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

    Just realised my 3rd mid is 5.5m and my 2nd mid is 11.5m

    What have I done...

    1. King of Kings.
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I had Soucek @ 4.9 as my 3rd mid since the start. Decided it was time to WC

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That isn't such a bad thing if you feel they are plenty of good options in either price bracket..can also use 2 fts to swap around easily

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

      Price points in shambles

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

    JRod confirmed out?

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

      whatatatatatatat!!!

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

        apparently so

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

      Or Carlo games . . .

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

      Ancellotti said he thinks he will not be available for game so if you have I would play with decent first sub

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

        Cheers all

  3. King of Kings.
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    On WC

    McGinn or Barkley as a long term pick?

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

      Barkley 100%

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barks

    3. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Neither go grealish

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

      Barkley

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

      McGinn easily

  4. haroldhammond
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play 3 from these 4: Keane, Kilman, Chilwell, Lamptey

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

      play the ones who you think will get the most points, that's what I try to do

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

        hope that helps!

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

        cheers mate, i've got 3 in my head but wanted to see if i was missing anything

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

        Or, to paraphrase, shut down the comments on FFS as we shouldn't ask for other people's opinions

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Lamptey, kilman and Chilwell

    3. Shark Team
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Bench Chilwell ofc

  5. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is it me, or are fpl wire, scoutcast and fpl black box the same video with different hosts?

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who has the best hosts then?

      1. No Professionals
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        No preference, they all have very similar views though and talk about the same topics. And they are sooooooo long.

    2. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I enjoy them for different reasons. Haven’t listened/watched much of Blackbox

    3. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLka131dUOc

      This guy brief and says something different, stumbled on him last week.

      Don't know how good he is, but worth a listen.

  6. ididnt
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ings to Aguero?

    1. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      For free? Why the hell not.

    2. HurriKane
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Fancy Ings to do well against everton who will be missing James and Richarlison

      1. ididnt
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I might live a little

  7. DRIZ ✅
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Rodriguez out for Southampton game.

    DCL rise incoming 🙂

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

      Detrimental to DCL output too I think. No Rich also

  8. Sloane426
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Justin, Taylor or Bissouma? Benching Rodríguez.

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

      im starting the Almighty anguissa.... Bissouma

    2. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Biss

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

    Richarlison to drop tonight?

    1. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks likely mate am still unsure what to do with him lol

  10. Jönny
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    J-Rod injury has shaken up my WC team a bit... what do you reckon?

    Martinez, Steer
    Robertson, Saiss, Lamptey, Kilman, Struijk
    Mane, Son, Foden, Jackie Harrison, Poveda
    Kane, Aguero, DCL

  11. UnitednationsXI
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Kdb fit? 1Ft and 3m itb

    Martinez
    Taa Saiss Lamptey -- James Mitchell
    Kdb* Son Havertz Barnes -- Burke
    Watkins Jimmy DCL

    A: KDB >> Salah and keep 2.4m itb
    B: Havertz + James >> Salah + Kilman (-4)
    C: Havertz + Barnes >> Salah + Barkley (-4)

    1. 2OLEgend
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

    If TAA doesn't look convincing this week it's going to be very hard keeping him.

    That downgrade to Chilwell allows for Jimenez to Kane and possibly Aguero in GW10. It really is very tempting!

    1. Old Gregg
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Very tempting.

      Will give him the next 2 home fixtures though

    2. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Yep. This is his last week for me too. Chilwell pending

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

    I wonder if Brewster vs Adrian is worth starting him over JRod who I am currently playing for the slight chance he starts

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

      Brewster v Adrian sounds a lot better than Brewster v Liverpool... I think you should play jRod, cameo would be unlikely

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

      If James is back next week then yeah go for it, I don't think its worth transferring him out for one game week, you're just going to want to get him back later

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

        JRod ain't going anywhere with Fulham and Newcastle coming up

  14. No Professionals
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Well my team is one player different to the fpl scout selection, massive red arrow incoming

  15. Erez Avni
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play one:

    A. Mitchel
    B. KWP
    C. Justin

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

      a

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

    Watkins OR Mitro if you have Barkley.

