FPL Defensive Contribution Points- Top Picks, Stats & Impact

The deadline is almost here, and there is still much to digest. FPL Headquarters has introduced a “New Meta” for this season: points for defensive contribution, or “DefCon.” This change significantly alters the game by rewarding players traditionally overlooked under the previous scoring system – central defensive midfielders (CDMs) and centre-backs (CBs). In this article, we examine last season’s “what-if” points under DefCon and identify which players deserve attention. Is it merely a shiny distraction, or should managers genuinely prioritize these players?

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FPL Defensive Contribution Points- Impact and Deep Dive

Laying the Ground Rules | What is ‘DefCon’?

In a nutshell, DefCon rewards outfield players whose defensive efforts were undervalued before. The CDMs and the CBs of the game, who usually tend to be ‘not that exciting’ picks, are strengthened.

Scoring System Explained for FPL Defensive Contribution Points:

It works in a similar fashion to save points – ‘GKs earning 1 point for every 3 saves in a game’.

Defenders earn 2 points whenever they record 10 combined clearances, blocks, interceptions or tackles (CBIT) in a single match.
Midfielders & forwards must hit 12 CBITr, which now include “ball recoveries” – a recovery being not just winning possession but initiating a controlled pass or counter-attack afterward.
The points are capped at 2 per player, even if they exceed these thresholds.

Though capped, these actions will boost a player’s Bonus Points System (BPS) score, increasing their chances of sneaking in bonus points.

This change deliberately boosts the value of centre-backs and defensive midfielders, who previously only scored clean-sheet and bonus points.

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Impact on 2024/25 FPL Points | Who Benefitted?

DefCon certainly makes certain players more attractive. But should we now prioritize CBs over full-backs? Or fill our midfield with CDMs like Declan Rice and Moisés Caicedo? To answer these questions, let’s revisit last season’s data and see who consistently reached the DefCon thresholds.

Methodology | How it’s Calculated

Players who recorded more than 10 CBIT(r) points in the 2024/25 season were shortlisted.
The CBIT(r) points were halved to estimate how many matches a player hit the DefCon threshold.
We then calculated what % of a player’s starts saw them hitting this threshold.
Players are sorted from highest to lowest based on total DefCon points scored.

*Note – these points do not account for additional bonus points that these players would’ve / could’ve gotten – as bonus points are relative*

A huge thanks to Andy (LTFPL) for putting together the detailed spreadsheet that formed the backbone of this analysis. Top-class work as always!

The graphs below standardize expectations and prevent managers from walking into next season blindfolded.

Further Read: 2025/2026 FPL Team Structure Guide with Drafts & Ratings

FPL Defensive Contribution Analysis- Defenders

Top Defenders for CBIT/90 Last Season:

**Top 10 Defenders for CBIT/90 Last season. Stats from Fantasy Football Hub. Subscribe now with a 50% discount.**

A total of 92 defenders recorded at least one game where they would have earned the extra 2 DefCon points. Out of these, some names stood out for their consistency.

The DefCon threshold was achieved on average ~33% of starts among the pool of defenders considered. Notable mentions:

Tarkowski (5.5m) topped the charts, hitting the threshold in ~67% of his starts—absolute consistency!
His Everton teammates, Branthwaite and Keane, followed closely.
Murillo (5.5m) reached the threshold in ~53% of his starts.
Lacroix (5.0m) with ~48%, was another standout.
Budget-friendly options like Pinnock (4.5m) and Collins (5.0m) impressed with numbers north of 40%.
Agbadou (4.5m) emerged as a surprising name, hitting the mark in ~44% of his starts.

Top Defenders for CBIT Points

The above tables takes a deeper look into the top 10 scorers for CBIT points among defenders.

Tarkowski dominated total CBIT points due to his sheer volume of blocks and tackles, making him exceptional value at 5.5m. Branthwaite also featured in the top five with fewer appearances, which speaks volumes about his impact.
Nottingham Forest CBs – Murillo and Milenkovic looked solid last season. While overperformance is a possibility, their defensive contributions should remain consistent under the new system.
Lacroix, seen plenty of times in opposition box last season performing well in Defcon could be a silent gem.

