The best FPL defenders for 2022-23

3 Aug 2022 22:00 BST
3 min read

Trent Alexander-Arnold playing for Liverpool in a Champions League game at Anfield against Atletico Madrid. — © ProShots

Trent Alexander-Arnold is the most expensive defender in the 2022-23 edition of Fantasy Premier League (FPL), but he’s arguably the most valuable asset in any position.

Although his £7.5m price tag may put off some due to the availability of cheaper defenders, the England international scored a huge 208 points last season, which saw him top the standings for defenders and also ensured he finished third in the entire game, behind only club team-mate Mohamed Salah and Heung-Min Son.

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For comparison, Salah is £13m this year, while Son is £12m. Alexander-Arnold is therefore far cheaper than the pair and is hence great value despite his tag as the most expensive defender.

Manchester City’s Joao Cancelo also managed to score over 200 points last season, while Alexander-Arnold's club team-mate Andrew Robertson ranked third for points from defenders with 186.

Alexander-Arnold registered 12 assists last season, while Robertson managed to provide 10. Of all defenders last year, the Englishman also scored the most bonus points with 32, while Cancelo scored 27.

Those three are the most expensive options in the game, and are clearly the three premium and best players in defence. Joining them as great options are Reece James (£6m) and Ivan Perisic (£5.5m).

© ProShots - Ivan Perisic has joined Tottenham this summer

James registered the third-most bonus points with 26 last season, he scored five goals, the joint-most of any defender alongside Arsenal’s Gabriel, and grabbed the fourth-most assists with nine. That all came with several injury problems that limited his involvement on the pitch.

With Chelsea continuing their back five system, James will once again play as a wing-back which gives him great potential for attacking returns.

On the other hand, Perisic has joined Tottenham on a free transfer from Inter and will provide points at both ends of the pitch. Spurs had an excellent defence last season, keeping 16 clean sheets, while the Croatian bagged eight goals and seven assists in Serie A last season.