5 best budget defender picks for UEFA Champions League Fantasy 2018-19 season

Modified Sep 27, 2018 15:12 GMT

One matchday has passed, and we all can understand now how important a defender can be for our UCL fantasy squads. Most of the fantasy squads have already added Joshua Kimmich, Sergio Ramos & Marcelo. These three are the premium defenders with the very high percentage of ownership. But one thing that can take our squad to top 1000 list is the fourth & fifth defender. This fourth & fifth defender can provide an excellent boost to your rank. Also, if someone is looking to use good defenders from the smaller teams, these could be your options.

#5 Manuel Akanji (£4.5m) - Dortmund

Manuel Akanji, a Swiss footballer plays as a defender for Borussia Dortmund. As Dortmund has started the Champions league season very strongly, winning their game with 1-0 against Club Brugge. Akanji had a very important role in helping Dortmund winning this game with a cleansheet.

As Dortmund is placed in quite an easy group, a lot of cleansheets can be expected from them. Also, the defense of Dortmund is pretty good, one could expect another cleansheet against Monaco as well. So, if you want to add a budget defender in your fantasy squad, he could be a very good option.

#4 Yuto Nagatomo (£4.0m) - Galatasaray

Yuto Nagatomo is a Japanese footballer who plays as a full-back for Turkish club Galatasaray and Japan national team. He was associated with Italian club Internazionale till last year. Only this year, he has joined Turkish club Galatasaray. In UEFA Fantasy league, his price is only £4m.

As Galatasaray has a pretty good defense, he could give a lot of cleansheet points to his owners. Also, he is a full-back as well, we can also expect one or two goals or assists from him this season. At this price, he is one of the best available options this year in UEFA fantasy league.

#3 Joe Gomez (£4.5m) - Liverpool

Joseph Dave Gomez, an English footballer plays as a defender for Premier League club Liverpool. Those who follow the English Premier League, are already aware of the quality of Liverpool defense. At such a price of the only £4.5m, he is one of the best picks for the entire champions league season.

In 4 out of 6 gameweeks this premier league season, Liverpool has provided a cleansheet. So fantasy team owners can expect the same in Champions League season. As Liverpool has to face Napoli and Crevena Zvezda in next 3 matches, there are very high percentage of chances for cleansheets.

#2 Luke Shaw (£5.0m) - Manchester United

Luke Shaw, an English footballer, plays as a left back for Manchester United. He started his career with Southampton FC, but since 2014 he is associated with Manchester United. He has already scored a goal this premier league season.

As his form is looking quite impressive and with De Gea as a goalkeeper, fantasy team owners can expect a lot of points from this defender in this champions league season. Slightly on an expensive side in this list, but he has the ability to return the rewards to his owners.

#1 Nicolas Tagliafico (£4.5m) - Ajax

Nicolas Tagliafico, the Argentine became an overnight sensation last week when he scored two goals against AEK Athens. He plays as a left back for Dutch club Ajax. Because of his 'lung-busting stamina, excellent technique and continuous enterprise' as well as his playing position and club, he has been compared to the Internazionale and Argentina left-sided player Javier Zanetti.

At the price of only £4.5m, he is the one who could reward a lot of points to his owners this season. Also, Ajax has a pretty good defense, one could expect a cleansheet points as well. If you want to free up some budget from defense line for premium strikers, he could be the best choice to bring him in your fantasy squad.

Edited by Ben Roberts