Pro Pundits

The case for a cheap FPL defence as premium assets continue to disappoint

Fantasy Premier League managers could find value in spending as little money on defenders as possible in the coming weeks.

With Liverpool conceding for the fourth consecutive match in Gameweek 7, and the injury to Fabinho (£5.5m) exacerbating the loss of Virgil van Dijk (£6.4m), Trent Alexander Arnold (£7.4m) and Andrew Robertson’s (£7.1m) certainly offer less Fantasy value than before.

It’s not just Liverpool who are letting the premium defenders union down though. Last season’s top six have kept just seven clean sheets combined over the first six Gameweeks (Liverpool 1, Manchester City 1, Manchester United 1, Chelsea 2, Spurs 1, Arsenal 1) so justifying ownership of their expensive defenders is proving harder and harder each week.

Using some underlying statistics in the Fantasy Football Scout Premium Members Area, I want to analyse if teams with defenders at the more budget end of the spectrum (say, up to £5.0m) can possibly provide similar returns to their more expensive counterparts at the bigger clubs. 

For the purpose of this analysis, I have used data from the last four Gameweeks:

1,790 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Chelsea91
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    Robbo,PVA,Chilwell
    Salah(C),Son,Grealish,Zaha
    DCL,Kane,Maupay

    Button Dallas,Romeo,Douglas

    Set for GW 7 , any suggestion ? 0 FT and 0.0 ITB

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

      Would play Dallas for PVA. If PVA doesn't start, he is likely to come on for a 1 pointer.

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Mitchell is injured,high possibilities PVA will start

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

          FPL shows 75% chances of playing. Has he been confirmed out? If so, then g2g!

  2. Tmel
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    James Saiss TAA
    Podence Salah Son Foden
    Kane DCL Jimenez
    (Steer Burke Lamptey Mitchell)

    1.3ITB + 2FT

    a) James > Chilwell (then perhaps Podence > Bowen next week?)
    b) Podence > Barkley
    c) James & Podence > Coufal & Grealish

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

    Transfer suggestions? 2FT's + 0.3m

    Martinez Forster
    Robbo Chilwell Reguilion Dallas Mitchell
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish Soucek
    Kane DCL Maupay

    1. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Zaha?

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

        Not a fan.....
        For who if you was getting him?

        1. Chelsea91
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          James , you have DCL already

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

    Ryan
    Chilwell, Coady, Justin
    Salah, Sterl, Son, JRod
    Ings (c), Bamford, DCL
    Bench : Butts, Barkley, Dallas, Fergie
    1ITB
    G2G?
    Current idea is to ship Jrod next GW for Puli/Havertz or downgrade to Greal/Zaha/Bowen

    Advice much appreciated lads

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

    That moment the “you could triple captain this week” thought comes into your head for the first time in a season.

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Who on?

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

      I can't even decide definitively who the best captain is... I'm only gonna consider triple captain if my armband is on someone I'm 200% sure is gonna be the guy.

    3. Chelsea91
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Wont

      1. Chelsea91
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        reply failed to FPL KAKA

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

      It'll be KDB in the City DGW

  6. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does Chilwell get rotated or is that silly talk?

    1. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He will but not yet

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The odd game here and there plus the domestic cups. But, he's about as 'nailed' as it gets in their DF along with Silva

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

      Lampard does have form for that sort of thing but he'll be OK for a while

    4. Over Midwicket
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably benched for James, based on this season. James was tested midweek so nailed on

      1. Over Midwicket
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Rested*

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

      Games coming think and fast. Won't be surprised if he or any so called nailed on player from any team gets benched.

    6. Camzy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 13 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I think that entire Chelsea backline are not fully nailed. Chilwell and maybe Zouma if he keeps up performances look the most locked. Silva when fit but that could be closer to 25 than 35 games this season.

  7. suddenorgan
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    TAA Semedo Dallas (Lamp, Ferg)
    Salah Son Rodriguez Grealish (Bissouma)
    Kane DCL Maupay

    2FT, £0.7

    Maupay an obvious weak link this week but was only really considering Antonio as a replacement. Are Bamford or Adams worth it or am I going to be back here with Maupay (BUR) wishing I'd kept him another week?

    1. All Hail K
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 14 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Maupay has one less goal than Kane. I think branding him a weak link is harsh.

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

        yeah I don't think he's a terrible option, I'm just finding it hard to find something else to do right now, fairly sure I want 2 FT next week to downgrade TAA and use the cash

    2. Bourbon, Pot Still or Islay…
      • 9 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Similar front 8 to me (Jorg instead of Biss) and the same issue I have.

      I am leaning Maupay out Adams in....

