Click here to go to the 2018-19 version of the best defenders to pick for Premier League fantasy football!
The 2017-18 Premier League season is well into 2018 and there is no let-up for fantasy football bosses.
Our very own Goal Fantasy Football is also up and running — and it's free to play. The mobile app can be downloaded through this link so that you can create and update your squad wherever you are.
The Fantasy Premier League game on the Premier League's official website is also a popular choice for fantasy managers, but whatever game you use, we've taken a look at some of the best fantasy football defenders, including a few bargains to consider!
BEST FANTASY FOOTBALL DEFENDERS
Getty
Though they came second to Tottenham in the goals-against column, Chelsea's backline dominated the top five top-scoring defenders in last season's fantasy Premier League.
Gary Cahill scored the highest with 178 points, with Marcos Alonso following close behind on 177, while Cesar Azpilicueta accumulated 170 points. Kyle Walker, who recently joined Manchester City from Tottenham, was the next highest with 142 points, while Liverpool's makeshift left-back James Milner scored 139.
When considering defenders in fantasy football it is important to look not only at the player's defensive attributes, such as keeping clean sheets, but also the amount of goals and assists they pick up throughout the season. For this reason, full-backs are usually the best choice, with top-scoring Gary Cahill representing an anomaly in last year's top five as the only out and out centre back.
Top five fantasy football defenders:
| Pos | Player | Club | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marcos Alonso | Chelsea | £7.2m |
| 2 | Cesar Azpilicueta | Chelsea | £7m |
| 3 | Nicolas Otamendi | Man City | £6.4m |
| 4 | Antonio Valencia | Man United | £6.9m |
| 5 | Nacho Monreal | Arsenal | £5.7m |
*As of February 16
Marcos Alonso (Chelsea - £7.2m)
Antonio Conte's Chelsea comfortably cruised to Premier League glory last season and they did so using a fresh 3-4-3 formation, with wing-backs. Marcos Alonso was one of those wing-backs and the former Fiorentina man did a tremendous job, scoring six goals and laying on three more. The Spaniard has continued just as he finished and he already has six goals under his belt, a fact that has helped his value increase.
Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea - £7m)
Cesar Azpilicueta is deployed mainly as part of a back three at Chelsea last season, meaning he does not have as much of an opportunity to get forward as he would have in previous seasons, but he still manages to chip in with his share of assists and goals. Like his compatriot Alonso, the Spain international hit the ground running this term and one of the highest-scoring defenders.
Antonio Valencia (Manchester United - £6.9m)
Having started out as a winger at Old Trafford, Antonio Valencia has evolved into Manchester United's first-choice right-back as well as one of their most important players in recent seasons. The Ecuador international still possesses explosive pace and his attacking nous means that he is always going to be a threat going forward.
Getty Images
Nicolas Otamendi (Man City - £6.4m)
Manchester City's rampant attack has been grabbing the headlines this season, but their defence is often overlooked, despite managing to keep its fair share of clean sheets. Nicolas Otamendi, in particular, is City's highest scoring defender this season and will surely rack the points up if Guardiola's men can carry on winning.
Kyle Walker (Man City - £6.6m)
Manchester City paid big money to Tottenham for Kyle Walker and Pep Guardiola has already received plenty of returns from the 27-year-old. The England international endured a stop-start beginning this year and lost himself points when he was sent off against Everton, but he is a certain starter, who will pick up plenty of points during the course of the season.
Ben Davies (Tottenham - £5.6m)
Tottenham full-back Ben Davies took full advantage of Danny Rose's injury absence to cement his place in Mauricio Pochettino's team at the beginning of the season and he has repaid the Argentine coach's faith in abundance. He has been in and out the team in recent weeks as Pochettino rotates players, but when he is playing he gathers points.
BEST BARGAIN DEFENDERS
Getty Images
If careful enough, fantasy football players can cobble together a good defence without spending too much of their budget, freeing up money to be devoted elsewhere in the squad.
Sometimes consistent performers do not see their price tag increased to reflect their actual worth, while other players can have their value decreased after a single disappointing campaign.
So, if you don't want to waste funds on the big-name players, we've taken a look at some of the better fantasy football defenders that can be picked up for relative bargain fees.
Harry Maguire (Leicester - £5.5m)
A new signing at Leicester, Harry Maguire's form for the Foxes has seen him evolve into an England international and his value has risen to reflect his new-found status. The former Hull City centre-back gets in the way of shots and is a dangerous presence in set-pieces.
Phil Jones (Man United - £5.7m)
Phil Jones has shown tremendous maturity at the heart of the Man United defence this season and his performances have seen him pick up his fair share of points. However, he remains one of the cheaper defenders in fantasy football at just £5.7m
Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle - £4.7m)
Rafa Benitez's Newcastle United are struggling at the bottom end of the table, but they possess a fantastic defender in Jamaal Lascelles and the former England Under-21 international is a bargain. While the Magpies may not necessarily pick up a record number of clean sheets, Lascelles earns bonus points and is capable of scoring goals.
Shane Duffy (Brighton - £4.6m)
Republic of Ireland international Shane Duffy is one of the most impressive stoppers in the division this season. Indeed, the former Everton youth tops the clearances charts and is the most dominant aerial presence in the division, meaning there is a good chance of earning bonus points.
Ben Mee (Burnley - £4.9m)
Burnley are flying high in the division and they have a formidable back-line to thank for their lofty position. He has slowed down in the new year, but the Clarets are sure to get back into their stride soon and Mee remains a decent bargain option.