Further Read: Premier League Penalty & Set Piece Takers | 2025/26 PL Season

FPL Defensive Contribution Analysis- Midfielders

Top Midfielders for CBITR/90 Last Season:

**Top 10 Midfielders for CBIT Last season. Stats from Fantasy Football Hub. Subscribe now with a 50% discount.**

The DefCon rule didn’t just favor defenders. It brought the “engine-room” midfielders into the picture too. A total of 94 midfielders recorded at least one DefCon point last season. While Ballon d’Or winner Rodri didn’t feature last season (certainly one to keep in watchlists), CDMs like Caicedo, Baleba, and Declan Rice show promise.

The threshold was hit in an average of ~37% of starts for midfielders.

Casemiro (5.5m) led the list in absolute terms.
Wieffer (5.0m) of Brighton impressed, achieving the DefCon threshold in ~60% of his starts.
Caicedo (5.5m) and Anderson (5.5m) consistently recorded CBIT in ~50% of their starts.
Baleba (5.0m) emerges as an enticing rotation option given his high volume of recoveries.

Top Midfielders for CBIT Points

As expected, Caicedo and Anderson are among the top picks with balanced metrics across the board. Gomes (5.5m) stood out not just defensively but also with his 3 goals last season. Baleba again ranks high for ball recoveries, making him a hidden gem.

Further Read: Best FPL Defenders at Each Price Point for the 2025/26 Season

Implications | What it means for managers?

With DefCon points, these players won’t just tick along with 2 points. Considering their increased BPS, many will consistently score 3-4 points per game, which is significant given their sub-6.0m price bracket. We are not paying a hefty price tag on them. This is sub 6.0/6.5m category players, who are delivering consistent returns.

The key is to identify players who are central to their teams, play 90 minutes regularly, and are immune to rotation. Patience will be crucial with these picks. A surprise attacking return combined with their defensive output could result in massive hauls – think of Declan Rice scoring a goal or Gabriel/VVD heading one in from a set-piece.

Key Points | What all to keep in Mind?

Target defenders/midfielders from teams that adopt a compact defensive setup.
Saving transfers might become easier, knowing these players are ‘fixture-proof’ for small returns.
Even with the cap, consistent defensive contributions will elevate a player’s BPS, making bonus points more attainable.

Further Read: Best Budget FPL Midfielders for the 2025/26 FPL Season

Conclusion

By formally crediting players for their defensive efforts, FPL has added a new layer of complexity -balancing attacking flair with the relentless, often unnoticed graft that underpins successful teams. This change opens up a broader spectrum of viable picks, offering managers greater flexibility and strategic depth in their squad compositions.

Whether DefCon points will actually help managers climb the ranks can only be judged at the end of the season. There’s a real risk that in chasing these ‘2 extra points’, managers might neglect explosive assets like ‘Trent Alexander-Arnold of old’, Ait-Nouri, or attacking full-backs who deliver game-changing hauls. Over-focusing on steady DefCon returns could see managers missing out on the big upside plays.

Conversely, ignoring DefCon completely could be equally costly. These are consistent points that tick along quietly, regardless of fixtures, and could prove invaluable in tough matches where attacking returns dry up. The difference between a red arrow and a green could well be these ‘boring’ yet reliable points.

The key is balance. Use DefCon assets to build a strong squad structure, not as flashy picks but as glue players who ensure a steady points floor.

Thanks for reading the blog! As always, keep tinkering and may your arrows be green. ✌️

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Rohan Bajaj

FPL enthusiast with 3× Top 100k finishes (best 5k), sharing views through a blend of clean stats and match context; being a Man United fan, I try to use numbers to the bias out 🙂

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FPL Defensive Contribution Points- Top Picks, Stats & Impact