The Scout’s four-part series looking at early Fantasy Premier League targets for next season continues with defenders
Based on 2016/17, our pre-season plans should pinpoint attacking full-backs who may be deployed as wing-backs.
Chelsea catch
Five of the top seven highest-scoring defenders from 2016/17 fit this profile, with Chelsea’s Marcos Alonso the pick of the crop.
Alonso returned six goals and five assists along with 15 clean sheets to average 5.7 points per match (ppm), more than any other FPL defender.
See: Top-scoring FPL defenders
Blues team-mate and fellow wing-back Victor Moses could be reclassified as a defender next season, offering a cheaper alternative.
But rotation in the Chelsea defence could now be a concern with UEFA Champions League duties on the agenda.
#FPL could be changed forever...
— FPL (@OfficialFPL) May 26, 2017
2016/17 saw a game-changer in the form of @ChelseaFC's wing-back strategy... https://t.co/hKq2Nxeivc pic.twitter.com/ZrPNNViaek
Arsenal security
That will not be a worry for Arsenal, who may save their strongest line-ups for Premier League action after qualifying for the UEFA Europa League.
Arsene Wenger’s switch to 3-4-2-1 helped the Gunners end the season strongly and, if they retain that formation, the versatile Nacho Monreal will be a wanted man.
The Spaniard can play either at centre-back or wing-back on the left, with Hector Bellerin and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain likely to battle for the berth on the opposite flank.
Rob Holding is another Gunners candidate to monitor.
With Laurent Koscielny suspended for the first two Gameweeks, Holding, who started each of the final six matches in all competitions, could book a place in our initial squads.
"You want as many attackers as possible"#FPL champion Ben Crabtree reckons the 3-4-3 formation is a must-have: https://t.co/LYaBbw78E8 pic.twitter.com/OT01JQHpyb
— FPL (@OfficialFPL) May 28, 2017
Target Trippier
Tottenham Hotspur’s Kieran Trippier is also one to watch.
He was named on Mauricio Pochettino’s teamsheet in four of the final six Gameweeks and produced 46 points from his six starts overall.
Pre-season will offer clues as to his status in the pecking order and whether the Spurs manager will field him as a wing-back in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Positional reclassifications
Elsewhere, Liverpool’s James Milner looks destined to be re-classified as a defender next season.
Currently a midfielder, he was deployed at left-back by Jurgen Klopp but still produced four assists and scored seven goals.
With clean sheets and associated bonus points, Milner would have ranked top, above the Chelsea options, had he been classed as a defender.
Set-piece threats
Gareth McAuley's six goals for West Bromwich Albion highlight the importance of centre-backs who dominate at set-plays.
Liverpool’s Joel Matip, Burnley’s Michael Keane and Swansea City’s Alfie Mawson will head into the new season as likely FPL targets. All three were among the top seven centre-halves for shots inside the penalty area.
Fresh faces
The newly-promoted teams will also contribute early-season candidates.
Huddersfield Town's Tommy Smith and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Lewis Dunk have great potential.
Smith is used as a raiding right-back by manager David Wagner and provided four goals and 10 assists, all from open play, in 45 appearances.
Meanwhile, Dunk scored only twice but recorded 38 shots on goal.
With a clearance, block or interception (CBI) every 7.7 minutes in the Championship, he would have ranked among the top Premier League defenders, putting him firmly in the frame for valuable bonus points.
