Three matches in, a handful of defenders are already outscoring midfielders on underlying attacking returns. These are small samples, so treat the trend as an early signal rather than proof of anything lasting. Here is how the goal and assist numbers stack up so far.
Top of the list
De Cuyper (BHA, £4.7m) leads the pack with 21 points from a 1G/2A/1CS return across 243 minutes. A form score of 7.0 and modest 18.8% ownership make him a name still flying under the radar relative to his output.
Gvardiol (MCI, £5.6m) sits just above on raw points with 22, built on 1G/1A/1CS plus 3 bonus points in 254 minutes. His 7.3 form score matches the best in this group, and at 19.6% selection he is not yet a template pick.
Calafiori (ARS, £5.7m) also has 22 points and a 7.3 form score, but his profile looks different: 0G/2A/2CS across 236 minutes, with two clean sheets doing the heavy lifting alongside the assists. At 47.0% ownership, he is by far the most popular of the trio, suggesting the market has already caught on.
Strong contenders
Mitchell (CRY, £4.5m) has scored twice already (2G/0A/0CS) for 16 points, with zero clean sheets so far limiting the ceiling. Hato (CHE, £4.5m) has 2 assists in 213 minutes but only 8 points and a 2.7 form score, held back by no clean sheets and no bonus. Guéhi (MCI, £6.0m) has been the bonus magnet of this group, picking up 4 bonus points on the way to 20 points from 1G/0A/1CS. White (ARS, £5.5m) rounds this tier out with 20 points via 0G/1A/2CS and 3 bonus, leaning more on defensive solidity than direct attacking returns.
Watch list
- Bogle (LEE, £4.5m): 22 points and a 7.3 form score from 1G/0A/2CS, cheap at £4.5m and worth tracking.
- Hall (NEW, £5.1m): 18 points, 0G/1A/1CS, steady if unspectacular.
- Tarkowski (EVE, £6.0m): 21 points from 1G/0A/1CS, solid early return at a premium price.
- Ajayi (HUL, £4.1m): top form score in the entire list at 8.3, with 25 points from 1G/0A/3CS, three clean sheets standing out.
- Castagne (FUL, £4.5m): 13 points from 0G/2A/1CS, low ownership at 0.9% keeps him a genuine differential.
Verdict
On pure numbers through three games, Ajayi is the standout with 25 points and an 8.3 form score at just £4.1m, though a small sample means that form score deserves a health warning. For value, De Cuyper at £4.7m with 21 points and 18.8% ownership offers goal involvement without the price tag of the bigger names. The sleeper pick is Castagne, whose 0.9% ownership and 2 assists in limited minutes make him worth a speculative look before the market notices.
Compare these players against the ones in your team
fplwire reads your live FPL team and shows you your captain options, transfer targets, chip timing and mini league standings in one place. Free, and no account needed.