As the start of the 2023-24 Fantasy Premier League season draws ever closer, we take a look at the wide range of players available for FPL managers to purchase, picking out some excellent value options in all positions.
In this article, we focus on the best defenders who are available at £5.0m or less.
Gabriel (£5.0m) – Arsenal
Of all the defenders available this campaign at £5.0m or less, Gabriel was the best performer from an FPL point of view in 2022-23. The Arsenal centre-back recorded 14 clean sheets and three goals, ending the season on 146 FPL points. Since then, the Gunners have strengthened further with the signing of midfielder Declan Rice in particular. The UEFA Europa Conference League winner should provide Gabriel and his fellow defenders with even more protection, increasing the potential for further clean sheets in 2023-24. This bodes well for Gabriel’s FPL prospects and he merits his tag as one of the best value defenders available. It’s no surprise that over a quarter of FPL managers already own him.
Pervis Estupinan (£5.0m) – Brighton
The season is yet to get underway and over half of the FPL player-base have already moved to bring Estupinan into their respective squads. The Ecuadorian is not only the most owned defender as it stands, but is also the third highest owned fantasy asset in all positions behind Erling Haaland and Mo Salah. It’s easy to see why when taking into account his form at the back end of last season, which saw Estupinan rack up FPL points at both ends of the pitch. Under head coach Roberto De Zerbi, the Brighton left-back was afforded plenty of attacking freedom and with a full season ahead under the Italian, he is expected to improve on his seven assists accrued in 2022-23. When considering his vast ownership, it would be a brave move not to have Estupinan in your squad at this point.
Issa Kabore (£4.0m) – Luton
One of the keys to success for any FPL manager is the ability to identify a regular starting defender at £4.0m, who is capable of recording significant FPL point-hauls, think John Lundstram for newly promoted Sheffield Utd back in 2019-20. This season, that player could be wing-back Issa Kabore (£4.0m). Like Lundstram, Kabore plays for a newly promoted club, Championship play-off winners Luton having signed on loan for the season from Premier League winners Man City. Assuming Hatters boss Rob Edwards opts for the 3-5-2 formation utilised to great effect last season, Kabore will play virtually as a right-winger, with the freedom to burst forward at every opportunity. This increases his potential for attacking returns and could see him make a mockery of his starting FPL price-tag.
