Choosing a strong backline is essential to achieve a high rank in the game, but who has the best points potential for the upcoming campaign?
GOAL has the lowdown on the best Premier Leaguefantasy football defenders for 2022-23, with a mix of full-backs and centre-backs that are capable of adding great value to your squad.
Defenders have the potential to provide the most points for managers given the fact they receive more than any other outfielders for goals and assists. They can also earn clean sheet bonuses, but it can be difficult to select a backline full of players that carry great attacking and defensive potential.
To make life easier for budding FPL managers, GOAL is here to profile the top defensive picks for the upcoming season.
Best FPL tips & ultimate game guideHaaland, Kane & the best fantasy football forwardsHere are the best midfielders to pick on FPLWhich goalkeepers are best for fantasy football?GettyKieran Trippier | Newcastle | £5.9m
Kieran Trippier is the in-demand signing of FPL this season, with the defender already having accumulated a league-topping 96 points. At his price, he has become a must-buy in place of expensive options like say Alexander-Arnold – how times change!
AdvertisementGettyJoao Cancelo | Manchester City | £7.0m
Cancelo has fully established himself as one of the best full-backs in Europe over the past three seasons at Manchester City.
The 2021-22 season was the Portuguese star's best campaign yet in terms of his output in the final third, with one goal and seven assists recorded through 36 Premier League outings.
Erling Haaland's arrival at the Etihad Stadium has now given Cancelo a target man to aim for, and few would bet against him improving his attacking numbers as City chase down a third successive title.
GettyAndrew Robertson | Liverpool | £7.0m
For any managers looking for a Liverpool defensive double-up, Andrew Robertson is a great premium option once again at a slightly lower price than Alexander-Arnold.
The Scotland international scored three goals for the Reds in their last Premier League campaign and set up another 10, despite only featuring in 29 games.
Getty ImagesVirgil Van Dijk | Liverpool | £6.5m
Building your defence with players from the same team might not be a clever ideas if you're an FPL manager. However, if you are one of those manager willing to drop Trent Alexander-Arnold or Andrew Robertson due to their high price – as the Liverpool full-backs are the two costliest defenders you can buy in FPL – why not go for the 2019 Ballon d'Or runner-up?
Van Dijk forms the core of a strong Liverpool defence and Jurgen Klopp's team are one of the fsvourites of the titles. FPL managers can bank on the Reds not conceding a lot of goals during the 2022-23 Premier League season. To make the prospect even better, Van Dijk picked up a total of 183 points last season with an average of 5.3 points per game. Only three defenders picked up more points.