Rank your top 5 defender selections and tell us why

[Stemania]

FPL Wizard hasn't been updated yet as far as I know

I am also waiting on this!

[asm_fanz]

Hopefuly it'll be updated for the new season, been using it for few years and it's great!

Peter Blake has written an article on that very subject: https://mathematicallysafe.wordpress.co ... -rotation/

Cheers, I've seen this one, unfortunately it focuses on a rotation of 1-from3 rather than 2-from-3.
Interesting article for those interested in that type of rotation though

[dino1980]

Oops. Apologies.

[asm_fanz]

None needed, thank you for sharing it

[rootcoors]

1. Cedric - Bargain at 5.0 especially with the opening fixtures. Very surprised to not see him and Bertrand priced the same!
2. Tripper - No brainer now that Walker has left. Finished the season very well and fully expect that to continue. 5.5 could be great value for the potential returns.
3. Lindelof - I wanted Man Utd cover at the back because of the fixtures at the start of the season, would go for De Gea and a WBA defender, but makes more sense to go for Foster in goal and save the 0.5.
4. Dummett - I like Newcastle's opening fixture (excluding GW1) and can't see value in any other teams 4.5m defenders at the moment - Could change to alternative Newcastle though.
5. Rangel - For no other reason than to fill the 4.0 spot.

I nearly always play with either a 343 or 352 formation, so using defender 4 would mostly happen if an automatic substitution. The whole of last season my defender 5 only got used once and that was when I played the bench boost. If I found myself playing 4 at the back I would be happy playing the first 4 in the list.

[Hotstepper]

Trippier... Is it not very possible Poch spends on another RB to share some playing time with Trippier? We haven't seen Trippier as anything other than as part of a rotation so far.

Yes seems a steal at 5.5 but I'll be waiting to see who spurs sign.

As for my team, currently have a spot for PVA. Waiting to see DeBoer's preferred selection, but if PVA gets a left mid berth in a 3-4-3, with Palace's opening fixtures, could be good

[Stemania]

Trippier... Is it not very possible Poch spends on another RB to share some playing time with Trippier? We haven't seen Trippier as anything other than as part of a rotation so far.

They've been heavily linked with Ricardo Pereira, so yep, it's very possible Trippier could soon be out of all the drafts as quickly as he went in.

[Billy Bongo]

No way will Periera be a starter, he'll be back up

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[Pulpy]

I think Mooy on pens rather than Lowe buddy.

I think not buddy.

Lowe took the last one last season. Kachunga took one in the pre season friendly against Bury but Lowe had been substituted at this point.

I had Lowe in my first draught but took him out after reading Malone may be a threat to his position. One to keep an eye on through pre season as if I'm confident he starts I may still go with Lowe.

Maybe we need a thread on penalty takers (maybe set pieces as a whole) as I had a look at the FFS list the other day and there appeared to be a few debatable ones.

[acruxen]

I've said this elsewhere but I'll just say it again here - Robertson isn't going to be ousting Milner from Liverpool's first XI. He'll be back up/rotation. Milner is one of Klopp's favourites. He basically converted him into that position to find a space for him and he was captain for large parts of last season with Henderson out.

Yes exactly, Milner is a rotation risk. I don't want a 6.5m defender that isn't nailed on

[From4corners]

I've said this elsewhere but I'll just say it again here - Robertson isn't going to be ousting Milner from Liverpool's first XI. He'll be back up/rotation. Milner is one of Klopp's favourites. He basically converted him into that position to find a space for him and he was captain for large parts of last season with Henderson out.

Yes exactly, Milner is a rotation risk. I don't want a 6.5m defender that isn't nailed on

How does "Yes exactly" and your post reflect accurately on what you have quoted?

In that sense, everyone is a rotation risk..

[Resonare]

1. Kieran Trippier - Walker is said to have been the best RB in the league and Trippier was arguably better. High chance of being the highest scoring defender come May imo.
2. Daley Blind - Set pieces, good crosser with Lukaku as striker, bonus magnet. Can't see Darmian or Shaw starting ahead of him.
3. Cedric Soares - High attacking underlining stats, likely to get 10+ CSs given the new manager's style.
4. Craig Dawson - Similar to above. Unlike McAuley, he actually has the underlining stats to back up him up.
5. Andrew Robertson - Better end product than Clyne and cheaper. If Van Djik does come in then he is a steal at 5.0.

[acruxen]

[quote="From4corners"][quote="acruxen"][quote="bigcliff2"]I've said this elsewhere but I'll just say it again here - Robertson isn't going to be ousting Milner from Liverpool's first XI. He'll be back up/rotation. Milner is one of Klopp's favourites. He basically converted him into that position to find a space for him and he was captain for large parts of last season with Henderson out.[/quote]

Yes exactly, Milner is a rotation risk. I don't want a 6.5m defender that isn't nailed on[/quote]

How does "Yes exactly" and your post reflect accurately on what you have quoted?

