Fantasy Premier League has evolved far beyond simply picking the players you think will score the most goals. Modern managers must now factor in bonus points, chip strategies, and defensive contributions. To help navigate this complexity, the Daily Star has enlisted football expert Ed Easton to provide tips, and a new Daily Star league has been launched with a prize package that includes merch, a VIP tour of Daily Star HQ, and more. You can join by entering the code 9ub6q0 on the FPL website.
Understanding DefCon
DefCon, short for defensive contributions, rewards players for previously unrewarded actions like blocks, interceptions, clearances, and tackles, as well as recoveries for midfielders. Defenders earn two DefCon points for 10 contributions, while midfielders need 12. This has turned physical centre-backs and defensive midfielders into FPL stars.
Players like James Garner, Elliot Anderson, James Tarkowski, and Marcos Senesi scored heavily despite few goals, assists, or clean sheets. Bournemouth's James Hill hit the DefCon threshold in over 63% of his games last season, averaging about 24 per 38-match campaign, potentially earning 48 points from DefCon alone—equivalent to eight goals, 16 assists, or 12 clean sheets.
Bargain Defenders to Target
With many DefCon heavy-hitters seeing price hikes, a few bargains remain. Ipswich's Issa Diop, at £4m, is a popular pick. Though the Tractor Boys may not keep many clean sheets, Diop is expected to do plenty of defending and is known for headers and tackles, with the occasional goal.
Brentford's Kristoffer Ajer, priced at £4.5m, is not a guaranteed starter but should see more game time with Sepp van den Berg out for two to three months. Averaging around 9.5 DefCon per game, he looks like a bargain until Van den Berg returns.
Fulham's Antonee Robinson, also £4.5m, averaged nearly 11 DefCons per 90 last season and 11.6 in pre-season under new boss Alvaro Arbeloa. He also takes penalties and provides assists.
Other Options and a Warning
At £5m, Crystal Palace's Jaydee Canvot, Leeds' Tarik Muharemović, and Brighton's Luka Vušković are worth watching. Nottingham Forest's Nikola Milenković, at £5.5m, is a left-field shout, as he could replicate the DefCon success of Marc Guéhi and Maxence Lacroix under Oliver Glasner at Palace.
Avoid last season's top DefCon scorer Marcos Senesi, now at Spurs and priced at £6m, as he may not be a guaranteed starter. Follow @EastonBall on X for more tips, and join the Daily Star league with code 9ub6q0.
