The 15 Top Scoring Defenders in Fantasy Premier League & Whether You Should Buy Them
By 90min
With the international break selfishly taking centre stage once again, domestic action has a chance to catch its breath and regain some composure.
The only positive that we can think of here is that although we have nothing to watch domestically, we do have the opportunity to take a good hard look at our fantasy football teams - and decide whether or not any refining is required heading into a hefty Christmas schedule.
My colleague Jude Summerfield (go on, give him a follow on Twitter) has already spun us through the 10 best performing goalkeepers of the season, so it's now my job to have a look at the defenders.
For this, we've upped the criteria to 15 - not because I particularly wanted to but because the same teams are dominating the standings, which isn't very fun. So, let's find out who makes the cut and decide whether or not they should really be getting your attention or not...
15. Jetro Willems
Points: 42
Price: £4.6m
Teams Selected By: 1.9%
Upcoming Fixtures: Aston Villa (A), Manchester City (H), Sheffield United (A)
Known for being rather handy down the years on Football Manager, there was a sense of intrigue and mystique behind Jetro Willems arrival at Newcastle this summer.
Some say the Dutchman has failed to live up to his potential, but since rocking up at St James' Park, Willems has been nothing short of sensational. Okay, the Magpies still aren't great defensively but on the left-hand side, the former PSV star has more than played his part.
A threat going forward, he has a goal and two assists to his name so far, but crucially only has two clean sheets, a record unlikely to improve with two trips on the road and the visit of Manchester City to Tyneside.
90min Recommends: Avoid due to inconsistency.
14. Patrick van Aanholt
Points: 43
Price: £5.6m
Teams Selected By: 11.0%
Upcoming Fixtures: Liverpool (H), Burnley (A), Bournemouth (H)
A favourite of fantasy years gone by, the 2019/20 campaign is shaping up quite nicely again for Patrick van Aanholt at Crystal Palace.
Two goals and three clean sheets is a pretty healthy return, but the last four weeks have seen four single point scores for Van Aanholt; perhaps a sign that Palace's form is crumbling at just the wrong time.
Liverpool are up next, but actually the horizon paints a pretty fantasy picture - although a £5.6m valuation is off-putting, given the vast array of choices at your disposal.
90min Recommends: Avoid in favour of cheaper, more reliable options.
13. John Egan
Points: 45
Price: £4.5m
Teams Selected By: 0.4%
Upcoming Fixtures: Manchester United (H), Wolves (A), Newcastle (H)
Very few would have predicted Sheffield United to be fifth heading into the final international break of the year, but that's exactly where the Blades find themselves.
Chris Wilder's side are dogged, determined and organised, with Egan playing a major part in their success in defence. Just nine goals have been leaked in United's opening 12 Premier League games, with five clean sheets thrown into the mix.
At £4.5m, Egan is incredible value - and you feel no task is beyond Sheffield United on the evidence of what we've seen.
90min Recommends: Long-term investment material.
12. Nathan Ake
Points: 45
Price: £5.1m
Teams Selected By: 14.9%
Upcoming Fixtures: Wolves (H), Tottenham (A), Crystal Palace (A)
Another fantasy football favourite, Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake always seems to come up with the goods, in one way or another.
This season, the Cherries have leaked just 15 goals and kept three clean sheets, with Ake also chipping in with a goal and an assist. As ever, though, Bournemouth's result as a whole have been inconsistent and you have absolutely no idea what you are going to get for your £5.1m.
90min Recommends: Consider as short-term option.
11. Jack O'Connell
Points: 47
Price: £4.6m
Teams Selected By: 2.0%
Upcoming Fixtures: Manchester United (H), Wolves (A), Newcastle (H)
Like teammate Egan, Jack O'Connell has reaped the benefits of playing in a mightily impressive Sheffield United defence.
With all 1,080 minutes of the season safely tucked under his belt so far, he's a guaranteed starter for Wilder's side and his best performance of the season has yielded 11 points, when he set up Lys Mousset's winner against Arsenal at Bramall Lane with a superb knock-down header.
Another solid, bargain choice with plenty of points scoring potential.
90min Recommends: Long-term investment material.
10. Jonny Evans
Points: 47
Price: £5.1m
Teams Selected By: 3.0%
Upcoming Fixtures: Brighton (A), Everton (H), Watford (H)
The surprise package of the season, to most anyway, has been Leicester City, with Brendan Rodgers bringing the good times back to King Power Stadium.
The Foxes have been electric going forward, but also defensively sound - as this is list as about to show - by keeping five clean sheets. The chief organiser at the back? Jonny Evans, formerly of Manchester United.
The Northern Irishman oozes class and composure, helping himself to 47 points this season. However, you will find better options for his valuation so...
90min Recommends: Avoid in favour of cheaper alternatives.
9. Lewis Dunk
Points: 48
Price: £4.6m
Teams Selected By: 11.6%
Upcoming Fixtures: Leicester (H), Liverpool (A), Arsenal (A)
Brighton were expected to struggle this season, after getting rid of Chris Hughton in the summer in favour of modern day thinker Graham Potter.
The Seagulls have taken that wave of negativity on board, proved a load of people wrong and played some pretty decent football this season, barring the odd defensive catastrophe or two. One constant, as ever, has been Lewis Dunk at the back.
