Premium-priced defenders who boast major attacking potential have been among the top-performing players in the first 11 Gameweeks of 2021/22 Fantasy Premier League.
Top-scoring players in Fantasy
| Player | Position | Points | Points per match |
| Salah (LIV) | MID | 117 | 10.6 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cancelo (MCI) | DEF | 67 | 6.1 |
| Alexander-Arnold (LIV) | DEF | 64 | 7.1 |
| James (CHE) | DEF | 63 | 7.9 |
| Gallagher (CRY) | MID | 62 | 6.2 |
Liverpool's Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) has been the standout performer by some distance, totalling 117 points thanks to 10 goals and eight assists.
Defenders dominate
But it is defenders who dominate the top of the scoring charts, claiming three of the first four places.
Manchester City left-back Joao Cancelo (£6.4m) has already matched his tally of four assists from 2020/21.
Although he has yet to score, the Portuguese’s 26 shots are highest among defenders in Fantasy. Indeed, that total is more than any of his team-mates.
Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.7m), meanwhile, has averaged 7.1 points per match (ppm) to the 6.1ppm of Cancelo.
The Liverpool right-back has scored once and supplied four assists in nine appearances, returning four sets of double-figures.
Alexander-Arnold's goal v West Ham
His 30 key passes and six big chances created both place second among all players in 2021/22.
Chelsea's right wing-back Reece James (£6.0m) has been involved in seven goals, scoring four and assisting three.
That haul already surpasses his attacking output from the previous two seasons combined, when he scored once and supplied five assists.
James' goal v Newcastle
His team-mate Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) has averaged 9.0ppm this term, second only to the 10.9ppm of Salah.
The left wing-back has scored three goals in his five appearances since securing a starting role in Gameweek 7.
Indeed, Chilwell's eight shots in the box in the last five Gameweeks were more than any other defender in Fantasy.
Combined with their strong prospects for clean sheets, Chelsea, Liverpool and Man City's attack-minded defenders are making a strong case for investing more budget in defence this season.
Also in this series
Part 1: New managers can lift Spurs and Newcastle
Part 2: FPL experts: Best Spurs and Newcastle players to target
Remember, the Gameweek 12 deadline is at 11:00 GMT on Saturday 20 November.
