second lowest in the EPL. Playing at home vs. TOT this week - should be an interesting one. 🙂

        1. FPL Theorist
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          They have played a game less and haven't played any top 6 sides. I'm on Kane(c).

      8. dbeck
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        play two of these friends (one needs to be a defender)

        1. Dallas
        2. Mitchell
        3. KWP
        4. Soucek
        5. Brewster

        Currently on 2 and 4 with 1 first bench spot

      9. La Roja
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Any news on Vardy injury?

        Asking for a friend...

      10. Elly88 > KTR (Kevin The …
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Second time asking.
        Long-term which is the better pair.
        1. Mane + Bamford/Wilson
        2. Werner + Grealish

        1. Latetotheparty
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          2

      11. My heart goes Salalalalah
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Kane cappers for green arrows

      12. Karan14
        • 7 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Want KDB & Aguero but I guess I'll wait till GW10 for when their fixtures improve.

        Going to be tough watching the next few City matches with just Foden!

        1. Flair
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          No issues in waiting for the attack to gel

          1. Karan14
            • 7 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Yes I guess that's the sensible play. But I have no doubt their attack will gel.

            1. Flair
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              For sure. I'd love to have Foden+Sterling+Aguero+KDB+Dias for that GW10 run!

              1. Karan14
                • 7 Years
                3 years, 5 months ago

                Foden I feel will get rotated now.
                With Bilva & Gundo back and Torres also looking decent Pep has options and lot of games to play between now & Christmas period.

                1. Flair
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 5 months ago

                  Foden was always going to be rotated. At 6.5M and with those fixtures I expect him to take full advantage of his limited minutes on the pitch. Still confident Pep rates him highly

      13. JURGENAUT
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Keep Zaha? Got Grealish too

        1. Aubamewho
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Keep

      14. royals forever
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 14 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Is this WC team G2G or should I make any more changes to it now

        Martinez

        Keane Semedo Lamptey

        Barkley Havertz Son Salah

        DCL Watkins Kane

        Areola Soucek Dallas Chilwell

        0.6 ITB

        Any ideas would be welcomed

        1. Weeb Kakashi
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          You going with Watkins and Barkley double up? Sure bout that?

          I have Barkley and i am thinking of getting either Watkins OR Mitro in