A rise in the number of defenders with a starting price of £4.0m can help managers afford some of the pricier stars in 2023/24 Fantasy Premier League.
In previous seasons, finding even one regular starter at that price has been a cause for excitement, with Nottingham Forest's Neco Williams being a popular pick at the start of 2022/23.
This season, however, there are a number of £4.0m assets for promoted clubs who are set for plenty of minutes.
Jordan Beyer looks the best of the £4.0m options at Burnley, having been named in their starting XI on 29 occasions in 2022/23.
He scored once for the Championship winners and added three assists.
After impressing on loan from Borussia Monchengladbach last season, Beyer has now signed a permanent deal.
Sheffield United's George Baldock (£4.0m) featured in 36 of the Blades' 46 league matches in 2022/23, including 33 starts.
Playing as a right wing-back in a 3-5-2 formation, he scored one goal and supplied three assists.
Baldock’s total of 30 chances created was at least 10 more than any other Sheff Utd defender, placing him sixth overall for the club.
For Luton Town, the versatile Amarai’i Bell looks the most secure option in the £4.0m bracket.
Bell began last season at left wing-back before switching to centre-back midway through the campaign.
He started 46 of their league and playoff fixtures, more than any other outfield player for the Hatters, producing a goal and an assist.
He only scores tap-ins. 😉@Amariibell | #COYH pic.twitter.com/sHDanYsLx0
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) June 28, 2023
A kind early schedule has made Bell a popular early pick since Fantasy was launched on Wednesday. He is owned by over 21 per cent of managers.
Luton avoid all of last season’s top five sides in the first 10 Gameweeks.