We cast an eye over a number of defenders and weigh up their FPL credentials going into Gameweek 3, which begins on Friday evening for the third consecutive week.
Last week, we highlighted the attacking potential of Pervis Estupinan (£5.2m) following his assist in Gameweek 1. The left-back stepped it up a notch offensively in Gameweek 2, not only recording another assist but also getting on the scoresheet himself, racking up 11 FPL points as Brighton defeated Wolves 1-4 at Molineux. He is now firmly established as a ‘must-own’ defender with over 60% of fantasy managers having them in their respective squads, only two other players in all positions are higher-owned.
Chelsea will be without captain and defender Reece James for the visit of Nott’m Forest in Gameweek 3, a fixture which is likely to prove popular within the FPL community when it comes to fielding Chelsea assets. Malo Gusto (£4.0m) started in James’ absence this past weekend and may well get the nod again at right-back, whilst Ben Chilwell (£5.7m) on the opposite flank has firmly established himself as one of the most valuable defenders to own in Gameweek 3 with a quarter of fantasy managers owning the England international, who picked up an assist in his last match at Stamford Bridge.
Man City successfully shut out Newcastle last Saturday, winning by a goal to nil and proving their defensive resilience. Josko Gvardiol (£5.0m) made his first Premier League start and impressed on the left-side of defence. Gameweek 3 opponents Sheffield Utd have scored just once across their two league matches so far, losing on both occasions and owners of Gvardiol (or any other Man City defenders) will no doubt be confident of another clean sheet. Kyle Walker (£5.1m), Manuel Akanji (£5.1m) have both proven popular, each rising in price.
Whilst the highly owned Luke Shaw (£5.5m) picked up just one FPL point in Gameweek 2 as Man Utd went down 2-0 away at Spurs, he was part of a backline who did not concede in the opening Premier League fixture at Old Trafford. His ownership are sure to stick with him going into Gameweek 3, which sees Man Utd host Nott’m Forest, whilst centre-back Raphael Varane (£5.0m) offers a significant attacking threat aerially and scored United’s winning goal in Gameweek 1.