Attacking full-backs who offer multiple routes to returns have emerged as the best alternatives to Mohamed Salah (£13.0m) for the captaincy in Fantasy Premier League.
Salah’s huge ownership of 72 per cent means he is near-certain to be the most-selected armband pick in any Gameweek.
Indeed, a massive 4.18million captained Liverpool's Egyptian against Arsenal in Gameweek 12.
While Salah rewarded their faith with a goal and a 16-point captain haul, his team-mate Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.8m) proved a huge differential.
Just 25,000 managers captained Alexander-Arnold, whose two assists helped him to 30 armband points in the 4-0 win.
Trent's first assist v Arsenal
Notably, Alexander-Arnold has now outscored Salah in four of the 10 matches they have started together this season.
The right-back has combined a goal, six assists and six clean sheets with 15 bonus points.
His fellow full-backs Reece James (£6.1m) and Joao Cancelo (£6.6m), of Chelsea and Manchester City respectively, have also been among the most explosive players in 2021/22.
Indeed, all three players have scored at least 10 points more than Salah over the last three Gameweeks.
Salah compared with star defenders
| Player | Salah | Alexander-Arnold | Cancelo | James |
| Double-figures | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blanks | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| Appearances | 12 | 10 | 12 | 9 |
| Points | 125 | 79 | 79 | 75 |
| Points last three GWs | 18 | 28 | 28 | 40 |
Like Alexander-Arnold, James has three double-figure hauls over the last four Gameweeks.
Chelsea's right wing-back has amassed 53 points in that run, thanks to three goals, two assists, three clean sheets and 10 bonus.
Only 26,000 managers captained James for the Blues’ 3-0 victory at Leicester City, earning 24 armband points.
Cancelo has been Man City’s best performer in Fantasy this season thanks to his all-round potential.
The Portuguese’s five assists, eight clean sheets and 12 bonus have earned him 79 points, 22 more than any team-mate.
Just 54,000 managers picked Cancelo for the captaincy in Gameweek 12, with the defender earning his second successive double-figure haul in the 3-0 success over Everton.
Cancelo's assist v Everton
We certainly won't get tired of watching this assist! 😏#ManCity | @Sure pic.twitter.com/pQ2IH4nslr
— Manchester City (@ManCity) November 22, 2021
With just a single blank all season, Salah’s consistency means he will continue to be the go-to captain for millions of managers.
But for those willing to go against the majority, Alexander-Arnold, Cancelo and James' multiple routes to returns give them huge potential as armband differentials.
Also in this series
Part 1: Stars emerging under their new bosses
Part 3: FPL experts on who to target under new managers