  8. Gunners in Haaland
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play Lamptey or Coufal?

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

      both fun picks, probably Lamptey

  9. Andrew
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Werner or Vardy?

    1. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Tough one that.

      If you have no Chelsea attackers, I'd lean towards Werner.

      If you have Havertz/Pulisic/Ziyech then I'd go Vardy

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

        How does that make any difference...

        1. thegaffer82
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          Because if you have Werner & Chelsea MF and Chelsea have a stinker and lose 1-0. Then you're looking at 4 points max from 2 of your more expensive forwards.

          I just like to spread risk/exposure/coverage is all.

          I'm not saying I'm right either....that's just how I like to play

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

            If you have Werner and Chelsea MF and Chelsea have an excellent day and win 4-0, you're surely looking at 15+ points from your selections.

            1. thegaffer82
              • 12 Years
              3 years, 5 months ago

              Of course. That's the flip side.

              And, with a team like City & Pool last season, I did load up on their players as the risk of them blanking is so low.

              But Chelsea are a very strange team. I don't particularly trust them

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

      Leaning towards Werner

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

      Werner for the next 3 then swap to Vardy

  10. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Hi Guys,

    Thinking of the following moves for a -8.

    KWP - Chilwell
    Fernandes - Pulisic
    Maupay - Bamford

    Thoughts?

    Current team:

    McCarthy
    TAA - Ayling - Justin - Mitchell - KWP
    Salah - Fernandes - Son - Barkley - Bissouma
    Kane - DCL - Maupay

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

      what's wrong with Fernandes?

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

        Don't know. You tell us!

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

          Oops! Thought it was a post, not a reply.

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

            Ha, I would never spread vague injury gossip like that

    2. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Removing Bruno as part of a -8 seems a bit potty to me.

      I'd show a bit of patience there personally and just do Maupay > Bamford this week

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

        True. I may just hold the transfers and stick with that team this GW. Maupay may be worth keeping aganist this Spurs defence plus Brighton arent shy to attack. I can see him scoring.

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

      not for the -8

    4. Andrew
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Don't get rid of Bruno before a home match with Arsenal with Mike Dean as referee, penalties galore!!

  11. Rhodes your boat
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Gtg all for this week? 1FT 0.2itb

    Martinez
    Robbo konsa Mitchell
    Salah(c) sterling son soucek
    Werner jimi dcl

    Forster lamptey Burke dunne

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

      Gtg

  12. ball c
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 3 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Or: KWP to Chilwell and DCL to Bamford. 0.1m in the bank

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

      DCL out, no

  13. GE
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mitchell -> Kilman? Or other suggestions?

    (2FT, 0.0 itb)

    Martinez
    Robbie/Chilwell/Saiss
    Salah/Son/James/Grealish
    Kane/DCL/Maupay

    Bench: Button, Dallas, Mitchell, Bissouma

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

      Maupay out

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

        And who in? Antonio injured

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

          Bamford, Leeds aren’t going to stop scoring with the way they play. Fun to own because they attack no matter what.

          Or if you want Antonio then you could keep Maupay for a bit

    2. AD105
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Your team is exactly the same as mine apart from the sub keeper lol, I also have 2 free transfers.

      Mitchell to Kilman seems a bit sideways to me, especially since you have Saiss already.

      I’m planning to get rid of Maupay for a one week punt (maybe Bamford) then will have 2 free transfers again next week

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

        Haha 😀 that is a good idea, a placeholder for Antonio?

        1. AD105
          • 7 Years
          3 years, 5 months ago

          That’s the plan yeah!

  14. Qaiss
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If Werner didn’t rest against Krasnodar, then he prob won’t against Burnley. They spent 50m on him and he’s more than capable to play against the likes of Burnley.

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

      Any thoughts

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

      He will play IMO

    3. YEAH PITCH!
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Just my opinion of course. I think henis rested.

      1. YEAH PITCH!
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        He is*

      2. Qaiss
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It’s possible. But with Rennes on Tuesday, it’s a tricky one.

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

      He'll play. If he doesn't play it's midweek off the bench.

    5. bench boost for every gamew…
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      What they spent on him is irrelevant for wether he is rested or not

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

        No. What I meant was, people say he’s not good against teams who park the bus.

  15. AD105
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best one week punt on a striker under 6.9?

    Thinking Patty Bam is probably the best option

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

      he's got the form that's for sure.. maybe Wilson?

  16. You've got red on you.
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Everyone else is taking -8 so it'snot really a -8. Right?

    These changes will also 100% return more than 8 points over the next 6 GWs too so it would idiocy not to do it. Right?

    Trossard, Lamptey and Jimenez ---> Chilwell, Pulisic and Bamford.

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

      Not everybody, just some who need to do it and the usual knee jerkers.

