As we count down the days until the return of Fantasy Premier League following the international break, a number of defenders make a case for selection in Gameweek 5.
Clean sheets have proven hard to come by over the course of the campaign so far for many defenders and this was emphasised by just two clubs recording shutouts in Gameweek 4. This further underlines the importance of selecting defenders for their attacking prowess rather than just their clean sheet potential.
Returning to fitness and possibly back into Chelsea’s starting line-up in Reece James (£5.3m), who has not featured since his hamstring injury suffered in Gameweek 1. Should be passed fit to play in Gameweek 5 against Bournemouth, James will be afforded license to roam down the right-hand-side, supplying plenty of crosses which may lead to an assist. He could also be on certain set piece duties. Teammate Ben Chilwell (£5.8m) has already established himself as the second-highest owned defender within FPL and should realistically have more than just one attacking return to his name so far this season. A big haul could be around the corner.
After being rested in Gameweek 4, Josko Gvardiol (£5.1m) may come back into the Man City starting line-up away to West Ham come Gameweek 5. The Croatian centre-back was part of the defence who successfully kept a clean sheet against Newcastle in Gameweek 2. Spurs’ flying left-back Destiny Udogie (£4.7m) has shone so far this campaign, racking up two assists, two clean sheets and 23 fantasy points in four league starts for Ange Postecoglou’s side. Recent buyers will be pleased to know that the defender missed the international break due to a fever and should be raring to go in Gameweek 5 at home to Sheffield Utd.
Nottingham Forest are coming off the back of a surprise 0-1 triumph away at Chelsea and host Burnley in the final fixture of Gameweek 5. Wily Boly (£4.5m) is a regular starter in the centre of defence and found the net for Steve Cooper’s side at Old Trafford in Gameweek 3. Any FPL manager looking for a cheap differential defender should consider the former Wolves man.
