Four defenders to sign in Fantasy Football next season, and four to avoid

With the World Cup over and pre-season well and truly upon us, the return of Premier League football is less than three weeks away.

While managers and chairman look at strengthening their teams, now is the time for all Fantasy Football gurus to focus on their own squads ahead of the upcoming campaign.

With £100m to spend, some FPL managers may look to put a lot of their funds into attacking positions, with the likes of Mohamed Salah, Harry Kane and Kevin De Bruyne high on everyone’s transfer lists.

But, one position that should not be overlooked with regards to setting aside the virtual millions is defence. With four points up for grabs per clean sheet, five for an assist and six for a goal, getting in the right defenders at the right prices can be the difference between being the Pep Guardiola or Alan Pardew of FPL.

It is still crucial, however, to be careful with the limited funds when selecting players for your 15-man squad – five of which are dedicated to defenders; finding the right balance between well-established, big-name signings who are guaranteed to bring in the points and the lower-profile gems that may spring a surprise a la Gareth McAuley before he went mainstream.

That said, Squawka have prepared a few Fantasy Football tips, with four Premier League defenders to sign, and four to avoid.

Squawka’s defender Fantasy Football tips – the four to pick…

Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Value: £6.5m

Price range: £££

2017-18 points: 175

Why? Cesar Azpilicueta was the highest scoring defender in fantasy FPL last season, amassing 175 points.

Mr. Reliable for Chelsea and fantasy football managers alike, Azpilicueta has proven himself to be one of the best defenders in the Premier League, playing as a centre-back as part of back three over the past two seasons.

But following the arrival of Maurizio Sarri as Chelsea manager, the Spaniard is likely to be pushed out to play at right-back with his new boss favouring a more conventional back four.

This need not worry managers though, as Azpilicueta will be getting forward more often than last season, when he still managed to record six assists, score twice and get points for keeping 15 clean sheets as well as receiving 25 bonus points throughout the campaign.

Cedric Soares (Southampton)

Value: £4.5m

Price range: £

2017-18 points: 85

Why? Cedric was one of a few shining lights for Southampton last season as they fought off relegation from the Premier League.

The Portuguese international was as consistent as Azpilicueta at Chelsea, albeit without the points return owing to fewer clean sheets. Cedric recorded three assists for Southampton but with Mark Hughes being given a full pre-season to try and right the club’s attacking wrongs, his right-back could be one of the beneficiaries.

At just £4.5m, Cedric would be a risk worth taking given the ceiling he can reach.

Patrick van Aanholt (Crystal Palace)

Value: £5.5m

Price range: ££

2017-18 points: 95

Why? Last season in the Premier League, only Marcos Alonso (seven) scored more goals as a defender than Patrick van Aanholt’s five.

The former Chelsea and Sunderland left-back has found his home at Selhurst Park, scoring 10 goals in the past two seasons and going close to reaching 100 points in each of those campaigns.

Under Roy Hodgson, Palace as a club look ready to take it up a notch and push for at least a top-half finish after fighting relegation owing to a poor start under Frank de Boer.

And Van Aanholt is certain to be one of the players to prosper, getting forward up the pitch and hopefully picking up a few more clean sheets than the six he got last season.

Phil Jones (Manchester United)

Value: £5.5m

Price range: ££

2017-18 points: 116

Why? Despite playing just 23 times in the Premier League last season, no defender kept more clean sheets than Phil Jones (15).

While many may laugh at Jones and question his ability as a central defender, the former Blackburn Rovers man has been effective for United, keeping them on pace to finishing second in the Premier League last season.

With Jones on the pitch, the Red Devils conceded just 11 goals last term and the 26-year-old was awarded with 19 bonus points throughout the fantasy football season.

…and the four to avoid

Marcos Alonso (Chelsea)

Value: £6.5m

Price range: £££

2017-18 points: 165

Why? With the return of Chelsea to a back four, Marcos Alonso may find his time at Stamford Bridge numbered unless he can adapt.

Despite being the second-highest point-scoring defender in FPL last season, the Spaniard’s role under new manager Sarri is currently under doubt and will rely on how well he does in pre-season.

Scoring seven goals, more than any other defender, Alonso may be high on many a wish list ahead of the new campaign. But given his high price, it may be wise to wait it out and see how he does during the first few weeks under Sarri, in the mean time saving the money or using it to bolster other positions.

Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle United)

Value: £5.0

Price range: ££

2017-18 points: 116

Why? Newcastle United and Jamaal Lascelles have an absolutely horrid start to the new Premier League season.

Lascelles did well enough last year, amassing 116 points as Newcastle marked their return to England’s top flight comfortably, thanks to three goals and nine clean sheets.

But the Magpies start the season off against Tottenham Hotspur before then facing Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal within their opening five games – only a trip to Cardiff City breaks the horrid run.

And just three games after facing Arsenal, Manchester United at Old Trafford caps off one of the worst starts to a Premier League season, on paper meaning clean sheets will be few and far between for Newcastle and Lascelles.

Adam Smith (Bournemouth)

Value: £4.5m

Price range: £

2017-18 points: 56

Why? Everybody loves a cheap option in FPL when it comes to filling out the final spots in the squad, and Adam Smith certainly falls under that category at £4.5m.

But the full-back endured a poor year with Bournemouth last season, winning just 56 points in 27 games. Those 27 games also saw the Cherries keep just two clean sheets with Smith on the pitch and conceded 38 goals.

If looking for cheap, reliable options towards the end of your team building, it would be wise to steer clear of Smith.

Wes Morgan (Leicester City)

Value: £4.5m

Price range: £

2017-18 points: 61

Why? A rock at the back as Leicester City won the Premier League in 2015/16, Wes Morgan has not been at his best the past few years and new signings may see him play less.

Despite doubts surrounding the future of England’s newest hero Harry Maguire, the former Hull City defender may still be at Leicester come the close of the transfer window and will certainly partner Jonny Evans at the back for the Foxes if he does.

As a result, Morgan, who played 32 times last season, will be the casualty at the back. Even if he were to stay, and Maguire to leave, the Jamaican helped to keep just five clean sheets in the Premier League last term, not a return you want even from a cheap option.

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