    1. Make United Great Again
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Watkins

    2. No Professionals
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’m not sure about either. Watkins got that hat trick but hasn’t been great other than that.

  17. HurriKane
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Take away liverpool game and Chelsea have scored combined 13 goals against ( bha wba CPL SOT)

    Whats impressive is all of those games are without their most creative players in Pulisic and Ziyech starting together

    I think their attack will be right up there with city and liv in terms of goals scored.

    Agree.? Thoughts are welcomed

  18. Old Gregg
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A couple of 4m defs emerging short term at least.

    Stick with the safer option?

    Reece James >

    A) Konsa
    B) Strujik
    C) Kilman.

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

      a

  19. Shark Team
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    My gut says Kane over Salah but if Mane is out then this is a huge advantage for Mo believe me

    1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why is mane out??

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He has a "dead leg" it's time for Jota to get his chance and Mane be protected

        1. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Klopp has said he’s completely fine, just ices it when he can.

          No chance he gets “protected”.

    2. lilmessipran
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Why is mane out?

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He has a "dead leg" it's time for Jota to get his chance and Mane be protected

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

      Mane will start so you can forget about that advantage

      1. Shark Team
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He has a "dead leg" it's time for Jota to get his chance and Mane be protected

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

          Mane will definitely be protected, I'm sure Klopp will take him off after his 12 pointer on the weekend

        2. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Why is mane out?

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

          Lol

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

      If I had Mané, I would give him the armband

  20. lilmessipran
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who is on pens for villa? Do we think grealish takes them?

  21. D-Fens
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I need some sage advice please. Which and why:

    A Jimenez to Kane for -4
    B Jimenez to Aguero for free
    C Neither

    1. Sad Pablo Arsecobar
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      C. Jiminez vs Newcastle

      1. D-Fens
        • 3 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes this is probably the smart move. Cheers!

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

    Help is needed please

    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. KDB4PREZ
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I’d prob downgrade souchek to 4.4 and upgrade someone else with the .6 itb you could go Barkley>Grealish or upgrade someone else even? Good team tho gl

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

      Looks good to me

  23. KDB4PREZ
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hard to look past Aguero, anyone else feeling this way?

    Would you do
    Richarlison&Pulisic>> Augero/Podence for a -4? Tia

  24. DARK SIDE OF THE LOON
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    With so many options now available in the midfield, will Foden still keep his place? Thinking of doing Foden + VVD to Bruno + 4.5 def for -4. Have Sterling too. Think Bruno will do well against that Chelsea defense.

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

      Foden got a rest on Wed so he will start imo.Keep him.

  25. FPL Blow-In
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Feck.... watch Barnes score v Arsenal now

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

      Fingers crossed

  26. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    McCarthy, Nyland
    TAA, Tierney, Justin, Dier, Taylor
    Bruno, Son, JRod, Podence, Bissouma
    Kane, Ings, DCL
    1 free transfer, 1.2M in the bank

    A) JRod to Mahrez
    B) Podence to Barkley / Trossard

    Best 3 players under 8.9M?

  27. ChickenTikkaMoSalah
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Kane or Salah captain?

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

      Kane. If you don't mind our usernames 😆

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

      Salah

  28. Jdpz
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is Mahrez good pick?
    James to Mahrez?

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

      Definitely not

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

      I would play James as long as you have decent first sub as fixtures in next few very good

  29. waltzingmatildas
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Ft for Bruno to Salah, then am I gtg?
    Mccarthy
    TAA ayling mitchell
    Sterling Salah(c) son soucek
    Jimenez dcl antonio
    (Button bissouma ctaylor James)

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Sterling to Salah (c) doable?

      1. waltzingmatildas
        • 13 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Absolutely, would prefer that, but just nervous losing sterling?

        1. Fulchester's New Centr…
          • 6 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Can't have'em all and City just not doing it yet.

  30. FCRS BGD
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi guys
    In FPL Draft , long term, who is better option?
    1) Antonio
    2) Martial
    I have Bruno Fernandes
    Thanks

    1. Fulchester's New Centr…
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tony suspended for next 2 still isn't he?

      1. FCRS BGD
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Yes , but long term who is better? , its draft league