In that sense, everyone is a rotation risk..[/quote]

The "Robertson will be rotation" part. To me at least Milner is less nailed on compared to players like: Trippier, Bertrand, Azpilicueta, Bellerin etc. This is not something I want for a 6.5m defender. Unless I am wrong all those players have no understudy or their understudy would never feature in a game.

[gallus]

I've said this elsewhere but I'll just say it again here - Robertson isn't going to be ousting Milner from Liverpool's first XI. He'll be back up/rotation. Milner is one of Klopp's favourites. He basically converted him into that position to find a space for him and he was captain for large parts of last season with Henderson out.

Yes exactly, Milner is a rotation risk. I don't want a 6.5m defender that isn't nailed on

How does "Yes exactly" and your post reflect accurately on what you have quoted?

In that sense, everyone is a rotation risk..

The "Robertson will be rotation" part. To me at least Milner is less nailed on compared to players like: Trippier, Bertrand, Azpilicueta, Bellerin etc. This is not something I want for a 6.5m defender. Unless I am wrong all those players have no understudy or their understudy would never feature in a game.

Azpi and Bellerin have competition for their place in the team. Trippier wasn't a regular starter last season, a new RB signing is likely. The only premium defenders I consider to be 100% nailed on are Alderweireld and Vertonghen.

[Baerardi]

Bellerin is definitely not more nailed on than Milner.

[Skrtel]

1. Kieran Trippier - Walker is said to have been the best RB in the league and Trippier was arguably better. High chance of being the highest scoring defender come May imo.
2. Daley Blind - Set pieces, good crosser with Lukaku as striker, bonus magnet. Can't see Darmian or Shaw starting ahead of him.
3. Cedric Soares - High attacking underlining stats, likely to get 10+ CSs given the new manager's style.
4. Craig Dawson - Similar to above. Unlike McAuley, he actually has the underlining stats to back up him up.
5. Andrew Robertson - Better end product than Clyne and cheaper. If Van Djik does come in then he is a steal at 5.0.

Neither can I see either of them start ahead of Blind. Might be interesting if he's a certain starter. Good way to spent 1.0 somewhere else instead of Valencia!

[Zimmerman]

He only stared about 50-55% of Uniteds games last season despite not being injured.

Equally telling is that he started 10 Europa games.

I'm not sure Blind is a wise pick, not sure Jose trusts him.

[Mav3rick]

I think value is the most important commodity in the defensive players so it features heavily in my list.

1. Trippier - Obviously dependent on if they buy a replacement for Walker, but 5.5 in a good defence and with proven personal assist record. I don't expect Alonso type points, but for 5.5 I think he's the best all round package.
2. PVA/Schlupp - Depends which one of them get's the wingback spot in Palace's 343 but it's Alonso's position for possible 2.0 less. I'd expect similar attacking returns (since both PVA and Schlupp are decent goalscorers (for defensive-ish players) and I feel that Zaha is going to cause some panic in defences on that side. I'd prefer PVA to get the nod, but either will earn a spot in my side.
3. Cedric - This is more of a 5.0 slot that begins with Cedric, which I think it's worth having open in either a back 3 or 4. Cedric to start the year, but any of Mawson, Maguire, Dawson, Ake could come in at any time. This spot could potentially be occupied by Schlupp instead if he wins the battle above.
4. A 4.5 defender rotation - I think with the expected improvement in defence from sides like Watford, with Martina available at Everton and with potentially penalty taking defenders (Lowe) or possible set-piece ones from a Chris Hughton side (Suttner) then there's plenty of value to be had here. Either 2 or 3 rotating depending on formation looks useful to me.
5. Alonso. This was a really hard decision between him, Valencia and Milner. I want clean sheets at a minimum but Milner's pen duty does make up for the lack of them at Liverpool. Ultimately, I think Alonso probably edges out the others on goal threat, although Milner's pens take it very close (it mostly depends on how many pens you think Liverpool are likely to get, which is a bit of a finger in the air guess). His stats last year were brilliant with only PVA getting close, and he can at least be downgraded to any 6.5 that's performing well. The early fixtures, Burnley apart, are against him though.

Coleman would have deserved a mention if not injured and if Bellerin looks to have nailed down a spot he could edge Alonso out on value terms (although I don't think he's as likely to score many goals he's 1.0 cheaper). The same would be true of Azpilcueta if he did happen to take the RWB berth, although with only a 0.5 saving on Alonso it would be a closer call.

