Best £4.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2024/25 FPL Season

After the long-awaited launch of FPL 24/25, many managers have already settled on a first draft, making big calls with regards to the likes of Salah, Haaland, Palmer and others. But one area of the drafting process which has been less spoken about is the defense, despite the variety of defensive combinations that I’ve seen on social media. Therefore, we thought it was necessary to produce a series of posts highlighting the best defensive options at each price point for FPL GW1, starting with (the largest category) those priced at £4.5 Million

In this post, I’ve taken into account: players performances last season, team performances last season, and fixtures, in order to pick the best £4.5 Million FPL Defenders to target for FPL GW1.

Link to all our 2024/25 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!

Best £4.5 Million FPL Defenders to Target for FPL GW1

Joachim Andersen

Palace have a good set of early season fixtures, and all of their players should be on our radar, but if you’re looking for a 4.5m defender from the Eagles then Andersen is the top pick. He scored the most points of any 4.5m defender last season (121 points) keeping 10 clean sheets, scoring 2 goals and providing 3 assists.

Palace had the 5th best defensive record last season in terms of goals conceded and in terms of expected goals conceded, demonstrating that their defensive solidity was down to their system and set-up and not solely due to good goalkeeping, which would suggest that this solidity is repeatable. Their defense only improved under new manager Glasner, who joined the club in February; in their last 7 premier league games, the Eagles went unbeaten and only conceded 4 goals.

Fantasy Football Hub’s Player Comparison tool lets us compare the two Palace centre backs; Andersen is far and away the better option (please note that Andersen played 3415 minutes compared to Guehi’s 2021, but even when adjusting for this, Andersen still comes out on top).

In terms of attacking, Andersen outshines Guehi (4.5m) (who only managed 1 assist and 0 goals), representing a threat from corners as well as a creative threat thanks to his long-passing abilities. The Danish defender is in the top 16% of centre-backs for shot-creating actions per 90, the top 10% for assists per 90 and the top 4% for xA/90, illustrating just how creative he is; he’s a great a pick for GW1.

Update: Guehi is also linked with a move to Newcastle and if it happens then he becomes one of the best Newcastle defenders to consider.

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Dan Burn

Newcastle United fan favorite Dan Burn is second on the list of best 4.5m defenders to target for FPL GW1, and after suffering from injuries last season, it’s expected that he will start at left-back again for the Magpies from GW1. Burn is perhaps slightly less exciting than Andersen in terms of creativity, but offers even more of a threat from set pieces than the Palace’s Danish defender. The Geordie is in the top 10% of fullbacks for expected goals (0.1xG per 90), but really does lack any sort of creativity, although admittedly, that’s not his role.

If you are selecting Burn, it’s not going to be for his attacking output, as his highest goal return across his career was 5 goals for Wigan in their League One winning season 6 years ago, and his highest in the Premier League was last season’s tally of 2. The reasons for selecting Burn are that Newcastle have a good start to the season from a fixtures perspective and that he is a threat from set pieces. Early last season, he was being targeted by Newcastle’s set-piece takers, and at over 2 meters tall (2.01m / 6″7), I expect this trend to continue.

Newcastle face Southampton at home in GW1, which is a very appealing fixture, knowing Newcastle’s home record and the fact that Southampton are the weakest of the promoted sides and arguably the weakest in the Premier League this season. They then have a tricky away fixture to Bournemouth, followed by Spurs at home and Wolves away; a decent set of first 4 fixtures, playing their two most challenging fixtures at Home (City and Spurs), which for Newcastle is a huge plus.

Without the burden of European Football this season, there will be less rotation required, probably fewer injuries and therefore more solidity, making Newcastle’s defensive assets all the more appealing. But Burn is more of a minutes risk than he was last season, so let’s take a look at some alternatives.

Livramento / Hall

There has been a lot of discussion recently on whether, following the rumours of Trippier being sold this summer, we should look beyond Dan Burn towards more exciting Newcastle defensive assets such as Livramento and Hall, who are both priced at just 4.5m. Currently, the most popular of the two, at 1.9% ownership, is Livramento, so let’s start with him.

Livramento is the most likely candidate to replace Trippier, and would slot in easily at Right Back whilst also offering cover at LB where necessary. His minutes would be fairly secure, as there are not really any other players who can play on the right side of defense, so if you’re looking for a way into the Newcastle defense for secure minutes and clean sheet points then Livramento is a great pick. The real problem I have with Livramento is his attacking numbers…

Trippier’s whole appeal was that he was part of a fairly solid defense whilst also being an elite creator, producing 0.29xGI last season and 0.36 assists per 90. Tino, on the other hand, averaged an xGI of just 0.08 last season, less than Dan Burn, who, as mentioned, is not seen as a player who will secure managers many attacking returns.

