The Scout assesses the transfer trends of Fantasy Premier League managers ahead of the start of 2021/22.
Defenders
Virgil van Dijk (LIV) £6.5m
The imminent return of Van Dijk (£6.5m) has been largely overlooked in opening Fantasy squads.
Liverpool’s centre-back has been selected by just 9.6 per cent of managers.
However, he has stepped up his recovery from the injury that ruled him out for most of 2020/21 and could be in line for an August return.
The Dutchman’s commanding presence should boost the Reds’ prospects of clean sheets this term. Jurgen Klopp’s men managed only 12 last season, seven fewer than Manchester City.
Their opening schedule brings Van Dijk into contention as a cheaper option than full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) and Andrew Robertson (£7.0m)
According to the Fixture Difficulty Ratings (FDR), five of Liverpool’s first eight matches score only two.
Liverpool's first eight Gameweeks
| GW | Opp | FDR | GW | Opp | FDR |
| 1 | NOR (A) | 2 | 5 | CRY (H) | 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | BUR (H) | 2 | 6 | BRE (A) | 2 |
| 3 | CHE (H) | 4 | 7 | MCI (H) | 4 |
| 4 | LEE (A) | 3 | 8 | WAT (A) | 2 |
Van Dijk’s aerial presence in the opposition box is another factor in his favour.
In his last full season in 2019/20, his five goals were joint-top among defenders. And his 28 shots in the box ranked third.
Lewis Dunk (BHA) £5.0m
His cost of £5.0m has deterred many managers, with Robert Sanchez and Tariq Lamptey (both £4.5m) offering cheaper routes into Brighton & Hove Albion’s defence.
However, Dunk’s attacking potential can give him the edge over his cheaper team-mates.
He has been involved in 11 goals in the last two seasons, scoring eight and assisting three.
Dunk's goals in 2020/21
Dunk’s totals of 26 shots in the box and 14 shots on target last term both ranked second among defenders in Fantasy.
Five of Brighton’s opening eight matches score only two in the FDR, enhancing the centre-back’s prospects at both ends of the pitch.
Harry Maguire (MUN) £5.5m
The Manchester United centre-back is being ignored due to the popularity of his team-mate Luke Shaw (£5.5m).
The left-back is the most-owned defender in Fantasy, sitting in 46.1 per cent of squads, while Maguire has been picked by a mere 9.3 per cent of managers.
Yet it was the latter who boasted the greater goal threat last term.
Maguire’s 33 shots in the box were more than any other defender, while his total of 36 shots was more than three times the 11 of Shaw.
Man Utd also have a favourable opening run of opponents, facing just one of last season’s top seven across the first seven Gameweeks.
Man Utd's first eight Gameweeks
| GW | Opp | FDR | GW | Opp | FDR |
| 1 | LEE (H) | 3 | 5 | WHU (A) | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | SOU (A) | 2 | 6 | AVL (H) | 2 |
| 3 | WOL (A) | 3 | 7 | EVE (H) | 4 |
| 4 | NEW (H) | 2 | 8 | LEI (A) | 3 |
Also in this series
Part 1: Bachmann can be this season's Meslier
Part 3: Bowen form hints at another fast start
