You have made your first draft, and you have added your premium players, the Haalands, the Salahs, and the Trents and to make room for them you have also added your budget picks. But you look at your draft and you see that you still have that one or two spots where you can add some quality, but don’t have enough budget to bring in another premium. Well, in this article, we will help you out. We will give you a list of the best £5-£5.5 million FPL Defenders you can bring into your squad to fill that gap and get your team ready and going for the 2023/24 FPL season.
Link to all our 2023/24 Pre-Season articles including all team pre-season friendly updates, team previews, fixture analysis, position-wise analysis, differentials, players to target, budget enablers and more. Completely free to access as well!
£5-£5.5 Million FPL Defenders Analysis
Gabriel Magalhaes
We will start the list off for the best £5-£5.5 million FPL Defenders this season by looking at Arsenal’s centre-back Gabriel. Priced at 5 million, Gabriel offers an enormous threat for a centre-back. Last season he started all 38 games and had an xG of 5.04, the second-highest of all defenders in the league, and an xGI of 5.7, the third-highest among the defenders.
He scored three goals and picked up 3.8 points per match with 15 of them being bonus points. Gabriel also had the third-highest shots among defenders with 32. Arsenal also start the season with very good games against Forest (H), Crystal Palace (A), and Fulham (H) and will look to build on their fourteen clean sheets from last season. At 17.2% ownership, it is important to grab him before this number rises.
Another centre-back to consider from Arsenal is William Saliba. Saliba averaged 4.3 points per match last season and with him partnering Gabriel, Arsenal looked really solid in defence. Saliba recorded an xG of 0.91 and xGI of 1.23, whilst scoring 2 goals and assisting one.
However, Saliba also missed eleven games last season, most if not all of them through injury. Arsenal have also now signed Timber, who can be deployed in the centre-back position too. With minutes concern, Saliba is not the best 5.0 million centre-back available at Arsenal.
Another player to consider from Arsenal is Zinchenko. Oleksandr Zinchenko priced at 5 million this season played 26 games for Arsenal last season, scoring once and assisting twice. He had an xG of 1.32 and an xA of 2.39 while helping keep 10 clean sheets. He averaged 3.7 points per match and had 99 total points last season.
However, due to injury concerns, Zinchenko is not as sailed as Gabriel is and is more of an assist threat than a goal threat, which is not bad, however, if you can get a goal-threatening defender in Gabriel at the same price, Zinchenko seems like a risk.
Saliba vs. Gabriel vs. Zinchenko:
- Mins Played: 2,415 vs 3,409 vs 2,122
- Points/Match (Total Points): 4.3(117) vs 3.8(146) vs 3.7(99)
- xG: 0.91 vs 5.04 vs 1.32
- xGI: 1.23 vs 5.70 vs 3.71
- Touches in the box: 16 vs 53 vs 34
- Shots in the box: 5 vs 26 vs 8
- Chances Created: 6 vs 5 vs 19
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Pervis Estupiñán
The next player on our list of the best £5-£5.5 Million FPL Defenders is Pervis Estupiñán. The Brighton left-back was a favourite among many managers last season and hence is currently selected by 51.5% of fpl managers this season too. In 31 starts last season, the new signing managed 1 goal and 7 assists, while also keeping 10 clean sheets.
He had an xG of 1.8 and an xA of 3.88. He recorded 18 shots in the box (almost 1 every other game), 74 touches in the box, and 462 final third passes. He also created 49 chances for his teammates last season. Brighton also starts the season well with Luton (H), Wolves (A) and West Ham (H). Do you already have Estupinan in your squad? If not, you should look to make space for him.
The other Brighton defender to consider is Lewis Dunk. Dunk started 36 games last season, scoring once and assisting once while keeping 10 clean sheets. He averaged 3.1 points per game with 7 bonus points. He had an xG of 1.67 and an xA of 0.90. While Dunk can be a differential at just 3.2% ownership, you can cover Brighton with Estupinan who has a more attacking side to his game.
Before we compare the two, it is also worth noting that Brighton have lost Colwill and will potentially see Caicedo also moving making their defence considerably weaker.
