With the arrival of superstars like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Sane and other attackers, most people would be scrambling to try and fit in these big names in their fantasy premier league squads with little money for the defence, which may not be such a wise option.
Clean sheets contribute massive points to a team. With each clean sheet worth 4 points, it would be advisable to choose defenders from teams boasting solid back fours. In general, though, attacking full backs contribute the most to a team due to the fact that each assist contributes 3 points while a goal is worth a massive 6 points.
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On that note, here is a list of 10 must have defenders for each FPL manager:
#10 Hector Bellerin - £6.5m
Hector Bellerin was one of Arsenal’s best players last season. His ability to bomb down the wing and deliver useful balls into the box adds to his value.
His 6 assists and 1 goal, along with the fact that he was the leader among defenders in points, justifies his pricey £6.5m price tag. Bellerin’s pace allows him to constantly track back while defending counter attacks and also lead counter attacks himself. One of the best young defenders in the world, Bellerin also received the highest bonus points for a defender in the league.
With Cech between the posts and the imminent arrival of Mustafi from Valencia, Arsenal would be expected to keep a large number of clean sheets. They managed 18 last season and that number could reach 20 for the 2016/17 campaign. Arsenal have a tough initial run of fixtures, so Bellerin could be a useful pick in the month of September.
First six fixtures: Liverpool(H) Leicester(A) Watford(A) Southampton(H) Hull(A) Chelsea(H)
#9 Toby Alderweireld - £6.5m
Toby Alderweireld is another must have for any fantasy manager out there. The defender had one of his best seasons last time around and was a major part in Spurs' run for the title.
Alderweireld is an ever present in the Tottenham side and played every single minute of the last campaign.
Ony second to Bellerin in terms of defender points, Alderweireld got a major chunk of his points through his offensive abilities. With 4 goals, he was the second highest scoring defender in the league.
He also chipped in with 3 assists and received 16 bonus points. With the addition of Victor Wanyama to the midfield, the Spurs defence is expected to get even more solid. Alderweireld is priced at £6.5m, similar to Hector Bellerin.
First six fixtures: Everton(A) Crystal Palace(H) Liverpool(H) Stoke(A) Sunderland(H) Middlesbrough(A)
#8 Scott Dann - £5.5m
Scott Dann is probably one of the most underrated defenders in the league. Overlooked by most teams, Scott Dann has only been selected by 8% of FPL managers. A major threat from set pieces, Dann contributed 5 goals along with 2 assists in the previous campaign.
Although Palace do not boast the most solid defence in the league, Dann's consistency and their favourable run of fixtures initially contribute to his selection. At £5.5m Dann is expected to be well worth the money.
First six fixtures: West Brom(H) Spurs(A) Bournemouth(H) Middlesbrough(A) Stoke(H) Sunderland(A)
#7 Luke Shaw - £5.5m
Luke Shaw is currently one of the best left-backs in the Premier League, both offensively and defensively. United kept 16 clean sheets last season and with the arrival of Jose Mourinho, they would be expected to increase that to about 20.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the side, Shaw also has a target man for his crosses, an option he did not possess last campaign. After injury destroyed his previous campaign, Shaw is exected to slot right back into the squad and resume where he left off.
Priced at £5.5m, Shaw is a steal for every manager out there.
First six fixtures: Bournemouth(A) Southampton(H) Hull(A) Man City(H) Watford(A) Leicester(H)
#6 Leighton Baines - £5.5m
Leighton Baines’ value peaked at £8.1m in the 2010/11 campaign when he was at his devastating best on the left flank for Everton. His price has dropped rapidly since then and is now considered a huge bargain buy.
Priced at £6m last season, Baines had a disastrous 2015/16 campaign which saw his stock drop further. Currently at £5.5m, he could very well find his form this season under new manager Ronald Koeman.
Koeman is a manager that likes to go forward and use the wings and Baines is expected to play a major role in such a system. Baines, being the dedicated corner and penalty taker is expected to provide a high number of goals and assists. With Lukaku still in the club, Everton still have a target man to get on the end of Baines’ crosses.
With a favourable early run of fixtures, the Englishman is a must have early on in the season.
First six fixtures: Spurs(H) West Brom(A) Stoke(H) Sunderland(A) Middlesbrough(H) Bournemouth(A)
#5 Van Dijk - £5.5m
Virgil Van Dijk was Southampton’s best defender last season, outperforming the evergreen Jose Fonte. A guaranteed starter for the Saints, Van Dijk scored 3 goals and kept 10 clean sheets last time around.
With the arrival of Claude Puel, one of the most pragmatic football managers around, Southampton would be expected to play solid, defensive football and be hard to break down, all factors that contribute to Van Dijk’s selection.
Van Dijk is priced at £5.5m and should be used as an option later on in the season.
First six fixtures: Watford(H) Man United(A) Sunderland(H) Arsenal(A) Swansea(H) West Ham(A)
#4 John Terry - £ 5.5m
Chelsea’s defence was in shambles last season, but that is set to change with the arrival of Antonio Conte. Conte was extremely defensive minded during his stints as Juventus and Italy manager and is expected to apply the same principles in England.
Terry managed just 6 clean sheets last season, a season where his playing time was limited, but with Kurt Zouma injured Terry is currently a guaranteed starter.
At £5.5m, the ex-England man is the cheapest Chelsea defender and with Ivanovic’s form waning, he would be an extremely wise selection.
First six fixtures: West Ham(H) Watford(A) Burnley(H) Swansea(A) Liverpool(H) Arsenal(A)
#3 John Stones - £5m
John Stones is probably the biggest steal of the season. Priced at just £5m, Stones is expected to play a major part in City’s quest for the title. Alongside a fit-again Vincent Kompany, they could very well form the best centre-half partnership of the league.
Stones is also highly competent with the ball at his feet and his distribution and forward runs contribute to his overall effectiveness. A major threat from corners, Stones would be expected to chip in with at least 4-5 goals a season.
A price of £5m at Everton would be questionable, but £5m at City is just a bargain.
First six fixtures: Sunderland(H) Stoke(A) West Ham(H) Man United(A) Bournemouth(H) Swansea(A)
#2 Antonio Barragan - £4.5m
Antonio Barragan has vast experience to his name. Arriving from Valencia, where he made more than 110 appearances, the defender is expected to add experience to an already solid Middlesbrough defence.
Boro conceded just 31 goals in 46 games in the Championship last season. Although the EPL is a step up, Boro have retained the core of their defence and are expected to keep a large number of clean sheets. Barragan standing at over 6ft is also an aerial threat in corners and set pieces.
A strong tackler, Barragan is disciplined in his approach and does not receive silly cards thus adding to his value.
At just £4.5m, the Spaniard who is expected to be a regular starter for the club is a bargain buy. Boro have a friendly run of fixtures initially so managers should look to get him in as early as possible.
First six fixtures: Stoke(H) Sunderland(A) West Brom(A) Palace(H) Everton(A) Spurs(H)
#1 Jordi Amat - £4m
With the departure of Ashley Williams, Amat featured regularly in pre-season and is expected to be a major part of the Swansea back four.
Priced at just £4m, Amat is a must have for managers with a tight budget.
First six fixtures: Burnley(A) Hull(H) Leicester(A) Chelsea(H) Southampton(A) Man City(H)