One goal, two assists, four clean sheets and 48 points later, the £4.6m man is delivering again for hundreds of thousands of players. He is, however, suspended and Brighton have a shocking run of fixtures coming up.
90min Recommends: Avoid until the New Year.
8. George Baldock
Points: 51
Price: £4.5m
Teams Selected By: 1.7%
Upcoming Fixtures: Manchester United (H), Wolves (A), Newcastle (H)
Without wanting to repeat myself, Baldock is another member of Sheffield United's impressive backline, operating well at right-back this season.
Because of where he plays, he's likely to pick up the odd assist or two, with Wilder keen to see his team push on in the wide areas. Another cheap as chips option, you'd be a fool not to consider him.
90min Recommends: Long-term investment material.
7. Enda Stevens
Points: 51
Price: £5.1m
Teams Selected By: 2.4%
Upcoming Fixtures: Manchester United (H), Wolves (A), Newcastle (H)
The above description for Baldock is equally as appropriate fo Stevens, only he's been placed in a higher price bracket by the bigwigs at fantasy football HQ.
Therefore, the Irishman is probably one to overlook - purely for financial reasons.
90min Recommends: Avoid in favour of cheaper alternatives.
6. Trent Alexander-Arnold
Points: 52
Price: £7.2m
Teams Selected By: 29.4%
Upcoming Fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Brighton (H), Everton (H)
The most popular full backs at the start of the season were unquestionably Liverpool duo Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson.
That will probably be down to the fact that the pair of them combined for 25 assists on last season's game, TAA ousting his teammate 13-12. The Reds also had what seemed like an impenetrable backline, keeping a staggering 21 clean sheets.
This season, Alexander-Arnold is back at it - scoring a worldie free-kick against Chelsea, as well as notching four assists. He does, however, cost £7.2m and Liverpool have kept only two clean sheets, despite winning every game in sight...almost.
90min Recommends: Avoid in favour of cheaper alternatives.
5. Ben Chilwell
Points: 54
Price: £5.7m
Teams Selected By: 12.1%
Upcoming Fixtures: Brighton (A), Everton (H), Watford (H)
Back off to King Power now and to left back specifically, where England's Ben Chilwell now operates on a regular basis.
The 22-year-old is having a rather good time of it, scoring a goal, creating three, as well as helping to keep five clean sheets. That kind of form has earned him 54 points and Leicester a surprise place in the Premier League top two.
Chilwell's not the cheapest, but he's among the most reliable.
90min Recommends: Long-term investment material.
4. Caglar Soyuncu
Points: 55
Price: £4.9m
Teams Selected By: 12.8%
Upcoming Fixtures: Brighton (A), Everton (H), Watford (H)
Fresh off a truly miserable first season in English football, it's been an unbelievable turnaround in fortunes for Caglar Soyuncu in central defence.
The Turkish international was afforded just 371 minutes of Premier League football last season, but he's been an ever-present during 2019/20. Looking strong as an ox, calm under pressure and capable of playing with the ball at his feet, he has all the attributes needed for a modern day centre half.
Oh, and he can tackle too - brutally at times. At just £4.9m, get in quick before his price sky rockets.
90min Recommends: Long-term investment material.
3. Andrew Robertson
Points: 57
Price: £7.0m
Teams Selected By: 22.1%
Upcoming Fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Brighton (H), Everton (H)
Bombing forward from left back has never been a task to look effortlessly easy. That was until Andrew Robertson moved to Liverpool, of course, when the landscape of modern day full-backs changed in English football.
The Scotsman really is world class at what he does, and he's a world class fantasy football operator too. The only problem? Yep, it's price again - so hard to justify spending £7.0m on a defender isn't it?
90min Recommends: Avoid in favour of cheaper alternatives.
2. Ricardo Pereira
Points: 61
Price: £6.3m
Teams Selected By: 14.9%
Upcoming Fixtures: Brighton (A), Everton (H), Watford (H)
Our final trip to Leicester takes us to probably one of the most underrated players in the Premier League, Ricardo Pereira.
I say underrated, but he's probably not. The fact is though that defenders don't often get the recognition they deserve and while Pereira has been praised in fits and spurts, he's been consistently brilliant for Leicester since arriving at the club and has played a huge part in getting the club to where they are now.
He doesn't have an assist to his name, but does have two goals and five clean sheets - putting him behind the ultimate darling of fantasy football so far this season.
90min Recommends: Consider as a short-term investment.
1. John Lundstram
Points: 70
Price: £4.9m
Teams Selected By: 41.7%
Upcoming Fixtures: Manchester United (H), Wolves (A), Newcastle (H)
What's the dream of every fantasy player up and down the country? I'll tell you what the dream is - midfielders playing up front as strikers, and defenders playing in the heart of midfield.
Fortunately, that's exactly what has happened this season with Sheffield United 'defender' John Lundstram, who has in fact being playing as a box-to-box central midfielder. Not only has he been playing there, he's been absolutely bossing it.
Three goals, one assist and five clean sheets has seen him rocket to 70 points, comfortably out in front of Pereira. He's up to £4.9m, but is an absolute steal. Go get him.
90min Recommends: An essential purchase - buy now!
For more from Toby Cudworth, follow him on Twitter!