It’s not all goals and glamour in fantasy football, especially when the rockstar strikers and world-class mids are all being rapidly hoovered up. Usually just after the inevitable goalie gallop, rounds 6-9 are often about seizing those rare game-changing defenders, be they zippy wing-backs or enforcer central defenders. Today we’re going to look at the best 5 defensive assets of the last three seasons: what earns them points as well as where they might let you down. Let’s do the thing.
The methodology is simple: who are the lads that have been shining in the top of their category since 2022? Because of the longer careers of defenders (speaking generally, that is), there’s more room for consistent top performance at the back than there is in the deeply seasonal attack or the crowded midfield. We took a look at the top 20 overall for the past two complete seasons as well as this year up to and including GW25 (time of publication). Before we hit the top drawer, some honourable mentions for those that didn’t quite make our hall of fame:
Josko Gvardiol – well on his way to a second year as City’s only appearance due to his attacking contributions, particularly shots on target. The only Sky Blue in the top 20 for the last three years.
Pedro Porro – Owns the entire right hand side of the pitch at the Tottenham Stadium for the past 24 months. The combination of aerial contest prowess and key passes make him a near-Trent level all-rounder.
Milenkovic / Aina – Every season there’s a team that suddenly develops magic from the back. Newcastle, for example, had the same trio (Schar, Trippier and Burn) in the top 20 for 2023 and 2024’s seasons. This year it’s Nuno’s Notts Forest that are the high fliers. Next year, though? We’re not sure enough to list them amongst the must-haves.
Ben White – Injury doesn’t care about brilliance, and it’s a shame White has been absent for most of the current season after 2 top-20 seasons. Unless Arsenal suddenly go through a Chelsea phase, he’ll be a great pick…when he’s fit, that is.
A fine array of also-rans, but who made the cut? There may be a surprise or two below. Here we go…
5. Antonee Robinson is a firm favourite here at Statr HQ, and not just because of Jon’s whole Fulham thing. He’s fast, his attacking play from out on the left wing is amazing (just look at those crosses and assists), and for a high-pace player in a fairly competitive squad, he’s absolutely nailed on. It’s rare you see the combination of ground covered and low rotation risk. He’s there to get the press moving the right way, like any good inverted wing-back. He also shows that a great player can be on a mid-tier (eat me Jon) team. The downside? Defensive work isn’t anything to write home about. Tackles, aerials won, that stuff is for the burly CBs. Speaking of whom…
4. Virgil Van Dijk, the Merseyside deity of leadership and composure, isn’t likely to be seen darting up the pitch and laying in tight crosses. What he does do, though, is what the big lad at the back should be doing in front of the box. Aerial tussles won, balls cleared, and as part of a consistently strong Liverpool defence even in this, The Age Of Dirty Sheets, his points have been high and consistent for a long time. And there’s the catch: Big Virgil is 33 years old, so past legendary status will inevitably make him a risk for future drafts.
3. Gabriel Magalhaes is not William Saliba, which may have some scratching their heads. Truth be told, he’s not outstanding on any single data point, except for one : goals against is way, way lower for him than any other top 20 asset. He’s the perfect example of a day-in-day-out defender. No glamourous runs or total zonal dominance. Just always there on a top-tier team, contributing in every way from tackles to clearances to the occasional shot on target. A solid workhorse with consistently excellent returns.
2. Trent Alexander-Arnold represents the second, even more high-profile entry for Liverpool in our top 5. Yes, his attacking is world-class, best in position stuff. Yes, his key passes, crosses and assists have kept him in the top five for the past three years. Yes, he’s delivering points despite missing ten games last year and getting virtually no full games this season. He is, per minute, the best defender in English football….until he’s somewhere else. All signs point to a sooner or later exit from Anfield, so don’t get caught drafting a bag!
1. James Tarkowski should tell you how we feel about CBs here at Statr. Did he finish at number one just to enrage the Liverpool fans, who I can already hear screaming “but Trent” on Twitter when they read this? In all honesty though, it’s a combination of two things. 1, he’s always on the pitch. He plays every minute for Everton, and 2, when I say plays I mean “plays harder than a tank”. The most clearances, the most aerials won, the most nailed-on player in the Premier League. And at EVERTON no less. Hardly a club that are known for a tight defence. Playing on a better team, he’d equal Alexander-Arnold for points per game. And every once in a blue moon, he does something amazing .
Jimi Kavanagh, February 2025
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