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

    Finally settled on Son for the captaincy, good luck all!

    Martinez
    Chilwell Saiss Kilman
    Salah Son(c) Rodriguez Grealish
    Kane Jimenez Ings

    Button Justin Bissouma Ferguson 0FT 0.3 ITB

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

      Its so confusing this GW. Have Salah, Son and Sterling as my options. Cannot decide.

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

        Sterling from those three

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

          You'll go Sterling over Son and Kane? I'm actually very tempted.

    2. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Looks good.

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

      Nice team, why have you gone Son captain over Kane?
      I’m really stuck deciding between the two.

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

    anyone thought of getting Dier as a punt?

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

      He is a such a non-pick right now

    2. Corgz Dark side of the Loon
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Not once the drugs wear off............

    3. Alisson WondHaaland
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Defenders aren't really worth a punt. He's not even guaranteed game time

    4. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I've had him since GW1 so i'm sticking for now. Almost snuck a BP versus Burnley, if not for a late Lloris safe.

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

    First semi decent week last time out
    G2G?

    Guaita
    Taa, chilwell, Saiss
    Salah, Son (c), J Rod, Zaha, Foden
    Ings, Bamford

    Maupay, Konsa, Mitchell

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

      Y

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

        Oops y as in ‘yes, gtg.’ Not ‘why?’

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

      Looks good

  4. JoeSoap
    • 10 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Which do you prefer?

    A. Dunne>Chilwell/other (maybe too much money tied up in defence)
    B. Pereira/Trossard>Foden/Other
    C. Other (2m in bank)

    McCarthy
    Justin, TAA, Mitchell
    Salah, Son, Trossard, Pereira
    Jimmy, Kane, DCL
    Steer, Lamptey, Mendy, Dunne

  5. quayle99
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Villa v Southampton

    Martinez or McCarthy?

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

      Martinez is a better keeper.

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

      coin toss

    3. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Martinez

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

      I think both sides will score so doesn't matter

    5. Black Knights
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I have same and going for Martinez on the theory he may get more save points (and slightly more likely for clean sheet possibly?).

    6. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      50/50.

      Tough one.

  6. ⚔★Vibudh★⚔
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    If I keep Maupay this week, surely he would be worth keeping GW8 for Burnley right?

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

      Yeah, get rid or keep for next 2/3.

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

      Burnley defending well recently. Spurs not so much. U can lose next game if u want

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

        I'm personally switching to Adams for the extra 0.7mil

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

      What makes you think Burnley will be open to giving Maupay lots of chances?

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

    Could Bowen be on pens if the usual takers (Noble/Antonio) are not on the pitch?

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

      Won't it be Haller if he ends up playing?

  8. FPL ZB
    • Has Moderation Rights
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Justin or Ayling? Can’t see Leicester sticking with wing backs with the injuries

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

      Ayling

  9. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Got a 0.2ITB and a transfer to burn, current defence of:

    Chillwell, TAA, Semedo, PVA, Mitchell

    Would you do Mitchell => Kilman???

  10. Salarrivederci
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Team is a mess! already lost 0.1 on Agüero, but needed PC news before decinding with all those injuries.
    What to do? Thinking about triple Chelsea defense for the next 3 trying to make up some lost ground.
    Most nailed on Chelsea defenders?

    0.3 ITB 1 FT

    Martínez - Steer
    Chilwell - *Digne* - *Mitchell* - Lamptey - Taylor
    Sterling - Son - *Rodríguez* - Grealish - Pereira
    Kane - *Agüero* - Brewster

    Pereira and Taylor about to drop and make me lose 0.1

    Agüero + Digne + Taylor/Mitchell out (-8) ?

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

      Can't find 3 nailed on Chelsea defenders you'll have to make do with Mendy for 1 spot

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

        Not in a position to swap out Martínez though 😉 !
        What would you do?