Hall is the alternative, a left sided player who could rival Burn for that LB spot, having started the final 6 games of last season in that position. His numbers, like Livramento, leave a lot to be desired, with an xGI of under 0.1 last season (less than Dan Burn), although it must be mentioned that he played far fewer minutes than both Burn and Tino, appearing in 18 matches, but playing under 800 minutes. In the limited minutes he has played across his budding career, he averages far more shots per 90 than Livramento, and slightly better underlying data – if he were a guaranteed starter he’d by my pick, but he is evidently a minutes risk.

A change of system to something more akin to a 3 at the back could also be on the cards; Howe tested a wingback system in a couple of games last season, and Newcastle’s squad now seems more suited to such a formation, with lots of CBs and very few natural fullbacks. If this were to happen then Hall would likely play LWB, with Livramento sharing minutes with Murphy and others on the right, and would be a much more enticing pick – but we’ll have to wait and see on that one.

I’ve written about this in more detail on my blog, with a slightly longer analysis of Livramento’s numbers, as well as the potential for a system change and what that would mean from an FPL perspective. Check it out here

Further Read: 2024/25 FPL Season – Teams & Players to Target | Fixture Analysis

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Leif Davis

The most attacking and perhaps the most exciting option on this list is Ipswich’s Leif Davis, who lit up the Championship last season, scoring 2 goals and providing 21 assists from left-back. The Englishman averaged 0.43 Assists per 90, and 0.25xA/90. He is in the top 1% of fullbacks for chances created and for Shot-creating Actions (4.97 per 90). While Burn and Andersen are on this list due to, first and foremost, their clean sheet potential plus the added bonus that they may get some attacking returns every now and then, Davis is the polar opposite.

It should be noted that all of these stats are from the Championship, so it would be unwise to expect the same output in the Premier League, but we all remember Alfie Doughty last season… Is Davis a ‘Doughty 2.0‘?

If he is, then fixtures are supremely important, as it was crucial last season to bring Doughty in during a good Luton fixture run, and then remove him when the upcoming games were less appealing. In our Fixture Analysis post, Ipswich are mentioned as a team to consider, but not one of the main teams to target.

This advice was due to the fact that they play Liverpool and City back to back in GWs 1 and 2, followed by a fairly manageable run of games post-GW2. As suggested in the aforementioned post, one strategy could be to bench Davis in FPL GW1 and GW2, and then to sub him in for Burn (Spurs in GW3), Andersen (Chelsea in GW3), or even Trent (United in GW3) in GW3 for Ipswich’s game against Fulham.

His attacking stats from last season are too good to ignore, and the fixtures are good post-GW2, so Davis had to be included on this list and should definitely be considered for your GW1 teams!

Further Read: Best FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations for 2024/25 FPL Season

Ezri Konsa

The final player on this list is Aston Villa and England star Ezri Konsa, who put in some fantastic performances towards the end of last season at both centre-back and right-back for his club and country. I’ve seen Konsa appearing in lots of drafts on social media, and while there are some Villa options that are slightly pricier who I prefer, Konsa is the best option at 4.5m.

The uncertainty surrounding the left-back spot in the team due to the arrival of Maatsen (£5 Million FPL Defenders) means that, for now, players like Digne (£4.5 Million) and Moreno (£4.5 Million) are unfortunately not viable options. That therefore leaves us with centre-backs like Pau and Carlos, right-back Matty Cash (all priced at £4.5 Million), or Konsa. Cash has the better-attacking stats, but was frequently rotated and dropped by Emery towards the end of last season in favour of Konsa for defensive stability. Konsa undoubtedly provided this, being a part of 7 clean sheets for Villa, compared to Cash’s 3.

Villa sit just behind Palace in joint 7th for goals conceded last season, but were fortunate to have Martinez between the sticks, who saved them on a number of occasions (post-shot expected goals minus goals allowed (PSxG+/-) of +6.8). Regardless, Villa are a good defensive side, and have some good fixtures at the beginning of the season, playing 2 promoted sides in the first 6 games.

Konsa is not the most exciting pick, but could be a great option between GW2 and GW5, with 4 great fixtures from a defensive point of view. Do not discount him, especially if you own a Newcastle defender and are looking for a 5th defender, as Villa and Newcastle’s fixtures rotate well.

