Here’s Ashley with his article on the top 5 defenders that can make a difference to your fantasy football team
The top 5 defenders that can make a difference
When it comes to fantasy football every manager tends to pour their cash into their forward line rather than worrying about the defence.
It’s a good strategy as attacking players do tend to bring home the big points but don’t completely ignore your backline as a solid defensive contribution can prove the difference between success and failure. Here are my picks who could help get you over the line in first place.
5 – Ricardo Pereira
Last season Leicester’s Pereira showed himself to be a solid defender as well as someone who likes to contribute in attacking positions. The Foxes are expected to perform well this campaign under the tutelage of Brendan Rodgers and Pereira will contribute to any success they have.
Last time out he provided 7 assists and scored 2 goals. If, as expected, Leicester carry further goal threat this year then there is plenty of evidence to suggest Pereira will improve on last years point tally.
4 – Kyle Walker-Peters
With Kieran Trippier sunning himself in Madrid following his £20m move to Atletico in the summer, the 2020 season presents an opportunity to 22-year-old Kyle Walker-Peters to establish himself. Mauricio Pochettino likes his team to play on the front foot and his full backs are encouraged to bomb forward.
Spurs don’t give much away at the back and only conceded 39 goals last year. Given they will be in their new stadium for the whole campaign, the atmosphere generated could squeeze an extra per cent out of the team. With a striker like Harry Kane sniffing about the box, you can bank on the wide boys grabbing plenty of assists throughout the season. He just has to hold off the challenge of team mate Juan Foyth.
3 – Lucas Digne
Lucas Digne earned himself a reputation last year as a bit of a dead ball expert and his overall contribution to Everton shouldn’t be underestimated. The Toffees faithful were rightly nervous about the prospect of replacing the ageing Leighton Baines but Digne stepped up to the plate and has become a key player for Marco Silva.
During the previous campaign Digne recorded 4 assists in what is perceived to be a goal shy side and netted a further 4 goals himself. Silva has another year of working with his team under his belt. Everton have added to their attacking ranks with Moise Kean joining from Juventus and he’ll gobble up chances that Digne puts on his plate.
2 – Aaron Wan-Bissaka
Attack is the best form of defence, that’s what they say, and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer certainly has that ethos. Wan-Bissaka starred in his breakout season for Crystal Palace before his money-spinning move to Manchester United.
Wan-Bissaka will be a near ever present in the Red Devil’s line up and given their counter attacking style you can expect someone with the athleticism of the ex-Palace right back to excel both defensively and offensively.
If there was a question mark over United’s solidity then the acquisition of Harry Maguire has dramatically increased the number of clean sheets they’ll keep in the online sportsbooks. This will help Wan-Bissaka’s point scoring.
1 – Trent Alexander Arnold or Andrew Robertson?
Despite Liverpool having a tough start defensively to the 19/20 season these 2 are still my top pick. Okay, it is a slight cheat to name 2 but there is virtually nothing separating these two. Between them they contributed a mammoth 23 assists last year and in a Liverpool side that dominates most of their matches you can expect several shutouts too.
TAA has established himself as England’s number one right back, whilst Robertson has the Liverpool left back spot nailed under Jurgen Klopp and either one of these – or maybe even both – will guarantee you points pretty much every week.
There you have it five, well six, defenders who will be steady points earners throughout the season. If you’re careful, they won’t limit your spending in other areas either
