Why FPL defenders are making noise this season
After just four Gameweeks, defenders are punching above their weight in FPL. Four of the top ten scorers so far are defenders, with Arsenal’s Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori leading the way. Add in Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Spurs’ Guglielmo Vicario, and you’ve got plenty of value options returning big points for relatively small outlays.
Budget-wise, defenders and keepers have been the sweet spot. Guehi, for example, has offered the best bang for your buck with over six points per million spent — not bad for a player who started at £4.6m. Even the current World No 1 has leaned into this trend, running a four-man defence in three of the opening four weeks.
The case for going heavy at the back
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Value for money: Many defenders are cheaper than midfielders and forwards, yet they’re racking up clean sheets and bonus points.
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Consistency from clean sheets: Arsenal, Spurs, Palace and Newcastle have already banked three clean sheets each. That’s a reliable stream of six-pointers.
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Attacking returns on top: Full-backs and wing-backs can chip in with assists, while centre-backs are always a threat at set pieces.
The potential pitfalls
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One goal ruins everything: All it takes is one scrappy goal against and your clean sheet points vanish. Midfielders and forwards don’t usually lose points in the same way.
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Fixture swings matter more: A defender’s appeal is heavily tied to fixtures. A tricky run of games can quickly turn a strong backline into a liability.
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Less flexibility up front: Committing to four or five defenders means fewer premium attackers in your XI, and that could sting when the big hitters haul.
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Comparing defenders to last season
It’s also worth noting just how much stronger defences have been compared to last year. At this stage in 2024/25, nine teams hadn’t managed a single clean sheet. This time, only four are still waiting. Promoted clubs have also been far sturdier, combining for five clean sheets already, compared to just one at this point last season.
Final thoughts
Going heavy at the back in FPL isn’t just a meme this season – it’s a legit strategy backed by early stats. But it’s not without its risks. If I’m considering four or five defenders, I make sure I’m picking players from teams with strong clean sheet potential, not just chasing early points. And I always keep an eye on flexibility – the moment the clean sheets dry up, I’ll want a way back to those midfield and forward slots.