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

          I would take out Kun and Digne/Hames out of those for just a -4. But yeah your team is in a big mess with the price drops.

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

      Zouma very nailed on currently

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

    A. Lamptey + saiss to chilwell + kilman.

    B. Robbo to chilwell and bank cash.

    Current def:

    Robbo saiss lamptey Justin kwp.

    2 frees

    1. Blue&White85
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      I wouldn't use 2 transfers on a defence that isn't too bad. I think before you do the Saiss / Kilman swap you really want to know with more clarity which is first pick. Maybe do Lamptey to Kilman this week and roll a transfer?

  12. Inspector Gadget
    • 13 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Either of these worth the transfers to bring the Son in?

    a) KDB (shu) to Son (BHA)
    b) TAA (WHU) and Pereira (ful) to 4.3 and Son (BHA) -4

    TAA, Pereira and KDB all have good fixtures which makes removing any of them difficult!

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      No don't think so. KDB is a great differential to own and I don't like TAA out for a hit.

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

      No keep

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

    Guaita
    TAA / Saiss / R. James
    Salah / Son / Rodriguez / Foden / Podence
    Kane / DCL

    Forster // Lamptey / Mitchell / Brewster

    - R. James looks likely to start, so holding for a week
    - Was tempted to sell TAA, but good UCL performance and no Antonio, so will hold
    - Front 7 are not too much of a concern this week. Podence/Rodriquez can be sorted another time if necesary

    In terms of prospective transfers, what seems best?
    A) None. (May end up with Lamptey sub.)
    B) Saiss > Chilwell (question marks on both starting, though?)
    C) Mitchell > Kilman (covers Wolves DEF for 1 week. Mitchell maybe injured, but Kilman could be benched.)

    1. Tonyawesome69
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

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

    Higher on bench:

    A) Justin (lee)
    B) Bissouma (tot)

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

      A easily, B is a guaranteed 2-pointer max.

  15. gunner79
    • 8 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    De Bruyne Captain anyone?

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

      Not a lot of people currently have him but if u do i think that's an amazing differential

  16. Tonyawesome69
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Play 1 and 1st on the bench:
    A. Justin (A vs LEE)
    B. Taylor (H vs CHE)
    C. Bissouma (A vs TOT)

    0.4itb 1ft
    Martinez
    Robbo Ayling TAA Justin
    Grealish Salah(C) Son Rodriguez
    DCL Kane
    (Peacock Taylor Bissouma Vassilev)

  17. Muscout
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best Castagne replacement 5.9 or under?
    Have Chilwell and Lamptey

  18. Make Arrows Green Again
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Is there any clear consensus on budget mids right now (4.5-4.7 range)? Guess it's a toss-up between Romeu, Anguissa, Bissouma?

    1. Make Arrows Green Again
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Also hello gang, it's been a while. I'm finding this season a lot of mental effort and I'm trying to spend less time thinking about FPL!

  19. abhirup780
    • 9 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Who to captain among Salah Son Kane Sterling?

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Salah. Spurs bus has broken down

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

        This

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

      I am going with son

    3. Andy Mac
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Kane for me!

  20. Dele
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    G2G?... Salah over Kane :/

    Martinez
    Robbo, Chilwell, Kilman
    Salah(c), Son, JRod, Grealish, Zaha
    Kane, DCL

    Peacock, Ayling, Brewster, Lamptey

  21. Patrick Bateman
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Adams or Bamford

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

      Che

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

      Both good

  22. JelliedSpark968
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    What should I do?

    Meslier/Steer
    TAA/Semedo/KWP/Justin/Mitchell
    Salah/Sterling/Barnes/Soucek/Bissouma
    Kane/DCL/Maupay

    0.7ITB, 2FT

    1. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Barnes>Zaha or McGinn

  23. El Lobito 10
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Captain?

    I'm on Mane, he going to haul

  24. fachada
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    just sold Kane for Vardy (c) after that Mourinho comments towards the team over their last night perf. Kept Son though. Can backfire but also dont want to be putting all the eggs in the same basket. Can see an upset coming tomorrow with a 1-0 win for Spurs. Also Leeds tend to play on the attack, and can see lots of space open on the back for Vardy runs.