Further Read: 2024/25 FPL Season – Teams & Players to Target | Fixture Analysis 

Alternative £4.5 Million FPL Defenders to Consider for FPL GW1

• Quansah: If it looks like he will be the 1st choice to start beside VVD over the likes of Konate and Gomez, then he could be a gem at £4.5 Million for the great run of fixtures that Liverpool have at the start of the campaign.

• Ait-Nouri: Great attacking threat, with the ability to play not only at wing-back but also across the forward line, as shown last season. The issue is his fixtures, Wolves’ run is pretty horrendous until about GW10, so, someone to keep on the radar, but not really an option for GW1.

• Mykolenko: Everton defenders rotate well with Palace defenders, and Mykolenko is the most attacking, and the most nailed, of the £4.5 Million FPL Defenders options from the Toffees. Should be considered if you already have a Palace defender and are looking for a 5th defensive option.

Further Read: Best FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations for 2024/25 FPL Season

• Williams / Aina: Some have suggested Murillo as the best Forest option, but he reminds me a lot of Matip, good in terms of ball carries and progression, but offers very little goal threat. Forest have a great first 3 GWs, so fullbacks Williams and Aina should be considered for that period, but offloaded for GW4.

Further reads from ALLABOUTFPL ahead of FPL GW1 of the 2024/25 FPL Season

FPL Gameweek 1 Articles:
Top FPL GW1 Differential Picks(<10% TSB) To Target Ahead Of GW1 Deadline
FPL GW1 Scout Selection- Top Picks for GW1 with Stats and Analysis
Best FPL Drafts with Salah + Haaland with Pros/Cons and Key Notes
AllAboutFPL FPL GW1 Team Reveal with Key Notes
Top FPL Gameweek 1 Captain Picks Based on Analysis & Metrics
FPL Team Structure Analysis with Drafts and Ratings
FPL GW1 Tips- Best Formations & Structure, Haaland + Mo?, More

Must Read articles:
Premier League Penalty & Set Piece Takers | 2024/25 PL Season
2024/25 Pre-Season Summary of All 20 Premier League Teams
Best FPL Rotational Pairs and Combinations for 2024/25 FPL Season
Best FPL Budget Enablers For The 2024-25 FPL Season
List of Free to Join Prize FPL Mini Leagues Ahead of 24/25 Season
List of Creative FPL Team Names for the 2024/25 FPL Season
Best £6.5m FPL Midfielders Comparison For 2024/25 FPL Season
Team wise Best FPL Differentials(<10% TSB) for the 2024/25 Season
Best Liverpool FPL Assets to Target for FPL GW1
2024/25 FPL Season – Teams & Players to Target | Fixture Analysis
Best FPL Picks Outside Top 6 Teams | 2024/25 FPL Season
2024/25 FPL Season- New Rules & Changes | What’s New in FPL?
Players to Avoid in FPL GW1 Drafts
Underpriced FPL Assets from Traditional Big 6 Teams
Ultimate 2024/25 FPL Pre-Season Guide: Tips, Preview & More

GW1 Drafts and Analysis:
AllAboutFPL FPL GW1 Team Reveal with Key Notes
204/25 Season FPL Team Structure Guide with Drafts & Ratings
Best FPL Drafts with Salah + Haaland with Pros/Cons and Key Notes
Initial FPL GW1 Drafts for the 24/25 FPL Season with Pros & Cons

Position-Wise Analysis:
Defenders and Goal Keepers series:
Best FPL Goalkeepers to Target For The 2024/25 FPL Season
Best £4.0 Million FPL Defenders For The 2024/25 FPL Season
Best £4.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2024/25 FPL Season
Best £5-5.5 Million FPL Defenders for the 2024/25 FPL Season
Best Premium FPL Defenders for the 2024/25 FPL Season(>=6.0 million)

Midfielders Series:
Best Premium FPL Midfielders (£8.0 – £12.5 Million) | 24/25 Season
Best Mid-Priced FPL Midfielders (£6.5 -£7.5 Million) | 24/25 Season
£4.5 Million FPL Midfielders Watchlist for the 2024/25 FPL Season
Best Budget FPL Midfielders (£5.0 -£6.0 Million) | 24/25 Season

Forwards Series:
Best Premium FPL Forwards Analysis Ahead Of 2024/25 Season
Best FPL Budget Forwards (£4.5 – £5.5 Million) | 24/25 FPL Season
Best FPL Mid Priced Forwards (£6 – £7 Million) | 24-25 Season
Best FPL Mid Priced Forwards (£7.5 – £8 Million) | 24-25 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 2024/25 Pre-Season articles including all position-wise analysis, team previews, fixture analysis, position-wise analysis, and more. Completely free to access as well!

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