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Knee jerkers make up 99.9% of players. Fact.

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

          99,9% is a stretch too far but point taken.

          1. You've got red on you.
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            99.8% Fact checked.

          2. Volley127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            So is your 100% I think

          3. Volley127
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 11 Years
            3 years, 5 months ago

            Sorry not your 100%

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 11 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      It seems you're pretty set on doing it

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        It is hard to take the game seriously this year. Logic seems out the window! So yeah, I'm tempted to just have a bit of fun with it.

        Lamptey and Trossard have been horrible to own lately.

    3. thegaffer82
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Whether it pays off after 6 weeks is not so much the issue.

      Will it pay off THIS week.

      You could spread these tranny's over a few weeks and save the points hits remember. So, it's not as simple as saying that you will get the points back over 6 weeks.

      But, having said that, I like the moves and would consider them myself.

      1. You've got red on you.
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have the exact right money and expect Chilwell and Bamford to rise again. Trossard may drop too

  17. EmreCan Hustle
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Masuaku + Trossard to Chilwell + Soucek? 2FTs.

  18. Nespinha
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Mccarthy
    Robbo, Saiss, KWP
    Salah, Bruno, Son, Podence, Pereira
    DCL, Werner

    4.0, Mitchell, Davis, Ferguson, 2FT 2.4ITB

    A - Pereira -> Grealish
    B - Davis + Pereira -> Brewster + Grealish
    C - Ferguson + Pereira -> Dallas + Grealish

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

      Id do C

  19. Ronnies
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What to do with Saiss ?

    A) Keep

    B) Switch to Semedo or Coady who are nailed.

    Cheers.

    1. Cruyff's Eleven
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      He's missed 23 minutes out of a possible 540.....

  20. aapoman
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Really have no clue what to do... 2ft and 0.1itb

    Martinez
    Robbo Kilman KWP
    Salah Son Pulisic Hames Grealish
    Kane DCL

    Forster; Ayling, Brewster, Lamptey

  21. gooberman
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best option for next 6 games:

    A) Bamford
    B) Adams
    C) Watkins

  22. Bruce Lee
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    thank God I didn't pull the trigger on Maupay to Antonio

  23. THEKID_88
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Start Lamptey or Taylor?

  24. Ci Siamo
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Does Jamal Lewis lose his place when Ritchie is back?

  25. The Tinkerman
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G? 1FT remaining. Triple Wolves isn’t ideal.

    McCarthy
    TAA, Justin, Kilman
    Son, Salah (C), Sterling, Podence
    DCL, Jimi, Mitro

    Steer; Mitchel, Biss, Taylor

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      The plan is to hold FT and move out Mitro and Bissouma next week and move to 352 with Zaha and Brewster

  26. KUNingas
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2FTs

    A) Pulisic -> Zaha
    B) Maupay -> Antonio (planning ahead)
    C) Robbo + Maupay -> Kilman/Coufal/Masuaku + Kane

    Martinez
    Chilwell, PvA, Dallas, Robbo*
    Salah, Son, Grealish, Jrod, Pulisic*
    DCL*

    4.0, Maupay*, Lamptey, Brewster

    1. The Tinkerman
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Are the reports of Antonio being out for 4 weeks wide of the mark?

  27. The Fantastic Mr Fox
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Foden to Bruno on a free. Good idea or bad?

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

      I'd be a happy Foden owner this week

      1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Thanks

    2. Miguel Sanchez
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not sure, quite like Foden this week assuming he starts

      1. The Fantastic Mr Fox
        • 9 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        Ta

  28. mikess
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Martinez
    Robertson, Saiss, Kilman (Mitchell, Dunne)
    Salah, Mane, Son, Rodriguez, Barkley
    DCL, Jimenez (Brewster)

    Reckon I can get away with no Kane?

    Jimenez and Robertson or Rodriguez for a hit would be the ones to go. Kane in then either...

    5.2 defender or 6.1 midfielder. Nothing stands out. Shame I'm short of Chilwell for example.

  29. CrouchDown
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Save FT?

    Martinez

    Saiss Bellerin Justin

    Salah Sterling Son Foden

    Kane DCL Watkins

    Subs: Steer, Bissouma Mitchell Taylor

  30. faux_C
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    I'm happy with my team but have 2FTs.

    Martinez
    Robertson, Saiss, Chilwell
    Salah, Son, Mane, Grealish, Soucek
    Maupay, DCL

    (McCarthy, Ayling, Brewster, Masuaku)

    Should I sell Maupay? Probably for Bamford I guess...

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

      Maupay -> Adams/Wilson/Bamford?

      1. The Count of Monte Cristo
        • 11 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        These all look good.