    1. Easy Cheesy
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 4 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      That is brave.

    2. El Lobito 10
      • 6 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Good shout imo

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

      Um

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

      you mean like when he said Son would be out a while past international break and played next game...

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

        I mean the comments where he said "Now you know why some players are not playing"

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

      Spurs tend to be passive when Mourinho makes such comments. Vardy, in other hand is hungry for goals and against an attacking Leeds it can bring the best of him

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

        Any specific examples of that happening?

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

        He did not mean Harry Kane. He meant Alli for example. Kane is their striker.

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

          True, but imagine being the captain of a team and hearing your manager pointing out at your colleagues. This just has an upset written all over it and if you are looking into climbing the ranks, this is a moment to do so

    6. fachada
      • 5 Years
      3 years, 4 months ago

      Throw back to this prediction on Friday, had vardy scored that second goal would be skyrocketing way more

  25. Lukakus talking
    • 4 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Morning all

    Martinez
    TAA – Saiss – Lamptey (Mitchell, Dunne)
    Son – Salah – JRod – Klich (Anguissa)
    Werner – Kane – DCL

    2FT 0.2ITB

    Worth doing a -4 of TAA, Klich, Werner → Masuaku (or other 4.5 def), KDB, Wilson?

    Or just Anguissa → Bissouma and roll the FT for another week?

    Thanks in advance

  26. G Banger
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Yo yo yo, who is better this week:

    a) Mitchell
    b) Kilman

    Ta

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

      B

    2. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      B

  27. Smudger’s Dirty Dozen
    • 12 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    2ft 1m itb - No fires this week so...?

    A Forster/Martin in for Nyland GK
    B Podence to Bowen
    C Podence to Barkley
    D Burke/Podence to Riedeweld/Foden
    E TAA/Podence to Chilwell/Grealish

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

    Just used one of my ft, how is this team?

    McCarthy
    Robbo Coufal Saiss
    Salah Son(c) Hamez Grealish
    DCL Maupay Jim
    Ryan Lamptey Anguissa Dunne

    1. FPL FAN
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Saiss could be benched

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

        I am having lamptey as my first sub, just in case

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

          If Saiss is benched, your first defender on the bench comes on - no need to make Lamptey first sub unless you are happy for him to come on if e.g. Hames doesn't play

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

            Thanks, didn't know that

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

              If u play back 3 and 1 of ur defender doesn't play then the replacement can only be a defender since minimum 3 is required to play. Same with if u have only 1 playing forward and he doesn't play and minimum 2 midfielders too

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

      Anguissa has the potential to get points against WBA, just saying. If this were my team i would play anguissa in stead of Maupay

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

        Don’t do this

  29. Captain_Shirokov
    • 5 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    Best Maupay replacement?

    A) Antonio (injury concern, when is WHU's presser?)
    B) Bamford (he's...well, he's Patrick Bamford. Yuck.)
    C) Adams (pound-store Ings, think it has to be Ings or nothing from Soton)

    Thoughts? Doing none of these means burning a free transfer.

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

      Antonio already confirmed out for this week

  30. Sho-kun
    • 6 Years
    3 years, 5 months ago

    A) Mahrez + Long --> Zaha + Chillwell
    B) Mahrez + Mitchell --> Zaha + Cancelo
    C) Mahrez + Trossard --> Zaha + Foden

    1. I Member
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A

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

      A

    3. PL Ball
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Probably A.

    4. Dexters Laboratory
      • 3 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      A) Foden & Chilwell

    5. Jimbo-Jones
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 5 months ago

      Definitely Zaha over Grealish...?

      1. Sho-kun
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 5 months ago

        I have already barkley