Estupinan vs Dunk:
- Games: 31 vs 36
- Points/Match (Total points): 3.1 vs 3.7
- xGI: 5.68 vs 2.57
- Touches in the box: 74 vs 34
- Shots in the box: 5 vs 3
- Chances Created: 49 vs 9
Further Read: Best £4.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2023/24 FPL Season
Luke Shaw
The third player on the list is none other than Shawberto Carlos or more commonly known as Luke Shaw. Priced at 5.5 million this season, Luke Shaw averaged 4 points per match last season in the 30 games that he started. He also scored one goal and assisted four, while being part of 12 out of 17 clean sheets that Manchester United kept last season. He had an xA of 2.90 and xG of 1.09 and created 33 chances and 7 big chances for his team. He is an excellent option for the long term too as Manchester United have only 3 “red” fixtures in their first 16 games this season. He is also a guaranteed starter and is on set piece duty for the Reds, all while being great at collecting bonus points.
The signing of Onana who comes in at just 5.0 million gives us a headache to choose from.
Further Read: Best £4.0 Million FPL Defenders For The 2023/24 FPL Season
John Stones
Next on our list is Manchester City’s John Stones. Priced at 5.5 million, despite Pep’s roulette, Stones is probably the most nailed defender in this City side along with Ruben Dias. His unique role in Guardiola’s new system makes him an even more impressive asset to own. Last season, Stones started 21 games and averaged 4 points per game. He had 2 goals and 2 assists, with an xG of 1.03 and an xA of 0.97. He also helped keep 7 clean sheets. He took 11 shots last season with 10 of them coming from inside the box. He also created 7 chances and 2 big chances. Due to his strong heading, he is also a threat from set pieces. Stones will be an interesting asset to own especially considering the excellent opening fixtures City have till gameweek 7.
Ruben Dias is also priced at 5.5 million and is another City defender worth looking at. Dias started 22 games last season, averaging 3.1 points per match. Despite having no goal contributions last season, Dias had an xGi of 1.7. He took 8 shots from inside the box and like Stones, he is a great threat from set pieces. He also created one chance and one big chance for his teammates.
Stones vs Dias:
- Mins Played: 1,844 vs 1,997
- Points/Match (Total Points): 4(93) vs 3.1(80)
- xG: 1.03 vs 1.36
- xGI: 2.0 vs 1.7
- Touches in the box: 26 vs 19
- Shots in the box: 10 vs 8
- Chances Created: 7 vs 1
Further Read: Best £4.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2023/24 FPL Season
Reece James and Chilwell
Next on our list of the best £5-£5.5 Million FPL Defenders is one of the most popular FPL picks in recent years. Despite being injury-prone, Reece James is not someone you can completely discount when it comes to FPL. Due to injuries, James started only 14 games last season but was still able to contribute 1 goal and 2 assists with an xG of 1.09 and xA of 2.14. He also took 16 shots with 6 of them coming from inside the box, while creating 21 chances and 3 big chances. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea line-up under Mauricio Pochettino and if James is able to keep himself fit then he can be a bargain at 5.5 million.
Another Chelsea full-back who can have a great season under Mauricio Pochettino is Ben Chilwell. Chilwell also started only 15 games for the Blues last season but scored twice and assisted a further 3 with an xG of 1.71 and an xA of 1.46. He took 16 shots with 11 of them coming from inside the box and created 21 chances and 1 big chance for Chelsea.
Pre Season: James didn’t feature much in the pre-season sharing minutes with Gusto. But Chilwell has played mostly and looked really attacking in the new set up under Pochetinno. He got a goal and assist already. He looked sharp in pre-season and seems to be the better Chelsea defender to pick for GW1.
