Fantasy Premier League 2018/19: 5 Defenders you should consider

With the World Cup now behind us, and pre-season games already in full swing, all eyes are on the Premier League action to get underway. As always, in addition to this real-world football, we have an alternate virtual reality called “Fantasy Football” where fans, with their managerial hat on, brace themselves for a bitter-sweet voyage of momentary joy, frustration, and unceasing excitement.

While most people spend the bulk of their budget on strikers and midfielders, defenders too can prove to be pivotal in a fantasy football team, as clean-sheets (4 points), assists (3 points) and the odd goal (6 points) can really amass the points more often than not. In fact, defenders, at times, finish with a higher total score than the forwards.

Here’s a list of five defenders who you should have in your fantasy football team.

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#5 Barry Douglas (Left wing-back, Wolverhampton)

The defender was instrumental for the Wolves last season

Cost: £5.0m

Despite being a wing-back, Wolverhampton's Barry Douglas had the kind of stats last season that could easily be associated with a creative midfielder. The Scottish international found the back of the net five times and provided a staggering 14 assists as Wolves won the Championship to qualify for the English top-flight.

While it’s true that the physical and technical abilities of the 28-year-old will be put to test in more ways than one in the Premier League, however, there are no reasons to believe why he can’t come out with flying colours at the end of it.

Douglas might not replicate his last season’s performance, given the competitiveness of the league but he sure has an eye for goal. If you are looking for someone who can defend and can set up goals at the same time, look no beyond the Wolves man.

#4 Charlie Daniels (left-back, Bournemouth)

Daniels (on the left) is a worthy option for your team at the back

Cost: £4.5m

Bournemouth struggled big time in the Premier League last season and so did Charlie Daniels. The 31-year-old's one goal, three assists, and six clean-sheets last season might not look promising but you shouldn’t come to any conclusion based on his performance over a single season for the simple reason that he had fared much better in the two seasons prior to 2017/18.

Daniels was party to seven goals and registered ten clean-sheets with Bournemouth during the 2016/17 season and his form was quite similar the previous year as well.

Daniels mainly played as a wing-back towards the fag end of the Premier League last term, and should he be given the same offensive freehand this coming season, we might see his name on the score-sheet more often than the last time around. Priced at £4.5m, the Bournemouth left-back is a cheaper option as well.

#3 Ryan Fredericks (right-back, West Ham)

Ryan Fredricks was Manuel Pellegrini's 1st signing at West Ham

Cost: £5.0m

The Englishman joined West Ham United from Championship side Fulham on a four-year deal couple months back. With seven assists to his name last term, Fredericks was instrumental in Fulham’s promotion to the Premier League.

Known for his electric pace down the flank the former Spurs man can pose a threat to any side and could solve the long-standing issues for the Hammers in wide areas. Add to that his experience of more than 150 senior appearances and he is a complete package. At 25, he is yet to hit his peak and could prove to be a valuable acquisition for any fantasy league manager. Valued at £5.0m, the right-back is a real bargain as well.

#2 Leighton Baines (left-back, Everton)

Baines could prove to be a more than a handy option in your fantasy team

Cost: £5.5m

Everton fans will know that Baines has been a popular choice among fantasy league managers for many years. The left-back revels at dead-ball situations and has the potential to produce goals out of nowhere.

In a campaign marred by injuries, Baines mustered only two goals and three assists last season but his ability to create and score goals is indubitable. With the new boss Marco Silva’s arrival, Everton are expected to fare better this season and considering Baines's expertise in taking penalties and free-kicks, he could prove to be a great accumulator of points in your fantasy football team.

#1 Cesar Azpilicueta (centre-back, Chelsea)

Azpilicueta (in blue) will be a first choice defender for many this season

Cost: £6.5m

Priced at £6.5m, Cesar Azpilicueta is a bit on the expensive side but a worthy option nevertheless. To put this into perspective, the Spaniard scored two goals and provided further six assists last season, while also helped the Blues secure 15 clean sheets.

Even though Chelsea finished fifth, the right-back had a good run last season with a total score of 175. Only a handful of players had more points than him. He is primarily a full-back but mostly formed the back-three under Antonio Conte and one could only imagine what he can achieve if deployed in his natural position on the right flank.

Known for his pin-point crosses and marauding runs out wide, he can devastate opponents in minutes. It remains to be seen how he fits into new boss Maurizio Sarri’s plans; however, he can prove to be an important asset for any team if he could match his numbers from the last season.