Fantasy Premier League

FPL experts: The best premium defenders

By The Scout 28 Jul 2021

See who top Fantasy managers are targeting at the back for their opening 2021/22 squads

The Scout’s panel of experts discuss the best players in each position to consider for Fantasy Premier League squads.

What the experts say - Premium defenders

Pranil Sheth (@Lateriser12)

Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) is an absolute must-have. He will not be as restricted with Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m), Joe Gomez (£5.0m) and Ibrahima Konate (£5.5m) providing strength in central defence.

The other premium defenders I like a lot are John Stones (£5.5m), who I believe is first-choice for Manchester City, the best defence in the country, and Everton’s Lucas Digne (£5.5m), who will likely be on set-pieces in an organised Rafa Benitez defence.

Utkarsh Dalmia (@zophar666)

Alexander-Arnold is the standout premium defender pick because Van Dijk has returned to fitness and crowds are back at Anfield.

Two left-backs, Luke Shaw (£5.5m) and Digne, should also be considered. Both are key attacking outlets for their respective sides and also take a large number of set-pieces.

Ben Crabtree (@FC_CrabDogg)

Alexander-Arnold is the clear winner here. He will likely have multiple 200+ point seasons over his Fantasy career and there's a good chance he can deliver his second in 2021/22.

Sam Bonfield (@FPLFamily)

The opening fixtures of the season make Digne very attractive, especially when you consider Matt Ritchie's (£5.0m) FPL returns under Benitez from a similar position for Newcastle United.

It also seems unthinkable not to have a Liverpool defender going into the season. Alexander-Arnold is my preferred pick, however Andrew Robertson (£7.0m) or Van Dijk could provide better value.

Neal Thurman (@nealjthurman)

The best answer here is Alexander-Arnold, who will produce his usual attacking numbers and be a better bet for clean sheets with Van Dijk back to anchor the defence.

To provide some variety, I'll add Ben Chilwell (£6.0m), who could finish among the top five defenders if his minutes improve for Chelsea.

Holly Shand (@FFCommunity_)

Alexander-Arnold is my go-to pick from the premium defenders. He has it all: goals, assists and clean sheets.

I also have my eye on Robertson on the opposite flank. He had more touches in the opposition box than any other defender last term and always seems to start the season strongly.