Top of the list
1. Matheus N. gets the top spot because the creative output is elite for a defender. He has 1 goal and 8 assists, the best assist total in this group, and he has added 12 clean sheets and 16 bonus across 2714 minutes. At £5.3m and just 3.0% selected, he offers a rare mix of attacking upside, defensive cover and differential appeal. The 151 points total is already strong, and if you are specifically targeting assists from the back line, he sets the benchmark.
2. O’Reilly is the explosive alternative, and arguably the most aggressive attacking pick in the whole list. His numbers are superb, 5 goals and 4 assists, plus 14 clean sheets, for 158 points in only 2553 minutes. That kind of goal threat is hard to ignore in FPL, especially from a £5.3m defender. The current 5.5 form is also healthier than most names near the top. The only reason he sits second is that Matheus N. has the stronger assist profile, but if you want a defender who can post midfield-style hauls, O’Reilly is right there.
3. J.Timber rounds out the premium tier. His line of 3 goals and 6 assists is excellent, and 13 clean sheets from an Arsenal defender keeps the floor high. At £6.0m, he is not cheap, but 149 points in 2452 minutes shows strong per-minute value. The concern is the current 0.0 form, which suggests he is more of a medium-term hold than an immediate priority. Still, on full-season attacking data, he clearly belongs in the top three.
Strong contenders
4. Gabriel is the safest premium in the pool. He has 3 goals and 5 assists, but what really drives the appeal is the all-round package, 16 clean sheets, 27 bonus and a huge 191 points. At £7.2m and 45.1% selected, he is expensive and highly owned, so the upside is less about being different and more about banking reliable returns.
5. Guéhi looks underpriced for the production. At £5.1m, he has delivered 3 goals, 5 assists, 13 clean sheets and 171 points in a massive 2970 minutes. The standout here is durability plus current output, with a strong 6.0 form. He is one of the best value combinations of minutes, attack and clean-sheet potential.
6. James remains a high-ceiling gamble. His 2 goals and 6 assists in just 1919 minutes are excellent, and 11 bonus hints at haul potential when he plays well. But the low 0.2 form and limited minutes make him difficult to rank higher. He is a classic upside pick rather than a stable one.
7. Mukiele is one of the best mid-price differentials. For only £4.6m, he has produced 3 goals and 5 assists, with 9 clean sheets and 145 points. The big selling point is the current 6.0 form, which puts him firmly in the conversation for managers chasing momentum without overspending.
Watch list
- Dalot, 1 goal and 6 assists at £4.5m, useful value but the 2.4 form limits immediate excitement.
- Muñoz, 4 goals and 3 assists, probably the most goal-dangerous name in this tier, but £5.9m is a stiff price.
- Senesi, 0 goals and 6 assists, yet 169 points, 11 clean sheets and 6.4 form make him very live.
- Van Hecke, 3 goals and 3 assists at £4.6m, strong minutes and decent value, more steady than explosive.
- Dorgu, only 1369 minutes but already 3 goals and 3 assists at £4.1m, pure sleeper material.
Verdict
Overall winner: Matheus N., because 1 goal and 8 assists from a £5.3m defender is exactly the profile this category is about.
Best-value pick: Guéhi, with 171 points, 3 goals, 5 assists and 13 clean sheets for just £5.1m.
Sleeper pick: Dorgu, because 3 goals and 3 assists at £4.1m in limited minutes hints at serious upside if the role grows.