fantasy premier league best attacking defenders

Here’s a little bit of analysis on my view of the fantasy premier league best attacking defenders.  I’ve looked at goals and assists plus some underlying stats to assess the best.  The article just ranks them on their attacking potential in the form of goals and assists. Not on overall points potential which also relies on upcoming fixtures, clean sheets and bonus point potential although I do talk about these things. 

fantasy premier league best attacking defenders

Here’s a table where I’ve ranked my view on the best attacking defenders.  The table also includes games, goals and assists.  I’ve also included the clean sheets that they have played in and the bonus points  that they have accrued.  However the clean sheets and bonus points don’t affect the ranking.   They are just for additional info.  Information on underlying attacking stats I’ve just used to make a ranking decision and not published them.  There’s also a small amount of narrative to give any relevant points such as overall prospects, cost compared to other defenders in the same team, gametime security and the next 6 fixtures on each player

Key:  CS = Clean sheets.  PPG = Points per game

Baines

Over the last 4 years the Everton LB averaged nearly 5 goals and 6 assists by virtue of having pens and direct free kicks for goals and a share of set pieces plus a very attacking mindset for assists. He’s been pretty consistent with those numbers and if anything he’s been improving.   Unfortunately over the last 4 seasons he’s averaged over 10 clean sheets.  After 7 games Everton look no where near a double digit clean sheet team.  However they do have reasonable fixtures going forward so if you’ve got belief that Everton will improve defensively then now and especially with Villa next is the time to do it.  He’s very expensive next to other Everton defensive options apart from Coleman but buying Everton defenders for clean sheets only isn’t really on the cards.  It’s Baines or Coleman or nothing for Everton at the moment

Aston Villa (H)
Burnley (A)
Swansea (H)
Sunderland (A)
West Ham (H)
Spurs (A)

Ivanovic

The Chelsea RB has been in sensational attacking form.  Probably the only player who is a real attacking threat from set pieces with his head as well as creating chances as a full back.  Add to that a real attacking emphasis from Chelsea and you’ve got a lethal attacking cocktail.  So far this season it’s 2 goals and 1 assist.  Based on the last few years history he’s a 5 goals and 5ish assist player but looks to have more potential this season.  With 2 consecutive clean sheets it looks like maybe Chelsea are getting their defence back on track.  He’s quite a bit more expensive though than Azpilicueta at £6.0m although Azpili has little attacking potential.  The fixtures are a little mixed which does give some time to assess whether Chelsea will give the clean sheet backing that his price requires

Crystal Palace (A)
Man Utd (A)
QPR (H)
Liverpool (A)
West Brom (H)
Sunderland (A)

Kolarov

The City LB is an unbelievably good attacking player.  Better at assist potential than Ivanovic but also has some direct free kicks in his armoury.  Doesn’t have the aerial threat of Ivanovic though.  Despite this his goal scoring record is surprisingly poor but last year he did manage to get 8 assists with Pellegrini’s more attacking attitude.  Has potential for more goals although yet to manifest itself this year.  Main problem is rotation with Clichy and propensity to be used as a sub meaning he is a frustrating player to own.  Quite pricey for that as well at £5.9m.  Fixtures are okish

Spurs (H)
West Ham (A)
Man Utd (H)
QPR (A)
Swansea (H)
Southampton (A)

Tomkins

For a guy who’s so good in the air the West Ham CB’s scoring and assist record is really poor.  He’s got 2 assists through aerial strength which is double his previous years tally.  However the evidence this year is that he should do a lot better.  He’s also the same price as the rest of the gametime secure players which is good.  The negative is West Hams new attacking policy which gives a shadow over the clean sheet ability of the team.  However coming up are a few good fixtures to put this right

Burnley (A)
Man City (H)
Stoke (A)
Aston Villa (H)
Everton (A)
Newcastle (H)

Caulker

Another player who looks great at set pieces and his 5 goals last season looks very repeatable.  Also a reasonably similar price to the rest of his team mates although maybe a bit pricey to be used as a rotation option with another defender.  Unfortuantely he’s a CB for QPR who look like a defensive disaster area and the fixtures coming up aren’t great at all

Liverpool (H)
Aston Villa (H)
Chelsea (A)
Man City (H)
Newcastle (A)
Leicester (H)

Zabaleta

Seems to have more gametime security than his Man City FB partner Kolarov although still has Sagna as a rotation option.  Probably less attacking threat than Kolarov though and at a higher cost.  Good news is that Pellegrini is looking to shore up the defence after a shaky defensive start.  For £6.5m though the gametime  security and bonus potential of Kompany looks strong competition.

Spurs (H)
West Ham (A)
Man Utd (H)
QPR (A)
Swansea (H)
Southampton (A)

Coleman

Last years attacking sensation with only Baines and Skrtel probably coming anywhere near the Everton RB.  6 goals and 2 assists were a sensational return.  He’s made a good start with a goal and an assist in 3 starts so far.  However has injury problems with no guatantee he will be fit for Villa in GW8 at the moment.  The price hike from last season also makes him a similar cost to Baines and you may question whether he is really worth that

Aston Villa (H)
Burnley (A)
Swansea (H)
Sunderland (A)
West Ham (H)
Spurs (A)

Schlupp

Playing as a midfielder but classified as a defender is the obvious dream scenario for any FPL defender.  The Leicester LM Schlupp has started well with a goal and an assist but lost his place when Pearson went to 4-3-3.  However got it back against Burnley and scored.  You would think he would hold that position given his form and the other player on the flank of Mahrez however it remains a risk.  Very good fixtures on which to take that though

Newcastle (A)
Swansea (A)
West Brom (H)
Southampton (A)
Sunderland (H)
QPR (A)

Clyne

5 assists last season for Southampton but this season he looks like he could add goals to his armoury although not many shots and pen box touches to back it up at the moment.  Certainly Koeman is looking to attack more so this may help. Ironically though Southamptons defensive form has been excellent and 3 clean sheets has been no fluke.   A little more expensive than his opposite FB in Bertrand but half a million more expensive than Alderweireld although he has little attacking potential. Great fixtures now though to buy

Sunderland (H)
Stoke (H)
Hull (A)
Leicester (H)
Aston Villa (A)
Man City (H)

Chester

The Hull CB Lost his place when Bruce switched to a back 4 and then after the defence fell apart got his place back when he went back to 3-5-2.  Really looks strong at set pieces and Hull look strong defensively in this formation.  He’s also good value compared to the other Hull defenders.  It’s just the gametime risk with the formation issues and the fixtures now are a disaster

Arsenal (A)
Liverpool (A)
Southampton (H)
Burnley (A)
Spurs (H)
Man Utd (A)

Moreno

The Liverpool LB has really showed attacking intent and has good creating chances stats.  He’s quite expensive though for a Liverpool defence with only 1 clean sheet to it’s name.  He’s also more expensive than Lovren who last year got 17 bonus points for Southampton.  However 5 of the next 6 fixtures are very good and if ever Liverpool are going to turn around their defence it’s with these fixtures

QPR (A)
Hull (H)
Newcastle (A)
Chelsea (H)
Crystal Palace (A)
Stoke (H)

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