[Vcize]

How does Mendy slot in here now that he's officially moved to Man City?

[Billy Bongo]

I need to mention Alexander Arnold, highly regarded at Anfield and there are rumours Klopp would sell Clyne of an offer came in.

And Clyne is injured

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[Hotstepper]

Could Milner play RB to cover for Clyne's injury, with Robertson taking LB?

[Zimmerman]

Absolutely... could well 'cover' Clyne if he's fit even!

[Billy Bongo]

No way will Klopp play Milner ahead of Alexander Arnold at rb

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[Gambit]

I think value is the most important commodity in the defensive players so it features heavily in my list.

1. Trippier - Obviously dependent on if they buy a replacement for Walker, but 5.5 in a good defence and with proven personal assist record. I don't expect Alonso type points, but for 5.5 I think he's the best all round package.
2. PVA/Schlupp - Depends which one of them get's the wingback spot in Palace's 343 but it's Alonso's position for possible 2.0 less. I'd expect similar attacking returns (since both PVA and Schlupp are decent goalscorers (for defensive-ish players) and I feel that Zaha is going to cause some panic in defences on that side. I'd prefer PVA to get the nod, but either will earn a spot in my side.
3. Cedric - This is more of a 5.0 slot that begins with Cedric, which I think it's worth having open in either a back 3 or 4. Cedric to start the year, but any of Mawson, Maguire, Dawson, Ake could come in at any time. This spot could potentially be occupied by Schlupp instead if he wins the battle above.
4. A 4.5 defender rotation - I think with the expected improvement in defence from sides like Watford, with Martina available at Everton and with potentially penalty taking defenders (Lowe) or possible set-piece ones from a Chris Hughton side (Suttner) then there's plenty of value to be had here. Either 2 or 3 rotating depending on formation looks useful to me.
5. Alonso. This was a really hard decision between him, Valencia and Milner. I want clean sheets at a minimum but Milner's pen duty does make up for the lack of them at Liverpool. Ultimately, I think Alonso probably edges out the others on goal threat, although Milner's pens take it very close (it mostly depends on how many pens you think Liverpool are likely to get, which is a bit of a finger in the air guess). His stats last year were brilliant with only PVA getting close, and he can at least be downgraded to any 6.5 that's performing well. The early fixtures, Burnley apart, are against him though.

Coleman would have deserved a mention if not injured and if Bellerin looks to have nailed down a spot he could edge Alonso out on value terms (although I don't think he's as likely to score many goals he's 1.0 cheaper). The same would be true of Azpilcueta if he did happen to take the RWB berth, although with only a 0.5 saving on Alonso it would be a closer call.

Nice write up Maverick.

I've had PVA in my team since the start - although he will swap for Schlupp depending on who wins the battle. I think the Palace left wing back position is being overlooked, really low ownership and FDB has confirmed he will be playing the wingback system, both are great going forward and with Zaha ahead of them the left side for Palace will carry a real threat.

The only area where I differ from you is Trippier v United defender, I want trippier in my team and I agree with your comments, but I also think United (along with Chelsea) will get the most clean sheets this year. I think the Wembley factor will cost Spurs clean sheets and I also worry that at the moment their non existent transfer activity combined with the rigours of CL football AND Wembley home games leaves their squad looking a little light.

I want Alonso, I want Cedric, and I want the Palace left wing back, so unless I up my spend in defence and remove the 4.5 option it's Trippier v United defender. Not sure which way I will go yet.

[Zimmerman]

No way will Klopp play Milner ahead of Alexander Arnold at rb

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I'll have a gentlemans bet with you that we see Milner start some games at RB this season even when AA is for.

[Billy Bongo]

Easy money cheers

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[Skrtel]

I think that Liverpool will start the season with Milner to the left and TAA to the right, if Clyne is injured.

[Billy Bongo]

So do I but it's Milner owners in FL getting carried away thinking Milner will start instead of Arnold

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[SFC_Fan]

Alonso - nailed on, attacking and loads of CS potential

Milner - hopefully still first choice, potential to be an OOP defender on pens.

Cedric - super attacking player who suits the managers style. Also a bargain at 5.0

Bellerin - one of my favourite players in the league. Super attacking just need Arsenal to keep more CS than last year to be worthwhile

Mendy - curve ball as he hasn't actually signed yet but he is a very attacking strong wing back. 11 assists last season

[Payet]

Cedric
Bertrand
Valencia
Zabaleta
Rangel (4.0 defender that won't play)

This is mostly because this season I will play 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 based on fixtures. Defenders are all side backs, and this selection is based on fixtures and attacking potential they have. Maybe the problem would be doubled defence from Southampton, but I can't see any other team with better fixtures at the start of the season. I'll gamble with that.