FPL Budget Picks: The Best DEF Under £6.5
The call — De Cuyper first, questions later. The Brighton left-back is £5.2m, starts every week, and our model has him pencilled in for around 34–35 points over the next six gameweeks — comfortably the best number of any defender under £6.5m. That's why 40.0% of managers already own him.
The catch is the opening fixture, Liverpool away, and "an average run" after that. Doesn't matter much. A nailed starter with that points outlook at £5.2m is the whole point of this price bracket.
The rest, one at a time, in our order of preference:
Calafiori (ARS, £6.0m) — starts, favourable fixtures beginning with EVE (H), owned by 53.3% of managers. Projects around 25 points. Solid, popular, no argument — just less value than the man above.
Davis (IPS, £4.0m) — the price is a dream, the minutes aren't confirmed, and the fixtures are tough starting NFO (H). At £4.0m a defender who might not play is a bench body, not a pick.
Guéhi (MCI, £6.0m) — proven, decent projection, but minutes at City are not guaranteed. AVL (A) first. I don't pay £6.0m for maybes.
Bogle (LEE, £4.7m) — starts, proven, SUN (A) next. Owned by just 9.7% of managers. Quietly one of the better value plays here.
Vuskovic (BHA, £5.1m) — starts for Brighton but unproven, and his team-mate above him does the same job better for a tenth of a million more.
Bobby Thomas (COV, £4.0m) — starts, FUL (H) next, owned by 9.2% of managers. The best genuine £4.0m option on this list because he actually plays.
Muharemović (LEE, £5.0m) — starts, but Bogle does it for £0.3m less at the same club.
Tarkowski (EVE, £6.2m) — minutes uncertain, tough fixtures, ARS (A) first. Pass.
Virgil (LIV, £6.5m) — top of the bracket on price, not confirmed starting, projects the same as men a pound cheaper. No.
Van Hecke (TOT, £4.9m) — starts, proven, CHE (A) next. Fine bench fodder.
Lacroix (CHE, £5.9m) — minutes not nailed down. Chelsea rotation at £5.9m is how good teams go wrong.
The call: De Cuyper is the pick at £5.2m — starts, proven, best points outlook in the bracket, and the Liverpool trip is one bad week in six. Best alternative is Bogle at £4.7m: a nailed, proven starter owned by 9.7% of managers who frees up cash for the other end of your squad. If you need a true £4.0m who plays, it's Bobby Thomas. Buy De Cuyper.
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Players in this piece
Today’s price, next-six total and ownership.
MC
RC
LD
MG