Martin Montoya

0.7% ownership

A non option last year, Martin Montoya only managed a measly 45 points as a rotation option. This year Montoya is an entirely different prospect playing as a wing back in Graham Potter’s 3-4-3. Montoya provided one key pass and bombed down the line to suggest he will achieve both attacking and defensive returns and could provide great value at 4.5.

Verdict: One of the most attractive options in the cheap defender bracket

Neal Maupay

0.7% ownership

Another eye-catcher for Brighton was debutant Neal Maupay. The 23 year old Frenchman picked up from where he left off last season, scoring 13 minutes after coming on as a substitute. A top performer last season in the Championship, Maupay achieved the 2nd highest amount of goals contributions at 33 (25 goals and 8 assists) and the joint highest amount of shots per game at 3.3. Maupay’s game should translate fairly well to the premier league as he is a highly technical player with great link up play, a ferocious shot and is a capable of operating in between the midfield and defence or making runs in behind. His main downside is his discipline issues as he picked up 9 yellow cards last season. Being Brighton’s record breaking signing, it feels only a matter of time before Maupay is in the starting lineup and with potential penalty duties, the Frenchman could make a mockery of his price at 6.0.

Verdict: Watchlist for now

Emilliano Buendia

0.7% ownership

Like Maupay, Emiliano Buendia is another player who starred in the Championship last season. Buendia is a player with excellent vision and dribbling skills who’s primary concern was either finding talismanic striker Teemu Pukki or either of the marauding full backs. Norwich’s Argentinian maestro thrived last season in the number 10 role as he racked up 8 assists, the second highest amount in the division as well as 2.4 key passes per game which was the highest. He also has a keen eye for goal managing 8 goals last season. Buendia made a promising start to life in the premier league with an a assist and two other key passes. Norwich manager Daniel Farke’s dogmatic approach to his tactical philosophy bodes well for Buendia’s chances of returning and we can expect Norwich to score a lot of goals this season. One caveat would be how Norwich are able to break down a low block as they benefitted from an attacking perspective playing against Liverpool’s high line.

Verdict: good option for Barkley owners wanting to get rid, otherwise one for the watchlist

Caglar Soyuncu

0.5% Ownership

Much was made about who Leicester were going to buy in the transfer market to replace a slab shaped hole in their defence, but it looks like they have find a replacement with last summer’s signing Caglar Soyuncu. The Turk who came to England with a lot of buzz after performing well with Freiburg in Germany, gave a promising performance against Wolves in 0-0 draw in GW1. Soyuncu displayed great pace. strength and defensive acumen in dealing with Wolves tricky attacking duo of Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota. At 4.5, Soyuncu provides a bargain priced entry to one of the premier leagues prestige defences. Since Brendan Rodgers took over in march, Leicester had the 4th best defence in terms of goals allowed and 6th in terms of expected goals allowed. As long as Soyuncu keeps his place, he looks like a great option.

Verdict: Could be the highest placed 4.5 defender come the end of the season