Chelsea Pre-Season Goals + Assists Summary:
- Maatsen ⚽️⚽️A
- Gallagher ⚽️ ⚽️
- Chilwell ⚽️ A
- Nkunku ⚽️ ⚽️ ⚽️
- Jackson ⚽️⚽️ AAA
- Mudryk ⚽️
- Thiago Silva ⚽️
- Burstow ⚽️
- Chukwuemeka AAA(4.5 million mid in FPL)
- Sterling A
- Enzo Fernandez A
- Angelo Gabriel A
- Casadei A
- Cucurella A
Further Read: FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations- Defenders and Goal Keepers
Pedro Porro
Next on our list of the best £5-£5.5 Million FPL Defenders is another attacking full-back, Pedro Porro. The Spaniard put up exceptional numbers in the 13 starts that he had last season. He scored 3 times and assisted a further three times with an xG of 1.81 and xA of 2.29. In this time he took 23 shots with 13 of them coming from inside the box. He also created 23 chances and 4 big chances for his teammates. However with the new manager Ange Postecoglou favouring a back 4, these numbers might go down for Porro, hence it is important to wait and see before jumping on the Spanish full-back.
Further Read: Best £4.0 Million FPL Defenders For The 2023/24 FPL Season
Alex Moreno
The last player on our list of best £5-£5.5 Million FPL Defenders is Aston Villa’s Alex Moreno. While Moreno is an injury doubt for gameweek one, he put some exceptional numbers under Emery last season. In 14 starts, Moreno gave 3 assists with an xG of 0.59 and xA of 2.57. He took 9 shots with 4 of them coming from inside the box and created 20 chances and 2 big chances. While Moreno is 0.5 more than the other Villa defenders, he is probably the most nailed for minutes and has some of the best-attacking numbers. He can be a great option to have in your gameweek one draft if he is cleared to play in the first week.
Note: Moreno is ruled for the first few weeks due to injury.
Latest injury update from Emery: “Alex Moreno had a surgery and he is going to be ready at the end of August or the beginning of September. Jacob Ramsey as well, he is going to be ready more in September than August.
Other players to watch for: Fabian Schar, Ben Mee, Diogo Dalot, Nathan Ake, Manuel Akanji
Top 10 FPL Defenders Stats(22/23)
| Player | Price | App | Mins | Shots | Shots on Target | Shots inside box | Big chances | xG | Goals | xGI | Goal involvement | Key passes | Big chances created | xA | Assists | Bonus | Points |
| Trippier | £6.5 | 38 (0) | 3347 | 14 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0.74 | 1 | 13.7 | 10 | 110 | 24 | 12.93 | 9 | 39 | 198 |
| White | £5.5 | 38 (2) | 3066 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0.96 | 2 | 4.8 | 7 | 26 | 7 | 3.81 | 5 | 12 | 156 |
| Alexander-Arnold | £8 | 37 (3) | 2931 | 40 | 8 | 10 | 1 | 1.79 | 2 | 14.4 | 13 | 71 | 26 | 12.63 | 11 | 21 | 156 |
| Gabriel | £5 | 38 (0) | 3411 | 32 | 10 | 26 | 5 | 3.44 | 3 | 4.5 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1.02 | 0 | 15 | 146 |
| Mee | £5 | 37 (0) | 3272 | 28 | 7 | 28 | 3 | 2.4 | 3 | 4.5 | 5 | 8 | 3 | 2.12 | 2 | 11 | 143 |
| Schär | £5 | 36 (0) | 3209 | 56 | 16 | 40 | 9 | 5.61 | 1 | 8.5 | 4 | 19 | 3 | 2.91 | 3 | 6 | 139 |
| Mings | £4.5 | 35 (0) | 3150 | 7 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 1.05 | 1 | 2.2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 1.17 | 3 | 17 | 130 |
| Botman | £4.5 | 36 (1) | 3129 | 22 | 7 | 22 | 3 | 2.31 | 0 | 3.6 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 1.34 | 2 | 8 | 129 |
| Burn | £4.5 | 38 (3) | 3115 | 21 | 4 | 19 | 3 | 1.85 | 1 | 4.1 | 1 | 16 | 3 | 2.21 | 0 | 6 | 129 |
| Estupiñan | £5 | 35 (4) | 2683 | 30 | 5 | 18 | 3 | 2.05 | 1 | 7 | 8 | 51 | 7 | 4.96 | 7 | 15 | 128 |
These are out recommendations for the best £5-£5.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2023-24 season. Hope we were able to clear some doubts around the same!
Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW1 of the 2023/24 FPL Season
Pre-Season Friendlies Updates & Fixtures
2023/24 FPL Pre Season: All Clubs Friendlies Fixtures & Updates
2023/24 Pre Season Summary of All 20 Premier League Teams
FPL GW1 Must Read Articles:
FPL GW1 Scout Picks Based On Stats, Analysis, And Matchups
2023/24 Season: Predicted GW1 Lineups of All 20 PL Teams
Top FPL GW1 Differential Picks To Consider Ahead Of GW1 Deadline
FPL GW1 Team Reveal & Strategy – AllAboutFPL
FPL GW1 Tips & Preview – Breaking Down The Key Dilemmas
FPL Players And Teams To Target From FPL Gameweek 1 To 6
Drafts for FPL GW1:
FPL Gameweek 1 Drafts with Haaland + Salah and Trent Trio
FPL GW1 Drafts with 3-4-3 Formation | 2023/24 FPL Season
Initial GW1 Drafts for the 2023/24 Season with Pros and Cons
Top FPL GW1 Differential Picks to Consider Ahead of GW1 Deadline
Four Players Who Have Never Left My FPL GW1 Draft
FPL GW1 Team Reveal & Strategy – AllAboutFPL
FPL Goalkeepers Analysis:
Best FPL Goalkeepers to Target For The 2023/24 FPL Season
Best FPL Goalkeepers at Each Price Point for the 2023/24 Season
FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations- Defenders and Goal Keepers
2023/24 FPL Season Positional Analysis:
Defenders:
Best £4.0 Million FPL Defenders For The 2023/24 FPL Season
Best £4.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2023/24 FPL Season
Best £5-£5.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2023/24 FPL Season
FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations- Defenders and Goal Keepers
Midfielders:
£4.5 Million FPL Midfielders Watchlist for the 2023/24 FPL Season
Best £5 & £5.5 Million FPL Midfielders For The 2023/24 FPL Season
Best £6.0 -£7.5 Million FPL Midfielders | 2023/24 Season
Mbeumo vs Mitoma vs Eze vs Diaby- 6.5. FPL Midfielders Comparison and Verdict
Best Premium FPL Midfielders (£8.0 -£12.5 Million) | 23/24 Season
Forwards:
Best Mid-Priced FPL Forwards (£7.0 – £8.0m) | 2023/24 Season
Best FPL Forwards in The £6.0 & £6.5M Price Bracket
Best FPL Budget Forwards (£4.5 – £5.5 Million) | 23/24 Season
Ultimate Guide & FPL Calendar:
Ultimate FPL Pre-Season Guide & Tips for the 2023/24 Season
2023/24 FPL Season Schedule: Key Dates, Information & Timeline
Fixture Analysis:
FPL Fixture Analysis For The 2023/24 FPL Season | PL Fixtures
General FPL Blogs:
FPL Team Structure Guide- 6 Different Team Structures with Drafts, Pros and Cons
Premier League Penalty & Set Piece Takers | 2023/24 PL Season
Best FPL Picks Outside Top 6 Teams | 2023/24 FPL Season
FPL Differentials- Players To Watch Ahead Of The 2023/24 Season
FPL Budget Enablers(Top Budget Picks Position wise)
Under Priced FPL Assets from Big 6 Teams
Best Differential FPL Team For The 2023-2024 Season
Players to Avoid in FPL Ahead of FPL Gameweek 1
Initial Reaction to FPL Player Price Reveals for the 2023/24 FPL Season
List of Free to Join Prize FPL Mini Leagues Ahead of 23/24 Season
FPL Tips and Best Practices to Have an Enjoyable FPL Season
FPL Team ID- What is it? How to get a Low Team ID for 2023/24 FPL Season
Best FPL Team Names for the 2023/24 FPL Season
If you’re new to FPL, here is a link to all our FPL Beginners Guide including FPL Beginner’s Guide- How to play?, Bench boost, Team value, Triple captain, Effective ownership, Price Changes, Free Hit, Bonus Points, and more.
Link to all our 2023/24 Pre-Season articles including all team pre-season friendly updates, team previews, fixture analysis, position-wise analysis, and more. Completely free to access as well!
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Aditya Kumar
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